Standardized Test Prep
Eliminating Unreasonable Answers
When you answer a multiple-choice question, you can often eliminate at least one answer choice because it is clearly incorrect. If you eliminate one or more choices, you increase your odds of choosing the correct answer.
In the question below, you can immediately eliminate choice A because stars do not revolve around Earth. Clearly, choices D and E cannot both be true. On reflection, you can eliminate both of these choices, as Polaris's distance from Earth is not related to the apparent movement of stars around Polaris. Choices B and C are both factual. However, Earth's revolution around the sun takes one year, and is not related to the apparent daily motion of the stars. The remaining choice must be the correct answer.
In the Northern Hemisphere, certain stars appear to circle around Polaris, the North Star, because
these stars revolve around Earth.
Earth revolves around the sun.
Earth rotates on its axis.
Polaris is the closest star.
Polaris is the most distant visible star.
(Answer: C)
Choose the letter that best answers the question or completes the statement.
The planets remain in stable orbits around the sun as a result of a balance between
gravity and pressure from nuclear fusion.
thermal energy and electromagnetic energy.
inertia and pressure from nuclear fusion.
gravity and inertia.
pressure from nuclear fusion and electromagnetic energy.
Which of the following contributes most to the size of tides on Earth?
rotation of Earth
gravitational pull of the moon
gravitational pull of the sun
gravitational pull of the planets
rotation of the sun
The asteroid belt can be found between the orbits of
Neptune and Pluto.
Mars and Jupiter.
Earth and Mars.
Mercury and Venus.
Jupiter and Saturn.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of each of the gas giant planets?
high density
encircled by rings
very low surface temperatures
many moons
composed mainly of hydrogen and helium
Use the illustration below to answer Questions 5–7.
In which location could a lunar eclipse occur?
I
II
III
IV
V
In which location could the moon be during a solar eclipse?
I
II
III
IV
V
In which location(s) is the moon when half of the side facing Earth is illuminated?
III only
IV only
II and IV
III and V
II and V