ASVAB meps |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|NEWLY UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
GENERAL SCIENCE (GS)
Questions 1–20
1. Which of the following is the smallest unit of matter that retains the
properties of an element?
• A. Atom
• B. Molecule
• C. Proton
• D. Electron
A. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical
properties of an element. Molecules are combinations of atoms. Protons and
electrons are subatomic particles that do not retain elemental properties on their
own.
2. The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is
called:
• A. Cellular respiration
• B. Fermentation
• C. Photosynthesis
• D. Transpiration
C. Photosynthesis
Rationale: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other
organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
Cellular respiration is the opposite process, releasing energy from food.
,3. Which blood type is known as the universal donor?
• A. Type A
• B. Type B
• C. Type AB
• D. Type O
D. Type O
Rationale: Type O blood lacks A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells,
making it safe to transfuse to any blood type in emergency situations. Type AB is
the universal recipient.
4. The chemical symbol for gold is:
• A. Go
• B. Gd
• C. Au
• D. Ag
C. Au
Rationale: The chemical symbol Au comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning
gold. Ag is silver, Gd is gadolinium, and Go is not a valid chemical symbol.
5. Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system?
• A. Producing hormones
• B. Pumping blood
• C. Protecting internal organs
• D. Digesting food
, C. Protecting internal organs
Rationale: The skeletal system provides structural support, protects vital organs
(e.g., the skull protects the brain, the rib cage protects the heart and lungs),
produces blood cells, and stores minerals.
6. Water boils at which temperature at standard atmospheric pressure?
• A. 100°C
• B. 212°C
• C. 32°F
• D. 0°C
A. 100°C
Rationale: Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm).
32°F is the freezing point of water, and 0°C is also the freezing point.
7. Any astronomical body that revolves around a larger body is called a:
• A. Nova
• B. Comet
• C. Satellite
• D. Asteroid
• E. Meteoroid
C. Satellite
Rationale: A satellite is any object that orbits a larger body. This includes natural
satellites like the Moon and artificial satellites launched by humans. Novas are
exploding stars, comets are icy bodies, asteroids are rocky bodies, and meteoroids
are small particles in space.
, 8. Which organ is responsible for filtering waste from the blood and producing
urine?
• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Heart
• D. Lung
B. Kidney
Rationale: The kidneys filter waste products from the blood, regulate fluid
balance, and produce urine. The liver processes toxins, the heart pumps blood,
and the lungs facilitate gas exchange.
9. The pH scale measures:
• A. Temperature
• B. Acidity or alkalinity
• C. Pressure
• D. Density
B. Acidity or alkalinity
Rationale: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and measures the concentration of
hydrogen ions in a solution. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is
basic (alkaline).
10. Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?
• A. Solar power
• B. Wind power
• C. Nuclear power
• D. Hydroelectric power
ANSWERS|NEWLY UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
GENERAL SCIENCE (GS)
Questions 1–20
1. Which of the following is the smallest unit of matter that retains the
properties of an element?
• A. Atom
• B. Molecule
• C. Proton
• D. Electron
A. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical
properties of an element. Molecules are combinations of atoms. Protons and
electrons are subatomic particles that do not retain elemental properties on their
own.
2. The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is
called:
• A. Cellular respiration
• B. Fermentation
• C. Photosynthesis
• D. Transpiration
C. Photosynthesis
Rationale: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other
organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
Cellular respiration is the opposite process, releasing energy from food.
,3. Which blood type is known as the universal donor?
• A. Type A
• B. Type B
• C. Type AB
• D. Type O
D. Type O
Rationale: Type O blood lacks A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells,
making it safe to transfuse to any blood type in emergency situations. Type AB is
the universal recipient.
4. The chemical symbol for gold is:
• A. Go
• B. Gd
• C. Au
• D. Ag
C. Au
Rationale: The chemical symbol Au comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning
gold. Ag is silver, Gd is gadolinium, and Go is not a valid chemical symbol.
5. Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system?
• A. Producing hormones
• B. Pumping blood
• C. Protecting internal organs
• D. Digesting food
, C. Protecting internal organs
Rationale: The skeletal system provides structural support, protects vital organs
(e.g., the skull protects the brain, the rib cage protects the heart and lungs),
produces blood cells, and stores minerals.
6. Water boils at which temperature at standard atmospheric pressure?
• A. 100°C
• B. 212°C
• C. 32°F
• D. 0°C
A. 100°C
Rationale: Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm).
32°F is the freezing point of water, and 0°C is also the freezing point.
7. Any astronomical body that revolves around a larger body is called a:
• A. Nova
• B. Comet
• C. Satellite
• D. Asteroid
• E. Meteoroid
C. Satellite
Rationale: A satellite is any object that orbits a larger body. This includes natural
satellites like the Moon and artificial satellites launched by humans. Novas are
exploding stars, comets are icy bodies, asteroids are rocky bodies, and meteoroids
are small particles in space.
, 8. Which organ is responsible for filtering waste from the blood and producing
urine?
• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Heart
• D. Lung
B. Kidney
Rationale: The kidneys filter waste products from the blood, regulate fluid
balance, and produce urine. The liver processes toxins, the heart pumps blood,
and the lungs facilitate gas exchange.
9. The pH scale measures:
• A. Temperature
• B. Acidity or alkalinity
• C. Pressure
• D. Density
B. Acidity or alkalinity
Rationale: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and measures the concentration of
hydrogen ions in a solution. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is
basic (alkaline).
10. Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?
• A. Solar power
• B. Wind power
• C. Nuclear power
• D. Hydroelectric power
