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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

ASVAB Exam Questions

Page 1 of 40

1.

Read the passage and then answer the following question.

A word that could be properly substituted for provocative in the passage is:

  • Vexing

  • Confusing

  • Soothing

  • Nonsensical

Correct answer: Vexing

Provocative means tending to incite, irritate, or annoy. Vexing means to make someone feel annoyed or frustrated, so vexing is the best answer. 

Nonsensical means something that does not make sense or has no meaning. Soothing means the opposite of provocative, and confusing does not have the same meaning as provocative, so they are also incorrect answers.

2.

In a parallel circuit, which of the following is constant at all points?

  • Voltage

  • Current

  • Frequency

  • Resistance

Correct answer: Voltage

A circuit connected completely in parallel is known as a parallel circuit.The voltage in a parallel circuit is the same at all points and the total current is the sum of the currents through each component.

The current in a series circuit is the same at all points, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component. Frequency and resistance are not constants at all points in a circuit.

3.

Kim's goal is to raise $150 to support her cause. She was able to collect $20.00 from one friend, $50.00 from her boss, and $25.00 from her father. How much more money does Kim need to raise in order to reach her goal?

  • $55.00

  • $45.00

  • $80.00

  • $75.00

Correct answer: $55.00

In order to solve this question, subtract $20, $50, and $25 from $150.

1. Simplify 20 + 50 + 25 to 95.

150 - 95

2. Set up the long subtraction.

3. Since 0 is less than 5, borrow 1 from the next column to make 10.

4. Calculate 10 - 5, which is 5.

5. Since 4 is less than 9, borrow 1 from the next column to make 14.

6. Calculate 14 - 9, which is 5.

7. Therefore, 150 - 95 = 55.

4.

From which of the following does a car’s exhaust system protect passengers?

  • Heat

  • Noise

  • Pollution

  • Smoke

Correct answer: Heat

A car’s exhaust system operates at high temperatures as the burned gases enter into it after combustion; therefore, the primary role of the exhaust system is to protect the vehicle and its occupants from heat.

Within the exhaust manifold, you will find the muffler, which reduces noise, and the pollution control equipment, which reduces pollution. Smoke is a sign of burning oil and a warning that something in the car's systems is malfunctioning.

5.

Conflate most nearly means:

  • Fuse

  • Lie

  • Detest

  • Defy

Correct answer: Fuse

Conflate means to merge two ideas into one. Fuse means to join or blend together, so it matches the definition of conflate the best.

Conflate does not mean lie. Defy means to openly resist, and detest means to hate or regard with disgust, so these answers are also incorrect.

6.

Choose the option that best defines the word in italics.

The pastor was zealous in delivering his sermon to the parishioners.

  • Passionate

  • Slow

  • Quiet

  • Pathetic

Correct answer: Passionate

To be zealous is to be marked by enthusiasm and fervor. Passionate means caused by strong feelings or strong belief, and therefore is the closest synonym out of the given answer choices.

The remaining answer options are incorrect. Slow, quiet, and pathetic often suggest a lack of energy, intensity, or strength and tend to have connotations that run generally counter to zealous.

7.

Hector has tropical fish in an aquarium that holds 10 gallons of water. He buys six new Siamese fighting fish, each of which needs to be in its own aquarium, so he puts each of the new fish in its own pint jar. 

Altogether, Hector has fish in how many total pints of water?

  • 86

  • 46

  • 80

  • 16

Correct answer: 86

There are eight pints in one gallon; therefore, Hector has 80 pints in his tropical fish aquarium. Added to the six pint jars of water for the new Siamese fighting fish, the correct answer is 86 pints.

8.

Read the passage and answer the following question.

A word that could be properly substituted for methodically in the passage is:

  • Systematically

  • Haphazardly

  • Carefully

  • Slowly

Correct answer: Systematically

Methodically means performed, disposed, or acting in an orderly way. Systematically means done in an orderly way, so it is the best answer option.

Haphazardly means randomly and is the opposite of methodically. Carefully and slowly have meanings somewhat similar to methodically, but systematically is still the best answer.

9.

Which of the following is the species classification of humans?

  • Sapiens

  • Animalia

  • Mammals

  • Homo sapiens

Correct answer: Sapiens

A human is classified according to the following taxonomy:

Kingdom = Animalia
Phylum = Chordates
Class = Mammals
Order = Primates
Family = Hominidae
Genus = Homo
Species = Sapiens
Scientific name = Home sapiens

10.

Write 0.0006892 in scientific notation.

  • 6.892 × 10⁻⁴

  • 6.892 × 10⁻⁷

  • 6.892 × 10⁴

  • 6.892 × 10⁷

Correct answer: 6.892 × 10⁻⁴

Scientific notation is a way to write very large or very small numbers. The formula for a number written in scientific notation is: the first digit of the number, followed by a decimal point and the rest of the digits, times 10 to a certain power.

To format 0.0006892 in scientific notation, move the decimal point four places to the right to get 6.892. Because the decimal was moved to the right, this is expressed as 10⁻⁴. 

Therefore, 0.0006892 expressed in scientific notation is 6.892 × 10⁻⁴.

11.

You are looking at a machine with a system of three gears. Gear 1 is the driver gear and is located on the left-hand side. Gear 2 is to the right of gear 1, and gear 3 is to the right of gear 2. If gear 1 is turning clockwise, which of the following statements is true?

