Printer Friendly
The Free Library
14,651,178 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

Science in the news.


Directions: Read the Science News section on pages 4 to 6. Then test your knowledge by circling the letter of the correct answer, below.

1. German researchers found that learning to juggle can cause a(n)

a. improvement in concentration skills.

b. decrease in gray matter.

c. jolt in memory.

d. increase in gray matter.

2. Traditionally, scientists believe that the adult brain -- when exposed to new experiences.

a. grows sideways

b. increases in size

c. decreases in size

d. does not change in structure

3. What's the Hawaiian bobtail bobtail

a short tail, either natural or docked. Seen naturally in some species, e.g. bobcat, and some dog breeds, e.g. Schipperke and Old English sheepdog.


bobtail disease
 squid's "light source"?

a. the moon

b. amino acids

c. unique reflectors

d. symbiotic bacteria Symbiotic bacteria are bacteria living in symbiosis with another organism or each other. For example, Zoamastogopera, found in the stomach of termites, enable them to digest cellulose.

Symbiotic bacteria are able to live in or on plant or animal tissue.
 

4. Which of the following about the bobtail squid's unique reflector reflector: see telescope.  is false?

a. It's flexible.

b. It's made of protein.

c. It helps alter the squid's brightness.

d. It glows in the dark.

5. Why does a group in California want a two-cent fee on plastic sacks? It will help pay for

a. the cleanup of litter and marine debris.

b. veterinarian veterinarian /vet·er·i·nar·i·an/ (vet?er-i-nar´e-an) a person trained and authorized to practice veterinary medicine and surgery; a doctor of veterinary medicine.

vet·er·i·nar·i·an
n.
 bills for sick turtles.

c. an advertising campaign to urge people to bring their own bags to the supermarket.

d. research to create Earth-friendly bags.

6. How do plastic bags harm sea turtles?

a. They suffocate suf·fo·cate
v.
1. To impair the respiration of; asphyxiate.

2. To suffer from lack of oxygen; to be unable to breathe.



suf
 turtles.

b. They clog the digestive system.

c. Chemicals from the bags cause turtles to biodegrade.

d. Bag sightings confuse turtles, causing them to swim off migration routes.

7. How does a ripeSense[TM] label indicate when a fruit is ready to eat? The label

a. changes color.

b. emits a noise.

c. sends you an e-mail.

d. emits a pleasant smell.

8. A ripeSense[TM] label uses a sensor to detect specific chemicals emitted by a ripe fruit. If the sensor were a human sensory organ, it would be most similar to a(n)

a. nose.

b. ear.

c. eye.

d. mouth.

9. Which factor causes clouds above Earth's South Pole to float higher than those above the North Pole?

a. Earth's elliptical el·lip·tic   or el·lip·ti·cal
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse.

2. Containing or characterized by ellipsis.

3.
a.
 orbit around the sun

b. The poles' distances from the sun

c. The amount of solar energy received at the poles

d. All of the above

10. During the austral summer, which part of Earth is closest to the sun?

a. South Pole

b. North Pole

c. equator

d. All parts of the planet are equidistant e·qui·dis·tant  
adj.
Equally distant.



equi·distance n.
 to the sun.

Take It Further:

Research and report on either of the following: The process that causes fruit to overripe o·ver·ripe  
adj.
1. Too ripe.

2. Marked by decay or decline.



over·ripe
 or the plight of endangered sea turtles.

1. d 2. d 3. d 4. d 5. a 6. b 7. a 8. a 9. d 10. a
COPYRIGHT 2004 Scholastic, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Title Annotation:Check For Understanding
Publication:Science World
Date:Apr 5, 2004
Words:432
Previous Article:Hans-on science: (no lab required).
Next Article:Mongolian Safari.(Research Skills and Language Arts)



Related Articles
Diane Edwards receives MS Society prize. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Dudley Do-Math.(David Murray, author)(Interview)
It may not be the Oscar ... but then again, in our world it is!
Environment, health, and safety online.(ehp net)
PROJECT DOWN UNDER PALMDALE STUDENTS TO OPERATE TELESCOPE IN AUSTRALIA.(News)
Adversaries always: legislators and reporters see their own as ethical. But neither profession thinks too highly of the morals of the other.
Evolution pressures come from students, parents.(Curriculum Update: The latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)
Editor's note.(Science News appoints Elizabeth Marincola as President)(Editorial)
Student coursetaking.(Statistical table)

Terms of use | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles