Science in the news quiz

Science World, May 9, 2003

DIRECTIONS: Read the late-breaking news in our Science News section on page 4 to 7. Then test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Circle the correct letter.

1. Scientists think SARS might be caused by
   a. pneumonia.
   b. a parasite.
   c. antibiotics.
   d. a coronavirus.

2. SARS can be transmitted by
   a. coughs.
   b. sneezes.
   c. infected surfaces.
   d. all of the above

3. What kind Of cells control bird-beak
   development?
   a. embryonic cells
   b. egg cells
   c. neural crest cells
   d. epithelial cells

4. Why did scientists swap the beaks of unhatched
   birds?
   a. They wanted to find out what cells control
   specific aspects of facial development.
   b. They hope to engineer new breeds of ducks and
   quails.
   c. It was an April Fool's Day prank.
   d. none of the above

5. What is OGLE-TR-56b?
   a. It is a terrestrial planet like Earth.
   b. It is a gas giant like Jupiter.
   c. It is the newest line of safety goggles from NASA.
   d. It is a NASA space-based telescope.

6. A digital wireless phone transmits voice signals
   through the air as
   a. radio waves.
   b. microwaves.
   c. infrared light waves.
   d. none of the above

7. The best farmland in Iraq has historically been
   found on the floodplain between the Tigris and
   Euphrates rivers. Why?
   a. Seasonal flooding from the rivers enriches the
   soil, making the land fertile.
   b. Farming techniques have been honed since the
   dawn of time.
   c. The land is never sprayed with chemical
   pesticides.
   d. They use state-of-the-art irrigation systems.

8. Which of the following has nothing to do with
   the demise of Iraq's marshlands?
   a. Dams have been erected upstream.
   b. Upstream drainage canals flush manure and
   agricultural pesticides into the marshes.
   c. Upstream drainage canals flushed salt into the
   region, upsetting the fragile balance of the
   ecosystem.
   d. Saddam Hussein retaliated against the Marsh
   Arabs by diverting their water supply, the Tigris
   and Euphrates rivers.

TAKE IT FURTHER

9. Research some of the other environmental
   problems facing Iraq. Use recent news coverage to
   help you. As a class, create a map of Iraq that
   points out areas that are suffering environmental
   damage. Include the causes.

10. Web Search: How long does it take to recover
    from SARS?

1.d 2.d 3.c 4.a 5.b 6.a 7.a 8.b