MCAS Questions

Science and Technology

MCAS 20142. The picture below shows an airplane wing with

flaps down. A pilot lowers the flaps before takeoff to increase which of the following forces?

a. Drag

b. Gravity

c. Lift

d. Thrust

3. The diagram below shows the outline of a box that is closed on all sides. Which of the

following patterns could be used to create the box?

7. The picture below represents boxes piled in a closet. The same boxes were then arranged neatly on shelves in the closet. The shelves were built to help store the boxes so the contents

of the boxes can be found more easily. Which of the following problems was solved by building shelves?

a. Organizing the use of space

b. Limiting the shape of the boxes

c. Increasing the size of the closet

d. Equalizing the weight of the boxes

8. Which of the following is the most important function of the research and

development department of a large corporation?

a. To create, test, and improve products

b. To manage the manufacturing of products

c. To persuade customers to buy the products

d. To label, package, and send products to retail stores

11. At one station in a production line, a worker must drill a hole in each end of wooden boards. At the next

station, another worker attaches two of the boards together using metal fasteners that fit in the holes.

Which of the following processes will ensure that the wooden boards fit together with the fewest errors?

a. Placing the parts of a conveyor belt to keep them moving quickly

b. Using a fixture to hold the boards in place as the holes are drilled

c. Inspecting the boards after they are attached to each other

d. Installing equipment to protect workers from debris

20. The students in a class would like to make 20 paper sailboats for a race. The students will select one design and collect the materials they need to construct the boats. Which of the following is the best way for the students to be sure the paper sailboats will float without tipping over in the water?

a. Construct a prototype of a boat for testing

b. Calculate the total mass of all the finished boats

c. Determine the total amount of weight each boat can carry

d. Test the strength of each material used to construct the boats

MCAS 20133. A scientist wants to collect several bird

eggs on an island. She needs a case that will protect the eggs she collects. Which of the

following cases would best protect the eggs?

a. A hard metal case with flexible foam lining

b. A flexible metal case with smooth plastic lining

c. A strong wooden case with lightweight plastic lining

d. A lightweight wooden case with strong aluminum lining

17. A student is comparing the composition of different samples of soil. She needs to find out how much gravel (small stones) is in each sample. Which of the following tools would best separate the gravel

from the rest of the soil in each sample?

21. Which of the following is the most efficient way to transport large amounts of coal from a mine in Kentucky to a power

plaint in Arizona?

a. By ship

b. By train

c. By truck

d. By airplane

#2 Which of the following tools is mostmost useful for tightening a small mechanical

fastener?

A. Chisel

B. Pliers

C. Saw

D. Sander

#1. The pictures below show a drawing on paper and the same drawing is an electronic format on a computer screen. Which of the following devices was most likely used to convert the

drawing on paper into an electronic format that could be viewed on a computer screen?

A. Internet modem

B. Network router

C. Printer

D. Scanner

MCAS 2012

#4. Which of the following pictures shows a beam bridge?

A.

B. D.

C.

#9. Ann makes hats for people. She has each person select the fabric and a hat style before

she makes the hat to fit the person’s head size. Which type of manufacturing system is Ann

most likely using to make hats?

A. Mass production

B. Custom production

C. Automated production

D. Assembly line production

#11. Leather basketballs are made for indoor use on smooth surfaces. Rubber basketballs are made

for use on many different surfaces.Which of the following properties of rubber makes it better than leather for use on many

different surfaces?

A. Rubber is durable.

B. Rubber is lightweight

C. Rubber is dark in color

D. Rubber is quickly produced

#16. A ship has a satellite communication device to identify the ship’s position at sea. For which of the following activities is the device

most likely used?

A. Control

B. Guidance

C. Propulsion

D. Suspension

#18. The international highway symbol for “No Entry” is shown on the sign below. Which of the following is the most important reason why this

symbol is used on roads throughout Europe?

A. Symbols take up less space on a sign than words.B. European countries have many different languages.C. Small children can understand symbols better than

words.D. One factory can make signs used by many European

countries

#7. A movie studio will use two methods of communication, television and the Internet, to

advertise a new movie. Which of the following must both methods of communication use in order to show

the advertisements to viewers around the world?

