Science news

Science World, Jan 24, 2005

Name: --

DIRECTIONS: Read the Science News section on pages 4 to 7. Then, test your knowledge by filling in the letter of the correct answer below.

1. The sun is a(n)

(A) planet.

(B) asteroid.

(C) star.

(D) Kuiper Belt object.

2. Sunspots are

(A) satellites that block parts of the sun.

(B) cooler areas on the sun's surface.

(C) areas in Earth's atmosphere that block solar radiation.

(D) damage caused to Earth from sunlight.

3. Solar flares can cause damage to

(A) the sun.

(B) cell phones and computers.

(C) satellites and astronauts.

(D) the moon and stars.

4. Scratches prevent the -- in a CD or DVD player from being able to read the information on the disc. That causes --.

(A) laser, skips

(B) eye, repeats

(C) lens, more scratches

(D) spinner, static

5. Silica is a useful compound for protecting CDs and DVDs. because it is

(A) soft and can be made into large particles.

(B) smooth and can be spread in thin layers.

(C) abrasive and can cover scratches.

(D) hard and can be made into tiny particles.

6. Scientists predict that by 2007, approximately -- million household robots will be in use worldwide.

(A) 1.7

(B) 2.8

(C) 3.6

(D) 4.1

7. Usually, pecans are harvested closest to -- each year.

(A) August 10

(B) September 28

(C) October 1

(D) October 15

8. Last year's hurricanes disrupted future pecan harvests because they caused

(A) seeds to ripen too quickly.

(B) pecan trees to fall over.

(C) squirrels to eat all the pecans.

(D) pecan trees to lose their leaves.

9. Bilingualists are people who

(A) have two tongues.

(B) speak two languages.

(C) speak English and Spanish.

(D) have a higher intelligence.

10. Learning a new language increases the -- in your brain.

(A) space

(B) gray matter

(C) muscle

(D) fluid

1. c 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. d 7. d 8. b 9. b 10. b