NLN PAX Exam Questions

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1.

In a redox reaction, the element that is oxidized _______ an electron and the element that is reduced _______ an electron.

  • loses, gains

  • loses, loses

  • gains, loses

  • gains, gains

Correct answer: loses, gains

In a redox reaction, the element that is oxidized loses an electron and the element that is reduced gains an electron. Oxidation equals loss and reduction equals gain.

An oxidizing agent, or oxidant, gains electrons and is reduced in a chemical reaction. Also known as the electron acceptor, the oxidizing agent is normally in one of its higher possible oxidation states because it will gain electrons and be reduced. Examples of oxidizing agents include halogens, potassium nitrate, and nitric acid.
Summary: Oxidant - is reduced and gains an electron

A reducing agent, or reductant, loses electrons and is oxidized in a chemical reaction. A reducing agent is typically in one of its lower possible oxidation states, and is known as the electron donor. A reducing agent is oxidized, because it loses electrons in the redox reaction. Examples of reducing agents include the earth metals, formic acid, and sulfite compounds.
Summary: Reductant - is oxidized and loses an electron

2.

Magnetic fields exist as lines of force in space known as which of the following?

  • Flux

  • Flex

  • Fluctuation

  • Flexibility

Correct answer: Flux

Magnetic fields exist as lines of force in space known as flux. Flux are the lines created by a magnetic field. These lines create elliptical loops in space that extend from the north pole externally to the south pole of the magnet. Naturally, like magnetic poles repel each other and opposite magnetic poles attract. The force of attraction or repulsion between two fields will vary depending on the distance between them. The strength of a magnetic field is measured in Teslas.

3.

Solve the following by dividing and reducing to the lowest common denominator.

7/9 ÷ 2/5 =

  • 1 17/18

  • 17/18

  • 1 1/4

  • 1/4

Correct answer: 1 17/18

1. Apply this rule: a ÷ b/c = a × c/b

7/9 × 5/2

2. Apply this rule: a/b × c/d = ac/bd

(7×5)/(9×2)

3. Simplify 7×5 to 35

35/(9×2)

4. Simplify 9×2 to 18

35/18

5. Simplify

1 17/18

4.

What is the outer layer of a plant cell called?

  • Cell wall

  • Cell membrane

  • Nucleus

  • Chromatin

Correct answer: Cell wall

The plant cell is covered with a non-permeable layer called the cell wall.

5.

Atoms with the same number of _______ and electrons, but differing numbers of _______ are called isotopes.

  • protons, neutrons

  • neutrons, protons

  • electrodes, neutrons

  • electrodes, protons

Correct answer: protons, neutrons

Atoms with the same number of protons and electrons, but differing numbers of neutrons are called isotopes.

6.

Based on the use of word parts, which option means “under the skin”?

  • Hypodermic

  • Hyperdermic

  • Hypertrophy

  • Hypotrophy

Correct answer: Hypodermic

Hypodermic is the option that means under the skin. The prefix hypo- means under, the root word derm means skin, and the suffix –ic means nature of.

Hypertrophy means an enlargement of an organ, and hypotrophy means the reduction of an organ. Hyperdermic means above the skin.

7.

Solve the following by multiplying and reducing to the lowest common denominator.

5 x 3/4 =

  • 3 3/4

  • 3/4

  • 5 3/4

  • 4 3/4

Correct answer: 3 3/4

1. Simplify

15/4

2. Convert to mixed fraction

3 3/4

8.

The following sentence is an example of what common mistake in sentence structure?

“Catherine and Tim danced at their wedding, Catherine's friend took pictures.”

  • Comma splice

  • Sentence fragment

  • Compound sentence

  • Run-on sentence

Correct answer: Comma splice

A comma splice is a sentence error involving the use of a comma to connect two sentences instead of a coordinating conjunction. The sentence provided is two separate ideas joined by only a comma. A semicolon in place of the comma would fix this sentence.

A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (i.e., complete sentences) are joined without an appropriate punctuation or conjunction. (Example: It is nearly half past six we cannot reach town before dark.)

A sentence fragment fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. It does not contain even one independent clause.

A compound sentence is not a sentence error, but a type of sentence. It contains more than one subject or predicate.

9.

What is the perimeter of a square that has an 8-inch side?

  • 32 inches

  • 16 inches

  • 24 inches

  • 64 inches

Correct answer: 32 inches

The perimeter is the distance around a two-dimensional shape; in this case, a square. To find the perimeter, simply add the lengths of the sides. The shape is a square which has four equal sides.

8 + 8 + 8 + 8

or

8 x 4

Perimeter = 32 inches

10.

Solve the following by multiplying and reducing to the lowest common denominator.

2/5 x 1/3 =

  • 2/15

  • 5/6

  • 1 1/5

  • 3/8

Correct answer: 2/15

1. Apply this rule: a/b×c/d = ac/bd

(2×1)/(5×3)

2. Simplify 2×1 to 2

2/(5×3)

3. Simplify 5×3 to 15

2/15

11.

Closings used to end a piece of writing may include all except which of the following?

  • An argument to prove a point

  • Answers to unresolved questions

  • An analysis or reflection

  • A highlight of a key supporting point

Correct answer: An argument to prove a point

An argument to prove a point would appear in the body, or middle, not at the closing.

The closing paragraph is used to tie up the writing’s loose ends and may include answers to unresolved questions, an analysis or reflection, or a highlight of a key supporting point.

12.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

What can logically be inferred from this passage?

  • Rebecca and her manager have different opinions

  • Rebecca was following the rules

  • Rebecca knew all the rules by heart

  • Rebecca was lazy

Correct answer: Rebecca and her manager have different opinions

A logical inference is a conclusion made based on the logic presented. Since the passage describes the viewpoints of two different people, we cannot be sure which viewpoint is accurate. However, there is enough information to infer that the two subjects have different viewpoints.

13.

How many amperes does a 120-volt microwave draw when it delivers 1,800 watts of power?

  • 15 amperes

  • 6.67 amperes

  • 3.33 amperes

  • 12 amperes

Correct answer: 15 amperes

The correct answer is 15 amperes. In order to find the amperes drawn, you will need to use the following equation:

Power / Voltage = Amperes

Thus, 1,800 / 120 = 15 amperes

14.

The suffix -algia would be used with a word part to indicate which of the following?

  • Pain

  • Office, state, quality, or skill

  • Like or manner of

  • Condition, state, or quality

Correct answer: Pain

The suffix -algia would be used with a word part to indicate pain. For example, neuralgia means nerve pain.

The suffix -ship is used to indicate office, state, quality, or skill. The suffix -ly is used to indicate like or manner of. The suffix -ice is used to indicate condition, state, or quality.

15.

The heart muscle sends electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract. What is the heart muscle known as?

  • Myocardium

  • Pericardium

  • Septum

  • Sinoatrial node

Correct answer: Myocardium

Myocardium is the heart muscle. The myocardium sends electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract, which are initiated by the sinoatrial node.

The pericardium is the double-layered membrane that surrounds the heart. Septum is the wall of muscle that divides the right and left ventricles from the right and left atria. The sinoatrial node begins the electrical signals that cause the heart to contract.

16.

In regard to light, which of the following statements is false?

  • Light needs a medium in which to travel

  • Light is a result of magnetic and electric interactions

  • Light's properties are both a wave and a particle

  • Light interacts with a medium at an atomic level

Correct answer: Light needs a medium in which to travel

Light does not need a medium in which to travel; however, when it interacts with a medium, it does so at an atomic level.

Light is a result of magnetic and electric interactions. Light's properties are both a wave and a particle. Light does interact with a medium at an atomic level.

17.

A Punnett square is a device used to predict the genotype and phenotype of sexually reproduced offspring. What is the genotype?

  • The combination of alleles

  • The traits that will be expressed

  • The alternative versions of a gene

  • The basic principles of genetics

Correct answer: The combination of alleles

The genotype is the combination of alleles that will be expressed in the sexually reproduced offspring.

The phenotype represents the traits that will be expressed in the sexually reproduced offspring. Alleles are alternative versions of a gene. The basic principles of genetics were discovered by Gregor Mendel.

18.

A rectangle has one side length of 15 inches and a diagonal of 17 inches. Find the area of the rectangle in square feet.

  • 0.83 square feet

  • 0.87 square feet

  • 0.42 square feet

  • 0.062 square feet

Correct answer: 0.83 square feet

State the dimensions of the rectangle.
Let the sides of the rectangle be L (length), W (width), and D (diagonal). We know one side length is 15 inches, so L = 15. The diagonal is 17 inches, so D = 17.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find W.
L2 + W2 = D2
152 + W2 = 172, 
225 + W2 = 289
W2 = 64 
Take the square root of each side.
W = 8 inches (in).

Convert to feet.
Length: 15 in × 1 foot (ft) / 12 in = 15/12 ft = 5/4 ft
Width:  8 in × 1 ft / 12 in = 8/12 ft = 2/3 ft

Compute the area.
The area of a rectangle is A = L⋅W.
(5/4)⋅(2/3) = 10/12 ft2 = 0.83 ft2

19.

Sedimentation can be used as a proxy for the agricultural sustainability of ancient coastal plains.

The medium for the above sentence is most likely which of the following?

  • Science report

  • Business memo

  • Speech

  • News story

Correct answer: Science report

The jargon presented describes the process, progress, and/or results of a technical or scientific research; therefore, it is information that would most likely be found in a science report.

Business memo is incorrect because the jargon presented in the passage does not present information that would be distributed within an organization. Speech is incorrect because the jargon presented does not appear as a formal address delivered to an audience. News story is incorrect because the jargon presented in the passage does not describe a factual story for print about a person, place, or event.

20.

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 0 is more ______ and 14 is more ______.

  • acidic, basic

  • basic, neutral

  • basic, acidic

  • acidic, neutral

Correct answer: acidic, basic

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 0 is more acidic and 14 is more basic. The pH scale of 0 to 14, ranges from acidic to neutral to basic.