Questions and answers for exam Preparation

MCQs

Total Questions : 10

The ancient Greeks get a lot of attention for their contributions to science because

they were the first people known to try to explain nature with models based on reason, mathematics, and geometry, without resort to the supernatural
they were the only ancient culture that kept written records of their astronomical observations
they were the first people to realize that Earth is a planet orbiting the Sun
the books of every other culture were lost in the destruction of the library of Alexandria

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> they were the first people known to try to explain nature with models based on reason, mathematics, and geometry, without resort to the supernatural
:
A

Question 2.

Which practical value did astronomy offer to ancient civilizations?

It helped them find uses for ancient structures like Stonehenge.
It helped them understand our cosmic origins.
It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation.
It allowed them to predict eclipses with great accuracy.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option C. -> It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation.
:
C

Question 3.

Which of the following is the reason for the solar day being longer than a sidereal day?

precession of Earth's axis
the tilt of Earth's axis
the combined effect of the rotation of Earth and its orbit about the Sun
the non-circular orbit of Earth around the Sun

Discuss Question

Answer: Option C. -> the combined effect of the rotation of Earth and its orbit about the Sun
:
C

Question 4.

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is not true?

A theory cannot be taken seriously by scientists if it contradicts other theories developed by scientists over the past several hundred years.
A theory is a model designed to explain a number of observed facts.
If even a single new fact is discovered that contradicts what we expect according to a particular theory, then the theory must be revised or discarded.
A theory must make predictions that can be checked by observation or experiment.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> A theory cannot be taken seriously by scientists if it contradicts other theories developed by scientists over the past several hundred years.
:
A

Question 5.

The names of the seven days of the week are based on

the seven most prominent constellations in the summer sky
the names of prophets in the Bible
the names of the seven planets closest to the Sun
the seven naked-eye objects that appear to move among the constellations

Discuss Question

Answer: Option D. -> the seven naked-eye objects that appear to move among the constellations
:
D

Question 6.

Which of the following was not observed by Galileo?

stellar parallax
mountains and valleys on the Moon
phases of Venus
four moons orbiting Jupiter

Discuss Question

Answer: Option A. -> stellar parallax
:
A

Question 7.

Which of the following statements about an ellipse is not true?

The semi major axis of an ellipse is half the length of the longest line that you can draw across an ellipse.
A circle is considered to be a special type of ellipse.
An ellipse with a large eccentricity looks much more elongated (stretched out) than an ellipse with a small eccentricity.
The focus of an ellipse is always located precisely at the center of the ellipse.

Discuss Question

Answer: Option D. -> The focus of an ellipse is always located precisely at the center of the ellipse.
:
D

Question 8.

The ancient goal of astrology was to

understand the origin of Earth
make a more accurate model of the universe
predict the passing of the seasons
predict human events

Discuss Question

Answer: Option D. -> predict human events
:
D

Question 9.

Scientific thinking is

a difficult process that only a handful of people can do well
based on everyday ideas of observation and trial-and-error experiments
an ancient mode of thinking first invented in Egypt
completely different from any other type of thinking

Discuss Question

Answer: Option B. -> based on everyday ideas of observation and trial-and-error experiments
:
B

Question 10.

What do we mean by a geocentric model of the universe?

a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having Earth orbit the Sun
a model of the Milky Way Galaxy that has our solar system located at its center
a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having Earth located in the center of the universe
It is the name given to sphere-shaped models that show all the constellations as they appear in our sky on the celestial sphere

Discuss Question

Answer: Option C. -> a model designed to explain what we see in the sky while having Earth located in the center of the universe
:
C