Strategies for the ACT science Test

• memorize the directions to save time on test day
• the science test is 35 minutes long and consists of seven passages, each followed by between five and seven questions. You will have approximately 30 seconds per question.
• three passages will present scientific data; three will discuss specific experiments and one passage will include two opposing views on the same subject.
• about a third of the questions will require you to read data from graphs or tables
• other questions require an understanding of the way experiments are designed and what they prove
• a few questions will require you to either apply a principle logically, or to identify ways of defending or attacking a principle
• do not spend time trying to work out which theory is right, just try to understand the different viewpoints

Question: What will the end of the universe be like? Two opposing views are presented.
Scientist 1. The universe will die out with a whimper because the energy of the big bang that created the universe will spread itself out over larger and larger regions of space. Since there is only so much energy in the universe, every cubic foot must hold, on average, less energy as time goes on. In the end everything will get so cold that all motion will stop. That will be the true end of time.

Scientist 2. The idea that the universe will spread itself too thin and freeze is seriously flawed. Such theories do not take into account the gravitational attractions of the bits of matter in the universe for each other. Gravity can act as a cosmic glue to keep the universe from dissolving in nothingness.

1. Which of the following is a major assumption of Scientist 1?
(A) All matter consists of atoms.
(B) There is a limited amount of energy in the universe.
(C) Gravity does not exist in interstellar space.
(D) The universe is contracting

2. Which of the following facts, if true, does not help Scientist 2’s hypothesis?
(A) It is shown that the galaxies are moving away from each other with a constant speed.
(B) It is shown that the galaxies are moving toward each other with a constant speed.
(C) It is shown that the galaxies are moving towards each other with a constant acceleration.
(D) It is shown that the galaxies are not moving at all relative to each other.

3. It has been calculated that if the universe has a mass greater than or equal to m, then the universe will eventually collapse on itself. Scientist 1 would be the most likely to say that the mass of the universe
(A) is equal to m.
(B) is less than or equal to m.
(C) is greater than m.
(D) is less than m.

Answers:
1. B
2. A
3. D

Explanation:
Question 1: If there is unlimited energy, then there will be more energy to replace what spreads out.
Question 2: If the galaxies are moving away from each other at constant speed there is no force pulling them back.
Question 3: Scientist 1 argues that the universe will spread out forever, so he will claim that it will not have sufficient mass to collapse. B is wrong because if the mass is equal to m the universe will collapse.

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