Question 1

Which of the following characteristic is similar for both a fish and reptile?
(1) The way they move
(2) The presence of fins
(3) The way they breathe
(4) The type of outer covering

Accepted Answer

D. The type of outer covering. Both fish and reptiles have an outer covering of scales. They move differently, only fish have fins, and they breathe differently (fish use gills, reptiles use lungs).

Question 2

The diagram below shows some characteristics of an organism M.
What can organism M be?
A: Bacteria X
B: Bread Mould
C: Mushroom
D: Bird's Nest Fern
(1) A and B only
(2) B and C only
(3) A, C and D only
(4) B, C and D only

Accepted Answer

B. B and C only. Organism M cannot move, reproduces by spores, breaks down dead organisms (decomposer) and cannot make its own food — these are fungi traits. Bread mould and mushroom are fungi. Bacteria do not reproduce by spores in this sense and Bird's Nest Fern can make its own food, so B and C only.

Question 3

Bala placed two animal cells X and Y in two beakers of water with the same amount of dissolved substances, A and B, respectively. At the end of the experiment, both cells were bigger. Which one of the conclusions made by Bala is correct?
(1) Cytoplasm of cell X has allowed water to enter.
(2) Cell membrane of cell Y has allowed water to enter.
(3) Nucleus of cell X controlled the movement of A and B.
(4) Cell wall of cell Y has prevented A and B from entering.

Accepted Answer

B. Cell membrane of cell Y has allowed water to enter.. Both cells are animal cells (no cell wall, eliminating option 4). The cells became bigger because water entered through the cell membrane, which controls what enters and leaves the cell. The cell membrane of cell Y allowed water to enter.

Question 4

The diagram below shows the life cycle of a plant. Which one of the following is correct?
(1) Process(es) at X: Fertilisation; Process(es) at Y: Pollination
(2) Process(es) at X: Dispersal and Germination; Process(es) at Y: Pollination and fertilisation
(3) Process(es) at X: Germination; Process(es) at Y: Dispersal
(4) Process(es) at X: Pollination and Fertilisation; Process(es) at Y: Dispersal and Germination

Accepted Answer

B. X: Dispersal and Germination; Y: Pollination and fertilisation. X is the process going from seed to young plant, which involves dispersal then germination. Y is the process going from adult plant back to seed, which involves pollination then fertilisation. Therefore option 2 is correct.

Question 5

The diagrams below show the reproductive systems in a plant and human respectively. Which part, A, B, C or D, has a similar function to G?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D

Accepted Answer

C. C. Part G points to the ovary in the human female reproductive system, which produces female sex cells (eggs). In the plant (flower) diagram, part C is the ovary, which produces the female sex cells (ovules). Both have the same function.

Question 6

Some pupils planted seeds at three different temperatures. They planted the same number of seeds at each temperature. Their results are shown in the table below. Which one of the conclusions is correct?
(1) At 25°C the seeds germinated the fastest.
(2) At 25°C all the seeds germinated by Day 5.
(3) 5°C is too cold for any seeds to germinate.
(4) The best temperature for germination is 15°C.

Accepted Answer

A. At 25°C the seeds germinated the fastest.. At 25°C seeds began germinating on Day 2 (earliest) and had the most germinated each day, so they germinated the fastest. We don't know the total number of seeds so we can't say all germinated; 5°C did produce 2 germinations by Day 5; and 25°C (not 15°C) gave the most germination.

Question 7

Betty conducted an experiment to find out if the size of leaves affect the amount of oxygen given out during photosynthesis. She had three different set-ups and measured the amount of oxygen in each set-up for 1 minute. She recorded her results in the table shown below. Her friend said that her experiment is not fair. Which of the following explains why her experiment is not fair?
A: Different size of leaves are used
B: Different number of leaves are used
C: Different type of water plants are used
D: Different amount of oxygen is collected
(1) A and C only
(2) C and D only
(3) B and C only
(4) A, C and D only

Accepted Answer

C. B and C only. The variable being tested is leaf size (A is the independent variable, so it must change). For a fair test, everything else must be kept constant. She changed the number of leaves (B) and the type of water plant (C), which are variables that should have been kept the same. The amount of oxygen (D) is the dependent variable (result). So the unfair variables are B and C.

