Study Guide

Field 047: Technology Education (Subtest II)
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

Expand All | Collapse All

Competency 0001
Understand power, energy, and transportation processes.

The release of electrons due to the interaction of a photon and a semiconductor is the basis of operation for which of the following devices?

  1. photovoltaic cells
  2. bipolar transistors
  3. light-emitting diodes
  4. thermocouples
Answer
Correct Response: A.
A photovoltaic cell consists of two layers of semiconductor material. Light energy striking its surface frees electrons in one layer, resulting in a potential difference between the two sides. This potential difference can then cause a current flow in a circuit connected to the cell.
Competency 0001
Understand power, energy, and transportation processes.

Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.


A piston has a surface area of 20 in.2 . What force must be applied to the piston to produce a pressure of 60 psi in the cylinder?

  1. 3 lbs.
  2. 80 lbs.
  3. 1,200 lbs.
  4. 3,600 lbs.
Answer
Correct Response: C.
Pressure is defined as force per unit area (P = F/A). An equivalent form of this equation is F = PA. The pressure in the example is 60 pounds per square inch (60 psi). The area is 20 square inches (20 in.2 ). The force produced in the example can be calculated by finding the product of the pressure and the area:
Competency 0002
Understand power, energy, and transportation systems.

Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.


Which of the following gears in the diagram is rotating at a slower speed than, but in the same direction as, the gear labeled X?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
Answer
Correct Response: C.
Gears that are in direct contact with each other turn in opposite directions. Therefore, gears that are in a straight line and separated by an odd number of intervening gears will turn in the same direction. Gears A and C will turn in the same direction as gear X. A larger gear in contact with a smaller gear will turn more slowly than the smaller gear. The gears in contact with gear X have the same diameter as gear X and will therefore turn at the same speed as gear X. Gear C is larger than these intermediary gears and will therefore turn more slowly than they will, and thus more slowly than gear X.
Competency 0003
Understand power, energy, and transportation resources.

Which of the following best describes how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity?

  1. Wells drilled into large underground caverns release a steady stream of highly pressurized hot air that is used to power turbines at the surface.
  2. Warm water from underground reservoirs rises upward through wells and powers turbines that are placed in the well casings.
  3. Hot water from deep underground is pumped into reservoirs where it is used to heat local homes and generate electricity in turbines placed in spillways.
  4. Hot water from deep underground turns to steam, which rises upward through wells and is used to power turbines at the surface
Answer
Correct Response: D.
Geothermal energy is produced from reservoirs of hot water found underground. In dry-steam technology, the hot water rises to the surface as steam and is directed onto turbine blades. The energy of the spinning turbine is used to operate an electric generator.
Competency 0004
Understand information and communication design processes.

Which of the following best describes the concept of open-source computer software?

  1. The software can be run on a variety of different platforms.
  2. The software code is made available and can be modified by the user.
  3. Software is designed using interchangeable program modules.
  4. The software is developed using a bottom-up methodology.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
Open-source computer software is software whose code is made available to users and programmers. This allows the software to be adapted or modified to meet the specific needs of the user and allows new applications for the software to be developed.
Competency 0004
Understand information and communication design processes.

Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.


Answer
Correct Response: A.
The top view of the object in the diagram must correctly indicate the location of the groove in the bottom of the object and the 90-degree angle or bend in the object. In answer choice A, the dashed lines used to represent hidden lines represent both of these features geometrically centered.
Competency 0005
Understand information and communication systems.

Which of the following is the primary function of an oscillator circuit in a radio broadcast transmitter?

  1. converting sound waves into electrical signals
  2. boosting the output signal power
  3. encoding the information at carrier frequency
  4. generating the carrier signal
Answer
Correct Response: D.
In broadcast systems, a signal is produced in the form of a sine wave by an electronic oscillator circuit. This sine wave is the carrier wave and is encoded by modulating either its amplitude (AM) or its frequency (FM).
Competency 0006
Understand information and communication resources.

Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.


The diagram above shows three logic gates connected with inputs at W, X, Y, and Z. Which of the following input values will produce a logical 1 at the output, Q?

