ACT Science Prep – Practice Test
An ACT science practice test is provided below. For more ACT Science Prep, scroll to the second part of the page.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Storage of Nuclear Waste
Scientist 1
Highly concentrated radioactive nuclear waste is lethal and can remain so for thousands of years. Indeed, there are many radioactive elements in such waste, including thorium, uranium, polonium, radium, and plutonium, and the latter of these is known to be the most dangerous material in the world. Radioactive waste is a by-product of nuclear power generation, and accordingly, the disposal of nuclear material remains an issue in most energy-producing countries around the world. For this reason, liquid forms of radioactive waste should be stored in stainless steel tanks. For extra protection, the tanks need to be double-walled and surrounded by a concrete covering that is one meter thick. This storage method has been utilized historically with only minimal loss of human life.
Scientist 2:
With nuclear storage, any leak leading to loss of human life must be avoided. The long-term problem to the storage of nuclear waste lies in the fact that it generates heat as radioactive atoms decay. This excess heat could ultimately result in a radioactive leak. Therefore, the liquid needs to be cooled by pumping cold water into coils inside the tanks. Accordingly, protocol should dictate that storage tanks be only a temporary solution. The answer to the long-term storage of nuclear waste is fusing the waste into glass cylinders that are stored deep underground. Storing the waste underground is particularly important for plutonium and radium, which are incredibly deleterious to human health.
Instructions: Read the ACT Science practice passage above and answer the following questions based on the views of the two scientists. Your score and the answers will be shown when you finish the practice test.
ACT Science Prep
Looking for a science review for the ACT test? This section explains what to expect on this part of the examination.
The science part of the test lasts for 35 minutes and contains 40 questions.
ACT Science – Types of Questions
You will need to review the data provided in each question on this part of the exam in order to:
- comprehend the basic scientific concepts represented in the texts, as well as in the data
- evaluate the data provided and the hypotheses deriving from the data to determine the veracity or validity of those hypotheses
- predict scientific results or behaviors based on the data given
- make conclusions based on the data or hypotheses provided
Types of Passages
This part of the exam contains passages and questions of three different types:
- Illustrations, including graphs, charts, or tables – these questions test how well you can read and interpret data that is represented in tabular and graphic form.
- Synopses of related research studies – this part of the science test assesses your ability to analyze research results.
- Conflicting interpretations or hypotheses – for questions in this format, you will need to compare differing viewpoints.
ACT Science Practice – Skills Needed
Before you take this part of the examination, you will need to have completed at least three years of study in science in high school.
In particular, you will need to have taken at least one class in biology and another in earth science or physical science.
In other words, you will need to have background knowledge in certain basic scientific concepts to be able to complete this part of the examination.
The essential skills tested include interpretation and analysis of scientific results, resolution of differing viewpoints, and problem-solving skills.
Please note that even though calculators are allowed for the math test, they are not allowed for the science test.
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