Question 8

Food relationships among organisms, T, U, V and W, found in a pond are shown below. Based on the above food web, which one of the following statements is true?
(1) There are two predators.
(2) There are two producers.
(3) There are four food chains.
(4) There are four communities.

Accepted Answer

A. There are two predators.. In the food web, T is eaten by W, U and V; U is eaten by V; V is eaten by W. The predators (organisms that eat other animals) are U and V (and W). T is the producer (only one producer). There is one community. The correct true statement is that there are two predators.

Question 9

The table below shows the human body systems and their functions. Which one of the following is not correct?
(1) Digestive system — Absorbs digested food into the bloodstream
(2) Circulatory system — Takes oxygen into the body
(3) Respiratory system — Exchange gases
(4) Skeletal system — Supports the body

Accepted Answer

B. Circulatory system — Takes oxygen into the body. The circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients and wastes around the body; it does not take oxygen into the body. Taking oxygen into the body is the function of the respiratory system. So the incorrect pairing is the circulatory system.

Question 10

The diagram below shows the flow of blood in the human body. Same amount of blood were taken from A, B, C and D and the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood was compared. Which one of the following graph is correct?

Accepted Answer

C. Bar graph comparing B and C: B low, C high. A = blood from lungs to heart (oxygen-rich, low CO2). D = blood from heart to lungs (CO2-rich, high CO2). B = blood from heart to body (oxygen-rich, low CO2). C = blood from body back to heart (CO2-rich, high CO2). Comparing B (low CO2) and C (high CO2): B should be low and C high, which graph 3 shows correctly.

Question 11

Which of the following is an effect of global warming?
(1) Increase in sea levels
(2) Increase in deforestation
(3) Increase in carbon dioxide
(4) Increase in burning of fuels

Accepted Answer

A. Increase in sea levels. Global warming causes ice caps and glaciers to melt, leading to an increase in sea levels — this is an effect. Deforestation, increase in carbon dioxide, and burning of fuels are causes of global warming, not effects.

Question 12

The diagram below shows organism S. Which physical feature is most likely to determine that organism S needs to live in a damp condition?
(1) leg
(2) tail
(3) external gills
(4) skin covered with scales

Accepted Answer

C. external gills. External gills must be kept moist to absorb oxygen from water/moisture. The presence of external gills indicates organism S needs to live in damp conditions to keep the gills wet for breathing.

Question 13

Kumar had four experimental set-ups as shown below. Which of the above set-ups should Kumar use to test if mushroom requires sunlight to survive?
(1) A and B
(2) A and C
(3) B and C
(4) B and D

Accepted Answer

D. B and D. To test if mushroom requires sunlight, only the presence of sunlight should differ while all else is kept the same. Set-up B is garden soil with decaying matter in the field (sunlight), and Set-up D is garden soil with decaying matter in the cupboard (no sunlight). They are identical except for the light, making B and D the correct fair comparison.

Question 14

Study the following food web in a field. The use of insecticides in the field resulted in the death of most aphids and caterpillars. Which one of the following options correctly shows how the population size of slugs and ladybirds are likely to be affected after the use of insecticides?
(1) Slugs: Increases; Ladybirds: Stays the same
(2) Slugs: Decreases; Ladybirds: Stays the same
(3) Slugs: Decreases; Ladybirds: Increases
(4) Slugs: Increases; Ladybirds: Decreases

Accepted Answer

D. Slugs: Increases; Ladybirds: Decreases. Ladybirds feed on aphids; when aphids die, ladybirds lose their food source and their population decreases. Slugs feed on the plant and are not affected by the loss of aphids/caterpillars; with fewer caterpillars also feeding on the plant, more plants are available, so slug population increases. Hence slugs increase and ladybirds decrease.

