GAMSAT Practice Questions
Free GAMSAT Practice Questions
Undertaking practice questions is a crucial aspect of preparation for the GAMSAT exam, as it allows candidates to familiarize themselves with the exam's unique format and the diverse range of question types. By engaging in consistent practice, individuals can develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management, which are required for success in the GAMSAT.
Furthermore, practice questions provide invaluable insights into personal strengths and weaknesses, enabling candidates to tailor their study plans and focus on areas that need improvement. In addition, by simulating the pressure of the actual exam environment through timed practice sessions, candidates can build confidence and enhance their test-taking abilities.
Overall, engaging in regular practice with GAMSAT-style questions is an indispensable component of a comprehensive preparation strategy, ensuring that candidates are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the exam.
GAMSAT Section 1 Practice Questions
Text selection: An excerpt from "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to 'glorify God and enjoy Him forever.'"
Question 1:
What can be inferred about the author's opinion on the way most men view life?
What can be inferred about the author's opinion on the way most men view life?
The author believes most men have a clear understanding of the purpose of life.
The author believes most men have a superficial understanding of life's true meaning.
The author believes most men view life as a divine gift that must be cherished.
Question 2:
What does the author mean by "suck out all the marrow of life"?
To consume a large amount of food
To extract the most meaningful and fulfilling aspects of life
To live a life centered around materialistic desires
To devote oneself to a strict religious practice
Question 3:
Which of the following best describes the author's intended purpose for going to the woods?
To escape from the pressures of society
To live a simple life in harmony with nature
To challenge societal norms and expectations
To gain a deeper understanding of life's true essence
Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation, issued on October 3, 1863, during the American Civil War.
"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy."
Question 4:
Which of the following best captures the author's view of the events of the year?
The author believes that the year has been entirely disastrous and destructive.
The author sees the events as a combination of both blessings and challenges.
The author suggests that the year has been a time of great prosperity and growth.
The author thinks that the year has brought about only conflict and turmoil.
Question 5:
Based on the text, how has the country experienced growth despite the ongoing civil war?
By expanding trade with other nations
By focusing solely on military endeavors
By continuing to develop industry and infrastructure
By seeking help from foreign states
Question 6:
What is the author's attitude towards the providence of God in the context of the events described?
Skeptical, questioning the presence of divine intervention
Indifferent, attributing both good and bad events to fate
Grateful, recognizing the blessings amidst the challenges
Fearful, worried about the consequences of divine wrath
Text: An excerpt from "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" by Mary Wollstonecraft (1792)
"In the government of the physical world it is observable that the female in point of strength is, in general, inferior to the male. This is the law of Nature; and it does not appear to be suspended or abrogated in favor of woman. A degree of physical superiority cannot, therefore, be denied - and it is a noble prerogative! But not content with this natural preeminence, men endeavor to sink us still lower, merely to render us alluring objects for a moment; and women, intoxicated by the adoration which men, under the influence of their senses, pay them, do not seek to obtain a durable interest in their hearts, or to become the friends of the fellow-creatures who find amusement in their society.
I am aware of an obvious inference: from every quarter have I heard exclamations against masculine women; but where are they to be found? If, by this appellation, men mean to inveigh against their ardor in hunting, shooting, and gaming, I shall most cordially join in the cry; but if it be against the imitation of manly virtues, or, more properly speaking, the attainment of those talents and virtues, the exercise of which ennobles the human character, and which raises females in the scale of animal being, when they are comprehensively termed mankind; all those who view them with a philosophical eye must, I should think, wish with me, that they may every day grow more and more masculine."
Question 7:
The author primarily argues that:
Women should be content with their physical inferiority.
Men are responsible for holding women back from achieving their full potential.
Women should embrace masculine virtues and talents to elevate their position in society.
Men and women are equal in strength and ability.
Question 8:
What is the author's attitude toward "masculine women"?
Supportive, if it means the adoption of manly virtues.
Disapproving, due to their deviation from traditional gender roles.
Indifferent, as it is a matter of personal choice.
Uncertain, as the term is vague and open to interpretation.
Question 9:
The author's reference to "a durable interest in their hearts" suggests that:
Women should focus on cultivating emotional connections with men.
Men should be more attentive to the emotional needs of women.
Women should disregard their physical appearance in favor of personal growth.
Both men and women should prioritize long-lasting relationships over fleeting attractions.
Section 1 Answers
Explanation for Question 1:
The correct answer is C. In the text, the author states, "For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God." This indicates that the author believes most men have a superficial understanding of life's true meaning, as they have not delved deep enough to understand its essence.
Explanation for Question 2:
The correct answer is B. When the author says, "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life," he is using a metaphor to express his desire to extract the most meaningful and fulfilling aspects of life. He wants to engage with life in a profound way and experience its essence fully.
