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New Zealand Scholarship Technology study materials
New Zealand Scholarship Technology study resources

New Zealand Scholarship Technology practice questions

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Question 1Technology

In technological design, what is the primary purpose of an iterative prototyping process?

  1. To guarantee the first design meets every stakeholder requirement without revision
  2. To eliminate the need for any evaluation of the final outcome
  3. To reduce the number of stakeholders consulted during development
  4. To refine a solution through repeated testing and feedback before final production Correct answer.

Explanation

Iterative prototyping deliberately cycles through build-test-revise so that weaknesses are found early and cheaply. Each cycle generates evidence that informs the next version, improving fitness for purpose. It does not remove the need for evaluation, nor does it guarantee a flawless first attempt.

Question 2Technology

A manufacturer specifies that a component must withstand a load of 500 N with a safety factor of 2. What minimum design load should the component be engineered to carry?

  1. 2000 N
  2. 1000 N Correct answer.
  3. 500 N
  4. 250 N

Explanation

The safety factor multiplies the expected service load to give the design load, so 500 N × 2 = 1000 N. This margin covers uncertainty in loading, material variability and wear. Dividing by the factor would under-design the component.

Question 3Technology

Which property best describes a material that can be repeatedly deformed and return to its original shape?

  1. Ductility
  2. Thermal conductivity
  3. Brittleness
  4. Elasticity Correct answer.

Explanation

Elasticity is the ability of a material to recover its original shape after a deforming load is removed, within its elastic limit. Ductility concerns permanent stretching before fracture, brittleness concerns sudden failure with little deformation, and conductivity concerns heat transfer.

Question 4Technology

In a spreadsheet model used to plan a production budget, which change makes the model most useful for testing alternative scenarios?

  1. Typing calculated results directly as fixed numbers
  2. Separating input values from formulas that reference them Correct answer.
  3. Hiding all formulas so users cannot see them
  4. Combining all inputs into a single cell

Explanation

A model is testable when inputs are isolated in clearly labelled cells and formulas reference those cells, so changing one input updates results predictably. Hard-coded results and hidden formulas break traceability and make scenario testing unreliable. Consolidating inputs removes the ability to vary them independently.

Question 5Technology

What is the main function of a microcontroller in an embedded system?

  1. To provide long-term archival storage of user documents
  2. To convert AC mains power into regulated DC for the whole building
  3. To amplify audio signals for loudspeaker output
  4. To execute stored program instructions that read inputs and control outputs Correct answer.

Explanation

A microcontroller integrates a processor, memory and input/output peripherals on one chip to run a stored program. It senses inputs and drives outputs according to that program. Power conversion, mass storage and audio amplification are separate functions performed by other components.

Question 6Technology

Which statement correctly distinguishes an open-loop control system from a closed-loop control system?

  1. Open-loop systems act without measuring the output while closed-loop systems use feedback Correct answer.
  2. Open-loop systems always contain a microprocessor
  3. Closed-loop systems cannot correct for disturbances
  4. Open-loop systems use feedback sensors while closed-loop systems do not

Explanation

An open-loop system issues commands without checking the actual result, so it cannot compensate for disturbances. A closed-loop system measures the output and compares it with the set point, adjusting action based on the error. Feedback is the defining feature of closed-loop control.

Question 7Technology

A digital temperature sensor outputs 10-bit values over a range of 0 to 100 °C. Approximately what temperature does a reading of 512 represent?

  1. 100 °C
  2. 75 °C
  3. 25 °C
  4. 50 °C Correct answer.

Explanation

A 10-bit converter has 1024 steps (0–1023). A reading of 512 is approximately half of full scale, so it maps to about half of the 0–100 °C range, which is 50 °C. Proportional scaling links the digital count to the physical quantity.

Question 8Technology

In a life-cycle assessment of two packaging options, which comparison is most valid?

  1. Comparing total environmental impact across raw material, manufacture, use and disposal Correct answer.
  2. Comparing only the retail cost of each package
  3. Comparing only whether each package is recyclable
  4. Comparing only the mass of the finished package

Explanation

Life-cycle assessment considers impacts from extraction of materials through manufacture, use and end-of-life, so a valid comparison must span all these stages. Single indicators such as cost, mass or recyclability capture only part of the picture and can mislead.

Question 9Technology

A product is designed so that a worn drive belt can be replaced with basic tools. Which design principle does this best illustrate?

