AESC 2050 Final Exam Study Guide |
Comprehensive Food Science Practice Exam
with Verified Questions and Correct Detailed
Answers | Latest Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
The separation between "Prehistory" and "History" occurred about ______ years ago,
with the ______.
A. 5,000 / invention of writing
B. 200,000 / start of tool making
C. 200,000 / start of farming
D. 2 million / start of tool making
E. 2 million / invention of writing
Answer: A
Rationale: The separation between Prehistory and History occurred approximately 5,000
years ago with the invention of writing. Prehistory covers the period from about 5 million
years ago to 3,000 BC, while History begins around 3,000 BC with the invention of
writing. Tool making began about 2 million years ago and farming began about 10,000
years ago, but these mark different periods in human development.
Question 2
The domestication of Potatoes began ~8,000 years ago in modern day:
A. Canada
B. Peru
C. Ireland
D. Mexico
Answer: B
Rationale: Potatoes were first domesticated approximately 8,000 years ago in the Andes
region of South America, specifically in modern-day Peru. The potato was later
introduced to Europe in the 16th century and became a staple crop in Ireland. Canada
(A), Ireland (C), and Mexico (D) are not the sites of original potato domestication.
Question 3
The average % of annual income spent on food in U.S. households is:
A. less than 10
B. 20
C. 30
pg. 1
,D. 40
Answer: A
Rationale: The average percentage of annual income spent on food in U.S. households is
less than 10%. This is significantly lower than in many other countries and reflects the
relative affordability of food in the United States compared to other nations.
Question 4
______ was the 1st major cash crop in the American Deep South (~1700 - 1800).
A. Corn
B. Tobacco
C. Cotton
D. Wheat
E. Peanuts
Answer: B
Rationale: Tobacco was the first major cash crop in the American Deep South from
approximately 1700 to 1800. It was introduced to Virginia in 1612 and became the
foundation of the Southern colonial economy. Cotton (C) became the second major cash
crop from approximately 1800 to 1900 after the invention of the cotton gin.
Question 5
______ was the 2nd major cash crop in the American Deep South (~1800 - 1900).
A. Corn
B. Tobacco
C. Cotton
D. Wheat
E. Peanuts
Answer: C
Rationale: Cotton became the second major cash crop in the American Deep South from
approximately 1800 to 1900. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793
made cotton processing efficient and profitable, leading to its dominance in the Southern
economy until the Boll Weevil infestation in the early 1900s.
Question 6
What agricultural commodities are most often at the "heart" of Food Politics?
A. Fresh fruits and Vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. GMO foods
D. Fresh and Frozen Meats
E. Non-perishable storable grain crops
pg. 2
,Answer: E
Rationale: Non-perishable storable grain crops are most often at the "heart" of Food
Politics because they are the foundation of government farm bills, price supports, and
trade policies. Grains like corn, wheat, and soybeans are storable, tradeable, and form the
basis of much of the food system, making them central to agricultural policy discussions.
Question 7
What did Juanfra DeVillena say was the cultural difference between Americans and
Latinos when it comes to "personal space"?
A. Americans demand much more personal space than Latinos
B. Latinos demand much more personal space than Americans
C. Americans are more comfortable than Latinos as people get closer to them
D. Latinos get very uncomfortable if people do not stay at least an arm's length away
E. Both feel basically the same about the subject
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Juanfra DeVillena, Americans demand much more personal
space than Latinos. This cultural difference reflects the more reserved nature of American
interpersonal interactions compared to the closer proximity typical in Latino cultures.
Question 8
What book is credited with starting the Environmental Awareness movement in the U.S.
in the 1960s?
A. Green Peace
B. Grapes of Wrath
C. Silent Spring
D. Of Mice and Men
E. The Jungle
Answer: C
Rationale: "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, published in 1962, is credited with starting
the Environmental Awareness movement in the United States. The book exposed the
dangers of pesticides, particularly DDT, and led to widespread public concern about
environmental issues. "The Jungle" (E) led to the Meat Inspection Act of 1906.
Question 9
The macro-nutrient diet of the average American is dominated by ______%.
A. protein
B. carbohydrate
C. fat
D. vitamins
E. minerals
pg. 3
, Answer: B
Rationale: The macro-nutrient diet of the average American is dominated by
approximately 50% carbohydrate. This reflects the high consumption of grains, sugars,
and processed foods in the American diet. Protein and fat make up the remaining portions
of the diet.
Question 10
What percentage (%) of the total USDA budget is devoted to Nutrition (food assistance)
programs?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 40
D. 60
E. 80
Answer: E
Rationale: Approximately 80% of the total USDA budget is devoted to Nutrition (food
assistance) programs, including SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs. This reflects the
massive scale of food assistance in the United States, with over 45 million people
receiving SNAP benefits alone.
Question 11
Advertising, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a
particular cause or point of view is called:
A. Advertising
B. Marketing
C. Vulgarity
D. Spin
E. Propaganda
Answer: E
Rationale: Propaganda is advertising, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to
promote or publicize a particular cause or point of view. It is distinct from general
advertising (A) or marketing (B) in that it is specifically designed to influence opinion
rather than simply sell a product.
