Download MCAS Questions Pre 2007

2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The figure below shows a pictorial model of a highway bridge.
What is the primary structural action of member A?
A. compression
B. shear
C. tension
D. torsion
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 2: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Foam weather stripping is often placed in the frames of doors and windows
in a home. What is the purpose of this weather stripping?
A. The weather stripping increases heat transfer by radiation.
B. Heat is conducted quickly through the weather stripping.
C. The weather stripping reduces heat loss due to convection.
D. Heat can transfer through the weather stripping due to reflection.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 3: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Before concrete has hardened, it exhibits plasticity. This is an advantage
because it allows the concrete to
A. become strong as it cures.
B. withstand compression.
C. remain pliable after hardening.
D. be molded into almost any shape.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 4: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Which of the following objects transfers its energy primarily by radiation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 5: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a house and its floor plan.
Settlers’ homes in the Southwestern United States were often built with a
porch facing the prevailing breeze and with two rooms separated by a
breezeway. The funneling effects of the porch and front building walls could
significantly accelerate the wind. Considering the effects of Bernoulli’s
principle, what air flow should be expected for windows X and W?
A. in W and out X
B. in W and in X
C. out W and in X
D. out W and out X
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 6: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
A scale drawing of a machined part is shown below.
What would be the actual dimension X of this part when it is built?
A. 1.3 cm
B. 3.20 cm
C. 10.3 cm
D. 16.0 cm
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 7: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The figure below shows a screwdriver that broke while being used as a pry
bar.
What does the break indicate about the material in the shaft of the
screwdriver?
A. It was too ductile.
B. It was too brittle.
C. It was too elastic.
D. It was too dense.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 8: Open-Response
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Susan has installed a wireless doorbell for her apartment. When a person
presses the button on the doorframe, it sets off an electronic buzzer inside
the apartment.
a. Explain how the terms "encoder" and "decoder" apply to this
communications system.
b. Describe how the system would fail if the encoder were broken.
c. Describe how the system would fail if the decoder were broken.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 9: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
One method of heat distribution is a baseboard forced hot water system. A
baseboard system carries hot water through a pipe that passes through many
small, flat plates called fins. What is the purpose of these fins?
A. to dissipate the heat of the hot water flowing through the pipe
B. to prevent the baseboard from coming in contact with hot surfaces
C. to replace the heated air leaving the system with cold air
D. to prevent dust and other particles from entering the baseboard
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 10: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a thin sheet of metal that has been rolled and
fastened to make a cylinder.
Which manufacturing process was used to create the cylinder?
A. conditioning
B. finishing
C. forming
D. molding
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 11: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
A circuit constructed on a circuit board is shown below.
Which of the following schematic circuits correctly represents the circuit
shown?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 12: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a cantilever beam with a force (P) applied.
For the cantilever beam shown, where is the maximum tensile stress when
force P is applied?
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 13: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Several electrical components are drawn below.
Which of the following is needed to make an electrical circuit using these
components?
A. load
B. resistor
C. source
D. transistor
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 14: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The picture below shows a microwave oven.
This microwave is labeled "Convection Microwave Oven." According to this
label, what is one way heat is transferred in this oven?
A. by the movement of air inside the oven
B. by standing waves in air outside the oven
C. by the electrostatic charges on atoms in the food
D. by direct contact between the oven and the food
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 15: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a machine used in a factory.
In this machine, fluid pressure is used to stamp sheets of metal with a large
piston. Which type of system is illustrated?
A. hydraulic lift
B. hydraulic press
C. pneumatic lift
D. pneumatic press
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 16: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The drawing below shows a block with a groove along one side.
Which of the following sets of views could be the front and right-side views of
this block?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 17: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a circuit.
The current in this circuit is 3 A. The resistance of R1 is 2 Ω. R2 and R3 each
have a resistance of 4 Ω. What is the voltage for this circuit?
A. 6 V
B. 10 V
C. 30 V
D. 90 V
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 18: Open-Response
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
A group of students is doing a semester project to determine the best
material for textbook covers. During the project, they will conduct a onemonth pilot study in which a class of students will try out different types of
textbook covers.
a. Identify one step in the engineering design process that the students
should do before starting the pilot study.
b. Explain in detail one step that the students should do after the pilot
study.
c. Explain in detail why both of these steps are important.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 19: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Which of the following is the primary way that evergreen trees planted on the
north and west sides of residences in Massachusetts help reduce winter
heating costs?
A. They insulate against cold air.
B. They optimize solar heating.
C. They reduce radiant cooling.
D. They act as a windbreak.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 20: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a circuit.
If the resistance in this circuit is 3 Ω and the voltage is 12 V, what is the
expected current in this circuit?
A. 4 A
B. 9 A
C. 15 A
D. 36 A
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 21: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The drawing below shows a ratchet, which is a mechanical device.
Which of the following is the correct interpretation of this drawing?
A. It shows the size of the finished device.
B. It shows how a ratchet can be manufactured.
C. It shows the operation of a ratchet mechanism.
D. It shows the necessary materials for the device.
2005, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 22: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The figure below shows a snow-covered greenhouse.
The snow on the greenhouse has a density of 100 kg/m3 and is 0.1 m deep.
The roof is 5 m wide and 8 m long. What is the load of snow on the roof?
A. 40 kg
B. 400 kg
C. 4,000 kg
D. 40,000 kg
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below represents a concrete beam with four points labeled W,
X, Y, and Z.
It is subjected to three forces as shown.
At which labeled point would cracks due to tension most likely appear first?