A. Systems to locate viewers

B. Networks to transmit signals

C. Printing to create the images

D. Software to search for images

MCAS 2011

Open Response#11. A design for a wooden shelf is shown below. The

materials available for construction include one 1”x 8”x7’ board, four wooden shelf brackets with backer boards, and 21 1¼” wood screws. Examples of the materials are illustrated

beneath the design of the shelf.

Sue wants to make two of these 3-foot- long shelves using these materials.

a. Describe the steps Sue would take to complete this project. Include in your discussions the tools she needs to use in each step.

b. Identify and describe one safety precaution Sue needs to follow in completing the project.

Answer to Open Response #114 points

A. 1. Measure board w. a measuring tape

2. Cut the (2) two 3’ boards with a saw

3. Measure 6” in on both sides of each board w. a measuring tape & mark them w a permanent marker

4. Under each of these marks put the shelf brackets in using 2 screws each & a screwdriver.

5. Screw shelves into the wall w a screw in each bracket using a screwdriver.

B. One safety precaution would be to wear safety goggles while using the saw and the screwdriver so no woodchips enter her eyes..

Answer to Open Response #111 point

A. Screw everything together and then just screw the whole thing on the wall.

B. She needs to wear saftey gogles.

Encoder

• An encoder is something that converts information from one format, or code to another.

• a typical rotary encoder is a device and circuit that converts the physical rotary position (angle) into an electrical signal indicating that position.

• a typical video encoder is a piece of computer software that converts a stream of raw pixels and sound from a video camera into a much smaller compressed video stream

Transmitter & Receiver

• The essential elements of a telephone are a microphone (transmitter) to speak into and an earphone (receiver)

• transmitter converts the sound waves to electrical signals

#14. Which of the following best describes the function of an encoder in a

telephone communication system?

A. Converting sound to electrical impulses

B. Receiving transmitted electrical signals

C. Changing electrical impulses into sound

D. Sending electrical signals though a circuit

#17. During the construction of a new building, workers dug round holes in the ground and filled the holes with steel and

concrete. Which of the following parts of the building was being built during this stage of

construction?

A. The floor

B. The foundation

C. The plumbing

D. The walls

#4. In the design process, a trade-off occurs when a problem is solved but a

feature is sacrificed. Which of the following is an example of a trade-off?

A. A car’s gas mileage is increased and the engine has less power.

B. An airplane uses a more efficient engine and has higher performance.

C. A sports drink’s taste is improved and has the same nutritional content.

D. A computer company upgrades the hardware and the price remains unchanged.

MCAS 2010

# 9. Some species of bacteria produce a substance that is toxic to insects but harmless to humans. Scientists have

isolated the gene that controls production of this substance.

Which of the following is the best reason for inserting this gene into corn plants?

A. The corn will grow faster.

B. Less fertilizer will be needed.

C. Fewer pesticides will be needed.

D. The corn will be more nutritious.

# 10. The picture below shows a machine used in a factory to make metal parts for

toy cars.

A. to sand the parts

B. to make holes in the parts

C. to fasten the parts together

D. to measure the size of the parts

What is the most likely purpose of this machine in making the metal parts?

# 11. Which of the following statements best describes a result of using interchangeable parts to

manufacture automobiles?

A. The automobiles are identical.

B. The automobiles wear out quickly.

C. The automobiles are difficult to

design.D. The automobiles can be produced

on an assembly line.

#15. Company X makes 100 custom buses each year. Company Y makes 10,000 of one type of bus each year.

Which of the following is the most likely reason a customer would buy a bus from

company X instead of company Y?

A. to keep the cost of the bus lowB. to ensure that the bus will be easy to

replaceC. to provide ideas about how the bus will

be builtD. to ensure that people know how to

drive the bus

#16. A student is investigating potential and kinetic energy by stretching a spring across a

table. When the student lets go, the spring recoils. At which time is potential energy in

the spring being converted into kinetic energy in this system?

