ASVAB (General Science - Earth and
Space Science Practice Questions)
Answers (RATED A)
(b) 3.5 billion years ago. -ANSWER - Studies of the Precambrian eon have shown that
life first appeared on Earth approximately __.
(a) 570 million years ago.
(b) 3.5 billion years ago.
(c) 4.6 billion years ago.
(d) 5 billion years ago.
(c) pumice
Choice (c) is correct. Pumice comes from volcanic rock when it cools very quickly on the
surface. The small air bubbles formed in it are visible to the naked eye. The bubbles
give it its lightweight feel and increase its usefulness in many everyday products. -
ANSWER - Which of the following is an igneous rock?
(a) marble
(b) gypsum
(c) pumice
(d) coal
(c) dead algae decomposing -ANSWER - Which of the following is a way in which
carbon is released into the atmosphere?
(a) pine tree engaging in photosynthesis
(b) sediment settling in the ocean
(c) dead algae decomposing
(d) new plants growing in a forest
(a) transpiration
The correct answer is (a). Water enters the atmosphere through the process of
transpiration and evaporation. TRANSPIRATION specifically refers to water movement
through plants. CONDENSATION happens when water vapor condenses together to
form PRECIPITATION, which then falls back the Earth as rain or snow. SEEPAGE is
the movement of water through soil. -ANSWER - During the water cycle, water enters
the atmosphere as gas through __.
(a) transpiration
, (b) condensation
(c) precipitation
(d) seepage
(b) freezing rain
Warm air fronts generally result in some form of precipitation, though not a full blown
storm like a hurricane (which is a specialized storm that develops over warm ocean
water). A sudden change in temperature is the result of a cold air front and a stalemate
is caused by a stationary front. -ANSWER - The weather report indicates a warm air
front is moving in. Which of the following is most likely to occur as a result of that warm
air front?
(a) a sudden change in temperature
(b) freezing rain
(c) hurricanes
(d) weather stalemate
(c) cumulus
The correct answer is (c). Cumulus clouds are often referred to as thunderheads. They
have high fluffy peaks that are perfect for generating static electricity and producing
thunderstorms. A few scattered cumulus clouds are usually not a threat of a storm, but if
several groups of them converge, they could produce heavy rain, thunder and lightning -
ANSWER - The sky is filled with dark, puffy clouds, and there is a thunderstorm
approaching. What type of clouds are you seeing?
(a) cirrus
(b) stratus
(c) cumulus
(d) stratocumulus
(c) an inner core of metal
Terrestrial planets have an inner core of metal and a rocky surface. Outer planets have
inner cores of ice crystals. -ANSWER - Which of the following is a characteristic of
terrestrial planets?
(a) an inner core made of ice crystals
(b) a surface temperature similar to that of Earth
(c) an inner core of metal
(d) a surface composed of gasses
(a) meteor
Space Science Practice Questions)
Answers (RATED A)
(b) 3.5 billion years ago. -ANSWER - Studies of the Precambrian eon have shown that
life first appeared on Earth approximately __.
(a) 570 million years ago.
(b) 3.5 billion years ago.
(c) 4.6 billion years ago.
(d) 5 billion years ago.
(c) pumice
Choice (c) is correct. Pumice comes from volcanic rock when it cools very quickly on the
surface. The small air bubbles formed in it are visible to the naked eye. The bubbles
give it its lightweight feel and increase its usefulness in many everyday products. -
ANSWER - Which of the following is an igneous rock?
(a) marble
(b) gypsum
(c) pumice
(d) coal
(c) dead algae decomposing -ANSWER - Which of the following is a way in which
carbon is released into the atmosphere?
(a) pine tree engaging in photosynthesis
(b) sediment settling in the ocean
(c) dead algae decomposing
(d) new plants growing in a forest
(a) transpiration
The correct answer is (a). Water enters the atmosphere through the process of
transpiration and evaporation. TRANSPIRATION specifically refers to water movement
through plants. CONDENSATION happens when water vapor condenses together to
form PRECIPITATION, which then falls back the Earth as rain or snow. SEEPAGE is
the movement of water through soil. -ANSWER - During the water cycle, water enters
the atmosphere as gas through __.
(a) transpiration
, (b) condensation
(c) precipitation
(d) seepage
(b) freezing rain
Warm air fronts generally result in some form of precipitation, though not a full blown
storm like a hurricane (which is a specialized storm that develops over warm ocean
water). A sudden change in temperature is the result of a cold air front and a stalemate
is caused by a stationary front. -ANSWER - The weather report indicates a warm air
front is moving in. Which of the following is most likely to occur as a result of that warm
air front?
(a) a sudden change in temperature
(b) freezing rain
(c) hurricanes
(d) weather stalemate
(c) cumulus
The correct answer is (c). Cumulus clouds are often referred to as thunderheads. They
have high fluffy peaks that are perfect for generating static electricity and producing
thunderstorms. A few scattered cumulus clouds are usually not a threat of a storm, but if
several groups of them converge, they could produce heavy rain, thunder and lightning -
ANSWER - The sky is filled with dark, puffy clouds, and there is a thunderstorm
approaching. What type of clouds are you seeing?
(a) cirrus
(b) stratus
(c) cumulus
(d) stratocumulus
(c) an inner core of metal
Terrestrial planets have an inner core of metal and a rocky surface. Outer planets have
inner cores of ice crystals. -ANSWER - Which of the following is a characteristic of
terrestrial planets?
(a) an inner core made of ice crystals
(b) a surface temperature similar to that of Earth
(c) an inner core of metal
(d) a surface composed of gasses
(a) meteor