  1. Design for maintainability Correct answer.
  2. Planned obsolescence
  3. Design for aesthetics
  4. Design for mass production

Explanation

Designing for easy replacement of wear parts with simple tools is a core element of design for maintainability, extending product life and reducing waste. Planned obsolescence deliberately shortens life, while aesthetics and mass production address different goals.

Question 10Technology

Which outcome most clearly shows that a technological solution has met its fitness-for-purpose criteria?

  1. The solution performs within the specified constraints and satisfies stakeholder requirements Correct answer.
  2. The project was completed under budget
  3. The prototype looks visually appealing
  4. The design uses the most advanced components available

Explanation

Fitness for purpose is judged against the brief: the solution must work within stated constraints and meet the needs of its stakeholders. Advanced components, appearance or budget alone do not demonstrate that the required function has been achieved.

Question 11Technology

In a technologist's report, which feature most strengthens the credibility of a performance claim?

  1. A bold statement of the claim in the introduction
  2. Reproducible test data with described methods and conditions Correct answer.
  3. A personal opinion from the designer
  4. A reference to a similar product by a competitor

Explanation

Claims are credible when supported by reproducible evidence: described methods, conditions and data that others could verify. Bold assertions, personal opinion and competitor comparisons do not provide verifiable support for a specific performance claim.

Question 12Technology

Which situation best indicates that a risk assessment has been applied effectively in a workshop?

  1. Signs are displayed but no controls are put in place
  2. Only the most experienced operator is allowed to use the equipment
  3. Accidents are investigated after they occur
  4. Hazards are identified, likelihood and severity estimated, and controls implemented and reviewed Correct answer.

Explanation

Effective risk assessment systematically identifies hazards, estimates risk from likelihood and severity, applies controls in priority order, and reviews their effectiveness. Signs alone or post-incident investigation do not constitute proactive control.

Question 13Technology

A 12 V supply drives a device with a resistance of 6 Ω. What current flows through the device?

  1. 2 A Correct answer.
  2. 72 A
  3. 0.5 A
  4. 18 A

Explanation

Ohm's law states I = V / R, so 12 V ÷ 6 Ω = 2 A. Dividing voltage by resistance gives current; multiplying the two would incorrectly give power in watts.

Question 14Technology

Why is a pull-down resistor commonly connected to a microcontroller input pin that uses a switch to ground?

  1. To define a stable low level when the switch is open Correct answer.
  2. To protect the microcontroller from high-frequency radio signals
  3. To increase the current drawn by the switch
  4. To convert digital signals into analogue voltages

Explanation

When a switch to ground is open, the input would otherwise float and pick up noise. A pull-down resistor holds the pin at a defined low level until the switch closes. It is not for increasing current, converting signals or radio shielding.

Question 15Technology

Which factor most directly limits the achievable resolution of a 3D-printed part produced by fused deposition modelling?

  1. The colour of the filament
  2. The brand of the slicing software
  3. The nozzle diameter and layer height settings Correct answer.
  4. The size of the printer's display screen

Explanation

Resolution in fused deposition modelling is governed by physical deposition parameters, principally nozzle diameter and layer height, which set the smallest features that can be formed. Filament colour, software brand and screen size do not determine geometric resolution.

Question 16Technology

A company wishes to reduce the environmental impact of an electronic product at end of life. Which strategy is most effective?

  1. Gluing all components together to speed assembly
  2. Sealing the battery permanently inside the casing
  3. Increasing the number of different plastics used
  4. Designing for disassembly so components and materials can be recovered Correct answer.

Explanation

Designing for disassembly allows valuable components and materials to be separated and recovered, reducing landfill and supporting recycling. Permanent bonding, mixed plastics and sealed batteries make separation harder and lower recovery rates.

Question 17Technology

Which statement best explains why a control system might include a proportional-integral-derivative controller rather than simple on-off switching?

  1. It eliminates the need to define a set point
  2. It reduces oscillation and steady-state error by responding to error, its history and its rate of change Correct answer.
  3. It guarantees zero energy consumption
  4. It removes the need for any sensor

Explanation

A PID controller combines proportional, integral and derivative action to respond to present error, accumulated past error and predicted future error, reducing oscillation and steady-state offset compared with on-off switching. It still requires sensors and a set point and does not remove energy use.

Question 18Technology

In a technologist's evaluation of competing materials for a bicycle frame, which approach best supports a defensible decision?

  1. Copying the material used by the market leader
  2. Choosing the cheapest material available
  3. Selecting the material the designer personally prefers
  4. Using a weighted decision matrix based on criteria derived from the brief Correct answer.