A. When the spring is stretching

B. When the spring is fully stretched

C. When the spring is recoiling

D. When the spring is fully recoiled

#18. A stone arch bridge relies primarily on which of the following

for its load strength?

A. bending

B. compressio

n

C. tension

D. torsion

Bridge Loads• Tension: What happens to a rope during a game of tug-of-

war? Correct, it undergoes tension from the two sweaty opposing teams pulling on it. This force also acts on bridge structures, resulting in tensional stress.

• Compression: What happens when you push down on a spring and collapse it? That's right, you compress it, and by squishing it, you shorten its length. Compressional stress, therefore, is the opposite of tensional stress.

• Torsion: It occurs when high wind causes the suspended roadway to rotate and twist like a rolling wave.

• Buckling occurs when compression overcomes an object's ability to endure that force.

• Snapping is what happens when tension surpasses an object's ability to handle the lengthening force.

# 19. A company is making prototypes for a new computer system. Which of the following statements best describes an advantage of making several

different prototypes?

A. They can be tested at the same time.

B. They can be produced in large numbers.

C. They will be bought by many different

users.

D. They will be sold for more than they cost

to build.

#2. Sherry is going to use her computer to draw a three-dimensional box. She wants to be able to specify the exact dimensions and

angles and to rotate the box as needed on the screen. Which of the following types of

programs would Sherry most likely use for this purpose?

A. Word processing software

B. Math spreadsheet program

C. Internet-based search engine

D. Computer-aided design program

MCAS 2009

#5. Which of the following would be most effective in reducing air traffic congestion at a

busy airport?

A. Providing performance feedback to pilots

B. Providing flight information to passengers

C. Increasing the number of aircraft at the airport

D. Increasing the number of runways at the airport.

Open Response#19 Parts of a scooter are labeled

in the diagram below.

a. Identify the subsystem (propulsion, guidance, control or suspension) to which each of the four labeled parts belongs.

b. Identify one important property of the material used to make the wheel.

c. Explain why the property you identified in part (b) is important for the scooter.

motor

HandlebarsHand brake

wheel

#19. Open Response Answer4 points

a. The handle bars is the guidance. The handbreaks is the control. The wheel is for suspension. The motor is for propulsion.

b. The material use the make the wheel should not be stiff or it will rack t needs to be flexible.

c. If the wheel is flexible it can go over stuff and even the curb of the sidewalk.

#19. Open Response4 points

A. The motor belongs to the propulsion system. The handlebars belong to the guidance system. The hand brake belongs to the control system. The wheel belongs to the suspension system.

B. The material used to make the wheel is very thick, or in other words it is durable.

C. The has to be durable, this is an important piece to the scooter. As you are driving on the road you might go over a rock, glass, or even just a bump. You wouldn’t want any of these things to make a hole in your wheel, and the durability of the wheel prevents this from happening, costing you money and riding time.

#19. Open Response1 point

A. The subsystem for the four labeled parts are the handlebars are the control, hand-brake suspension, the wheel is guidance and the motor is propulsion.

B. One important property of the material used to make the wheel is rubber.

C. The property I identified in part b is important for the scooter because it helps it act smoother.

#2 Which of the following tools is most useful for tightening a small

mechanical fastener?

A. Chisel

B. Pliers

C. Sander

D. Saw

MCAS 2008

# 6. After a windstorm, Niko called the electric company to report that he had no electricity. His phone call

is an example of which of the following elements of a universal

systems model?

A. Designing a processB. Generating outputC. Giving feedbackD. Setting a Goal

# 20. During a remodeling project, homeowners want to remove a wall that separates two rooms in their house. The wall and the two rooms are

shown in the diagram below.

A. The wall provides heat insulation for the rooms.B. The wall provides structural support for the house.C. The wall provides a sound barrier between the rooms.D. The wall provides a place to hang objects in the house.

According to building codes, the homeowners must add a beam in the ceiling when they remove the existing wall. Which statement best explains why the homeowners must do this?

