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PSHS National Competitive Examination Review

Scientific Ability
[PART 1] THE HUMAN BODY
[01] The excretory system is responsible in regulating and eliminating the wastes
produced in the human body. Which of the following correctly matches an organ of the
excretory system with its function?
[A] urinary bladder; temporary storage of urine
[B] kidney; filters out wastes
[C] urethra; tube connecting kidneys to urinary bladder
[D] A and B
[E] A, B, and C
[02] Dialysis is a medical procedure where a patients blood is let out and passed through a
dialysis machine. In the machine, blood passes through a filter, removing unwanted
materials and then the clean blood is delivered from the machine back to the patients
body. What organ is most likely damaged for patients who need to undergo dialysis?
[A] heart

[B] lungs

[C] kidney

[D] spleen

[E] liver

[03] The relative amounts of water and salt found in urine depends on whether there was
too much or too little of them in the organisms body. Which of the following are true of the
urine composition of freshwater and marine (that is, living in the sea) fish?
[A] freshwater fish has larger volume of urine than marine fish
[B] freshwater fish has more salt in their urine than marine fish
[C] freshwater fish gets more nutrients than marine fish
[D] A and C
[E] B and C
[04] Which of the following is not true about sweat?
[A] it is secreted by the sebaceous glands
[B] it mainly consists of water and salt
[C] it helps in cooling our bodies
[D] it maintains the right balance of water and salt
[E] C and D
[05] The integumentary system is mainly made up of epithelial tissue. Cuboidal
epithelium lines many glands, like the thyroid and salivary glands. Columnar epithelium lines
the intestines. Squamous epithelium lines blood vessels and air sacs of the lungs. Using
these information, what can be concluded about the function of epithelial tissues?
[A] columnar epithelium is for gas exchange
[B] squamous epithelium is for hormone secretion
[C] columnar epithelium is for absorption of nutrients from digested food
[D] cuboidal epithelium is for hormone secretion
[E] squamous epithelium is for absorption of nutrients from digested food

[06] Beneath our skin is an expansive layer of fat. What is the purpose of this fat?

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[A] it protects us from bacteria and viruses that may enter through the skin
[B] it keeps us warm
[C] it can be an alternative energy source when food is scarce
[D] A and B
[E] B and C
[07] Which of the following is not a function of the skeletal system?
[A] support
[C] movement
blood cells
[B] protection of vital organs[D] secretion of hormones

[E] production of

[08] A hinge joint is shown in the right. It is the joint connecting

bones of the lower (ulna and radius) and upper (humerus) arms.
Which of the following illustrates the motion allowed by the hinge
joint?

the

Courtesy of media.learn.uci.edu

[A]
[C]

[B]

[D]

[09] Muscle fibers vary in the speed with which they contract. Fast-twitch fibers are used for
short but powerful contractions while slow-twitch fibers are used for weak, steady but longterm contractions. Which of the following muscles is slow-twitch?
[A] the eye muscles that make us blink
[B] the back muscles that make us stand

[C] the heel muscles that make us sprint

[D] the hand muscles that make us wave

[10] Which of the following differences between muscle types is not true?
[A] skeletal is striated, smooth is not
[C] smooth is voluntary, cardiac is
involuntary
[B] cardiac is striated, smooth is not
[E] cardiac is involuntary, smooth is
involuntary
[C] skeletal is voluntary, cardiac is involuntary

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PSHS National Competitive Examination Review

Scientific Ability
FIGURE 1. [A] Distribution of three kangaroo species in Australia. [B] Average annual
temperature and [C] average rainfall in Australia.
[A]

[B]

[C]

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FIGURE 2. Climatograph for the various terrestrial biomes

FIGURE 3. Hertzsprung Russell Diagram

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HEADSTART TUTORIAL AND REVIEW CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

PSHS National Competitive Examination Review

Scientific Ability
[PART 2] LIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
[01]