ASVAB ASVAB Certifications ASVAB-SECTION-8 Questions & Answers

• Question 51:

  Like so many other high-tech developments, GPS was designed by the U.S. military. The concept started in the late 60s, but the first satellite was not launched until February 1978. In 1989, the Magellan Corp. introduced the first hand-held GPS receiver. In 1992, GPS was used in Operation Desert Storm. On March 1996, the President decided to make GPS free for civilian users.

  According to the above passage, when did the first idea for developing GPS surface?

  A. March 1996

  B. in the late 60s

  C. early in 1978

  D. in 1989

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 52:

  The Library of Congress’ Law Library is a closed stacks library, which means that nearly 99% of its print collection is housed in compact shelving in cavernous underground storage rooms covering an area nearly the size of two U.S. football fields. Patrons desiring to review books held in the closed stacks simply submit an online request for them; requested materials are usually delivered to the Law Library Reading Room for use within approximately an hour.

  What is the best choice for the meaning of cavernous, as used in the above passage?

  A. hollow

  B. spacious

  C. containing cavities

  D. filled with caverns

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 53:

  Gerry Marpus is 78 years old and needs to use a cane for balance when walking. Many of her friends have given up driving and rely on their families to take them around town. Gerry, however, maintains that she is perfectly capable of driving herself. Knowing that her children were concerned about this, she decided to take advantage of a senior citizen driving course at the local community center. When she presented her completion certificate to her daughter and son, she could see the relief in their eyes and she knew she had done the right thing.

  From the above passage, the reader can infer that Gerry __________.

  A. wanted the people at the community center to decide if she could drive because she was afraid

  B. wants to disregard whatever her children think and do what she wants to do

  C. cares about her children's concerns and is an independent thinker

  D. wants to be labeled disabled so she can get further treatments for balance issues

  Correct Answer: C

• Question 54:

  The Missile Gap was in essence a growing perception in the West, especially in the U.S.A., that the Soviet Union was quickly developing an intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) capability earlier, in greater numbers, and with far more capability than that of the United States. Even as that perception was disproved, it became evident that the Soviets were placing their major effort toward developing strategic missiles against which, once launched, there was no defense. The perceived missile gap that ensued was based on a comparison between U.S. ICBM strength as then programmed, and reasonable, although erroneous estimates of prospective Soviet ICBM strength that were generally accepted.

  What is the main idea of this paragraph?

  A. Despite erroneous thinking, the Soviet Union missile threat was still taken seriously.

  B. The Soviet Union was never a real threat for ballistic missiles.

  C. The Missile Gap had nothing to do with the perceptions of the U.S.A. regarding Soviet advances.

  D. The United States and Soviet Union worked together on the Missile Gap.

  Correct Answer: A

• Question 55:

  Mainstream news reports, that focus on averting global warming, have asked questions such as "How much will this cost?" and "How much will we have to cut back on economic growth?" Such irresponsible and naive questions highlight the scale of self-interests and ignorance that dominate national debate. If we are not part of the solution (attempting to seriously reduce carbon emissions), then we are part of the problem (ignoring the serious consequences of global warming). Whatever the ‘costs’ are to save the planet, this will be our greatest challenge and our greatest investment and, if we fail in this task, then we will perish.

  The author of the above passage would probably support __________.

  A. people who ignore the consequences of global warming

  B. the efforts of industry to limit carbon emissions

  C. the idea that slowing global warming is simple

  D. the consequences of global warming

  Correct Answer: B

• Question 56:

  This is a portion of a position statement by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) concerning American Sign Language (ASL): Developments in the field of linguistics and an emerging body of research in education have validated the historical views of the NAD on ASL and its value in the education of deaf and hard of hearing children. The inherent capability of children to acquire ASL should be recognized and used to enhance their cognitive, academic, social, and emotional development. Accordingly, the NAD supports the bilingual approach for deaf and hard of hearing children. Deaf and hard of hearing children must have the right to receive early and full exposure to ASL as a primary language, along with English. Studies have shown that when deaf and hard of hearing children are exposed to ASL at an early age, they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

  Within the context of the above passage, which of these most nearly means emerging as it is used in the first sentence?

  A. moving out

  B. transpiring

  C. coming into view

  D. becoming known

  Correct Answer: D

• Question 57:

  We think of chitchat and small talk as the things people say to pass the time or kill an awkward silence. But new research suggests these idle conversations could be a social-bonding tool passed down from our ape-like ancestors. Scientists with Princeton University studied ring tailed lemurs, animals that are considered among the more ancestral forms of primates – the evolutionary lineage that includes humans, apes and monkeys. The study concludes that lemurs call to each other essentially as a replacement for mutual grooming, or cleaning each other's fur, a widespread social-bonding behavior among non-human primates.

  From the above passage, the reader can conclude that __________.

  A. chatting cannot be used to pass time

  B. lemurs would rather groom each other than call out to each other

  C. lemurs are more like monkeys than apes

  D. some human behaviors may have evolved from those of our primate ancestors

  Correct Answer: D

• Question 58:

  Make a special appointment by calling the passport office if you’re leaving in less than 14 days. If you’re leaving within six business days, skip the appointment and head to the nearest passport office immediately and take along your airline tickets or airline-generated itinerary to prove your need for speed. Bring the photos and your old passport – or, if you don't have one, your birth certificate and valid driver's license. For each application, in addition to the standard fee (see travel.state.gov/newfees.html), you will need to pay a $60 fee for expedited service plus fees for two-way overnight mail.

  What is the best title for this passage?

  A. "Obtaining a Passport in a Hurry"

  B. "Guidelines for Getting a Passport Photo"

  C. "Costs Involved in Getting a Passport"

  D. "Passport Office Locations"

  Correct Answer: A

• Question 59:

  Scientists have shown that people who have a variant of a longevity gene, called KLOTHO, have improved brain skills such as thinking, learning and memory, regardless of their age, sex, or whether they have a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Increasing KLOTHO gene levels in mice made them smarter, possibly by increasing the strength of connections between nerve cells in the brain. The study was partly funded by the National Institutes of Health.

  According to the above passage, __________ could be a factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

  A. a longevity gene

  B. sex

  C. a genetic risk factor

  D. the KLOTHO gene

  Correct Answer: C

• Question 60:

  Switzerland is a small yet diverse country. It consists of 26 member states, the cantons, each of them with its own constitution, legislature, government – and a unique history. One of these is the canton of Solothurn. Its roots are in the city of the same name which can trace back its history to Roman times, when it was known as Salodurum. Becoming a Free Imperial City (Freie Reichsstadt) in the Holy Roman Empire in 1218 and joining the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1481, the city state of Solothurn grew in size through buying up available scraps of territory as well as some acquisitions by force, finally reaching its current shape in the early 16th century.

  Original author: Patrick Borer. This article, Ambassadors, milkmaids, and hot air balloons, was originally published in "The Public Domain Review. "

  The word constitution, as used in the above passage, most nearly means __________.

  A. arrangement

  B. body

  C. laws

  D. construction

  Correct Answer: C