#23. A shoe manufacturer randomly selects 10% of the production from each shift. Each of these shoes is

checked to ensure that it is correctly made. What is this process called?

A. Quality controlB. Product distributionC. Production selectionD. Research and development

#4. A manufacturer wants to produce a container for food storage that does not break

easily and is airtight, inexpensive, and microwave-safe. Which of the following is

the best material to use to make the container?

A. Glass

B. Metal

C. Paper

D. Plastic

MCAS 2007

# 6. Which of the following bridges is an example of a suspension bridge?

A. Bridge A

B. Bridge B

C. Bridge C

D. Bridge D

A. B.

C. D.

#13. Which of the following identifies the primary function of a

radio station tower in a communication system?

A. Decoder

B. Encoder

C. Receiver

D. Transmitter

#16. Scientists working for a company are testing a new medicine

that they think will help heal damaged tissue. In which part of the company are the scientists working?

A. Distribution

B. Mass Marketing

C. Public Relations

D. Research

#20. The tools shown in the picture below are used in a factory. In which of the following manufacturing processes are these tools most

likely used?

A. Assembling

B. Cutting

C. Finishing

D. Shaping

#24. Several interchangeable parts are used in the manufacture of automobiles. Some examples of these parts are batteries, windshield wiper blades,

spark plugs, and tires. Which of the following is an advantage of interchangeable parts over

non-interchangeable parts of automobiles.

A. Interchangeable parts are generally more expensive than custom-made parts for automobiles.

B. Interchangeable parts break more often now than in years past on most automobiles.

C. Interchangeable parts are plentiful for custom-made automobiles.

D. Interchangeable parts can fit many kinds of automobiles.

#28. Which of the following tools is most useful for tightening a small

mechanical fastener?

A. Chisel

B. Pliers

C. Sander

D. Saw

#33. Which of the following best describes an advantage of using a mass production manufacturing

system instead of a custom manufacturing system?

A. Customers can provide specific feedback to workers

B. Workers become skilled in all aspects of assembly

C. Goods can be easily modified for customers.D. Products can be made at a lower cost.

#35. Which of the following describes a reason why companies irradiate (expose to radiation) some fruits and vegetables

before they are sold to the public?

A. To improve the flavors by increasing the sugar contentB. To speed up the ripening of produce picked too earlyC. To partially cook the produce before canning or freezingD. To extend the shelf life by killing existing

microorganisms

Older MCAS

#39. The diagram below shows a Formula 1 racing car. Many forces act together on the racing car so it an move

safely at high speeds on a racetrack.

a. Copy the simple diagram of a racing car shown below into your student Answer Booklet.

b. Using your copy of the diagram, draw arrows to show how the forces of thrust, drag, and gravity act on the racing car as it moves forward on a racetrack. Label each arrow as thrust, drag, or gravity.

c. Describe how each force that you labeled in part (b) acts on the racing car as it moves on a racetrack.

#39. Open Response 4 -points

#39. Open Response 4 -points

#39. Open Response 3 -points

#39. Open Response ~ 1 point

#3 Four different-colored blocks are placed outside in bright sunlight. The blocks are identical except for color. The

diagram below shows the amount of light reflected from each block.

Which block will increase in temperature most rapidly?A. Block 1B. Block 2C. Block 3D. Block 4

21 3 4

# 15 Ms. Bristol measured the mass of a closed beaker containing several ice cubes. The mass was 100g. An hour later, after the ice cubes had melted, Ms. Bristol measured the mass of the beaker again. What was the mass of the beaker of water the second time?

A. 50 g

B. 75 g

C. 100 g

D. 125 g

# 16. For a technology project, Kyle came up with an idea to build a model bridge. He wants his bridge to span 50 cm and to support a 1 kg

object.According to the engineering design process, which of the following should be Kyle’s next

step?

A. Construct prototypes of different kinds of bridgesB. Research the different designs of bridgesC. Gather the materials needed to build the bridgeD. Make a drawing to show how to build the bridge

#24. The diagram below shows how a change in temperature affects the physical state of a

substance. Each of the labeled points represents the same substance at a different

temperature. Which point represents the substance in the physical state with the

particles moving the least?