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 2: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Lasers are used in surgery for
A. making fine incisions.
B. illuminating operating fields.
C. stitching wounds.
D. disinfecting instruments.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 3: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The figure below shows a pressure cooker.
In selecting a material for the pressure cooker’s handle, which of the
following is most important?
A. low thermal conductivity
B. high thermal expansion
C. low hardness
D. high elasticity
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 4: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a speedboat with a hydrofoil.
Which of the following best describes how Bernoulli’s principle can be used
to explain why the bow rises?
A. The hydrofoil hangs below the boat, so it lifts the bow up.
B. The hydrofoil is at a different angle to the water than to the boat, so
it moves upward.
C. The bow of a fast-moving boat always comes out of the water, so the
hydrofoil supports the bow.
D. Water pressure on top of the hydrofoil is less than on the bottom, so
the higher pressure on the bottom pushes the bow up.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 5: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The voltage is held constant in an electric circuit. What will happen to the
current in this circuit if the resistance is doubled?
A. The current will be tripled.
B. The current will be doubled.
C. The current will be cut in half.
D. The current will stay the same.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 6: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Two workers are using a scaffold. One worker weighs 180 lbs. and the other
weighs 200 lbs.
Impact effects are assumed to increase the live load of the workers’ weight by
25 percent. What is the resultant maximum live load, in pounds, that can be
expected from the two workers supported by the scaffold?
A. 380 lbs.
B. 475 lbs.
C. 625 lbs.
D. 950 lbs.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 7: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The scale diagram below represents an athletic field.
If the diagram is drawn to the scale of 1 in. = 40 ft., the athletic field would
have an area of
A. 1200 sq. ft.
B. 3200 sq. ft.
C. 4000 sq. ft.
D. 8000 sq. ft.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 8: Open-Response
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below represents a home heating system.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Give an example of where heat convection occurs in this system.
Give an example of where heat radiation occurs in this system.
What purpose do the ceiling fans serve in helping to heat the home?
Explain why pipes carrying hot water run along the floors of the rooms
instead of the ceilings.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 9: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The illustration below shows a power tool.
In which of the following manufacturing processes is this tool used?
A. molding
B. casting
C. finishing
D. assembling
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 10: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
When estimating amounts of building supplies, it is better to allow for some
waste and error rather than to cause delays by not ordering sufficient
supplies.
An engineer is estimating the number of bundles of shingles needed for a
roof area of approximately 2000 sq. ft. In roofing, a square is 100 sq. ft., and
each bundle covers one-third of a square.
Which of the following is closest to the number of bundles that the engineer
should order?
A. 23
B. 43
C. 63
D. 83
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 11: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a circuit.
Which of the following diagrams shows a voltmeter correctly attached to
measure the voltage drop in R2?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 12: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below represents a mirror reflecting light.
Which line best shows the correct angle of reflection?
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 13: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Which of the following is the primary type of stress that a fixed vise exerts on
a piece of wood?
A. tensile
B. shear
C. torsion
D. compression
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 14: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The figure below shows a house and a table that provides information about
insulation of four houses in Massachusetts.
House Exterior Wall
Insulation
Attic
Insulation
W
2 inches
4 inches deep
X
4 inches
none
Y
4 inches
4 inches deep
Z
2 inches
none
Each house is similar to the one pictured, except for the differences in
insulation shown in the table. According to the table, which house is the
most economical to heat?
A. house W
B. house X
C. house Y
D. house Z
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 15: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
Which of the following is the primary difference between hydraulic and
pneumatic systems?
A. Hydraulic systems are under pressure and pneumatic systems are
not.
B. Hydraulic systems involve liquids and pneumatic systems involve
gases.
C. Hydraulic systems are open systems and pneumatic systems are
closed systems.
D. Hydraulic systems involve fluids in motion and pneumatic systems
involve fluids at rest.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 16: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
A portable electric hairdryer with a resistance of 15 is connected to a 120 V
outlet.
What is the approximate current in the circuit?
A. 8 A
B. 15 A
C. 105 A
D. 180 A
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 17: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The line marker shown in the diagram below is designed to show athletes and
officials the exact location of a corner of a playing field.
This marker must be able to regain its upright position immediately after
contact with players.
Which of the following engineering properties is most important for the
material used for the core of the line marker?
A. conductivity
B. ductility
C. elasticity
D. plasticity
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 18: Open-Response
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
In your Student Answer Booklet, draw a perspective view of a cube with two
vanishing points.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 19: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The diagram below shows a pair of pliers gripping a bolt.
Pliers multiply the force of a person’s grip through the use of leverage. For
the pliers shown, A = 10 lbs., a = 3 in., and b = 1 in. What is the gripping
force, B, at the jaws of the pliers?
A. 3 lbs.
B. 10 lbs.
C. 30 lbs.
D. 60 lbs.
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 20: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
What part of a communication system converts binary codes in a computer
into recognizable characters?
A. decoder
B. encoder
C. receiver
D. transmitter
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 21: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
In the first step of making some ceramic cups, the following manufacturing
process is used. Liquid clay is poured into a mold, allowed to solidify, then
removed from the mold.
What is the name of this manufacturing process?
A. casting
B. milling
C. finishing
D. refining
2004, Technology/Engineering - High School
Question 22: Multiple-Choice
Reporting Category: Technology/Engineering
The schematic below shows a simple circuit.
In this circuit, a potentiometer is used to control the light output of a bulb.
Which of the following is the source in this circuit?
A. resistor
B. battery
C. potentiometer
D. bulb