Question 1

Which one of the following statements is true about mushrooms, bird's nest ferns and bread mould?

Accepted Answer

D. All reproduce from spores.. Mushrooms (fungi), bird's nest ferns and bread mould (fungi) all reproduce by means of spores. They are not all decomposers (ferns are not), do not all grow in soil (ferns can grow on trees, mould grows on bread), and only the fern can make its own food.

Question 2

Which of the following statements below show that plants are living things?
A: Plants grow towards light
B: The leaves of the trees sway in the wind.
C: The leaves of the mimosa close when touched.

Accepted Answer

B. A and C only. Growing towards light (A) and the mimosa responding to touch (C) show that plants respond to stimuli — a characteristic of living things. Leaves swaying in the wind (B) is caused by an external force, not a response of the plant itself.

Question 3

The diagram shows part of a flower at one stage during reproduction. The pollen grain Z has undergone process A but not process B. What are processes A and B?

Accepted Answer

D. A: pollination, B: fertilisation. The pollen grain Z has landed on the stigma, so pollination (A) has occurred. It has not yet joined with the ovule, so fertilisation (B) has not yet taken place.

Question 4

The diagram below shows when fertilisation occurs in the life cycle of a butterfly. Which of the following correctly show the different stages of its life cycle?

Accepted Answer

C. A: pupa, B: adult, C: egg, D: larva. Fertilisation occurs in the adult stage (mating), which then leads to the egg. In the cycle, fertilisation is marked at C, so C is the adult; following the arrows, C(adult)→D(egg)→A(larva)→B(pupa)→back to C(adult). Wait — the key states the answer is C: A=pupa, B=adult, C=egg, D=larva. Fertilisation produces the egg (C), the egg hatches into larva (D), larva becomes pupa (A), pupa becomes adult (B), and the adult mates to fertilise, forming the next egg.

Question 5

The diagram shows a bean seedling, soon after it has germinated. Which part of the bean seedling absorbs most water?

Accepted Answer

C. C. C points to the region of the root bearing root hairs. Root hairs greatly increase the surface area for absorbing water, so this part absorbs most water. (A is the shoot/leaves, B is the seed leaf/cotyledon, D is the root tip.)

Question 6

The table below shows the amount of energy needed to do different activities. What is the relationship between the amount of energy needed for the activity and the amount of oxygen taken in by the body?

Accepted Answer

B. The greater the amount of energy needed by the activity, the more the amount of oxygen taken in by the body.. Breathing rate indicates oxygen taken in. Activities needing more energy (e.g. C at 310 kJ, D at 300 kJ) have higher breathing rates (80), while activities needing less energy (B at 30 kJ) have a low breathing rate (20). So the greater the energy needed, the more oxygen taken in.

Question 7

The diagram below shows a cell from a plant that had not been watered for many days. Which part of the cell, A, B, C or D, would most of the water be lost from?

Accepted Answer

C. C. In a plant cell, the vacuole stores water (cell sap). When a plant loses water, the vacuole shrinks. C points to the large central vacuole, from which most of the water would be lost. (A is cell wall, B is cell membrane, D is cytoplasm/nucleus region.)

Question 8

The diagram below shows how blood flows in certain parts of the body. Which pairs of blood vessels are poor in carbon dioxide and rich in digested food?

Accepted Answer

C. Poor in carbon dioxide: B, Rich in digested food: C. Blood leaving the lungs (vessel A, lungs→heart) is rich in oxygen and poor in carbon dioxide — but the answer key gives C. Vessel B carries blood from the heart to the digestive system and is poor in carbon dioxide (freshly oxygenated). Vessel C carries blood from the digestive system back to the heart, which is rich in digested food (having just absorbed nutrients). Hence B is poor in carbon dioxide and C is rich in digested food.

Question 9

When starch is mixed with saliva, it is broken down into sugar. Tom wanted to find out if the temperature of the starch and saliva mixture would affect the rate at which the starch was broken down into sugar. He prepared 4 set-ups, A, B, C and D as shown below. Which two of the set-ups should Tom use in his investigation?

Accepted Answer

C. B and C. To test the effect of temperature, only temperature may differ; amount of starch and amount of saliva must be kept the same. Set-up B (20 ml starch, 30 ml saliva, 35°C) and Set-up C (20 ml starch, 30 ml saliva, 40°C) have identical starch and saliva but different temperatures, so they form a fair test.

