Question: I read this background article the other day: The water level is seasonal, being lowered by about 10 feet (3.0 m) over the winter. The reservoir fills in the spring from snow melt and underground springs. The lake is usually at full level by late spring, but in the occasional years of low snow melt and low rainfall, it may remain up to several feet below its typical level. Water is let out of the lake in the fall so that ice will not damage docks and other structures around the lake. This also leads to excellent water quality, as a significant portion of the water is replaced every year.  I am facing a new situation today: Alpine lake had low water levels this spring although the lake is usually at full level by late spring. Last year was a very wet year with lots of precipitation. Rangers were planning on letting water out of the lake in the fall so that ice will not damage docks and other structures around the lake. The water levels were high enough in the fall so they proceeded in lowering the water level by 10 feet..  Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which season were the lake water levels higher this spring or last spring?
Answer: last spring

Question: I read this background article the other day: Most chemical reactions within organisms would be impossible under the normal conditions within cell. For example, the body temperature of most organisms is too low for reactions to occur quickly enough to carry out life processes. Reactants may also be present in such low concentrations that it is unlikely they will meet and collide. Therefore, the rate of most biochemical reactions must be increased by a catalyst. A catalyst is a chemical that speeds up chemical reactions. In organisms, catalysts are called enzymes .  I am facing a new situation today: Mike is a biochemist, working for a science lab. Today, he has two organisms to investigate, organism A and organism B. He notices that organism A has enzymes, but organism B lacks enzymes. He needs to figure out how these conditions would affect the organisms.  Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Would organism B see speedier or slower chemical reactions than organism A?
Answer: slower

Question: I read this background article the other day: While people have been able to prevent certain viral diseases by vaccinations for many hundreds of years, the development of antiviral drugs to treat viral diseases is a relatively recent development. Antiviral drugs are medications used specifically for treating the symptoms of viral infections. The first antiviral drug was interferon , a substance that is naturally produced by certain immune cells when an infection is detected. Over the past twenty years the development of antiretroviral drugs (also known as antiretroviral therapy, or ART) has increased rapidly. This has been driven by the AIDS epidemic.  I am facing a new situation today: Two friends had different diseases. Nigel was more prone to viral infections, so one day he got infected with the HIV virus. Manny had contracted some sort of bacterial infection.  Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which friend received fewer antiretroviral drugs?
Answer:
Manny