Scholastic Action - Solving Crimes/Lie Detectors

1. The mystery of the “Unknown Boy” was solved using ______.

• A. DNA
• B. a photo ID
• C. a polygraph
• D. fingerprints

2. If you have a hat that’s unique, ______.

• A. there are many others like it
• B. your friend has one just like it
• C. it’s the only one of its kind
• D. you don’t like it

3. When did police start using DNA to solve crimes?

• A. in ancient times
• B. in the 1920s
• C. in the 1960s
• D. in the 1980s

4. The first article says that some people have concerns about how police will use DNA. Which section tells you this?

• A. the opening section
• B. “What Is DNA?”
• C. “Family Trees”
• D. “A Powerful Tool”

5. Based on the results of a polygraph, an examiner can tell ______.

• A. how much stress you are feeling
• B. how tall you are
• C. whether you are lying
• D. how much DNA you have

6. Based on the second article, what was used to solve crimes in ancient China?

• A. blood pressure
• B. DNA
• C. family trees
• D. rice

1. What was the author’s purpose in writing “The New Science of Solving Crimes”?

• A. to explain how DNA is used to solve crimes
• B to point out problems with using DNA to solve crimes
• C. to give the history of several old mysteries
• D. to warn against using DNA databases

2. According to the first article, why is DNA a great tool for solving crimes?

• A. because DNA is very tiny
• B. because your DNA is in your saliva
• C. because everyone’s DNA is unique
• D. because analyzing DNA is not expensive

3. What is the central idea of the section “Family Trees”?

• A. Most old mysteries are never solved.
• B. DNA can be found in parks and gardens.
• C. Many families send their DNA to testing companies.
• D. DNA can be used to find relatives of suspects or unknown people.

4. Based on the first article, which prediction is most likely to come true?

• A. Every old mystery will be solved.
• B. People will soon stop using DNA to solve crimes.
• C. DNA testing companies will soon go out of business.
• D. Solving crimes will become easier as police collect more DNA.