Question 10

In an experiment, four animals, W, X, Y and Z, were each put into 4 similar tanks separately. 400g of plant parts and 400g of meat were put into each tank. The table below shows the amount of food at the end of the experiment over a period of time. Which one of the following shows possible food relationships among the organisms, W, X, Y and Z?

Accepted Answer

B. Option 2. W ate only meat (400→150), so W is a carnivore that eats other animals. X ate both plant parts (400→320) and meat (400→220), an omnivore. Y ate only meat (400→300), a carnivore. Z ate mostly plant parts (400→190) and no meat (400), a herbivore. The correct food web (Option 2) shows Z eating plant parts, X eating plants, Y eating Z/X, and W being eaten by Y — consistent with these feeding patterns.

Question 11

Cacti which are found in the desert, have roots that can burrow deep into the ground. Mariam wanted to investigate about soils A, B, C and D as shown below. She poured 100 cm³ of water into soil A. She measured the amount of water collected in the measuring cylinder after a certain period of time. She repeated the experiment using soil B, C and D. She recorded the results in the table below. Which type of soil are the cacti most adapted to grow in?

Accepted Answer

D. D. Cacti grow in the desert where soil drains water very quickly (retains little water). The soil that lets the most water pass through (collected in the cylinder) drains fastest. Soil D let 97 cm³ pass through — the most — so it retains the least water and best matches desert conditions.

Question 12

Lichens are organisms which are very sensitive to air pollution and are nature's pollutant indicators. Lichens grow on tree trunks, rocks and buildings. The bar graphs below show the number of lichens and the amount of sulphur dioxide in the air for area X and area Y. Which one of the following can be deduced from the graphs?

Accepted Answer

D. A large amount of sulphur dioxide results in a small number of lichens.. In Area X there are many lichens and little sulphur dioxide; in Area Y there are few lichens and a lot of sulphur dioxide. This shows an inverse relationship — a large amount of sulphur dioxide results in a small number of lichens.

Question 13

The graph below shows the effect of temperature on the populations of four different organisms, A, B, C and D. Which of these organisms will most likely survive when the temperature of the environment is between 30°C to 35°C for a long period of time?

Accepted Answer

C. A, B and C only. Between 30°C and 35°C, organisms A, B and C all still have populations above zero (they can survive), whereas organism D's population falls to near zero in that range, so it cannot survive there. Hence A, B and C only.

Question 14

Alex carried out an experiment in a dark room as shown in the diagram below. He exposed a stalk of hydrilla to a lit bulb connected to 1 battery. After 4 hours, he measured the volume of oxygen collected in the test tube. He then repeated the whole experiment using two and three batteries as shown in the diagrams below. The batteries used were new and identical. Which one of the following graphs best represents the amount of oxygen collected when using different number of batteries?

Accepted Answer

C. Option 3. More batteries make the bulb brighter, giving more light. More light increases the rate of photosynthesis in the hydrilla, so more oxygen is produced. The volume of oxygen therefore increases as the number of batteries increases — the graph that rises with 1, 2, 3 batteries (Option 3).

Question 15

John used three similar plants, X, Y and Z, to investigate how light intensity would affect the amount of sugar produced by plants. A leaf of similar size from each plant was plucked and tested for starch using iodine solution. The results of the starch test of each leaf is shown in the table below. Based on the observations, deduce the possible light intensity each plant was exposed to.

Accepted Answer

A. X: 2500, Y: 500, Z: 5000. More light means more photosynthesis and more starch, so more of the leaf turns dark blue with iodine. Z (most parts dark blue) had the most light (5000), X (some parts dark blue) had medium light (2500), and Y (only small spots dark blue) had the least light (500). This matches Option 1: X=2500, Y=500, Z=5000.

Question 16

A group of pupils carried out an experiment as shown below. When the rubber ball was released from the top of the ramp, it rolled down the ramp and hit the wooden block at the bottom of the ramp. The block did not move as far as expected. What could the pupils do to the set-up to ensure that the block moved further?
A Use a lighter ball.
B Increase the height of the ramp.
C Add powder to the surface of the ramp.
D Allow the block to stand on its smallest surface area.

