Question 1 (Subtopic: B1.1)
Lions are carnivores that chase, catch and eat zebra.
While still chasing zebra, which characteristic of living organisms is not exhibited by the lion?
A. movement
B. nutrition
C. respiration
D. sensitivity
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. nutrition
Explanation: While chasing zebra, the lion is exhibiting movement, respiration, and sensitivity. However, nutrition involves the intake of food, which occurs after the lion catches and eats the zebra, not during the chase.
Question 2 (Subtopic: B2.1)
Which structure in a plant cell makes organic nutrients?
A. cell membrane
B. cell wall
C. chloroplast
D. nucleus
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. chloroplast
Explanation: Chloroplasts are the organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, which is the process of making organic nutrients (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight.
Question 3 (Subtopic: B4.1)
Nutrient molecules are made up from smaller molecules. Nutrients can be identified by food tests. Which row is true for a protein?
| smaller molecules | test which gives a positive result | |
|---|---|---|
| A | amino acids | Benedict’s test |
| B | amino acids | biuret test |
| C | sugars | Benedict’s test |
| D | sugars | biuret test |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. amino acids, biuret test
Explanation: Proteins are made up of amino acids, and the biuret test is used to detect the presence of proteins. Benedict’s test is used for reducing sugars, not proteins.
Question 4 (Subtopic: B5.1)
A mixture of starch and saliva was set up at four different temperatures. Each mixture was tested with iodine solution after 15 minutes and again after 30 minutes.
The results are shown in the table.
| temperature /°C | colour with iodine solution (15 minutes) | colour with iodine solution (30 minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | blue-black | blue-black |
| 15 | blue-black | brown |
| 35 | brown | brown |
| 95 | blue-black | blue-black |
What do the results suggest?
A. The enzyme in saliva is inactive at 95°C.
B. The enzyme in saliva is slow to work at 35°C.
C. The enzyme in saliva works equally well at 15°C and 35°C.
D. The enzyme in saliva works faster at higher temperatures.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. The enzyme in saliva is inactive at 95°C.
Explanation: The enzyme in saliva (amylase) breaks down starch into simpler sugars. At 95°C, the enzyme is denatured and inactive, as indicated by the blue-black color with iodine solution, which means starch is still present. At 35°C, the enzyme is active, as indicated by the brown color, which means starch has been broken down.
Question 5 (Subtopic: B6.1)
Which are the products of photosynthesis in a green plant?
A. carbon dioxide and water
B. glucose and carbon dioxide
C. oxygen and glucose
D. oxygen and water
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. oxygen and glucose
Explanation: Photosynthesis in green plants produces glucose (a form of sugar) and oxygen as byproducts. The overall equation for photosynthesis is: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen, in the presence of light and chlorophyll.
Question 6 (Subtopic: B7.1 Diet)
Which are minerals?
- calcium
- fibre
- iron
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Calcium and iron are minerals, while fibre is a type of carbohydrate and not a mineral. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Question 7 (Subtopic: B8.3)
Under which conditions will transpiration from a plant be fastest?
| temperature | humidity | |
|---|---|---|
| A | high | high |
| B | high | low |
| C | low | high |
| D | low | low |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. high, low
Explanation: Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves. High temperature increases the rate of evaporation, and low humidity means the air can hold more water vapor, both of which increase the rate of transpiration.
Question 8 (Subtopic: B12.1)
Which process uses energy?
A. cell division
B. diffusion
C. osmosis
D. respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. cell division
Explanation: Cell division is an active process that requires energy, typically provided by ATP. Diffusion and osmosis are passive processes that do not require energy. Respiration is the process that releases energy from glucose, but it does not use energy itself.
Question 9 (Subtopic: B13.1)
A plant shoot grows towards a light source. This is an example of what?
A. gravitropism
B. homeostasis
C. transpiration
D. phototropism
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. phototropism
Explanation: Phototropism is the growth of a plant in response to light. In this case, the plant shoot grows towards the light source, which is an example of positive phototropism.
Question 10 (Subtopic: B15.2)
What is produced by the fusion of the nuclei of two gametes?
A. embryo
B. fetus
C. ovum
D. zygote
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. zygote
Explanation: The fusion of the nuclei of two gametes (sperm and egg) during fertilization produces a zygote, which is the first cell of a new organism.