Explanation

A weighted decision matrix makes the selection criteria explicit, derived from the brief, and allows alternatives to be compared transparently against their relative importance. Cost alone, personal preference or imitation do not demonstrate that the chosen material best meets the requirements.

Question 19Technology

What is the key distinction between a hazard and a risk in a technological context?

  1. A hazard is a source of harm while a risk is the likelihood and severity of harm arising from it Correct answer.
  2. A risk is a physical object while a hazard is a probability
  3. Hazards apply only to electrical equipment while risks apply only to machinery
  4. A hazard is always more serious than a risk

Explanation

A hazard is a potential source of harm, such as a sharp edge or high voltage. Risk combines the likelihood of that harm occurring with its severity, so the same hazard can present different risks depending on exposure and controls.

Question 20Technology

A technologist needs to communicate a design's dimensions and tolerances to a manufacturer. Which format is most appropriate?

  1. A photograph of a rough model
  2. Annotated technical drawings following recognised drawing conventions Correct answer.
  3. A hand-drawn sketch with approximate proportions
  4. A written paragraph describing the shape

Explanation

Manufacture requires unambiguous dimensional and tolerance information, which recognised technical drawing conventions provide. Sketches, prose descriptions and photographs lack the precision and standardised notation needed for accurate production.

Question 21Technology

In a production line, a bottleneck operation limits throughput. Which action most directly increases overall output?

  1. Reducing maintenance on all machines
  2. Adding workers to non-bottleneck operations
  3. Increasing the variety of products made
  4. Increasing capacity at the bottleneck operation Correct answer.

Explanation

Throughput of a line is set by its slowest constrained step, so raising capacity at the bottleneck increases overall output. Adding resources elsewhere leaves the constraint unchanged, and reducing maintenance risks more downtime.

Question 22Technology

Which statement about the relationship between technological outcomes and cultural context is most defensible?

  1. Cultural factors are irrelevant to design decisions
  2. Technology develops independently of the society that creates it
  3. Technology always produces the same social effects regardless of context
  4. Technological outcomes reflect and are shaped by the values and needs of their context Correct answer.

Explanation

Technologies are shaped by the values, needs and constraints of the society that develops and uses them, and their effects vary with context. Claiming independence from society or uniform effects ignores evidence of how adoption and design differ across cultures.

Question 23Technology

A technologist is evaluating whether a new process is sustainable. Which evidence would most strongly support that conclusion?

  1. A statement from the company's marketing team
  2. A single positive customer review
  3. Measured reductions in energy, material waste and emissions across the process Correct answer.
  4. A comparison with one competitor's old process

Explanation

Sustainability claims are supported by measured data across resource use and emissions, ideally over the whole process. Marketing statements, isolated reviews and narrow comparisons do not provide the systematic evidence needed.

Question 24Technology

In an electronic circuit, a component fails because it is rated for 0.25 W but dissipates 0.4 W. What is the most direct corrective action?

  1. Reduce the supply voltage to zero permanently
  2. Select a component with a higher power rating Correct answer.
  3. Increase the current through the component
  4. Remove the component from the circuit

Explanation

The component is being operated beyond its power rating, so replacing it with one rated above the dissipation restores a safe margin. Removing it or cutting the supply would stop the circuit functioning, and increasing current worsens the overload.

Question 25Technology

Which practice best supports ethical and safe handling of personal data collected by a smart device?

  1. Collecting only data needed for the stated purpose and securing it appropriately Correct answer.
  2. Collecting all available data in case it becomes useful
  3. Sharing data freely with any third party
  4. Storing data unencrypted to speed up access

Explanation

Data minimisation limits collection to what the stated purpose requires, and appropriate security protects it from misuse. Collecting everything, sharing freely or storing unencrypted data increases privacy risk and breaches good practice principles.

Question 26Technology

A technologist must choose a manufacturing process for 500 identical plastic housings with a moulded-in logo. Which process is most appropriate?

  1. Vacuum forming, because it can reproduce fine engraved detail without a machined tool
  2. Hand lay-up of glass-reinforced polyester, because it gives the strongest surface finish at low volume
  3. Injection moulding, because the high tooling cost is spread over the batch and each part is produced quickly Correct answer.
  4. Fused deposition modelling, because no tooling is needed and each part can be customised individually

Explanation

Injection moulding requires an expensive steel or aluminium tool, but the cost per part falls sharply as quantity rises, making it the standard choice for hundreds to millions of identical parts with integral features such as logos. The other processes either lack the cycle speed and repeatability for this volume or cannot hold fine moulded detail economically.

