Practice Test

Please solve the following questions. This is not a real exam, it will not be graded, and you do not need to submit your solutions to anyone. The questions are simply intended to help you practice for the real exam.

These questions will not appear in the exam itself. Students who don't genuinely attempt to solve the questions on their own, and only memorize the solutions, will have a very hard time in the actual exam!

This sample exam is online, but the real exam will be given in person, at a time and place indicated on the course website.

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL EXAM!
THIS IS JUST A PRACTICE EXAM!
THE REAL EXAM IS IN PERSON!

If you need any clarifications for these questions, you can ask for them on the course Teams channel.

Question 1

Astronomy is...

A science, which means it is based on theories that are proven to be 100% correct and can never be disputed.
A pseudo-science, which means it claims to be a science but does not use the scientific method to test the validity of hypotheses.
A science, which means it uses the scientific method to test the validity of hypotheses.

Question 2

When was stellar parallax first measured successfully?

By Friedrich Bessel, in 1838.
By the Babylonians, around 4,000 years ago.
By the ancient Greeks, around 2,000 years ago.

Question 3

What is Occam's razor?

The principle that says simpler theories have more predictive value than complex ones, and therefore should be preferred.
The principle that says simpler theories are easier to understand than complex ones, and therefore should be preferred.
The principle that says complex theories have more predictive value than simpler ones, and therefore should be preferred.

Question 4

Ptolemy's model...

Is not used by astronomers today due to its inaccuracy.
Is still used by astronomers today due to its accuracy.
Is still used by astronomers today due to its simplicity.

Question 5

A radio message was sent in 2150 from Earth to the distant planet Wolf 359 c, approximately 8 light-years away. When will the message get to the other planet? (Remember: radio waves travel at the speed of light.)

In the year 2160.
In the year 2150.
In the year 2158.

Question 6

Which planets' orbits are between the Sun and the Earth?

Mercury and Venus.
Mercury and Mars.
Venus and Mars.

Question 7

When a planet is in retrograde...

It looks to us like it's moving backwards in its orbit, but actually it's still moving forward.
It looks to us like it's still moving forward in its orbit, but actually it's moving backwards.
You should avoid any big investments.

Question 8

One full rotation of the Earth around its axis corresponds to...

A year.
A day.
A month.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reliable source of information about astronomy?

Social media posts.
The website for the James Webb Space Telescope, a space telescope operated by NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.
Encyclopedia Britannica.

Question 10

What was Ptolemy's important text on astrology?

Enuma Anu Enlil.
Almagest.
The Tetrabiblos.

Question 11

What did Dean and Kelly's 2003 review of 40 astrology experiments conclude?

Astrology can accurately predict an individual's personality traits, but only if that person believes in astrology.
Astrology cannot accurately predict an individual's personality traits.
Astrology can accurately predict an individual's personality traits.

Question 12

Which of the following numbers is the largest?

2 × 10⁷
5 × 10⁶
4 × 10⁵

Question 13

A celestial object which can produce its own light is...

A star.
A planet.
Either a star or a planet.

Question 14

A scientific theory's predictions were verified by every single experiment for 50 years. However, more recently, several new experiments, which have been peer-reviewed, failed to match the theory's predictions. What is most likely happening?

The experiments must have been done incorrectly, as the theory has been established beyond reasonable doubt.
The laws of nature have changed over time, and the theory must be modified in light of the new changes.
The theory is inaccurate, and must be replaced with a new one which will be consistent with both the old and new experiments.

Question 15

I am located 40 degrees south of the equator and 20 degrees east of the Prime Meridian. What are my coordinates?

Latitude 20° S, longitude 40° E
Latitude 40° S, longitude 20° E
Latitude 20° E, longitude 40° S

Question 16

The Greeks believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe...

Because they did not observe stellar parallax.
Because they observed stellar parallax.
Because they did not know about stellar parallax.

Question 17

What tools do astrologers use to ensure that horoscopes correctly match each sign?

They use ancient wisdom that has been preserved since the time of the Babylonians.
They make the horoscope generic enough that it will automatically match anyone who reads it.
They carefully study the forces acting on us from the planets of the solar system, and deduce how our lives will be affected by them.

Question 18

The orbits of the planets in the solar system are...

Ellipses.
Circles.
Epicycles.

Question 19

Orion is...

An asterism.
A constellation.
A galaxy.

Question 20

A very important part of the scientific method in astronomy is:

Testing hypotheses by comparing them against experimental results in the lab.
Testing hypotheses by comparing them against observations.
Testing hypotheses by comparing them against important books such as Ptolemy's Almagest.

Question 21

In science, what is a hypothesis?

An idea that has not yet been tested.
An idea that has been rigorously tested and is correct to the best of our current knowledge.
An idea that is 100% correct and will never be replaced.

Question 22

"Last year, when Mars was in retrograde, I broke my arm. Clearly, there must be a connection!" This is an example of...

The appeal to tradition fallacy.
The appeal to popularity fallacy.
The correlation implies causation fallacy.

Question 23

How many constellations does the Sun appear to pass through over the course of a year?

24
13
12

Question 24

Which supercluster does the Milky Way belong to?

The Leo Supercluster.
The Virgo Supercluster.
The Pisces Supercluster.

Question 25

I am in the north pole. What is directly above me?

The celestial equator.
The north celestial pole.
The south celestial pole.