Science Surprises III Quiz

See what you know about some of the surprising discoveries scientists have been making lately.

Quiz

1. Scientists have discovered that many aquatic species, like turtles and dolphins, have soft fat tissues in their middle ears. Why would that be?

Keeps water out of their inner ear.
No. The soft fat tissues in many aquatic animals' middle ears helps them hear underwater. The fat tissue has about the same density as water--so sound waves traveling through water easily pass into this tissue.
Helps them float.
No. The soft fat tissues in many aquatic animals' middle ears helps them hear underwater. The fat tissue has about the same density as water--so sound waves traveling through water easily pass into this tissue.
Helps them hear under water better.
Yes. The soft fat tissues in many aquatic animals' middle ears helps them hear underwater. The fat tissue has about the same density as water--so sound waves traveling through water easily pass into this tissue.

2. What are some airplane engineers hoping to learn from owls?

How to make planes quieter.
That's right. Owls fly so quietly that their prey never hear them coming. So some engineers figure they might learn how to make airplanes quieter by studying owls. While scientists have a lot to learn from owls' wings, don't expect to see airplanes with feathers any time soon.
(Three questions to go.)
How to give airplanes more lift.
Nope. Owls fly so quietly that their prey never hear them coming. So some engineers figure they might learn how to make airplanes quieter by studying owls. While scientists have a lot to learn from owls' wings, don't expect to see airplanes with feathers any time soon.
(Three questions to go.)
How to make airplanes faster.
Nope. Owls fly so quietly that their prey never hear them coming. So some engineers figure they might learn how to make airplanes quieter by studying owls. While scientists have a lot to learn from owls' wings, don't expect to see airplanes with feathers any time soon.
(Three questions to go.)

3. Recent pictures from Mars showed something that looks a lot like which earthly icon?

Peace sign.
Sorry, no. The picture shows a giant smiley face. It's really a crater that's 134 miles wide. That's about the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts combined!
(Just two to go.)
Smiley face.
Yup! The picture shows a giant smiley face. It's really a crater that's 134 miles wide. That's about the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts combined!
(Just two to go.)
McDonald's Arches.
No, not yet, anyway! The picture shows a giant smiley face. It's really a crater that's 134 miles wide. That's about the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts combined!
(Just two to go.)

4. Scientists have found out that the octopus has something in common with human kids. What is it?

They don't like Brussels sprouts.
No., and besides, Brussels sprouts are good for you! The octopus likes to have fun playing! They are the first invertebrates (animals without a spine) to demonstrate that they like to do something even if it has no practical use whatsoever. Sound like someone in your house?
They like to play.
You betcha! The octopus likes to have fun playing! They are the first invertebrates (animals without a spine) to demonstrate that they like to do something even if it has no practical use whatsoever. Sound like someone in your house?
They can learn to ride a bike.
Not yet, and it seems like a very difficult task! The octopus likes to have fun playing! They are the first invertebrates (animals without a spine) to demonstrate that they like to do something even if it has no practical use whatsoever. Sound like someone in your house?

5. Maybe you didn't even know there were giant crocodiles in prehistoric times, but many scientists have been wondering how they got so big--more than 30 feet long! So how'd they get so big?

They were hatched from giant eggs.
Nope. Prehistoric giant crocodiles grew just like today's crocodiles--they just didn't stop. They kept growing and growing for more than 35 years.
They just kept growing--and didn't stop.
You got it. Prehistoric giant crocodiles grew just like today's crocodiles--they just didn't stop. They kept growing and growing for more than 35 years.
They grew really fast.
Nope. Prehistoric giant crocodiles grew just like today's crocodiles--they just didn't stop. They kept growing and growing for more than 35 years.

1. Scientists have discovered that many aquatic species, like turtles and dolphins, have soft fat tissues in their middle ears. Why would that be?
Helps them hear under water better.

2. What are some airplane engineers hoping to learn from owls?
How to make planes quieter.

3. Recent pictures from Mars showed something that looks a lot like which earthly icon?
Smiley face.

4. Scientists have found out that the octopus has something in common with human kids. What is it?
They like to play.

5. Maybe you didn't even know there were giant crocodiles in prehistoric times, but many scientists have been wondering how they got so big--more than 30 feet long! So how'd they get so big?
They just kept growing--and didn't stop.

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