Question 11 (Sub-topic: B16.1)
Which term is used to describe an individual with two of the same allele for a characteristic?
A. genotype
B. heterozygous
C. homozygous
D. phenotype
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. homozygous
Explanation: Homozygous refers to an individual having two identical alleles for a particular gene. For example, if an individual has two alleles for tallness (TT), they are homozygous for that trait.
Question 12 (Sub-topic: B18.2)
The diagram shows a food chain.
grass → rabbit → fox → flea
Which statement is correct?
A. The grass is a primary consumer.
B. The rabbit is a secondary consumer.
C. The fox is a tertiary consumer.
D. The flea is a tertiary consumer.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. The flea is a tertiary consumer.
Explanation: In this food chain, the grass is the producer, the rabbit is the primary consumer, the fox is the secondary consumer, and the flea is the tertiary consumer as it feeds on the fox.
Question 13 (Sub-topic: B19.1)
The diagram shows a river and four farms. The numbers in the river show relative oxygen concentrations.
From which farm is untreated sewage leaking into the river?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. Farm 4
Explanation: Untreated sewage reduces the oxygen concentration in water. The farm with the lowest oxygen concentration downstream is likely the source of the pollution, which is Farm 4.
Question 14 (Sub-topic: C2.2)
Atoms are the smallest parts of ……1…….
When atoms of the same type chemically join together, a ……2…… is formed.
When different types of atom chemically join together, they form ……3…….
Which words complete gaps 1, 2 and 3?
A. elements, molecule, compounds
B. elements, molecule, mixtures
C. molecules, compound, mixtures
D. molecules, mixture, compounds
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. elements, molecule, compounds
Explanation: Atoms are the smallest parts of elements. When atoms of the same type join together, they form molecules. When different types of atoms join together, they form compounds.
Question 15 (Sub-topic: C12.4)
A sample of water is contaminated with insoluble chalk and a soluble salt.
Which two processes are used to separate the water from the chalk and salt?
A. distillation and chromatography
B. distillation and crystallisation
C. filtration and chromatography
D. filtration and crystallisation
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. filtration and crystallisation
Explanation: Filtration is used to separate the insoluble chalk from the water, and crystallisation is used to separate the soluble salt from the water by evaporating the water and leaving the salt behind.
Question 16 (Sub-topic: C2.5)
Which row describes a covalent compound?
| solubility in water | volatility | |
|---|---|---|
| A | high | low |
| B | high | high |
| C | low | low |
| D | low | high |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. low, high
Explanation: Covalent compounds generally have low solubility in water and high volatility due to weak intermolecular forces.
Question 17 (Sub-topic: C4.1)
The diagram shows an electroplating experiment.
Which row shows the change in mass of each electrode?
| anode | cathode | |
|---|---|---|
| A | decrease | decrease |
| B | decrease | increase |
| C | increase | decrease |
| D | increase | increase |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. decrease, increase
Explanation: In electroplating, the anode loses mass as metal ions dissolve into the solution, while the cathode gains mass as metal ions are deposited onto it.
Question 18 (Sub-topic: C5.1)
Which statement describes the meaning of exothermic?
A. Heat energy is given out.
B. Heat energy is taken in.
C. Oxygen is given out.
D. Oxygen is taken in.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. Heat energy is given out.
Explanation: An exothermic reaction releases heat energy to the surroundings, causing an increase in temperature.
Question 19 (Sub-topic: C6.3)
Which word equation represents a redox reaction?
A. carbon + copper oxide → copper + carbon dioxide
B. hydrochloric acid + potassium hydroxide → potassium chloride + water
C. magnesium carbonate → magnesium oxide + carbon dioxide
D. sodium sulfate + barium nitrate → barium sulfate + sodium nitrate
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. carbon + copper oxide → copper + carbon dioxide
Explanation: This is a redox reaction because carbon is oxidized to carbon dioxide, and copper oxide is reduced to copper.
Question 20 (Sub-topic: C12.5)
Which chemical test does not produce a precipitate?
A. carbon dioxide and limewater
B. carbonate ions and dilute hydrochloric acid
C. chloride ions and aqueous silver nitrate
D. copper(II) ions and aqueous sodium hydroxide
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. carbonate ions and dilute hydrochloric acid
Explanation: Carbonate ions react with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, not a precipitate.
Question 21 (Subtopic: C2.2)
Potassium is in Group I of the Periodic Table.
What is a property of potassium?
A. It does not react with water.
B. It is a liquid.
C. It is a non-metal.
D. It is a soft metal.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. It is a soft metal.
Explanation: Potassium is a Group I alkali metal, which is known for being soft and highly reactive with water. It is not a liquid at room temperature, and it is a metal, not a non-metal.
Question 22 (Subtopic: C8.4)
Which property is not shown by transition elements?
A. They can act as catalysts.
B. They form coloured compounds.
C. They have high melting points.
D. They have low densities.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. They have low densities.
Explanation: Transition elements typically have high densities, high melting points, can act as catalysts, and form coloured compounds. Low density is not a characteristic of transition elements.
Question 23 (Subtopic: C6.2)
Magnesium is tested as shown.
Magnesium + dilute hydrochloric acid → Test 1: Bubbles observed, Test 2: Lamp lights.
Which row shows the results of the tests?
| Test 1 | Test 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Bubbles | Lamp does not light |
| B | Bubbles | Lamp lights |
| C | No bubbles | Lamp does not light |
| D | No bubbles | Lamp lights |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. Bubbles, Lamp lights.
Explanation: Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas (bubbles) and the reaction is exothermic, which can light a lamp if connected to a circuit.
Question 24 (Subtopic: C10.2)
Which gas is an acidic pollutant in air?
A. Argon
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Water vapour
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. Sulfur dioxide.
Explanation: Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is an acidic gas that contributes to acid rain. Argon, carbon monoxide, and water vapour are not acidic pollutants.
Question 25 (Subtopic: C6.3)
Which process does not produce carbon dioxide?
A. Acid reacting with a metal
B. Acid reacting with sodium carbonate
C. Complete combustion of methane
D. Respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. Acid reacting with a metal.
Explanation: When an acid reacts with a metal, hydrogen gas is produced, not carbon dioxide. The other options (B, C, D) all produce carbon dioxide.
Question 26 (Subtopic: C11.1)
Methane is a covalent compound. Which statement about methane is correct?
A. It conducts electricity.
B. It is a gas at room temperature.
C. It is an unsaturated hydrocarbon.
D. It is formed from a metal and a non-metal.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. It is a gas at room temperature.
Explanation: Methane (CH₄) is a covalent compound and exists as a gas at room temperature. It does not conduct electricity, is a saturated hydrocarbon, and is not formed from a metal and a non-metal.
Question 27 (Subtopic: C11.7)
Poly(ethene) is made from ethene by the process of addition polymerisation. Which word describes ethene in this process?
A. Fuel
B. Catalyst
C. Monomer
D. Solvent
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. Monomer.
Explanation: Ehene is the monomer used in the polymerisation process to form poly(ethene).
Question 28 (Subtopic: P1.2)
A man climbs up a vertical cliff that is 60 m high. He takes two hours to reach the top. What is the average vertical speed of the man?
A. 0.0083 m/s
B. 0.50 m/s
C. 30 m/s
D. 120 m/s
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. 0.0083 m/s.
Explanation: Average speed = total distance / total time. The distance is 60 m, and the time is 2 hours (7200 seconds). Therefore, speed = 60 / 7200 = 0.0083 m/s.
Question 29 (Subtopic: P1.3)
A hiker has a mass of 80 kg and is carrying a bag of mass 9.0 kg.
The gravitational field strength \( g \) is 10 N/kg.
What is the combined weight of the hiker and her bag?
A. 89 kg
B. 89 N
C. 890 kg
D. 890 N
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. 890 N.
Explanation: Weight = mass × gravitational field strength. Total mass = 80 kg + 9 kg = 89 kg. Weight = 89 kg × 10 N/kg = 890 N.
Question 30 (Subtopic: P1.6.3)
Electricity is generated in power stations. Many power stations use steam to drive turbines.
Which type of power station does not use steam?
A. Chemical energy (fuel) power stations
B. Geothermal energy power stations
C. Hydroelectric energy power stations
D. Nuclear energy power stations
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. Hydroelectric energy power stations.
Explanation: Hydroelectric power stations generate electricity using the kinetic energy of flowing water, not steam. The other options (A, B, D) all use steam to drive turbines.