Question 27Technology

Which statement best describes the role of a design brief in a technological design process?

  1. It lists the test results obtained from the prototype during evaluation
  2. It records the final dimensions and tolerances that the manufacturer must work to
  3. It defines the problem, the intended users, and the constraints before detailed solutions are developed Correct answer.
  4. It is a legal document that transfers ownership of the design to the client

Explanation

A design brief sets out the problem, stakeholders, and constraints, providing the criteria against which concepts and eventual outcomes are judged. It precedes concept development and is not a manufacturing drawing, a test record, or a contract.

Question 28Technology

A team needs to test whether a proposed pedestrian crossing layout reduces conflict between cyclists and walkers. Which method yields the most direct evidence?

  1. Observing and recording near-miss events and path choices at a full-scale trial site Correct answer.
  2. Comparing the layout with photographs of crossings in other cities
  3. Surveying the design team about how safe they believe the layout feels
  4. Calculating the theoretical stopping distance of a bicycle at 20 km/h

Explanation

Direct observation of behaviour and near misses at a trial produces empirical evidence about how users actually interact with the layout. Opinions, photo comparisons, and physics calculations can inform the design but do not measure conflict in use.

Question 29Technology

In a technologist's report, a claim that a new joint is stronger than the previous version should be supported by which evidence?

  1. A finite element model of the new joint alone
  2. Destructive test results for both joint types tested under identical conditions Correct answer.
  3. A single successful field trial of the new joint by the designer
  4. A manufacturer's marketing statement about the new adhesive

Explanation

A comparative claim requires comparative evidence gathered under the same conditions so that only the joint design differs. A single trial, a promotional claim, or a model of one variant cannot establish that the new joint is stronger.

Question 30Technology

Which statement best explains the purpose of a tolerance in an engineering drawing?

  1. It states the permissible variation in a dimension so the part still functions when made Correct answer.
  2. It records the surface finish required on the part
  3. It defines the material from which the part must be made
  4. It specifies the exact dimension that every finished part must achieve

Explanation

A tolerance defines an acceptable range around a nominal dimension, acknowledging that no manufacturing process is exact while keeping the assembly functional. It is not a demand for an exact size, and surface finish and material are specified separately.

Question 31Technology

A microcontroller must detect whether a normally-open pushbutton has been pressed. The button connects the input pin to ground. Which arrangement ensures a defined logic level when the button is open?

  1. A diode from the input pin to ground
  2. A pull-up resistor between the input pin and the positive supply Correct answer.
  3. A capacitor in series with the input pin
  4. A second pushbutton in parallel with the first

Explanation

With the switch open, a pull-up resistor holds the input at the supply voltage so the logic level is defined; pressing the button pulls it to ground. Without this, the floating input could read randomly, and the other components do not establish a stable level.

Question 32Technology

An operational amplifier circuit is configured as a non-inverting amplifier with feedback resistors of 10 kΩ and 2 kΩ. What is the voltage gain?

  1. 0.2
  2. 12
  3. 5
  4. 6 Correct answer.

Explanation

For a non-inverting amplifier the gain is 1 + Rf/Rin, so 1 + 10/2 = 6. The inverting configuration would give Rf/Rin = 5, which is a common error when the configuration is misread.

Question 33Technology

A 5 V logic signal must drive a relay coil that draws 80 mA, but the microcontroller pin can supply only 20 mA. What is the most appropriate solution?

  1. Connect the relay coil directly to the pin and accept the overload
  2. Place a resistor in series with the coil to reduce the current
  3. Use a transistor as a switch, with the microcontroller driving the base or gate Correct answer.
  4. Use a capacitor to store charge and pulse the relay

Explanation

A transistor allows a small control current to switch a much larger load current, protecting the microcontroller pin. Direct connection exceeds the pin rating, a series resistor would drop the coil voltage so the relay may not operate, and a capacitor cannot sustain the coil current.

Question 34Technology

A technologist is selecting a material for a lightweight hiking pole that must resist bending and repeated impact. Which property set is most relevant?

  1. Melting point, hardness, and colour stability
  2. Specific stiffness, fatigue resistance, and toughness Correct answer.
  3. Thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and density
  4. Coefficient of friction, porosity, and magnetic permeability

Explanation

Bending stiffness per unit mass is captured by specific stiffness, while fatigue resistance and toughness govern survival under repeated impact. The other property sets address thermal, electrical, or surface characteristics that are not the primary demands of a hiking pole.

