Study Guide

Field 109: Family and Consumer Sciences 
Sample Selected-Response Questions

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General Test Directions

This test consists of two sections: 1) a section with selected-response questions and 2) a constructed-response section.

Each question in the first section is a selected-response question with four answer choices. Read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the  start uppercase ONE end uppercase  best answer.

Try to answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all. You will  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  be penalized for guessing.

The second section of this test consists of one constructed-response assignment. You will be asked to provide a written response to the assignment. Directions for completing your written response to the constructed-response assignment appear immediately before the assignment.

You may  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  use any type of calculator or reference materials during the test session.

Sample Selected-Response Questions

Competency 0001 
Apply knowledge of characteristics and stages of prenatal, infant, and child development.

1. A parent notices that her three-year-old child frequently plays side by side with another two-year-old, but they do not interact directly with each other. In this situation, the parent's most appropriate action would be to:

  1. recognize that such behavior is typical of young children and avoid interfering with their play.
  2. sit down with the two children and prompt them to play more cooperatively.
  3. take the children aside individually and attempt to find out why they do not interact.
  4. bring out a new toy and tell the children that they may play with it, but they will have to share.

correct response: a. Behavior of this type, called parallel play, is typical of three-year-olds, who are learning from each other even though they are not interacting directly. Therefore, the children should be allowed to continue playing as they are.

Competency 0002 
Apply knowledge of the physical care and safety of children.

2. Which of the following illnesses is most likely to be treated with an antibiotic?

  1. COVID-19
  2. influenza
  3. M R S A
  4. chickenpox

correct response: c. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or M R S A as it is commonly known, is a type of bacteria that can cause infections in the human body. Although it has become resistant to some antibiotics, M R S A still responds to certain antibiotics, which are used for treatment of M R S A.

Competency 0003 
Apply knowledge of characteristics and stages of adolescent development, adulthood, and the aging process.

3. Which of the following activities would best promote mental alertness and reduce the chances of developing mental confusion during late adulthood?

  1. watching the news on television on a daily basis
  2. looking periodically at digital photo albums of family members and friends
  3. participating regularly in an exercise class
  4. listening to music on the radio every day

correct response: c. During late adulthood, regular participation in physical exercise can help protect against cognitive decline, preserve memory, and improve mental processing abilities. Researchers theorize that this protective effect may result from an increase in blood flow to the brain, enhancing the delivery of oxygen to the brain and the removal of waste from the brain.

Competency 0004 
Apply knowledge of nutritional requirements and basic principles of food science and nutrition across the life span.

4. Essential amino acids are a necessary part of a healthy diet because they:

  1. are used by the body to supply bursts of energy when needed.
  2. are an important source of required vitamins and minerals.
  3. are necessary for protein synthesis and must be supplied through food.
  4. are required to help the body break down and store fats and carbohydrates more efficiently.

correct response: c. Essential amino acids are organic compounds that play a role in many important human body functions, including protein synthesis, tissue repair, and aiding in breaking down food. Essential amino acids can't be created by the body on its own, so they must be supplied through food.

Competency 0005 
Apply knowledge of principles of kitchen and food safety and sanitation in home, commercial, and institutional kitchen settings.

5. The chances of contracting food poisoning are likely to be increased most by which of the following food-handling practices?

  1. partially thawing a steak in a refrigerator before cooking
  2. letting a cooked casserole cool completely before refrigerating
  3. eating vegetables directly from a can without heating them first
  4. slicing raw meat on a cutting board after slicing vegetables on it

correct response: b. Food poisoning can be caused by eating food containing dangerous levels of harmful bacteria. Bacteria are prevented from multiplying at cold temperatures but will begin to grow at room temperature. Letting a cooked casserole cool completely at room temperature is therefore likely to increase the chances that harmful bacteria will grow in the casserole.

Competency 0007 
Apply knowledge of consumer skills and resource management throughout the life span.

6. Which of the following scenarios is an example of bait-and-switch selling?

  1. A person sees a product advertised, but when they get to the store, the salesperson tells them that the item is out of stock. The salesperson then shows the customer a similar, more expensive product.
  2. A person goes to a store to buy an advertised item. After comparing the item with the other available merchandise, they decide to purchase a similar but more expensive item.
  3. A person sees a product advertised, but when they get to the store, the item is not on display. The salesperson locates the product in a storage room, and the customer decides to buy the item after examining it closely.
  4. A person is told by a salesperson that the product they saw advertised is out of stock, but that a new shipment is expected soon. They are invited to return for the item and are given a slip that guarantees them the sale price.

correct response: a. Bait-and-switch selling is the illegal practice of advertising a product at an extraordinary bargain price for the purpose of drawing customers into a situation where they can be persuaded to make a more expensive purchase. Advertising a product for which there are limited supplies is legal only if the number of items available is indicated in the advertisement.

Competency 0009 
Apply knowledge of apparel assembly and design, fashion, and textiles.

7. An individual asks a retail fashion clerk to recommend the best type of shirt for traveling in a warm climate. Which of the following fabrics should the clerk recommend?

  1.  50 percent linen forward slash 50 percent ramie 
  2.  100 percent acrylic 
  3.  50 percent cotton forward slash 50 percent polyester 
  4.  100 percent silk 

correct response: c. For travel in a warm climate, clothing should be made of material that "breathes," or allows the passage of air, and is lightweight, absorbent, and wrinkle free. A shirt made of a cotton/polyester blend would have all of these characteristics.

Competency 0012 
Apply knowledge of the travel and lodging industries.

8. Which of the following statements accurately describes a European custom or lifestyle characteristic that most differs from a custom or lifestyle characteristic in the United States?

  1. The transmissions of cars are more likely to be automatic than manual.
  2. The amount of gratuity or tips for servers at restaurants is lower.
  3. The length and hours of the work week are longer.
  4. The amount of personal space people keep between each other is wider.

correct response: b. Generally, tips for restaurant servers in Europe are much more modest than tips received at restaurants in the United States. This is due in part to the fact that restaurant servers in Europe generally have higher pay than their counterparts in the U.S.

Competency 0013 
Apply knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth, parenthood, and the roles and responsibilities of parents and, or guardians.

9. Which of the following strategies is recommended for the caregiver of an infant who is healthy but has weak neck, shoulder, and back muscles and who is showing signs of positional flattening of the head?

  1. placing the infant in a supported sitting position
  2. helping the infant to stand and put more weight on his or her legs
  3. having the infant spend more supervised time on his or her stomach
  4. developing a better sleep routine that encourages longer, more restful sleep

correct response: c. According to research, spending supervised time on the stomach helps strengthen an infant's neck, shoulder, and back muscles. All infants need "tummy time," but an infant with weak neck, shoulder, and back muscles needs additional time on their stomach to exercise and strengthen these muscles.

Competency 0016 
Apply knowledge of career options related to family and consumer sciences and developing students' career and leadership skills.

10. A teacher of family and consumer sciences is most likely to request assistance from area business leaders in:

  1. providing work experiences for students.
  2. designing a curriculum scope and sequence for the upcoming year.
  3. funding the purchase of textbooks and supplies.
  4. developing student learning and assessment standards.

correct response:a. Area business leaders can provide students with work-related opportunities, such as apprenticeships, internships, and after-school or summer jobs. Educational partnerships with area businesses can enhance students' formal education by helping students gain work-related knowledge, skills, and experience.