A. Point WB. Point XC. Point YD. Point Z

Low HighTemperature

Solid Liquid Gas

Freezing Point

Boiling Point

*W *X *Y *Z

#21. New carpet is being measured for a room that is 5.5 m by 4.6 m. On a

measuring tape, what is the smallest unit that is necessary to measure the room

accurately for the carpet?

A.Millimeters

B.Centimeters

C.Meters

D.Kilometers

#17. The picture below shows an iron. When considering an iron as an

example of a system, what is the input?

A. Electricity

B. Temperature

C. Motion on clothes

D. Steam from the plate

#21. Which of the following is the best example of a part of the

propulsion system of a tractor?

A. Engine

B. Front headlight

C. Hood

D. Steering Wheel

#13. From year to year, farmers rotate different crops in the fields to improve soil

nutrients. Why is crop rotation also an effective pest management method?

A. It allows chemicals to kill more pests.

B. It creates crops that are pest-resistant.

C. It interrupts the life cycles of pests.

D. It allows pests to overpopulate.

#14. The diagram below illustrates a step in the assembly process for a swing set. Which of the following is the best reason to use this type

of drawing when assembling this swing set?

A. To indicate the tools needed

B. To warn of potential hazards

C. To increase the scale of the parts

D. To show how the parts go together

#7. The diagram below shows what occurred when a can of diet soda and a can of regular soda were dropped into a container of water. The can of

regular soda sank to the bottom of the container, but the can of diet soda floated. Which of the following

statements best explains this observation?

A. The can of regular soda is less dense than the can of diet soda.B. The can of regular soda is more dense than the can of diet soda.C. The can of regular soda has a larger volume than the can of diet

soda. (volume – amount of space an object takes up)D. The can of regular soda has a smaller volume than the can of diet

soda.

RegularDiet

#10. A student in a laboratory transfers a beaker containing a hot solution from the lab

table to a cool water bath. Which of the following parts of the system experiences an

increase in heat energy?

A. Beaker

B. Lab Table

C. Solution

D. Water Bath

#3. The drawing below shows part of a graduated cylinder containing liquid. Based on the sensitivity of the graduated cylinder,

what is the volume of the liquid?

A. 70.5 mL

B. 73.0 mL

C. 76.7 mL

D. 87.0 mL

80

75

70

#5. The illustration below shows a cloth banner made to advertise a county fair. This sign will be hung

across the main street of a town between two metal utility poles. Which of the following materials would

be the best to use to attach the sign to the poles?

A. Nails

B. Ropes

C. Staples

D. Tape

COUNTY FAIRSeptember 4-6

10’

50’

#24. A glass is partially filled with water. Five ice cubes are placed in the glass,

causing the level of water to reach the rim of the glass. Which of the following statements

best explains the increase in water level?

A. The volume of the submerged ice is equal to the volume of water displaced.

B. The mass of the water in the glass is less than the mass of the ice.C. The weight of the ice is less than the weight of the water in the

glass.D. The density of the water in the glass is greater than the ensity of the

ice.

#18. Open ResponseA new type of sneaker is being

designed for athletes who play on hard surfaces.

A. List three divisions of the manufacturing organization involved in the design, manufacture, and promotion of this new style of sneaker.

B. Describe the general role of each division you identified in part (a).

4 Point Answer to Open-Response

a. (1)Research and Development

(2) Productivity, (3) Marketing

b. The role of Research and Development is to find out what kind of sneaker would be best for the target group. Athletes who play on hard surfaces. Then it is their job to make prototypes to fit that need. After tuning up their idea, and making sure it fills their needs, they give the blueprints and instructions for the sneakers to Production.

It is their job to actually make the sneakers. They must affordably mass-produce them and follow the design exactly. Once the sneakers are ready to be sold, it is Marketing’s Job to make people, stores, and outlets want to buy

them. They have to make successful advertisement geared towards their target

audience. They must make people want to wear the sneakers. Also, the production must continue to make sneakers as the need

increases.