Question 35Technology

Which statement best explains why a prototype is built before full production tooling is committed?

  1. It replaces the need for detailed production drawings
  2. It guarantees that the final product will require no further changes
  3. It allows assumptions about form, function, and manufacture to be tested cheaply before large capital costs are locked in Correct answer.
  4. It is a legal requirement before any product can be sold

Explanation

Prototyping is a risk-reduction step: it surfaces problems while changes are still inexpensive, before tooling fixes the design. It cannot guarantee a change-free product, does not replace drawings, and is not a universal legal prerequisite.

Question 36Technology

A workshop introduces a new bench grinder. Which control measure best follows the hierarchy of controls?

  1. Enclose the grinding wheels with guards and interlocked shields Correct answer.
  2. Issue personal protective equipment and rely on it as the main control
  3. Require workers to read the manufacturer's manual
  4. Place a warning sign beside the grinder

Explanation

The hierarchy of controls ranks elimination and engineering controls above administrative measures and PPE. Guards and interlocks are engineering controls that remove or isolate the hazard at source, whereas signs, manuals, and PPE are lower-order measures.

Question 37Technology

A technologist must reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury among workers assembling small components by hand. Which change most directly addresses the hazard at source?

  1. Rotate workers between tasks every two hours
  2. Redesign the workstation and tooling to reduce awkward postures and repetition Correct answer.
  3. Display a poster showing correct lifting technique
  4. Provide wrist braces to all assembly staff

Explanation

Redesigning the workstation and tooling is an engineering control that removes the awkward postures and repetitive motions causing the injury. Rotation, braces, and posters are administrative or protective measures that manage exposure rather than eliminating the source.

Question 38Technology

A company wants to reduce the carbon footprint of a mains-powered appliance during use. Which design change is likely to have the greatest effect over the product's life?

  1. Printing the user manual on recycled paper
  2. Reducing the thickness of the packaging cardboard
  3. Changing the colour of the outer casing to a lighter shade
  4. Improving the efficiency of the motor and control electronics so less energy is drawn in use Correct answer.

Explanation

For a mains-powered appliance used for years, most life-cycle energy is consumed in the use phase, so improving motor and control efficiency reduces the dominant impact. Packaging and manual changes affect a much smaller share of the life-cycle burden.

Question 39Technology

Which action best applies the principle of design for disassembly to a small electronic device?

  1. Potting the circuit board in epoxy to protect it from moisture
  2. Using snap fits and standard screws so modules can be separated for repair and recycling Correct answer.
  3. Gluing the battery permanently into the housing to save space
  4. Riveting the casing closed so it cannot be opened by users

Explanation

Design for disassembly aims to make components separable with standard tools so that parts can be repaired, reused, or recycled. Permanent joining methods such as gluing, potting, and riveting make separation difficult and push the product toward disposal.

Question 40Technology

A smart sensor records a person's daily activity and uploads it to a cloud service. Which practice best reflects ethical handling of that data?

  1. Share the raw data openly so that researchers can use it freely
  2. Store the data indefinitely because storage is inexpensive
  3. Collect as much data as possible in case it is useful later
  4. Collect only the data needed, tell users how it is used, and allow them to delete it Correct answer.

Explanation

Data minimisation, informed consent, and the ability to delete data are core principles of ethical personal-data handling. Bulk collection, unrestricted sharing, and indefinite retention increase privacy harm without a justified purpose.

Question 41Technology

A technologist is asked to judge whether a new irrigation controller is fit for purpose. Which evidence is most convincing?

  1. A comparison of the controller's price with competitors' prices
  2. Field trials showing the controller meets its moisture and reliability specifications across a season Correct answer.
  3. A list of the features included in the controller's firmware
  4. A survey in which the designers rate the controller highly

Explanation

Fitness for purpose is demonstrated by evidence that the product meets its specified performance criteria in realistic conditions. Designer opinion, pricing, and feature lists describe the product but do not show that it performs as required.

Question 42Technology

Which statement best distinguishes a technological system from a technological product?

  1. A system combines interacting components to transform inputs into outputs, while a product is an artefact made to meet a need Correct answer.
  2. A system is designed once, while a product is redesigned continuously
  3. A system has no users, while a product always has users
  4. A system is always digital, while a product is always physical

Explanation

In technology, a system is understood as a set of interacting parts that transform inputs into outputs, whereas a product is a tangible or deliverable artefact created to satisfy a need. Systems can be mechanical or analogue, both have users, and both may be revised.