Question 15

Ella has three bags made of different materials. Which one of the following test is the best to measure the strength of the bags?
(1) Pull each bag till it stretches.
(2) Weigh each bag using balance.
(3) Pour water into each bag till it tears.
(4) Pull each bag using a spring balance till it tears.

Accepted Answer

D. Pull each bag using a spring balance till it tears.. Strength is the amount of force a material can withstand before it tears/breaks. Pulling each bag with a spring balance until it tears gives a measurable force value, allowing the strength of each bag to be compared fairly.

Question 16

David used a magnet to hold a paper on a noticeboard. The noticeboard is coated with plastic. Which material is most likely to be under the plastic coating?
(1) Wood
(2) Steel
(3) Copper
(4) Aluminium

Accepted Answer

B. Steel. The magnet can hold the paper on the noticeboard, so the magnet is attracted to the material beneath the plastic coating. Of the options, only steel is a magnetic material. Wood, copper and aluminium are not attracted to magnets.

Question 17

Which one of the following is not a source of light?
(1) Star
(2) Mirror
(3) Firefly
(4) Lightning

Accepted Answer

B. Mirror. A source of light produces its own light. A star, firefly and lightning all produce their own light. A mirror does not produce light; it only reflects light, so it is not a source of light.

Question 18

The following set-up was used to measure the amount of light passing through material Y. The following graph was drawn using the results recorded. What could variable X most likely be?
(1) Thickness of material Y
(2) Number of bulb in series
(3) Number of battery in the circuit
(4) Distance between the material Y and the light sensor

Accepted Answer

C. Number of battery in the circuit. The graph shows the amount of light passing through material Y increases as variable X increases. Increasing the number of batteries makes the bulb brighter, so more light passes through and is detected. Increasing thickness, number of bulbs in series (dimmer), or distance would not increase the light passing through in this direct manner.

Question 19

Study the flowchart below. What should be question A for the above flowchart to be correct?
(1) Does it float?
(2) Can it be compressed?
(3) Does it have definite shape?
(4) Does it take the shape of the container?

Accepted Answer

D. Does it take the shape of the container?. The flowchart ends at 'Liquid' after answering 'Yes'. A liquid has mass (Yes), has a definite volume (Yes), and takes the shape of its container (Yes). 'Does it have definite shape?' would be 'No' for a liquid, so question A must be 'Does it take the shape of the container?'.

Question 20

The container as shown in the diagram below contains some water. What will happen to the water level and volume of water when the stone is placed into the container?
(1) Water level: Increases; Volume of water: Increase
(2) Water level: Increases; Volume of water: Remains the same
(3) Water level: Remains the same; Volume of water: Increases
(4) Water level: Remains the same; Volume of water: Remains the same

Accepted Answer

B. Water level: Increases; Volume of water: Remains the same. When the stone is placed into the water, it takes up space and pushes the water up, so the water level rises (increases). However, no water is added or removed, so the volume of water itself remains the same.

Question 21

Tom was instructed by his father to fit a metal rim tightly round the wooden cartwheel, as shown in the diagrams below. However, the metal rim that Tom had was too small to fit round the wooden cartwheel. His father suggested two steps to complete the task. Which of the following steps would allow Tom to fit the metal rim tightly round the wooden cartwheel in the shortest time?
(1) Step 1: Immerse cartwheel in cold water; Step 2: Immerse rim and cartwheel in hot water
(2) Step 1: Heat rim evenly over a flame; Step 2: Immerse rim and cartwheel in hot water
(3) Step 1: Immerse cartwheel in hot water; Step 2: Immerse rim and cartwheel in cold water
(4) Step 1: Heat rim evenly over a flame; Step 2: Immerse rim and cartwheel in cold water

Accepted Answer

D. Step 1: Heat rim evenly over a flame; Step 2: Immerse rim and cartwheel in cold water. Heating the metal rim over a flame expands it quickly so it becomes large enough to fit over the cartwheel. After fitting, immersing in cold water cools the rim, causing it to contract and grip the cartwheel tightly. A flame heats faster than hot water, so this is the shortest time.