Accepted Answer

B. B and C only. Increasing the ramp height (B) gives the ball more potential/kinetic energy so it hits the block harder. Adding powder (C) reduces friction on the ramp so the ball loses less energy and moves faster. A lighter ball (A) would push the block less far. So only B and C help the block move further.

Question 17

In an experiment, John used an electrical hot plate to heat two beakers of water, X and Y, to 100 °C. Based on the information above, which of the following statements are NOT true?
A The water in Beaker Y will reach the boiling point before Beaker X.
B Electrical energy is converted to heat energy when the switch is turned on.
C More heat energy is required to heat the water in Beaker Y than in Beaker X.
D The water in both beakers has the same amount of heat energy before heating.

Accepted Answer

C. C and D only. Beaker X has more water (80 ml) than Y (35 ml), both starting at 30°C. Statement A is TRUE (Y with less water boils first). Statement B is TRUE. Statement C is NOT true (more water in X needs more heat, not Y). Statement D is NOT true (X, with more water at the same temperature, has more heat energy). The statements that are NOT true are C and D.

Question 18

A plastic ball was dropped from position P above the ground. It bounced to a lower height each time it hit the ground as shown below until it finally stopped. Which one of the following statements is/are correct?
A The potential energy of the ball increases from P to the ground.
B The potential energy of the ball decreases from Q to the ground.
C Some of its energy has been converted to heat and sound energy during its path.

Accepted Answer

C. B and C only. As the ball falls, its height decreases so its potential energy decreases — statement A is wrong (it decreases, not increases), while statement B is correct (from Q to the ground, height and thus PE decreases). Statement C is correct because some energy is lost as heat and sound at each bounce, which is why the ball bounces lower each time. So B and C only.

Question 19

Jenny wanted to find out how the number of bulbs will affect the brightness of a bulb. Which of the above set-ups should she choose?

Accepted Answer

A. A and C only. To investigate how the number of bulbs affects brightness, only the number of bulbs should differ while the number of batteries (and the way bulbs are connected — in series) stays the same. Set-up A and Set-up C are both series circuits with the same batteries but different numbers of bulbs, forming a fair comparison.

Question 20

Kenny carried out an experiment using the set-up as shown below. He followed the procedure as listed below.
Step 1: Switch on the torch.
Step 2: Measure the height of the shadow cast by the wooden ruler on the screen.
Step 3: Move the torch 5 cm closer to the ruler.
Step 4: Measure the height of the shadow cast by the ruler again.
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times.
Kenny wanted to investigate how the size of the shadow cast is affected by ____.

Accepted Answer

D. the distance between the light source and the ruler. In the procedure, the only thing Kenny changes is moving the torch (light source) closer to the ruler, i.e. changing the distance between the light source and the ruler. Therefore he is investigating how that distance affects the size of the shadow.

Question 21

A light sensor which reads from a scale of 0 to 10, was used to determine the amount of light that was able to pass through four cards, P, Q, R and S, made of different materials. The results were recorded in the table below. A high reading indicates that a greater amount of light has been detected. The cards were then arranged in a straight line. A circular hole was cut out from one of the cards. When a torch was switched on, a bright circular patch of light was observed on card R only as shown below. By using only information from the experiment and the readings from the light sensor, how were the cards arranged?

Accepted Answer

A. 1st: S, 2nd: Q, 3rd: P. R (reading 0) is fully opaque and is the last card where the light patch is seen. S (reading 10) lets all light through (transparent) and must be first. The card with the hole cut out lets a bright circular patch through; Q (reading 1, nearly opaque) has the hole and is placed second so its patch reaches R, while P (reading 9, quite transparent) is third. This matches 1st S, 2nd Q, 3rd P.

Question 22

An experiment was conducted by heating a beaker of ice over a period of time. The temperature changes that took place during this period of time are shown in the graph below. Which part(s) of the graph show(s) a gain in heat?

Accepted Answer

D. AB, BC and CD. Throughout the whole heating process the beaker continuously gains heat, even during the flat portions (AB, where ice melts, and CD, where water boils) — during those stages the heat gained is used to change state rather than raise temperature. So AB, BC and CD all show a gain in heat.

Question 23

Amanda carried out an experiment to find out how different surfaces would affect the distance travelled by a ball. She rolled a ball over 4 different surfaces, P, Q, R and S and recorded the distance travelled by the ball on each surface and the time taken for the ball to come to a stop. Using the results obtained from her experiment, she plotted a graph as shown below. Which surface produces the least friction?

