MCAS Questions
This page will list Previous Technology Engineering MCAS questions. These questions are related specifically to Strand 4. As the page is refined links to the standards and lessons will be added.
Click on the year to view the questions and a link to download the whole test 2005,2004, 2003, 2002, 2000-1998
2005
To download the whole test go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2005/release/
| Question | Answer | Framework | |
| 3 | The drawing below shows an entrance to a building with both steps and a ramp.
The ramp in front of this building most likely functions as which of the following? A. an assistive device B. a structural support C. a prosthetic device D. a suspension system |
A | 7.1 |
| 13 | A beam bridge supporting a toy truck is shown in the diagram below.
When an object pushes down on this bridge, the bottom edge experiences a force that tends to pull it apart as shown. What is the type of force labeled X? A. compression B. shear C. tension D. torsion |
C | 5.3 |
| 16 | The drawing below represents a bit used in a power drill.?
Which of the following metals is most suitable for making this drill bit? A. aluminum B. copper C. gold D. steel |
D | 1.1 |
| 17 | Which of the following is performed by the quality control division of a company that is manufacturing a chair? A. applying the varnish B. assembling the parts C. cutting the material D. inspecting the finish |
D | 4.4 |
| 22 | The diagram below shows the supports of a proposed bridge.
Which of the following wooden bridge designs, if built from one support to the other, would withstand the heaviest load?
|
D | 5.4 |
| 24 | The diagram below shows a three-dimensional object.
Which of the following diagrams correctly shows an orthographic projection of this three-dimensional object?
|
A | 2.2 |
| 27 | In producing an automobile, which of thefollowing is the best use of a robot? A. to perform repetitive tasks B. to determine the trunk space C. to demonstrate passenger comfort D. to perform quality control inspections |
A | 4.2 |
| 32 | In order for a glider to fly, its weight must be opposed by A. lift. B. drag. C. gravity. D. friction. | A | 6.4 |
| 34 | The drawing below shows a wooden crate.
Which of the following sets of equipment is most appropriate to design and construct this wooden crate? A. hammer, wrench, electric drill, sander B. electric drill, nails, chisel, screwdriver C. measuring tape, hand saw, nails, hammer D. electric stapler, pliers, yardstick, screwdriver |
C | 2.4 |
| 39 | A communication link between a Coast Guard patrol boat and its base station is shown below.
The boat uses the satellite to communicate its position to the base station. a. Explain the purpose of a decoder in a communication system. b. Identify one of the decoders in this system and describe how it is used. c. Explain the purpose of a transmitter in a communication system. d. Identify one of the examples of a transmitter in this system. For the transmitter you have identified, explain its specific role. |
Open Responce | 3.1 |
2004
To download the whole test go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2004/release/
| Question | Answer | Framework | |
| 3. | What division of a furniture company is most responsible for getting the furniture to the retail stores? A. distribution B. marketing C. quality control D. research | A | 4.3 |
| 7 | Several students are entering a bridge
building contest that requires using ice cream sticks and glue to
construct the strongest bridge possible. The bridges must be 5 in.
wide and span a length of 18 in. Which of the following tests is
the most accurate way to determine the strongest span design for
these bridges? A. roll toy cars across each bridge until it collapses B. place concrete construction blocks on top of each bridge until it collapses C. stack coins on both ends of each bridge until it collapses D. place D-cell batteries at the center of each bridge until it collapses |
D | 2.1 |
| 13 | When a balloon is filled with air and
suddenly released, it will fly around the room as the air escapes.
If compared to space transportation, the escaping air is most similar
to what subsystem of a spacecraft? A. guidance B. propulsion C. support D. suspension |
B | 6.3 |
| 17 | In which situation would it be an advantage
to ship a product by plane rather than by truck? A. The product is very heavy and relatively large. B. The product is sensitive to changes in pressure. C. The product must be delivered a long distance soon after it is made. D. The product must be delivered to several sites located within a radius of 50 miles. |
C | 6.1 |
| 18 | The figure below shows examples of bridges numbered 1 through 6.
a. Identify one example from the figure
that represents a type of arch bridge. |
Open Response | 5.2 |
| 21 | Of the following symbols, which represents a biological hazard?
|
D | 3.4 |
| 24 | Support cables in a suspension bridge
are most stressed by which of the following forces? A. shear B. torsion C. tension D. compression |
C | 5.3 |
| 27 | Which of the following is
an example of an assistive device? A. contact lens B. motorcycle C. raincoat D. coffee pot |
A | 7.1 |
| 32 | The illustration below shows sheets of plywood that are nailed to floor joists.