Explanation for Question 3:
The correct answer is D. The author states his purpose for going to the woods as follows: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." This indicates that his primary intention for going to the woods was to gain a deeper understanding of life's true essence and to learn from it.
4. Answer: B. The author sees the events as a combination of both blessings and challenges.
Explanation: In the text, the author acknowledges that the year has been marked by a civil war of "unequaled magnitude and severity," yet he also emphasizes the blessings of "fruitful fields and healthful skies." The author thus recognizes the challenges faced during the year but also expresses gratitude for the positive aspects.
5. Answer: C. By continuing to develop industry and infrastructure.
Explanation: The text describes how the "needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship." This indicates that despite the ongoing civil war, the country has managed to continue its industrial and infrastructural growth, including the expansion of settlements and the extraction of resources from mines.
6. Answer: C. Grateful, recognizing the blessings amidst the challenges.
Explanation: The author repeatedly refers to the "gracious gifts of the Most High God" and acknowledges that even in times of difficulty and conflict, God has provided the country with blessings. The author's tone is grateful and appreciative of the divine intervention that has allowed the nation to continue to prosper despite the challenges faced during the civil war.
7. The correct answer is C.
Women should embrace masculine virtues and talents to elevate their position in society. Mary Wollstonecraft argues that women should strive for the "attainment of those talents and virtues" that are considered manly, as these qualities can help to elevate their status in society. She does not imply that men and women are equal in strength and ability (option D), nor does she suggest that women should be content with their physical inferiority (option A). While she does criticize men for trying to keep women in a lower position, her main argument is about women's potential for growth (option B).
8. The correct answer is A. Supportive, if it means the adoption of manly virtues.
Wollstonecraft expresses her support for women who adopt "manly virtues" as a means of elevating their status in society. She doesn't disapprove of "masculine women" due to their deviation from traditional gender roles (option B), nor is she indifferent about the matter (option C). She does clarify that the term "masculine women" is open to interpretation, but her support for such women is evident when it comes to the adoption of manly virtues (option D).
9. The correct answer is D.
Both men and women should prioritize long-lasting relationships over fleeting attractions. The author's reference to "a durable interest in their hearts" highlights the importance of forming meaningful, long-lasting relationships instead of being swayed by superficial attractions. Wollstonecraft suggests that women should not just seek the temporary admiration of men but rather aim to form deeper connections (option A). While options B and C may be related to the text, they do not directly address the specific context of the quote, making option D the most appropriate choice.
GAMSAT Section 3 Practice Questions
As a chemical reaction progresses, reactants get closer through the minimum energy pathway, called reaction coordinate. The graph of free energy vs reaction coordinate is called “reaction coordinate diagram” and it’s commonly used to study energy changes in chemical reactions. Reactants and products are points where free energy is minimum, and the transition state has the highest energy. The figure below shows a typical reaction coordinate diagram:
The chemical reaction progresses from left to right, and the difference in energy between the transition state and the reactants corresponds to the activation energy (Ea). The difference in energy between products and reactants is the overall energy released or absorbed by the reaction (ΔE). A negative value for ΔE means that the reaction is exothermic and releases heat, while a positive value means that the reaction is endothermic and absorbs heat.
The activation energy can change at different temperatures. To determine the value of Ea, the Arrhenius equation can be applied by measuring the rate constant (k) at two different temperatures (T) as shown below:
R is the ideal gas constant. It has a value of 8.31 J/(mol∙K)
(1) The transition state is represented in the figure by:
A
B
C
D
(2) The activation energy (Ea) is represented in the figure by:
E2-E3
E1-E3
E1-E2
E3-E2
(3) If the energy of the reactants is 30 J, the activation energy is 60 J, and the energy of the products is 40 J, the overall energy of the reaction (ΔE) is:
10 J
-20 J
30 J
30 J
(4) The rate of a reaction increases by a factor of 10 when the temperature goes from 284 K to 300 K. Which of the following is the best estimate of the activation energy (Ea) for this reaction?
10 J/mol
100 J/mol
10kJ/mol
100kJ/mol
Newton’s laws are fundamental to study the movement of objects. There are three laws. The first one, also known as the law of inertia, states that a body will not modify its movement if no forces are applied on it, or if the sum of all forces acting on it is zero. This is expressed mathematically as follows:
Newton’s second law, also known as the fundamental principle, states that the acceleration that a body experiences is proportional to the forces acting on it. Mathematically it is expressed as:
Newton’s third law, or action-reaction principle states that when two bodies interact, there will be equal and opposite forces on each one of them. For two bodies A and B, this law is expressed as:
In the figure, a block with mass M is located on a horizontal frictionless surface. The block is connected to another block with mass m, which is hanging vertically from a rope that passes through an ideal pulley.
The force of friction (Fs) is the force that a rough surface exerts on an object. It acts in the opposite direction of motion. When the object is static, the force of friction depends on the coefficient of static friction (µs) and the normal force (N) as shown below:
F_s=μ_s∙N
(5) Which of the following forces is not acting on the block with massM?