Question 31 (Subtopic: P2.3.1)
Which material is a bad thermal conductor?
A. Aluminium
B. Brass
C. Copper
D. Wood
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. Wood.
Explanation: Wood is a poor conductor of heat, while metals like aluminium, brass, and copper are good thermal conductors.
Question 32 (Subtopic: P3.2.1)
An object is placed in front of a plane mirror. What are the characteristics of the image formed?
A. Same size as the object and inverted top to bottom
B. Same size as the object and laterally inverted (left to right)
C. Smaller than the object and inverted top to bottom
D. Smaller than the object and laterally inverted (left to right)
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. Same size as the object and laterally inverted (left to right).
Explanation: A plane mirror forms an image that is the same size as the object and laterally inverted (left to right).
Question 33 (Subtopic: P3.3)
Which list consists of three regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency (lowest first)?
A. Microwaves, radio waves, ultraviolet waves
B. Microwaves, ultraviolet waves, radio waves
C. Radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves
D. Ultraviolet waves, radio waves, microwaves
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. Radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves.
Explanation: The order of increasing frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum is: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
Question 34 (Subtopic: P3.4)
A worker in a quarry stands 0.90 km away from an explosion. She sees the explosion 3.0 s before she hears the sound of the explosion. Using this information, what value can be determined for the speed of sound?
A. 300 m/s
B. 600 m/s
C. 2700 m/s
D. 5400 m/s
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. 300 m/s.
Explanation: The speed of sound can be calculated using the formula: speed = distance / time. The distance is 0.90 km (900 m), and the time is 3.0 s. Therefore, speed = 900 m / 3.0 s = 300 m/s.
Question 35 (Subtopic: P4.1)
A bar of soft iron and a bar of steel are held in contact with a strong magnet.
Both bars become magnetised. The two bars are now moved away from the magnet.
Which statement about the bars is correct?
A. Both bars easily lose their magnetism.
B. Neither of the bars easily loses its magnetism.
C. The soft iron bar easily loses its magnetism but the steel bar retains its magnetism.
D. The steel bar easily loses its magnetism but the soft iron bar retains its magnetism.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. The soft iron bar easily loses its magnetism but the steel bar retains its magnetism.
Explanation: Soft iron is a temporary magnet and easily loses its magnetism, while steel is a permanent magnet and retains its magnetism.
Question 36 (Subtopic: P4.2.4)
A resistor R is connected to a 12V battery and an ammeter as shown.
The ammeter reads 6.0A.
What is the resistance of resistor R?
A. 0.50Ω
B. 2.0Ω
C. 18Ω
D. 72Ω
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. 2.0Ω.
Explanation: Using Ohm’s Law, \( V = IR \), the resistance \( R = V / I = 12V / 6.0A = 2.0Ω \).
Question 37 (Subtopic: P4.3.2)
A 3.0Ω resistor and a 6.0Ω resistor are connected to a power supply as shown.
What is the combined resistance of the two resistors?
A. 2.0Ω
B. 4.5Ω
C. 9.0Ω
D. 18Ω
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 9.0Ω.
Explanation: The resistors are connected in series, so the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances: \( R_{total} = 3.0Ω + 6.0Ω = 9.0Ω \).
Question 38 (Subtopic: P4.3.2)
The series circuit shown includes a single component hidden in a box. The switch is open.
The switch is now closed and the lamp lights briefly before going off. The switch is now opened, and then closed again. This time the lamp does not light.
Which symbol represents the component in the box?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A. Capacitor.
Explanation: A capacitor stores charge and can briefly light a lamp when discharged. After the first discharge, the capacitor needs time to recharge, so the lamp does not light again immediately.
Question 39 (Subtopic: P4.5.3)
A solenoid carrying a current produces a magnetic field. Which diagram shows the magnetic field pattern?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. Diagram D.
Explanation: The magnetic field around a solenoid carrying current is similar to that of a bar magnet, with field lines emerging from the north pole and entering the south pole.
Question 40 (Subtopic: P5.2.2)
Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect?
A. Infrared rays
B. α-particles
C. β-particles
D. γ-rays
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. α-particles.
Explanation: Alpha particles have the greatest ionising effect due to their large mass and charge, but they have the least penetrating power.