ASVAB — All Questions

A train travels at a constant speed of 60 miles per hour. How long will it take to travel 180 miles?

• a.3.5 hours
• b.2 hours
• c.4 hours
• d.3 hours✓

Time equals distance divided by speed. Dividing 180 miles by 60 miles per hour gives 3 hours. Keeping the units consistent lets the miles cancel and leaves hours.

If 5 pounds of apples cost $4.00, how much do 12 pounds cost at the same rate?

• a.$8.40
• b.$12.00
• c.$10.00
• d.$9.60✓

The unit price is $4.00 divided by 5 pounds, or $0.80 per pound. Multiplying $0.80 by 12 pounds gives $9.60. Setting up a proportion produces the same result.

What is 25% of 240?

• a.80
• b.60✓
• c.72
• d.48

Twenty-five percent is the same as one quarter. Dividing 240 by 4 gives 60. You could also multiply 240 by 0.25 to reach the same value.

A recipe uses flour and sugar in a ratio of 3 to 1. If you use 9 cups of flour, how many cups of sugar are needed?

• a.6 cups
• b.12 cups
• c.1 cup
• d.3 cups✓

The ratio 3 to 1 means three parts flour for every one part sugar. Since 9 cups of flour is three times the base part of 3, the sugar is also tripled from 1 to 3 cups. Ratios scale both quantities by the same factor.

The average of four test scores is 85. Three of the scores are 80, 90, and 85. What is the fourth score?

• a.80
• b.85✓
• c.95
• d.90

An average of 85 over four tests means the total is 85 times 4, or 340. The three known scores add to 255, so the fourth score is 340 minus 255, which equals 85.

A worker can assemble 8 units per hour. How many units can 3 workers assemble in 5 hours at that rate?

• a.120 units✓
• b.40 units
• c.80 units
• d.160 units

One worker makes 8 units per hour, so 3 workers make 24 units per hour. Over 5 hours that is 24 times 5, which equals 120 units. Rate times number of workers times time gives total output.

A jacket originally priced at $80 is discounted 15%. What is the sale price?

• a.$76
• b.$65
• c.$72
• d.$68✓

Fifteen percent of $80 is $12. Subtracting the $12 discount from $80 leaves a sale price of $68. You can also multiply $80 by 0.85 to get the same answer.

You deposit $500 in an account earning 4% simple interest per year. How much interest is earned in 3 years?

• a.$80
• b.$60✓
• c.$20
• d.$40

Simple interest equals principal times rate times time. That is $500 times 0.04 times 3, which equals $60. Simple interest is calculated only on the original principal.

Two cars start from the same point and drive in opposite directions at 40 mph and 55 mph. How far apart are they after 2 hours?

• a.95 miles
• b.110 miles
• c.150 miles
• d.190 miles✓

Their combined separation speed is 40 plus 55, or 95 miles per hour. After 2 hours they are 95 times 2, which equals 190 miles apart. Opposite directions mean the speeds add.

A map uses a scale of 1 inch to 25 miles. Two towns are 4.5 inches apart on the map. What is the actual distance?

• a.90 miles
• b.125 miles
• c.112.5 miles✓
• d.100 miles

Each inch represents 25 miles, so multiply 4.5 inches by 25 miles per inch. That product is 112.5 miles. Scale problems are solved with a direct proportion.

A rectangular room is 12 feet long and 9 feet wide. If carpet costs $3 per square foot, what is the total cost to carpet the room?

• a.$108
• b.$324✓
• c.$396
• d.$252

The floor area is length times width, or 12 times 9, which equals 108 square feet. Multiplying 108 square feet by $3 per square foot gives $324.

A store sells 6 bottles of water for $9. What is the cost of one bottle?

• a.$1.75
• b.$1.20
• c.$1.50✓
• d.$2.00

Dividing the total price of $9 by 6 bottles gives $1.50 per bottle. Unit price is found by dividing total cost by the number of items.

In a class of 30 students, 3/5 are girls. How many boys are in the class?

• a.15
• b.12✓
• c.18
• d.10

Three fifths of 30 is 18 girls. Subtracting 18 girls from 30 total students leaves 12 boys. The fraction of boys is the remaining two fifths of 30, which also equals 12.

A meal costs $40 before tax. If sales tax is 8%, what is the total amount paid?

• a.$48.00
• b.$44.80
• c.$43.20✓
• d.$42.00

Eight percent of $40 is $3.20 in tax. Adding the tax to the $40 meal gives a total of $43.20. Multiplying $40 by 1.08 gives the same total.

A tank holds 240 gallons and is being filled at 8 gallons per minute. How many minutes will it take to fill the empty tank?

• a.24 minutes
• b.40 minutes
• c.30 minutes✓
• d.32 minutes

Dividing the 240-gallon capacity by the fill rate of 8 gallons per minute gives 30 minutes. Time equals total amount divided by rate.

If 168 pencils are packed equally into boxes of 12, how many boxes are needed?

• a.14✓
• b.16
• c.18
• d.12

Dividing 168 pencils by 12 pencils per box gives exactly 14 boxes. Because 12 times 14 equals 168, there is no remainder and no extra box is required.