Question 12
Treating an animal with an antibiotic BEFORE it shows symptoms of an illness is known
as Treating:
A. Sub-therapeutically
B. Therapeutically
Answer: A
pg. 4
Comprehensive Food Science Practice Exam
with Verified Questions and Correct Detailed
Answers | Latest Update 2026/2027 - Graded A+
Question 1
The separation between "Prehistory" and "History" occurred about ______ years ago,
with the ______.
A. 5,000 / invention of writing
B. 200,000 / start of tool making
C. 200,000 / start of farming
D. 2 million / start of tool making
E. 2 million / invention of writing
Answer: A
Rationale: The separation between Prehistory and History occurred approximately 5,000
years ago with the invention of writing. Prehistory covers the period from about 5 million
years ago to 3,000 BC, while History begins around 3,000 BC with the invention of
writing. Tool making began about 2 million years ago and farming began about 10,000
years ago, but these mark different periods in human development.
Question 2
The domestication of Potatoes began ~8,000 years ago in modern day:
A. Canada
B. Peru
C. Ireland
D. Mexico
Answer: B
Rationale: Potatoes were first domesticated approximately 8,000 years ago in the Andes
region of South America, specifically in modern-day Peru. The potato was later
introduced to Europe in the 16th century and became a staple crop in Ireland. Canada
(A), Ireland (C), and Mexico (D) are not the sites of original potato domestication.
Question 3
The average % of annual income spent on food in U.S. households is:
A. less than 10
B. 20
C. 30
pg. 1
,D. 40
Answer: A
Rationale: The average percentage of annual income spent on food in U.S. households is
less than 10%. This is significantly lower than in many other countries and reflects the
relative affordability of food in the United States compared to other nations.
Question 4
______ was the 1st major cash crop in the American Deep South (~1700 - 1800).
A. Corn
B. Tobacco
C. Cotton
D. Wheat
E. Peanuts
Answer: B
Rationale: Tobacco was the first major cash crop in the American Deep South from
approximately 1700 to 1800. It was introduced to Virginia in 1612 and became the
foundation of the Southern colonial economy. Cotton (C) became the second major cash
crop from approximately 1800 to 1900 after the invention of the cotton gin.
Question 5
______ was the 2nd major cash crop in the American Deep South (~1800 - 1900).
A. Corn
B. Tobacco
C. Cotton
D. Wheat
E. Peanuts
Answer: C
Rationale: Cotton became the second major cash crop in the American Deep South from
approximately 1800 to 1900. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793
made cotton processing efficient and profitable, leading to its dominance in the Southern
economy until the Boll Weevil infestation in the early 1900s.
Question 6
What agricultural commodities are most often at the "heart" of Food Politics?
A. Fresh fruits and Vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. GMO foods
D. Fresh and Frozen Meats
E. Non-perishable storable grain crops
pg. 2
,Answer: E
Rationale: Non-perishable storable grain crops are most often at the "heart" of Food
Politics because they are the foundation of government farm bills, price supports, and
trade policies. Grains like corn, wheat, and soybeans are storable, tradeable, and form the
basis of much of the food system, making them central to agricultural policy discussions.
Question 7
What did Juanfra DeVillena say was the cultural difference between Americans and
Latinos when it comes to "personal space"?
A. Americans demand much more personal space than Latinos
B. Latinos demand much more personal space than Americans
C. Americans are more comfortable than Latinos as people get closer to them
D. Latinos get very uncomfortable if people do not stay at least an arm's length away
E. Both feel basically the same about the subject
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Juanfra DeVillena, Americans demand much more personal
space than Latinos. This cultural difference reflects the more reserved nature of American
interpersonal interactions compared to the closer proximity typical in Latino cultures.
Question 8
What book is credited with starting the Environmental Awareness movement in the U.S.
in the 1960s?
A. Green Peace
B. Grapes of Wrath
C. Silent Spring
D. Of Mice and Men
E. The Jungle
Answer: C
Rationale: "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, published in 1962, is credited with starting
the Environmental Awareness movement in the United States. The book exposed the
dangers of pesticides, particularly DDT, and led to widespread public concern about
environmental issues. "The Jungle" (E) led to the Meat Inspection Act of 1906.
Question 9
The macro-nutrient diet of the average American is dominated by ______%.
A. protein
B. carbohydrate
C. fat
D. vitamins
E. minerals
pg. 3
, Answer: B
Rationale: The macro-nutrient diet of the average American is dominated by
approximately 50% carbohydrate. This reflects the high consumption of grains, sugars,
and processed foods in the American diet. Protein and fat make up the remaining portions
of the diet.
Question 10
What percentage (%) of the total USDA budget is devoted to Nutrition (food assistance)
programs?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 40
D. 60
E. 80
Answer: E
Rationale: Approximately 80% of the total USDA budget is devoted to Nutrition (food
assistance) programs, including SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs. This reflects the
massive scale of food assistance in the United States, with over 45 million people
receiving SNAP benefits alone.
Question 11
Advertising, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a
particular cause or point of view is called:
A. Advertising
B. Marketing
C. Vulgarity
D. Spin
E. Propaganda
Answer: E
Rationale: Propaganda is advertising, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to
promote or publicize a particular cause or point of view. It is distinct from general
advertising (A) or marketing (B) in that it is specifically designed to influence opinion
rather than simply sell a product.
Question 12
Treating an animal with an antibiotic BEFORE it shows symptoms of an illness is known
as Treating:
A. Sub-therapeutically
B. Therapeutically
Answer: A
pg. 4
