ASTB Preparation Quiz with Detailed Explanations

An amateur athlete participates for enjoyment rather than money. Olympic competitors often remain unpaid while they train and compete, so an Olympic athlete best fits this idea. In contrast, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a heavyweight boxing champion, or a World Series player all earn salaries or prize money. Because their participation is tied to income, they are professionals rather than amateurs in the sense described in the passage.

The Earth takes about 365.25 days to orbit the sun. A regular calendar year counts only 365 days, so about one quarter of a day is left over each year. After roughly four years, these unused quarters combine into almost one full day. A leap year adds that extra day to the calendar, keeping the dates of the seasons and calendar year more closely aligned with Earth’s actual orbit always.

In the passage, scientists compare emissions from different fuels. They note that burning wood can release extremely high levels of carbon monoxide compared with burning natural gas. The phrase “a thousand times more” highlights how enormous this difference is. That ratio shows that even small wood fires may add far more carbon monoxide to the air than similar natural gas use, which makes a thousandfold increase the best supported choice.

Because the average American family moves about every decade, their records, photos, and keepsakes tend to become spread across several homes and cities. This pattern of repeated moves means a family’s story rarely remains in one location. Of the options given, saying that the average American family moves every few years closely summarizes this idea of frequent relocation and explains why later generations may struggle to trace their family history.

A small puff of gas that quickly burns off or a brief flashback is frightening but limited. The passage suggests that the real threat is a large leak that can fill a room or building with fuel. If this large volume of gas meets a flame or spark, the accumulated gas can explode violently. Therefore, it is the large leak itself, not the ignition source, that represents the primary danger.

The passage explains that ancient observers pictured the other planets as dwelling in the heavens with the gods, while Earth lay below. Because of that imagined connection between moving planets and divine beings, people named the planets after gods and goddesses from Greek and Roman stories long ago. The passage does not say they were literally worshipped everywhere, only that their heavenly position inspired names drawn from familiar mythological figures.

Article 3 of the United States Constitution created the Supreme Court as the nation’s highest judicial body. The passage clarifies that since 1869 the Court has had nine justices, but that year marks the adoption of the current size, not the Court’s origin. It also notes that justices are appointed by the President, then confirmed by the Senate, and they serve for life rather than changing with each new administration.

The passage traces the origins of auto racing and then lists five forms of competition, including grand prix, stock car, midget car, sports car, and drag racing. Although it briefly mentions that automobile racing began in France and refers to the Indianapolis 500, most of the text is devoted to defining and distinguishing these five categories. That emphasis shows the main focus is describing different types of automobile racing events.

In higher animals, the brain integrates many functions. It directs voluntary actions such as moving a limb on purpose. It also oversees most involuntary processes, for example breathing or heartbeat, even when we are not thinking about them. In addition, the brain is the center for emotions, memory, and thought. Since the passage states that the brain handles all these roles together, the most accurate choice includes every listed function.

The passage defines a knot as the speed of one nautical mile per hour and then compares nautical miles with ordinary miles. Because a nautical mile equals 6,080 feet while an ordinary mile equals 5,280 feet, the nautical mile covers a longer distance. That means any speed measured in knots represents more distance per hour than the same number expressed in miles per hour, so a nautical mile is longer.

The passage notes that many patients request antibiotics whenever they catch colds or flu, yet antibiotics act only on bacteria, not viruses. Since common colds and winter illnesses are viral, giving antibiotics provides no medical benefit in those cases. Overusing such drugs when they are truly ineffective also contributes to resistance and other problems. Therefore, the statement that antibiotics are of no value in treating viral infections is best supported.