The sheets of plywood are called the A. beam. B. decking. C. truss. D. foundation. |
B | 5.1 |
| 34 | The following illustration shows a design shape.
Which of the following is an accurate orthographic projection of the design shown above?
|
A | 2.2 |
To download the whole test go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2003/release/
| Question | Answer | Framework | |
| 4 | Based on the illustrations, which of the following vehicles will likely produce the least drag
|
A | Tran |
| 7 | Which of the following activities is
performed by the marketing department of a manufacturing organization?
A. advertising B. shipping C. storage D. quality control D. |
A | Man |
| 12 | Which of the following parts of a car
belongs to its control system? |
C | Tran |
| 18 | The pictures below show a space shuttle and an airplane.
a. Explain in detail the roles that lift, thrust, and gravity
play in propelling the space shuttle through the air. |
Open Response |
Tran |
| 23 | Which of the following is the best example
of a custom-made product? A. graphing calculator B. light bulb C. needle nose pliers D. artificial leg |
D | Man |
| 25 | In an automobile, which of the following
components is designed specifically to give feedback to the driver?
A. steering wheel B. speedometer C. brake pedal D. car key |
B | ED |
| 29 | An engineer designing a suspension bridge
discovers it will need to carry twice the load that was initially
estimated. One change the engineer must make to her original design
to maintain safety is to increase the A. length of wires in tension. B. diameter of wires in tension. C. height of support towers. D. length of the bridge. |
B | Con |
| 33 | The manufacturing process used to permanently
put parts together is called A. cutting. B. shaping. C. finishing. D. assembling. |
D | Man |
To download the whole test go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2002/release/
| Question | Answer | Framework | |
| 4 | In the manufacturing process of this four-legged wooden stool, each leg is angled 15°outward. Which tool or machine should be used to create the most accurate hole for each leg so the stool does not wobble when it rests on a flat surface?
|
D | MTM |
| 6 | What is the first step in designing a product? A. model a solution B. communicate the solution C. identify the need or want D. build a prototype ? | C | ED |
| 14 | Steel is used for cables in suspension bridges because of its capacity for A. tension. B. torsion. C. compression. D. contraction. ? | A | MTM |
| 16 | What would you see from the top view of the object above?
|
B | ED |
| 19 | In the construction of a house, the words
excavation, slab, and footing are associated with the A. roof. B. floor. C. frame. D. foundation. |
D | Con |
2001
To download the whole test go to http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2001/release/
| Question | Answer | Framework | |
| 2 | Which best describes transportation technology?
A. a system that is used to move people and products B. an enterprise that changes raw materials into goods C. the building and finishing of structures D. the conversion of mechanical energy into heat energy |
A | Tran |
| 9 | Use the information below to answer
question |
C | Man |
| 10 | Use the Universal System Model below to answer question 10. Using the parts of the Universal System Model, describe how a bicycle operates. Be sure to identify each of the parts of the system. You may use a diagram to help explain your answer. |
Open Response |
ED |
| 19 | Use the information below to answer question In solid fuel rockets, a fuel mixture is burned and once the mixture starts burning it cannot be stopped. In liquid fuel rockets, there is a tank of fuel and a tank of oxygen. The burning of the fuel can be stopped by preventing the flow of fuel and oxygen into the combustion chamber. Based on this information, which system is more highly developed
in liquid fuel rockets than in solid fuel rockets? |
C | Tran |
In 2001 the frameworks was revised with major changes. The content in MCAS tests prior to 2001 is very different so they are not included, if you would like to download them the links are 2000-http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2000/release/, 1999-http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/1999/release/, and 1998-http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/1998/release/.