CAEC Science Preparation Course: Science, technology, society and environment

1. Question 1 of 16

   What does STSE stand for on the CAEC Science test?

   • AScience Theory, Skills, Experiments and Evidence
   • BStandard Tests of Science Education in Canada
   • CScientific Tools, Safety rules and lab Equipment
   • DScience, Technology, Society and Environment
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   Answer: D. Science, Technology, Society and Environment

   STSE looks at how science and technology affect people and the environment.

2. Question 2 of 16

   A farmer sprays a pesticide that kills crop-eating insects but also harms bees that pollinate the crops. Which is the unintended consequence?

   • ASelling more crops
   • BProtecting the crop
   • CHarm to the bees
   • DKilling the crop-eating insects
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Harm to the bees

   The pesticide was meant to kill pests (intended). Harming helpful bees was not the goal (unintended).

3. Question 3 of 16

   Antibiotics were developed to treat bacterial infections. What is a known unintended consequence of using them too often?

   • ASome bacteria become resistant to them
   • BPeople no longer need any vaccines to stay healthy
   • CBacterial infections can no longer spread between people
   • DInfections caused by viruses become much easier to treat
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Some bacteria become resistant to them

   Overuse gives bacteria many chances to survive and adapt, which leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. Question 4 of 16

   Salt is spread on Canadian roads in winter. Which pair correctly lists a benefit and a risk?

   • ABenefit: cleaner cars all winter. Risk: more ice on the roads
   • BBenefit: less icy roads. Risk: harm to plants and water
   • CBenefit: more snow for skiing. Risk: fewer accidents
   • DBenefit: warmer air near the road. Risk: slower traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Benefit: less icy roads. Risk: harm to plants and water

   Road salt melts ice and reduces crashes, but the salt washes into soil and water, where it can harm plants and animals.

5. Question 5 of 16

   A new dam produces electricity without burning fuel, but it floods a large valley. What is the best description of this technology?

   • AIt has only benefits, because it burns no fuel
   • BIt has only risks, because it floods a valley
   • CIt has benefits and risks to weigh
   • DIt has no effect on the environment around it
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   Answer: C. It has benefits and risks to weigh

   Evaluating a technology means comparing benefits, such as clean electricity, with risks, such as lost habitat.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Fertilizer from farm fields washes into a lake, and the lake fills with algae. What is the most likely cause?

   • AThe fertilizer cooled the lake water, so algae grew
   • BAlgae from the lake travelled up and ate the crops
   • CNutrients in the fertilizer fed the algae
   • DThe lake had too few nutrients before the fertilizer came
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   Answer: C. Nutrients in the fertilizer fed the algae

   Fertilizer contains nutrients that feed plants. When it runs into water, it can cause fast algae growth, an unintended consequence.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which factor can influence which scientific research gets done?

   • AWhether the lead scientist owns a car or not
   • BThe day of the week the research is planned
   • CHow much funding is available
   • DThe colour of the walls in the laboratory
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   Answer: C. How much funding is available

   Funding, public needs, government priorities, ethics and available technology all influence what research happens.

8. Question 8 of 16

   Why must researchers get informed consent before testing a new treatment on people?

   • AConsent is only needed for studies that use animals
   • BPeople must understand the risks and agree
   • CConsent makes the new treatment work much better
   • DConsent replaces the need for a control group in the study
   Show answer

   Answer: B. People must understand the risks and agree

   Ethics limit how research can be done. People must know what is involved and freely agree.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Which bulb uses the least power?

   Bulb	Power used (W)	Expected life (hours)	Price ($)
   A	60	1,000	1.50
   B	14	2,000	4.00
   C	9	15,000	6.00

   • ABulb A
   • BThey all use the same power
   • CBulb B
   • DBulb C
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Bulb C

   Bulb C uses 9 W, less than Bulb B (14 W) and Bulb A (60 W).

10. Question 10 of 16

    How many Bulb A bulbs would you need to get the same lighting time as one Bulb C, and what would they cost?

    Bulb	Power used (W)	Expected life (hours)	Price ($)
    A	60	1,000	1.50
    B	14	2,000	4.00
    C	9	15,000	6.00

    • A1 bulb costing $1.50
    • B15 bulbs costing $22.50
    • C10 bulbs costing $15.00
    • D15 bulbs costing $15.00
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 15 bulbs costing $22.50

    15,000 ÷ 1,000 = 15 bulbs, and 15 × $1.50 = $22.50, much more than one Bulb C at $6.00.

11. Question 11 of 16

    A family most wants to lower greenhouse gas emissions and is willing to pay more at the start. Which option fits best?

    Heating option	Cost to install	Yearly running cost	Greenhouse gas emissions
    Option 1	Low	High	High
    Option 2	High	Low	Low
    Option 3	Medium	Medium	Medium

    • AOption 1
    • BAny option, because their emissions are equal
    • COption 3
    • DOption 2
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Option 2

    Option 2 has the lowest emissions and low running costs; its trade-off is a high installation cost.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Smartphones help people communicate and find information. Which is an environmental concern linked to them?

    • APhones make the air in a room colder when used
    • BPhone signals add harmful salt to fresh water in lakes
    • CPhones use no electricity, even when they are charging
    • DOld phones become electronic waste
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Old phones become electronic waste

    Electronic waste contains metals and chemicals that can harm soil and water if not recycled properly.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Single-use plastic bags were designed to be cheap and convenient. Which is an unintended consequence?

    • AShopping became easier and faster for most people
    • BLitter that harms wildlife in rivers and oceans
    • CStores saved money because bags were very cheap
    • DGroceries became easier to carry home from the store
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Litter that harms wildlife in rivers and oceans

    Convenience was the intended result. Plastic pollution that harms animals was not intended.

14. Question 14 of 16

    A town must decide whether to add fluoride to its water. What role does science play in this decision?

    • AScience alone makes the final decision for the town
    • BOnly the cost matters, so the cheapest choice wins
    • CScience gives evidence; values also shape the choice
    • DScience plays no part, because it is a political issue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Science gives evidence; values also shape the choice

    Science can measure effects, but deciding what a community should do also involves values, cost and public opinion.

15. Question 15 of 16

    An X-ray uses a small dose of radiation to find a broken bone. Why do doctors still order X-rays?

    • ADoctors must order one at every single visit
    • BX-rays have no risk of any kind for anyone
    • CThe radiation helps broken bones heal faster
    • DThe benefit outweighs the small risk
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    Answer: D. The benefit outweighs the small risk

    Risk–benefit thinking compares the good a technology does with the harm it may cause.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Scientists in a northern community want to study how a warming climate affects local ice roads. Which factor is MOST likely to have pushed this research forward?

    • AIce roads are easiest to study in the summer months
    • BThe research does not need any equipment or money
    • CPeople need the roads for food and supplies
    • DScientists simply prefer to work in cold places
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People need the roads for food and supplies

    Society's needs often drive research. When people depend on something, there is pressure to study and protect it.

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The real test: 55% on each CAEC test