Accepted Answer

B. Surface Q. The surface with the least friction allows the ball to travel the greatest distance. On the graph, Surface Q's line reaches the greatest distance, so Surface Q produces the least friction.

Question 24

Mary hung 4 metal bars from a rod and their final positions are as shown in the diagram below. Which two of the metal bars are most likely to be magnets?

Accepted Answer

D. C and D. Bars that repel or attract each other strongly (swinging toward or away from one another) indicate magnetism. Bars C and D are angled/attracted toward each other, showing magnetic interaction, so they are most likely the magnets. (A hangs straight down; the pair showing clear mutual attraction/repulsion are the magnets — C and D.)

Question 25

Some inflated balloons were left under the Sun. After about 20 minutes, a few of the balloons burst. What is this most likely due to?

Accepted Answer

B. The air inside the balloons expanded.. Under the Sun the balloons gain heat, so the air inside expands. The expanding air pushes on the balloon until the pressure is too great and the balloon bursts.

Question 26

Tommy wanted to investigate whether the rods A, B, C and D were electrical conductors or insulators. He used the circuit as shown below. He recorded his observations in the table below (Switches closed 'P and R only' → bulb did not light up 'No'; Switches closed 'P, Q, R and S' → bulb lit up 'Yes'). Which one of the following conclusions about the rods A, B, C and D is correct?

Accepted Answer

C. A: conductor, B: insulator, C: conductor, D: conductor. With P and R closed, current flows through rods A (in the P branch) and B (in the R branch), but the bulb did NOT light, meaning that path is broken — B is an insulator (A must conduct for the path to reach B). With P, Q, R, S closed the bulb lit up, meaning a complete path exists through rods A, C and D. Therefore A, C and D are conductors and B is an insulator, matching Option 3.

Question 27

Study the diagram below (a classification flow chart: 'Is it matter?' No → W; Yes → 'Question P' No → 'Can it be compressed easily?' No → milk, Yes → Y; 'Question P' Yes → X). Which one of the following correctly states what W, Question P, X and Y are?

Accepted Answer

B. W: light, Question P: Does it have a definite shape?, X: sand, Y: water vapour. W is not matter, so it must be light (light is not matter; heat, sound and shadow are also not matter, but the chart must fit all boxes). For Option 2: light (not matter) = W; 'Does it have a definite shape?' Yes → solid = sand (X); No → then 'Can it be compressed easily?' No → liquid = milk; Yes → gas = water vapour (Y). This consistently classifies solid/liquid/gas, so Option 2 is correct.

Question 28

Study the diagram of the water cycle as shown below (water vapour → clouds via Y; clouds → rain → water; water → water vapour via X). Which one of the following statement(s) about the water cycle is/are correct?
A At stage X, the water loses heat to the surroundings.
B At stage X, the water gains heat from the surroundings.
C At stage Y, the water vapour loses heat to the surroundings.
D At stage Y, the water vapour gains heat from the surroundings.

Accepted Answer

D. B and C only. Stage X is evaporation (water → water vapour), where water gains heat from the surroundings — so B is correct. Stage Y is condensation (water vapour → clouds), where the water vapour loses heat to the surroundings — so C is correct. Hence B and C only.

Question 29

The properties of different types of materials were tested in a laboratory and the results are shown in the table below. Based on the results of the test, which material is most suitable for making school bags?

Accepted Answer

B. X. A school bag should be both strong (to hold heavy books) and waterproof (to protect contents from rain). Material X is the only one that is both strong (Yes) and waterproof (Yes).

Question 30

A, B, C and D are blobs of wax on a piece of copper wire shaped in a regular octagon. When the copper wire was strongly heated at a certain point, the blobs of wax began to melt in the order of A, D, B and C. At which point, P, Q, R or S was the wire heated?

Accepted Answer

A. P. Wax nearest the heated point melts first. The melting order A, D, B, C means A is closest and C is furthest from the heat source. Point P lies on the wire between A and D (nearest to A), so heating at P melts A first, then D, then B, then C — matching the observed order.

P6 Science SA2 2014 — Rosyth

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P6 Science SA2 2014 — Rosyth

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