Act Science Practice Test 1

Act Science Practice Test 1

ACT Science Practice Test 1 offers a comprehensive set of practice questions designed to help students prepare for the ACT Science section. This test includes various passages covering topics such as coral bleaching, calorimetry, enzyme activity, and frictional forces. Each passage is followed by multiple-choice questions that mimic the format of the actual ACT exam, providing students with an authentic testing experience. Ideal for high school students aiming to improve their science reasoning skills and achieve a higher score on the ACT, this practice test is a valuable resource for effective exam preparation.

Key Points

  • Includes multiple passages on topics like coral bleaching and calorimetry.
  • Features practice questions that reflect the ACT Science exam format.
  • Designed for high school students preparing for the ACT Science section.
  • Helps improve science reasoning skills through authentic practice.
  • Provides detailed explanations for each answer to enhance understanding.
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Notes on the Practice Exam
This practice exam has three major sections to it: test, answer key with hints, and scoring guide. You’ll get the most out of
this practice if you make the experience as authentic as possible so carefully follow the directions below. Good luck.
Directions
Find a quiet place to spend the next hour or two. Clear away all distractions and set a timer for 35 minutes. Once you start
the timer resist the urge to pause for any reason or to peek ahead at the answers and hints. Once the timer goes off stop
all work on test. Use the answer key to correct your test and the scoring guide to estimate your score on this practice
exam. Lastly, go back through the exam using the hints to brush up on the ones you missed.
Practice Exam 1
Passage I
Corals are marine invertebrates that live in colonies of
identical individuals called polyps. Corals secrete
calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to form a hard skeleton that
spans an entire colony. Corals obtain most of their
energy and nutrients from algae called zooxanthellae
that live within the coral tissue. The algae benefit from
the polyps’ carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste. The
algae are colored, and the coral skeletons are white.
Because of this, the coral will experience bleaching and
appear white when the algae population is damaged or
absent. Three scientists discuss their beliefs and
reasoning behind why coral beaching occurs.
Scientist 1
Coral bleaching is caused by an increase in ocean
water temperature, particularly at the surface. Corals
live in a very narrow range of temperatures (23° - 29° C)
and cannot survive in temperatures below 18 °C. Even
a small increase in water temperature causes stress to
corals. When under short-term stress, the coral will
eject the algae, leaving the coral with only a skeleton
that appears white.
Scientist 2
Coral bleaching is caused by ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification is caused by increased quantities of
atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolving in water to form
carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O → H2CO3). The carbonic
acid reacts with the corals’ calcium carbonate skeleton,
causing the skeleton to dissolve. The algae live within
the skeleton, so as the skeleton becomes smaller, the
algae population declines. In addition, increasingly
acidic water adds stress to the algae, which can also
cause the algae population to decline. With fewer algae
present, the coral appears white.
Scientist 3
Rising sea levels are the primary cause of coral
bleaching. As the sea level rises, the coral becomes
submerged under additional water. As the depth of
water increases, less light is able to penetrate through
the water to reach the coral and algae. Without light,
the algae cannot undergo photosynthesis to create
energy for themselves or for the coral, leading to the
death of the algae and coral bleaching.
1.
Sedimentation, the process of suspended particles
settling, has also been suggested as a cause of
coral bleaching. Which scientist would most likely
agree with this cause?
A. Scientist 1, because sediment only exists at
relatively high temperatures.
B. Scientist 2, because sediment is acidic.
C. Scientist 3, because the sediment will block
light from reaching the algae and coral.
D. None of the scientists would agree, since
sediment is not related to temperature, acidity,
or light.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Recent observations show atmospheric
concentrations of carbon dioxide are increasing,
and the increase in carbon dioxide leads to higher
average global temperatures. Which two scientists
would expect these changes to directly lead to
coral bleaching, based on their views of the cause
of coral bleaching?
F. Scientist 1 and Scientist 2
G. Scientist 1 and Scientist 3
H. Scientist 2 and Scientist 3
J. Scientist 1 only
How could the relationship between coral and
algae be described?
A. Mutualistic, because both species benefit from
one another
B. Parasitic, because the coral benefits from the
algae, but the algae is harmed by the coral.
C. Commensal, because the coral benefits from
the algae, and the algae is unharmed.
D. Competitive, because the coral and the algae
are both harmed.
How does the view of Scientist 2 differ from both
Scientist 1 and Scientist 3?
F. The view of scientist 2 describes direct
damage to the coral skeleton in addition to
bleaching.
G. The view of scientist 2 involves a change in the
ocean environment.
H. The view of scientist 2 explains coral bleaching
without any detriment to algae.
J. The view of scientist 2 describes damage to
the coral caused by excessive energy
generated by the algae.
Ozone depletion has led to an increasing amount of
visible and ultraviolet light reaching Earth’s surface.
This could potentially oppose coral bleaching
according to which scientist?
A. Scientist 1
B. Scientist 2
C. Scientist 3
D. Both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2
All three scientists agree that coral bleaching is
caused in part by
F. Over population of algae among the coral
G. Decline in the population of algae among the
coral
H. Corals losing pigment within their skeleton with
age.
J. Chemical pollution bleaching the skeleton and
coral tissue
7.
According to scientist 3, it can be assumed that
F. Coral live in relatively shallow, clear water.
G. Coral live in the deepest parts of the ocean.
H. Coral don’t need algae if they are exposed to
light.
J. Coral can live in or out of water.
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Passage II
Calorimetry is a method for studying heat transfers
between substances. Three experiments were
conducted to study the heat capacity of different
materials. Heat capacity is the amount of heat needed
to raise the temperature of a substance by a given
amount. A substance with a high heat capacity is able
to absorb more energy before experiencing a
temperature change. If two substances absorbed the
same amount of energy, the substance with the higher
heat capacity will have less change in temperature than
the substance with a lower heat capacity.
Experiment 1
The heat transfer between different metals and water
was measured using an insulated Styrofoam container.
The Styrofoam container was filled with water. The
initial temperature of the water was measured before
the experiment began (at 0 seconds elapsed time). A
10 gram sample of each metal was heated to an initial
temperature of 100°C. Each metal was then submerged
in the water in the calorimeter. The calorimeter was
sealed, and the temperature of the water was measured
for two minutes. Table one shows temperature
measurements of the water surrounding each metal
over time.
Table 1
Total
Elapsed
Time (sec)
Temperature of Water Surrounding Each
Metal (°C)
Aluminum
Copper
Lead
0
26.3
25.0
24.9
15
27.5
28.2
26.1
30
28.1
29.0
27.8
45
28.8
29.2
28.1
60
28.2
28.6
27.7
75
27.2
27.8
27.5
90
26.5
26.9
26.1
Experiment 2
Experiment 1 was repeated using different masses of
lead, which were again heated to 100 °C and then
submerged under water in the Styrofoam calorimeter.
The calorimeter was sealed, and the temperature of the
water was measured for two minutes. The results of
experiment 2 are shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Total
Elapsed
Time (sec)
Temperature of Water Surrounding Each
Mass of Lead (°C)
5
grams
10
grams
15
grams
20
grams
0
24.6
24.8
25.2
24.8
15
25.2
26.2
26.8
25.9
30
26.9
27.8
28.3
27.2
45
26.8
28.1
29.1
27.9
60
26.6
27.7
29.3
26.5
75
25.5
27.4
27.5
26.1
90
24.0
26.0
26.5
24.7
Experiment 3
A 100 gram sample of water and a 100 gram sample of
propanol were placed in two separate 250 mL Pyrex
beakers, which were placed on one hot plate. The hot
plate was turned on, and the temperature of the water
and propanol were recorded over time. Figure 1 shows
the change in the temperature of the water and propanol
over time.
Figure 1
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FAQs of Act Science Practice Test 1