"Abundant" most nearly means:

• a.scarce
• b.costly
• c.hidden
• d.plentiful✓

Abundant describes something existing in large quantity or great supply. Plentiful is its closest synonym. Scarce is an antonym meaning in short supply.

"Cautious" most nearly means:

• a.reckless
• b.cheerful
• c.curious
• d.careful✓

Cautious means acting with care to avoid danger or mistakes. Careful is the nearest match. Reckless is the opposite, meaning careless.

"Vacant" most nearly means:

• a.empty✓
• b.dirty
• c.locked
• d.crowded

Vacant means not occupied or containing nothing. Empty is the closest synonym. A vacant lot or apartment has no one in it.

"Fatigue" most nearly means:

• a.hunger
• b.tiredness✓
• c.anger
• d.strength

Fatigue is a state of extreme weariness or exhaustion, usually from exertion. Tiredness is its nearest meaning. It is the opposite of feeling energetic.

"Rigid" most nearly means:

• a.warm
• b.flexible
• c.stiff✓
• d.smooth

Rigid means stiff and unable to bend easily. Stiff is the closest synonym. Flexible is the antonym, describing something that bends readily.

"Conceal" most nearly means:

• a.gather
• b.clean
• c.reveal
• d.hide✓

To conceal something is to keep it out of sight or secret. Hide is its nearest synonym. Reveal is the opposite, meaning to show.

"Ample" most nearly means:

• a.sufficient✓
• b.tiny
• c.broken
• d.rapid

Ample means more than enough or fully adequate in amount. Sufficient captures this meaning of an adequate supply. It is the opposite of insufficient.

"Diminish" most nearly means:

• a.repair
• b.brighten
• c.expand
• d.decrease✓

To diminish is to make or become smaller or less. Decrease is the closest synonym. Expand, meaning to grow larger, is its antonym.

"Novice" most nearly means:

• a.expert
• b.leader
• c.traitor
• d.beginner✓

A novice is a person new to a field or activity. Beginner is the nearest match. An expert, being highly skilled, is the opposite.

"Verify" most nearly means:

• a.confirm✓
• b.delay
• c.forget
• d.deny

To verify is to check or prove that something is true or accurate. Confirm is the closest synonym. Deny is an antonym meaning to reject as untrue.

"Hostile" most nearly means:

• a.quiet
• b.unfriendly✓
• c.welcoming
• d.wealthy

Hostile describes an unfriendly or antagonistic attitude. Unfriendly is the nearest meaning. Welcoming is the opposite.

"Fragment" most nearly means:

• a.engine
• b.piece✓
• c.signal
• d.whole

A fragment is a small broken-off part of something larger. Piece is the closest synonym. It contrasts with a whole or complete object.

"Prohibit" most nearly means:

• a.measure
• b.forbid✓
• c.praise
• d.allow

To prohibit something is to formally forbid it by rule or law. Forbid is the nearest synonym. Allow is the antonym, meaning to permit.

"Sturdy" most nearly means:

• a.strong✓
• b.fragile
• c.distant
• d.gentle

Sturdy means solidly built and strong. Strong is the closest match. Fragile, meaning easily broken, is its opposite.

"Vivid" most nearly means:

• a.heavy
• b.bright✓
• c.silent
• d.dull

Vivid describes something bright, intense, or strikingly clear. Bright is the nearest synonym. Dull is the antonym, meaning lacking brightness.

"Assemble" most nearly means:

• a.sell
• b.gather✓
• c.scatter
• d.ignore

To assemble is to bring or come together into a group or whole. Gather is the closest synonym. Scatter is the opposite, meaning to spread apart.

The human body loses water constantly through breathing, sweating, and digestion. To stay healthy, this lost water must be replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. According to the passage, why must people drink fluids?

• a.To replace water the body loses✓
• b.To improve eyesight
• c.To build stronger muscles
• d.To gain more energy

The passage states the body constantly loses water and that this loss must be replaced. The correct choice restates that idea directly. The other options are not mentioned in the passage.

Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. It also saves energy, because making products from recycled materials often uses less power than making them from raw materials. One benefit of recycling mentioned in the passage is that it:

• a.saves energy✓
• b.raises product prices
• c.creates more landfills
• d.uses more raw materials

The passage says recycling saves energy since recycled materials often require less power. That matches the correct choice. The remaining options contradict the passage.

A good study routine includes setting a regular time and place. Studying in the same spot each day helps the brain associate that location with focus, making it easier to concentrate. The passage suggests that studying in the same place each day helps a person to:

• a.avoid taking notes
• b.finish homework faster
• c.concentrate more easily✓
• d.study fewer subjects

The passage explains that a consistent location helps the brain associate it with focus, making concentration easier. The correct answer restates this. The other choices are not supported.

Firefighters wear heavy protective suits made of flame-resistant material. These suits shield the wearer from intense heat, but they are also very hot and tiring to work in. According to the passage, one drawback of the protective suits is that they:

• a.cannot be cleaned
• b.are hot and tiring to wear✓
• c.are too thin
• d.catch fire easily

The passage notes that although the suits protect against heat, they are hot and tiring to work in. That is the drawback described. The other options are not stated.

