1. When investigating a system failure, what is the primary goal of gathering evidence like temperature logs and user reports?
- A. To immediately start repairing the system based on initial guesses.
- B. To assign blame for who caused the system to fail.
- C. To develop a precise definition of the specific problem.
- D. To determine the total cost of replacing the entire system.
2. In the context of a system failure investigation, which of the following is NOT considered a form of evidence?
- A. A detailed report from a user describing the steps that led to a software crash.
- B. The assumption that the newest component is the one that has failed.
- C. A log file from a server that shows a spike in errors at a specific time.
- D. The original design specifications for a mechanical part.
3. A team is investigating why a new model of electric car is experiencing shorter battery range than advertised. Which of the following represents the most useful piece of evidence for their investigation?
- A. A customer's opinion that the car feels slower than their old one.
- B. The original design blueprints showing the intended battery capacity and motor efficiency.
- C. An online article that generally discusses the challenges of electric vehicle batteries.
- D. A sales report showing that this car model is selling very well despite the issue.
4. Why is the statement "the coffee maker is broken" considered a poor problem definition for an investigation?
- A. It focuses on the user's feelings rather than the machine.
- B. It is too vague and does not provide specific information based on evidence.
- C. It incorrectly assumes the problem is with the coffee maker itself.
- D. It is too technical for a non-expert to understand.
5. A smart thermostat in a building is not maintaining the correct temperature. What would be the most logical first step for an investigator to take?
- A. Immediately replace the entire thermostat unit.
- B. Gather evidence, such as temperature logs and user reports.
- C. Rewrite the thermostat's programming from scratch.
- D. Blame the building maintenance crew for the failure.
6. What is the primary role of establishing "criteria for success" before conducting a scientific experiment or engineering test?
- A. To guarantee that the experiment will work as planned
- B. To provide an objective, measurable standard for judging the outcome
- C. To list all the materials and equipment needed for the project
- D. To ensure the results of the experiment are easy for the public to understand
7. What is the most likely consequence of evaluating a new system, like a water filter, without any pre-defined criteria for success?
- A. The evaluation will be based on opinion rather than objective data.
- B. The system will automatically be considered a complete failure by default.
- C. It becomes impossible to collect any data about the system's performance.
- D. The cost of the project will be significantly lower due to less required testing.
8. A new battery is designed with the success criterion of lasting for 10 hours. In its first test, it lasts for 8.5 hours. Based on the defined criterion, what is this outcome an example of?
- A. A successful result
- B. A system failure
- C. An opinion-based assessment
- D. An invalid test that must be ignored
9. Students are designing a small, lightweight drone with the primary goal of achieving a stable hover for 3 minutes. Which of the following would be the LEAST useful criterion for success for this specific goal?
- A. The drone must be able to fly faster than 5 miles per hour.
- B. The drone must maintain its altitude within a 10 cm range for 3 minutes.
- C. The drone must remain airborne for a continuous period of at least 180 seconds.
- D. The drone must not drift horizontally more than 15 cm from its starting point.
10. Why is a statement like 'The new bridge design looks strong' not a useful scientific criterion for success for an engineer?
- A. It does not account for the cost of the bridge materials.
- B. It focuses on a single property of the bridge design.
- C. It is too simple for a complex engineering project.
- D. It is subjective and not based on a measurable standard.