What topics are covered in the ACT Science Practice Test 1?
The ACT Science Practice Test 1 covers a variety of scientific topics, including coral bleaching, calorimetry, enzyme activity, and frictional forces. Each passage presents real-world scenarios and scientific principles, allowing students to engage with the material actively. The questions following each passage test comprehension and application of scientific concepts, mirroring the style of the actual ACT exam.
How many questions are included in the ACT Science Practice Test 1?
The ACT Science Practice Test 1 includes a series of multiple-choice questions that accompany each passage. Typically, each passage is followed by 3-7 questions, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the student's understanding of the material. This format helps students practice time management and question-answering strategies essential for the actual exam.
What is the purpose of the ACT Science Practice Test 1?
The primary purpose of the ACT Science Practice Test 1 is to provide students with an opportunity to practice and enhance their science reasoning skills in preparation for the ACT. By simulating the exam environment, students can familiarize themselves with the types of questions they will encounter. This practice test aims to build confidence and improve scores by allowing students to identify areas for improvement.
How does the ACT Science Practice Test 1 help with exam preparation?
The ACT Science Practice Test 1 helps students prepare for the exam by offering a realistic testing experience that includes passages and questions similar to those found on the actual ACT. By working through the test, students can develop critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for interpreting scientific data and arguments. Additionally, the practice test provides detailed answer explanations, which help clarify misunderstandings and reinforce learning.

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