ASVAB General Science Practice Test
Life, earth and physical science basics. Here are 10 ASVAB general science questions, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Covers eight of the CAT-ASVAB subtests in test order with the real time limits. Assembling Objects uses figures and is not included. Minimum AFQT scores vary by branch and change with recruiting needs.
- 1.
Which planet in our solar system is closest to the Sun?
- A.
Venus
- B.
Mercury
- C.
Mars
- D.
Earth
Answer: B.Mercury orbits closest to the Sun, followed by Venus, Earth and Mars. Venus is the hottest planet because of its thick atmosphere, which is why it is a common wrong pick, but it is second from the Sun.
- A.
- 2.
In which part of a cell is most of the cell's ATP (usable energy) produced?
- A.
Nucleus
- B.
Ribosome
- C.
Mitochondrion
- D.
Cell membrane
Answer: C.Mitochondria carry out cellular respiration, which converts glucose into ATP. The nucleus stores DNA and ribosomes build proteins; neither produces the cell's energy supply.
- A.
- 3.
Which component of blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues?
- A.
White blood cells
- B.
Platelets
- C.
Plasma
- D.
Red blood cells
Answer: D.Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein that binds oxygen. White blood cells fight infection, platelets help blood clot, and plasma is the liquid that carries the cells and dissolved nutrients.
- A.
- 4.
Which of the following is a renewable energy source?
- A.
Natural gas
- B.
Coal
- C.
Uranium
- D.
Wind
Answer: D.Wind is replenished continuously by the Sun's uneven heating of the atmosphere, so it is renewable. Coal, natural gas and uranium are finite resources that are consumed when used.
- A.
- 5.
What is the pH of pure water at room temperature?
- A.
pH 0
- B.
pH 7
- C.
pH 10
- D.
pH 14
Answer: B.Pure water is neutral, with a pH of 7. Values below 7 are acidic and values above 7 are basic, so 0 is a strong acid and 14 is a strong base.
- A.
- 6.
What is the largest organ of the human body?
- A.
Skin
- B.
Liver
- C.
Lung
- D.
Brain
Answer: A.The skin is the largest organ by both surface area and weight, averaging about 20 square feet in an adult. The liver is the largest internal organ, which makes it a common wrong answer.
- A.
- 7.
Which subatomic particle carries a negative electrical charge?
- A.
Proton
- B.
Neutron
- C.
Electron
- D.
Nucleus
Answer: C.Electrons are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus. Protons are positive, neutrons have no charge, and the nucleus as a whole is positive because it contains the protons.
- A.
- 8.
In the metric (SI) system, the unit of force is the
- A.
joule
- B.
newton
- C.
watt
- D.
pascal
Answer: B.The newton is the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram at 1 meter per second squared. The joule measures energy, the watt measures power, and the pascal measures pressure.
- A.
- 9.
The phases of the Moon are caused by
- A.
Earth's shadow falling on the Moon
- B.
how much of the Moon's sunlit side we can see
- C.
clouds in the Moon's atmosphere
- D.
the Moon's rotation speeding up and slowing down
Answer: B.As the Moon orbits Earth, we see different fractions of the half that faces the Sun, producing the phases. Earth's shadow on the Moon causes a lunar eclipse, not the monthly phases.
- A.
- 10.
Which of the following diseases is caused by a virus?
- A.
Influenza
- B.
Strep throat
- C.
Tuberculosis
- D.
Tetanus
Answer: A.Influenza is caused by influenza viruses, which is why antibiotics do not treat it. Strep throat, tuberculosis and tetanus are all caused by bacteria.
- A.
Drill every general science question in the ASVAB General Science drill: questions you miss come back until you have mastered them. Then take a timed practice test with the General Science section in it.
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