Bees play a vital role in agriculture. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar, they carry pollen between plants, allowing many crops to produce fruit. The passage indicates that bees help crops by:

• a.eating harmful insects
• b.keeping the ground warm
• c.carrying pollen between plants✓
• d.watering the soil

The passage states bees carry pollen from flower to flower, which allows crops to produce fruit. That matches the correct choice. The other answers are not mentioned.

Reading aloud to young children builds their vocabulary. Hearing new words in context helps children understand meanings and remember the words later. According to the passage, hearing words in context helps children to:

• a.speak more quietly
• b.read silently
• c.write neatly
• d.understand and remember words✓

The passage says that hearing new words in context helps children grasp meanings and recall the words later. The correct option restates this. The others are not supported.

Regular exercise strengthens the heart. A stronger heart pumps blood more efficiently, which can lower a person's resting heart rate over time. The passage states that a stronger heart:

• a.requires more oxygen
• b.pumps blood more efficiently✓
• c.shrinks in size
• d.beats faster at rest

The passage explains that a stronger heart pumps blood more efficiently and can lower the resting heart rate. That matches the correct choice, while the others contradict the passage.

Many plants close their leaves or flowers at night. This response helps protect the plant from cold temperatures and reduces water loss during dark hours. According to the passage, closing at night helps plants by:

• a.attracting more insects
• b.growing taller quickly
• c.reducing water loss✓
• d.producing more seeds

The passage says that closing at night protects plants from cold and reduces water loss. The correct answer reflects this. The remaining choices are not mentioned.

A budget is a plan for spending money. By listing income and expenses, a budget helps a person avoid spending more than they earn. The main purpose of a budget, according to the passage, is to:

• a.borrow more money
• b.increase a person's income
• c.plan spending and avoid overspending✓
• d.eliminate all expenses

The passage defines a budget as a spending plan that lists income and expenses to prevent overspending. The correct choice captures this purpose. The others are not stated.

Sea turtles travel thousands of miles across the ocean but often return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs. Scientists believe they use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate. According to the passage, sea turtles are believed to navigate using:

• a.ocean water temperature
• b.the position of the moon
• c.the Earth's magnetic field✓
• d.the sound of waves

The passage states that scientists believe sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field to find their way. That matches the correct choice. The other options are not mentioned.

Getting enough sleep improves memory. During deep sleep, the brain organizes and stores information learned during the day, making it easier to recall later. The passage explains that during deep sleep the brain:

• a.forgets the day's events
• b.stops all activity
• c.organizes and stores information✓
• d.grows new bones

The passage says the brain organizes and stores the day's information during deep sleep, aiding recall. The correct answer restates this. The other choices are unsupported.

Traffic roundabouts can reduce accidents at intersections. Because vehicles move in the same direction around a circle, dangerous head-on and right-angle collisions are far less likely. According to the passage, roundabouts reduce accidents because vehicles:

• a.use fewer lanes
• b.stop more often
• c.travel much faster
• d.move in the same direction✓

The passage explains that roundabouts keep vehicles moving in the same direction, reducing head-on and right-angle crashes. The correct choice restates this reason. The others are not stated.

Salt has long been used to preserve food. It draws moisture out of meat and fish, creating conditions in which the bacteria that cause spoilage cannot easily grow. The passage indicates that salt preserves food by:

• a.raising the temperature
• b.drawing out moisture✓
• c.adding vitamins
• d.adding color

The passage says salt draws moisture out of food, making it hard for spoilage bacteria to grow. That matches the correct answer. The other options are not mentioned.

Volunteering benefits both the community and the volunteer. Besides helping others, volunteers often gain new skills and build friendships that improve their own lives. According to the passage, one way volunteering benefits the volunteer is by:

• a.reducing their taxes
• b.increasing their salary
• c.helping them gain new skills✓
• d.giving them free housing

The passage states that volunteers often gain new skills and build friendships. The correct choice reflects a benefit to the volunteer. The other options are not supported by the text.

If 3x + 7 = 22, what is the value of x?

• a.5✓
• b.3
• c.7
• d.9

Subtracting 7 from both sides gives 3x equals 15. Dividing both sides by 3 gives x equals 5. You can check by substituting 5 back into the equation.

What is the value of 4 squared plus 3 cubed?

• a.43✓
• b.25
• c.49
• d.37

Four squared is 16 and three cubed is 27. Adding 16 and 27 gives 43. Exponents are evaluated before addition.

The area of a triangle with base 10 and height 6 is:

• a.30✓
• b.60
• c.45
• d.16

The area of a triangle equals one half times base times height. That is 0.5 times 10 times 6, which equals 30 square units. Forgetting the one-half factor gives the incorrect value 60.

What is the value of x if x/4 = 9?

• a.45
• b.18
• c.36✓
• d.13

To isolate x, multiply both sides of the equation by 4. That gives x equals 9 times 4, or 36. Dividing 36 by 4 returns 9, which confirms the answer.