  1. W = 0, X = 0, Y = 1, Z = 1
  2. W = 1, X = 1, Y = 0, Z = 0
  3. W = 0, X = 1, Y = 0, Z = 1
  4. W= 0, X = 1, Y = 1, Z = 1
Answer
Correct Response: D.
Logical AND gates produce a logical 1 only when each of their inputs is 1. For output Q to have a value of 1, the AND gate immediately preceding it must have an input of 1 at each of its inputs. This means that the lower left AND gate must also have an input of 1 at each of its inputs, which are labeled Y and Z. Answer choices A and D satisfy this condition. For the upper left OR gate to generate a logical 1, at least one of its inputs must be a logical 1. This restriction eliminates answer choice A as a possible solution. Answer choice D, in which W = 0, X = 1, Y = 1, and Z = 1, satisfies the conditions.
Competency 0007
Understand security and privacy.

In passing information from one computer to another, a checksum is most commonly used to ensure that data:

  1. came from a particular source.
  2. have been analyzed correctly.
  3. were transmitted without error.
  4. can be retrieved efficiently.
Answer
Correct Response: C.
Checksum is an error-detecting technique sometimes used when information is transmitted and received in digital format. Using this technique, information indicating the number of bytes sent is included in the transmitted message. This information is compared with the actual data received to determine whether any data were lost in the transmission.
Competency 0008
Understand engineering principles.

Which of the following steps occurs first in project design?

  1. needs assessment
  2. product analysis
  3. production design
  4. prototyping
Answer
Correct Response: A.
The first step in project design is to determine exactly what is needed. Based on the results of this needs assessment, a design team can begin to generate ideas and formulate a product design
Competency 0008
Understand engineering principles.

Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.

A machinist is to manufacture two parts as specified by the diagram above. According to the given tolerances, which of the following best describes the range of clearances between the two parts?

  1. 0.05 to 0.30
  2. 0.10 to 0.70
  3. 0.20 to 0.50
  4. 0.30 to 0.65
Answer
Correct Response: B.
The range of clearances for the machined parts is found by determining the differences between the maximum and minimum dimensions of each. The rod has a maximum size of 11.65 + 0.05 = 11.70. It has a minimum size of 11.65 – 0.05 = 11.60. The hole has a maximum diameter of 12.00 + 0.30 = 12.30. It has a minimum diameter of 12.00 – 0.20 = 11.80. The smallest clearance is 11.80 – 11.70 = 0.10. The largest clearance is 12.30 – 11.60 = 0.70.
Competency 0009
Understand manufacturing and construction processes.

Use the table below to answer the question that follows.

A manufacturer of electrical resistors with one assembly line has an order for the types and numbers of resistors listed in the table above. The resistors must be shipped in one month. Which of the following manufacturing processes is most appropriate for meeting this order?

  1. continuous
  2. just-in-time
  3. batch
  4. custom
Answer
Correct Response: C.
To fill this manufacturing order, the manufacturer will have to fill a large one-time order. This type of manufacturing, in which the production line produces a number of items and then retools, is called batch or intermittent manufacturing.
Competency 0010
Understand manufacturing and construction resources.

In which of the following applications would a thermoplastic be the most appropriate material choice for a manufactured product?

  1. a handle for a nonstick frying pan
  2. a timing gear for an internal combustion engine
  3. an electrical insulator for a high-power step-down transformer
  4. a recyclable packaging container for a child's toy
Answer
Correct Response: D.
Thermoplastics soften when heated and cooled. They can go through many melt/freeze cycles, making them suitable for recycling and suitable for injection molding.
Competency 0011
Understand quality control and quality assurance.

Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for reducing the need for change orders on residential construction projects?

  1. overbidding all construction projects by at least 25%
  2. devoting more effort to the discussion and planning phase of the project
  3. encouraging customers to choose expensive materials and processes
  4. establishing a written policy that contracts will not be modified
Answer
Correct Response: B.
A change order is an authorization to make a change in a contract after specifications have been agreed upon. Time spent in the preplanning phase of a project can help ensure that all involved parties agree on the features of the project.