Tension force (T) pointing right
Normal force (N) pointing up
Gravity (Fg) pointing down
Friction (Fs) pointing left
(6) Which of the following statements is true regarding the system shown in the figure?
The Tension force (T) will be the same for both blocks
Increasing mass M will increase the acceleration of the system
Decreasing mass m will increase the acceleration of the system
The force of gravity acts only on the block with mass m
(7) What is the acceleration of the system if M=8 kg, m=2 kg and g= 10 m/s2?
1 m/s2
2 m/s2
4 m/s2
10 m/s2
(8) If the rope breaks at tensions higher than 24 N. What is the maximum mass m that can be hanged from the rope before it breaks?(considerM=6 kg,and g= 10 m/s2)
24kg
6kg
4kg
2kg
(9) If the surface is changed to a surface with µs=0.5. What is the minimum mass M that will keep the system in equilibrium? (consider m=2 kg, and g= 10 m/s2)
2kg
4kg
6kg
8kg
Answers
(1) C.
Explanation: The transition state is the point of highest energy in a reaction coordinate diagram. The molecule at this point is called the activated complex and it cannot be isolated due to its instability. In the diagram, the point with the highest energy is C.
(2) B. E1- E3
Explanation: The activation energy is the energy required to form the activated complex from the reactants. This means that it is the difference between the energy of the activated complex (E1) and the energy of the reactants (E3)
(3) A. 10 J
Explanation: The overall reaction difference is the difference in energy between the products and reactants. Since the energy of the products is 40 J, and the energy of the reactants is 30 J, ΔE=E_2-E_1= (40 J) – (30 J) = 10 J. Since this value is positive, the reaction is endothermic.
(4) D. 100kJ/mol
Explanation: The Arrhenius reaction is applied with the following approximations and considerations: R≈8 J/(mol∙K) ; k_2/k_1 ≈10 ; 2.303≈2. Solving for Ea in the Arrhenius equation:
2 log(10)=E_a/((8 J/(mol∙K)) ) ((300 K-284 K)/(284 K∙300 K)) ⟹2=E_a/((8 J/(mol∙K)) ) ((16 K)/(85200 K^2 ))
E_a=(2∙85200 K^2∙8 J/(mol∙K))/(16 K)=85200 J/mol≈100000 J/mol=100 kJ/mol
(5) D. Friction (Fs) pointing left
Explanation: There are three forces acting on the block with mass M. Tension force from the rope pointing to the right, Gravity pointing down, and the Normal force pointing up. Since the surface is frictionless, there is no Friction force pointing to the left. The free body diagram for this block is shown below:
(6) A. The Tension force (T) will be the same for both blocks
Explanation: When considering an ideal pulley and an unbent string, tension is constant along the length of the string, and the Tension experimented by both blocks will be the same. On the other hand, increasing mass M will decrease the acceleration of the system, and decreasing mass m will have the same effect. The force of gravity acts on both blocks, but it is balanced by the normal force in the block with mass M.
7) B. 2 m/s2
Explanation: Assuming x is positive when it points to the right, and y is positive when it points down and applying Newton’s second law on the block with mass m and the block with mass M, respectively:
mg-T=m∙a_m
T=M∙a_M
Since a_m=a_M, and the tension is the same: the two equations can be added together:
M∙a_m=mg-m∙a_m
Solving for a_m and plugging in the given values:
a_m=mg/(M+m)=((2 kg)∙(10 m/s^2 ))/((8 kg)+(2 kg))=2 m/s^2
(8) C. 4 kg
Explanation: Assuming x is positive when it points to the right, and y is positive when it points down and applying Newton’s second law on the block with mass m and the block with mass M, respectively:
mg-T=m∙a_m
T=M∙a_M
Since a_m=a_M, and the tension is the same: the two equations can be added together:
M∙a_m=mg-m∙a_m
Solving for a_m and replacing it in the equation T=M∙a_M:
T=M∙mg/(M+m)
Solving for m and plugging in the given values:
m=(T∙M)/(Mg-T)=((24 N)∙(6 kg))/([(6 kg)∙(10 m/s^2 )]-(24 N))=4 kg
(9) C. 4 kg
Explanation: When the system is at equilibrium, a_m=a_M=0. Assuming x is positive when it points to the right, and y is positive when it points down and applying Newton’s second law on the block with mass m and the block with mass M, respectively:
mg=T (1)
T=F_s=μ_s∙N (2)
Applying Newton’s second law in the y axis for the block with mass M:
N=F_g=Mg(3)
Replacing (3) in (2):
T=μ_s∙Mg (4)
Replacing (4) in (1), solving for M and plugging in the given values:
M=m/μ_s =(2 kg)/0.5=4 kg