Question 43Technology

A production line produces 120 units per hour, but a downstream packaging station can handle only 90 units per hour. Which change most directly raises total output?

  1. Reducing the number of quality checks on the line
  2. Adding a second shift to the upstream production line
  3. Increasing the capacity of the packaging station Correct answer.
  4. Purchasing faster tooling for the upstream machines

Explanation

The packaging station is the bottleneck, so overall throughput is capped at 90 units per hour regardless of upstream speed. Raising the bottleneck's capacity is the only change listed that can increase total output, since the other actions either do not address the constraint or risk quality.

Question 44Technology

Which statement best describes the role of intellectual property protection in technological development?

  1. It guarantees that a product will be commercially successful
  2. It prevents anyone from studying or improving on a published design
  3. It grants limited exclusive rights so that inventors can benefit from disclosing their ideas Correct answer.
  4. It applies automatically to any idea once it is conceived

Explanation

Intellectual property such as patents grants time-limited exclusive rights in exchange for public disclosure, balancing reward for inventors with the spread of knowledge. It does not block study of published designs, guarantee commercial success, or protect unrecorded ideas automatically.

Question 45Technology

A technologist models a beam and finds the predicted deflection is close to the allowable limit. What is the most defensible next step before finalising the design?

  1. Increase the allowable limit so the current design passes
  2. Remove the load case that produces the largest deflection
  3. Validate the model against a physical test and apply a suitable safety factor Correct answer.
  4. Accept the model result because software calculations are always accurate

Explanation

A model near a limit carries uncertainty from assumptions, material data, and loading, so validation against physical testing and a safety factor are needed before committing. Trusting the software blindly, relaxing the limit, or deleting a load case would mask rather than manage the risk.

Question 46Technology

A team is comparing two designs for a portable water filter. Which approach gives the most defensible comparison?

  1. Choose the design preferred by the most senior team member
  2. Select the cheaper design without evaluating performance
  3. Compare the two designs using different criteria for each
  4. Define weighted criteria such as flow rate, cost, and ease of maintenance, then score both designs against the same evidence Correct answer.

Explanation

A defensible comparison uses explicit, weighted criteria applied consistently to both options and grounded in evidence. Seniority, inconsistent criteria, and cost-only selection introduce bias and ignore performance trade-offs.

Question 47Technology

Which statement best explains why standards are used in technological practice?

  1. They are written only for aesthetic reasons
  2. They provide agreed requirements that allow products to interoperate and be assessed consistently Correct answer.
  3. They guarantee that a product will be the cheapest available
  4. They replace the need for any testing by manufacturers

Explanation

Standards codify agreed technical requirements, enabling interoperability, safety, and consistent assessment across organisations. They do not guarantee low price, remove the need for testing, or serve purely aesthetic purposes.

Question 48Technology

A technologist must decide whether to adopt a new low-energy drying process. Which evidence would most strongly support a claim that the process is more sustainable than the existing one?

  1. A comparison of the purchase prices of the two processes
  2. A life-cycle assessment showing lower impacts per unit of output across the full process Correct answer.
  3. A measurement of the new process's electricity use during one hour of operation
  4. A statement from the equipment supplier that the process is environmentally friendly

Explanation

Sustainability claims are best supported by a life-cycle assessment that accounts for impacts across the whole process, not a single indicator or a supplier's assertion. One hour of electricity data and purchase price capture only part of the picture.

Question 49Technology

A prototype enclosure must be produced quickly and cheaply so that several variants can be trialled. Which approach is most suitable?

  1. Injection moulding a steel tool for each variant
  2. 3D printing each variant in plastic Correct answer.
  3. Casting each variant in a machined metal mould
  4. Stamping each variant from sheet steel

Explanation

Additive manufacturing such as 3D printing needs no tooling, so each variant can be produced quickly and at low cost, which suits iterative prototyping. Injection moulding, casting, and stamping all require dedicated tooling that is expensive and slow to change.

Question 50Technology

A control system must hold a tank level steady despite sudden changes in draw-off. Which feature most improves the system's ability to reject such disturbances?

  1. An open-loop timer that opens the valve for a fixed period
  2. Feedback that continuously measures the level and corrects the valve position Correct answer.
  3. A larger tank that delays changes in level
  4. A manual override operated by an operator

Explanation

Feedback control measures the actual level and adjusts the valve to correct deviations, so it can reject disturbances that an open-loop schedule cannot detect. A larger tank and manual override may reduce symptoms but do not actively correct the level.