IMAT 2023 past paper with answers

Worked solutions

1. 1Reading skills · Question 1

   Preliminary global average temperatures taken so far in June are nearly 1C (1.8F) above levels previously recorded for the same month, going back to 1979. While the month is not yet complete and may not set a new June record, climate scientists say it follows a pattern of strengthening global heating that could see this year named the hottest ever recorded, topping 2016. The long-term warming conditions caused by the burning of fossil fuels will likely receive a further pulse of heat via El Niño, a naturally reoccurring phenomenon where sections of the Pacific Ocean heat up, typically causing temperatures to spike across the world. According to the text, which one of the following is true?
   1. AThe June temperature this year is consistent with an observed trend.
   2. BTemperatures in June are not related to the El Niño phenomenon.
   3. CThis year, June will be the hottest month on record since 1979.
   4. DThe El Niño phenomenon limits the effects of burning fossil fuels.
   5. EJune 1979 was the hottest month to date.
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2. 2Problem solving · Question 5

   You have 1 pair of new-born rabbits (one male and one female) that can breed when they reach maturity. You also have 3 pairs of mature rabbits (3 males and 3 females) that can start breeding immediately. They follow these rules: • Each mature pair of rabbits produces one new pair of offspring (one male and one female) at the end of each month • Each offspring pair takes one month to mature How many rabbits do you have at the end of the 3rd month?
   1. A42
   2. B28
   3. C36
   4. D18
   5. E14
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3. 3ATP and bioenergetics · Question 10

   Glucose can feed into the biochemical pathways noted in the options below. Each pathway generates a net yield of ATP molecules per molecule of glucose feeding into the pathway. Rank the reactions listed below in order of the total number of net ATP molecules produced, ranked from largest to smallest? 1. Ethyl alcohol fermentation of four molecules of glucose 2. Lactic acid fermentation of six molecules of glucose 3. The electron transport chain stage of cellular respiration following the metabolism of a single molecule of glucose through the glycolytic and citric acid cycle stages. 4. Glycolysis of seven glucose molecules
   1. A4-2-1-3
   2. B3-4-1-2
   3. C4-2-3-1
   4. D3-4-2-1
   5. E2-1-4-3
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4. 4Hereditary diseases · Question 11

   Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic condition marked by the gradual deterioration of muscle tissue. Recent studies have revealed that DMD arises from specific changes in a vital protein called dystrophin, responsible for maintaining the integrity of muscle cells. The gene responsible for producing this protein follows an inheritance pattern known as X-linked recessive. Which of the following statements is wrong according to the above?
   1. ADMD is a sex-linked inherited disease.
   2. BWomen are more likely to suffer from DMD than men.
   3. CThe rate at which the mutated allele spreads is influenced by the rate at which the associated X chromosome spreads within the population.
   4. DTo develop the condition, a man must inherit one of the recessive alleles of this gene.
   5. ETo develop the condition, a woman must inherit two recessive alleles of this gene.
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5. 5The role of enzymes · Question 12

   In the table below, you can find the minimum, maximum and optimum pH values that are required for enzymes X, Y, Z, W, and Q to function. Enzyme X: minimum 6.4, optimum 7.1, maximum 8.2 Enzyme Y: minimum 3.9, optimum 5.3, maximum 7.2 Enzyme Z: minimum 4.0, optimum 6.2, maximum 8.5 Enzyme W: minimum 8.0, optimum 9.1, maximum 12.1 Enzyme Q: minimum 1.3, optimum 5.4, maximum 9.5 Which of the pairs of enzymes listed below cannot function together in the same environment?
   1. AY and Z
   2. BY and W
   3. CX and Y
   4. DW and Q
   5. EX and Z
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6. 6Viruses and viral replication · Question 13

   Which of the following is absent from the genome of a virus that utilizes DNA as its primary molecule?
   1. ADeoxyribose
   2. BUracil
   3. CGuanine
   4. DThymine
   5. EAdenine
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7. 7Atomic structure · Question 33

   A simple ion of element A can be represented with mass number 2x+2, atomic number x and charge 2+ (written ²ˣ⁺²ₓA²⁺). How many electrons are present in this ion?
   1. A2x
   2. Bx+2
   3. Cx
   4. Dx−2
   5. E2x+4
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8. 8Ideal gas laws · Question 34

   A sample of n moles of an ideal gas is contained in a closed system of fixed volume V m³ at pressure P Pa and temperature 27.0 °C. If the gas is heated to 327.0 °C, what will be the pressure, in Pa, at this new temperature? Assume absolute zero is at −273.0 °C
   1. A(327/27)·P
   2. B(27/327)·P
   3. CP
   4. DP/2
   5. E2P
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9. 9Logarithms, composite and inverse functions · Question 48

   Consider this function, defined for every x > 1 (where "ln" indicates the natural logarithm): f(x) = 2ln(x) − 2ln(x − 1) Which of these is an expression for its inverse function f⁻¹(y)?
   1. A1 / (e^(y/2) − 1), y > 0
   2. B1 / (e^(y/2) − 1), y > 1
   3. Ce^(y/2) / (e^(y/2) − 1), y > 0
   4. D1 / (e^(y/2) − 1), y ≠ 0
   5. Ee^(y/2) / (e^(y/2) − 1), y > 1
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10. 10Impulse and momentum · Question 56

    A point mass A with mass m moves at a constant speed v on a horizontal frictionless plane and collides with another point mass B with mass 2m that is at rest. The collision is elastic. After the collision, point mass A is moving with a speed vA and point mass B with a speed vB. What are vA and vB, in terms of v?
    1. AvA = v/2; vB = v/3
    2. BvA = v/3; vB = 2v/3
    3. CvA = 2v/3; vB = v/3
    4. DvA = v/3; vB = v/2
    5. EvA = v/2; vB = v/2
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