  • Gear 3 is turning clockwise

  • Gear 2 is turning clockwise

  • Gear 3 is turning counter-clockwise

  • Gears 2 and 3 are turning clockwise

Correct answer: Gear 3 is turning clockwise

If gear 1 is the driver gear and it is turning clockwise, then gear 2 is the idler gear, and it is turning counterclockwise. Therefore, gear 3 would then turn clockwise, which is the same direction as gear 1.

12.

The populations of two neighboring countries are 60 million and 130 million. If their population increased by 1.02% and 0.8% respectively, find the difference in the population increase.

  • 428,000

  • 508,000

  • 612,000

  • 154,000

Correct answer: 428,000

Let's find the population increase of each individual country.

Population increase of the first country: 1.02 /100 × 60,000,000 = 612,000

Population increase of the second country: 0.8/100 × 130,000,000 = 1,040,000

The difference between the population increases is 1,040,000 - 612,000 = 428,000

13.

A bus travels 175 miles in 3 1/2 hours. Traveling at the same speed, the bus could travel 250 miles in how many hours?

  • 5 hours

  • 4 hours

  • 4 1/2 hours

  • 5 1/2 hours

Correct answer: 5 hours

In order to solve this problem, you will need to set it up as a proportion, with x being the unknown length of time it will take to travel 250 miles.

175 miles/3.5 hours = 250 miles/x hours

175x = 875

x = 875 ÷ 175

x = 5 hours

14.

The nurse practitioner saw 12 patients today. Of these, half had respiratory issues, two were experiencing arthritic pain, and the rest were routine checks on patients with chronic conditions. 

What is the ratio of patients seen today who had chronic conditions?

  • 1:3

  • 2:6

  • 6:8

  • 1:1

Correct answer: 1:3

Six patients had respiratory issues (1/2 of 12).

6 + 2 = 8

12 – 8 = 4 patients had chronic conditions.

4:12 had chronic conditions.

The highest common denominator of 4 and 12 is 4.

4/4 = 1

12/4 = 3

Therefore, the ratio of patients seen today who had chronic conditions is 1:3.

15.

If a carpenter needs to cut molding, which of the following tools will he or she most likely use?

  • Coping saw

  • Keyhole saw

  • Jigsaw

  • Ripsaw

Correct answer: Coping saw

A coping saw is generally used to cut molding, since it is designed with a thin blade. This is important because molding is usually a thin decorative strip, and needs to be cut precisely.

A keyhole saw and a jigsaw are generally used to cut complicated profiles. A ripsaw is designed with large teeth and does not provide a smooth cut.

16.

For any given surface, which of the following is true?

  • The coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction

  • The coefficient of static friction is the same as the coefficient of kinetic friction

  • The coefficient of kinetic friction is higher than the coefficient of static friction

  • The relationship between the coefficients of static and kinetic friction depends on the force of gravity

Correct answer: The coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction

More force is required to initially move an object than to keep it moving once it has begun. Since static friction opposes initial movement, and kinetic friction refers to the force opposing the object once it is actually in motion, the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction.

17.

Which type of fastening method would be best for aluminum materials?

  • Welding

  • Gluing

  • Soldering

  • Brazing

Correct answer: Welding

The use of a welding rod and the gases that surround the weld make welding a highly versatile fastening method for a variety of materials, including aluminum.

Brazing is the fastening method that uses a bronze joining material and is used to fasten metal objects. Soldering is the fastening method that uses flux and is best used for plumbing and electrical equipment. Gluing is a fastening method sometimes used with wood.

18.

Lorie purchased a $500 savings bond for her niece that earns 3.5% interest compounded annually. How much interest will Lorie’s niece earn in 3 years?

  • $54.36

  • $52.50

  • $49.63

  • $50.52

Correct answer: $54.36

In order to find the compound interest, use the formula for simple interest, I = prt (Interest = principal × rate × time). You will need to calculate the interest for each year, and then combine the results for a total.

Year 1: I = ($500)(0.035)(1) = $17.50

Add this to the initial principal: $500 + $17.50 = $517.50

Year 2: I = ($517.50)(0.035)(1) = $18.11

Add this to the principal: $517.50 + $18.11 = $535.61

Year 3: I = ($535.61)(0.035)(1) = $18.75

The question asks for the total interest Lorrie's niece will earn, so add together the interest paid in the 3-year period.

$17.50 + $18.11 + $18.75 = $54.36

19.

If you need to cut threads on a metal rod, which of the following tools should you use?

  • Die

  • Hacksaw

  • Tap

  • Pipe cutter

Correct answer: Die

A die is a tool that is used to cut threads on a metal rod. The screws allow the die to be compressed or expanded to accommodate slight variations in size.

A tap is a tool that is used to cut threads in a hole that has been drilled in a metal plate. A pipe cutter is a tool used to cut copper pipe. A hacksaw is a tool that is used to cut soft metals.

20.

Solve: 

3 + (12 – 3²)² =

  • 12

  • 6

  • 84

  • 15

Correct answer: 12

In order to solve this problem, use the order of operations.

Perform the operations that are shown within parentheses first.

3 + (12 – 3²)² = 3 + (12 – 9)² = 3 + 3²

Simplify the exponent.

3 + 3² = 3 + (3 × 3) = 3 + 9

Simplify.

3 + 9 = 12

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