Question 22

The water cycle on Earth can take place repeatedly because water ____.
A: melts at 0°C and boils at 100°C
B: has volume and is not compressible,
C: can change from one state to another
D: is important for the survival of living things
(1) D only
(2) C only
(3) A, B and C only
(4) A, B, C and D

Accepted Answer

B. C only. The water cycle repeats because water can change from one state to another (liquid to gas during evaporation, gas to liquid during condensation, etc.). The other statements are true facts about water but do not explain why the water cycle can take place repeatedly.

Question 23

Study the diagram below. Warm air passes through the filter and comes out as cool air. A continuous supply of water is needed to flow through the filter as some water is lost in the cooling process. Which process/es has/have caused the warm air to become cool air?
(1) Evaporation only
(2) Condensation only
(3) Evaporation and condensation only
(4) Evaporation, condensation and freezing

Accepted Answer

A. Evaporation only. Water on the filter evaporates as the warm air passes through. Evaporation absorbs heat from the surrounding warm air, cooling it. Some water is lost (evaporated), which is why a continuous water supply is needed. Only evaporation is involved in cooling the air.

Question 24

In the circuit shown below, one of the bulbs fuses, causing all the other bulbs not to light up. Which one of the bulbs has fused?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D

Accepted Answer

D. D. Bulbs A and B are in parallel branches, and C is in another section. Bulb D is in series with the rest of the circuit (the only common path that the current must flow through). If D fuses, it breaks the only complete path, so all bulbs go out. A, B or C fusing would only affect their own branch.

Question 25

Study the circuits below. Which one of the following statements describes the two circuits, A and B, correctly?
(1) The bulbs in A will be of different brightness.
(2) The bulbs in B will be dimmer than in circuit A.
(3) The bulbs in A will be lit longer than in circuit B.
(4) The bulbs in B can be controlled independently by adding two switches.

Accepted Answer

B. The bulbs in B will be dimmer than in circuit A.. Circuit A has two bulbs in parallel; circuit B has two bulbs in series. Bulbs in series (B) are dimmer than bulbs in parallel (A) because the same voltage is shared among the series bulbs. The parallel bulbs in A are equally bright, B drains the battery faster (so not lit longer), and series bulbs in B cannot be controlled independently.

Question 26

A ball is pushed in the direction shown and it rolled towards the end of slope. At which point of the slope, the ball has the greatest amount of kinetic energy?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D

Accepted Answer

B. B. The lower the position of the ball, the more potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, so kinetic energy is greatest at the lowest point. Point B is the lowest point of the track, so the ball has the greatest kinetic energy (and greatest speed) there.

Question 27

The picture shows a man trying to slide a heavy box along the floor. Which of the following forces would help the man to move the heavy box along the floor?
A: The mass of the heavy box.
B: The push the man exerted against the box.
C: The friction between the box and the floor.
D: The friction between the man's feet and the floor.
(1) B only
(2) C only
(3) A and D only
(4) B and D only

Accepted Answer

D. B and D only. The push the man exerts (B) moves the box forward. The friction between the man's feet and the floor (D) gives the man grip so he can push without slipping. The mass of the box (A) and the friction between box and floor (C) oppose the motion. So B and D help.

Question 28

Mei Ling swings a water bottle to point P and then swings the bottle to point Q and tosses it. The bottle reaches maximum height at point R and flips. It comes to a stop at point S. Which one of the following statements is true?
(1) There is no gravitational force acting at S.
(2) The gravitational force at R is more than at S.
(3) The amount of potential energy is more at P than at R.
(4) The amount of kinetic energy is decreasing from Q to R.

Accepted Answer

D. The amount of kinetic energy is decreasing from Q to R.. As the bottle rises from Q to its maximum height at R, it slows down, so its kinetic energy decreases (being converted into potential energy). Gravitational force acts everywhere including S, and is essentially the same at R and S; potential energy is greater at the higher point R than at P.

P6 Science SA2 2017 — Rosyth

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P6 Science SA2 2017 — Rosyth

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