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Primary 3 Science Semestral Assessment 1 (Mid-Year) Paper 3
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Questions
Primary 3 Science SA1 Examination 2026
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Version 3
Duration: 75 minutes
Total Marks: 100
Name: _________________________ Class: _______ Date: _________
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (25 marks)
Choose the correct answer and write the letter (A, B, C, or D) in the brackets provided. Each question is worth 1 mark.
1. Which of the following can grow and reproduce?
(A) Wooden toy
(B) Bacteria
(C) Plastic doll
(D) Metal robot
( )
2. What happens to a living thing when it does not get enough food?
(A) It will grow faster
(B) It will become stronger
(C) It may die
(D) It will change colour
( )
3. Which material would be best for making a raincoat?
(A) Cotton
(B) Paper
(C) Waterproof nylon
(D) Wool
( )
4. A mosquito's life cycle includes which of the following stages?
(A) Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
(B) Egg → Nymph → Adult
(C) Egg → Tadpole → Adult
(D) Egg → Caterpillar → Adult
( )
5. Which of the following helps a plant to stand upright?
(A) Flower
(B) Leaf
(C) Stem
(D) Seed
( )
6. Which statement about living things is TRUE?
(A) All living things can move from place to place
(B) All living things can make their own food
(C) All living things need air to survive
(D) All living things have legs
( )
7. A sponge is useful for cleaning because it is __________.
(A) hard
(B) transparent
(C) absorbent
(D) waterproof
( )
8. Which stage comes BEFORE the adult in a grasshopper's life cycle?
(A) Egg
(B) Larva
(C) Pupa
(D) Nymph
( )
9. What do plants use to make food?
(A) Soil, water and darkness
(B) Water, air and sunlight
(C) Fertilizer, rocks and air
(D) Sand, water and heat
( )
10. Hair and wool are examples of materials that come from __________.
(A) plants
(B) animals
(C) minerals
(D) factories
( )
11. Which property of rubber makes it suitable for making shoe soles?
(A) Transparency
(B) Hardness
(C) Flexibility and grip
(D) Absorbency
( )
12. Which animal does NOT lay eggs?
(A) Chicken
(B) Butterfly
(C) Dolphin
(D) Frog
( )
13. Why are most leaves green?
(A) To attract insects
(B) They contain a green substance that helps make food
(C) To blend in with the environment
(D) To reflect sunlight
( )
14. Which of the following is a property of metals?
(A) Always flexible
(B) Cannot conduct electricity
(C) Can conduct heat
(D) Always soft
( )
15. The young of which animal looks most similar to the adult?
(A) Butterfly
(B) Beetle
(C) Frog
(D) Chicken
( )
16. Which part of a carrot plant do we usually eat?
(A) Leaf
(B) Stem
(C) Root
(D) Flower
( )
17. Why is glass used to make aquarium tanks?
(A) Glass is flexible
(B) Glass is waterproof and transparent
(C) Glass is soft
(D) Glass is absorbent
( )
18. What is the MAIN difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis?
(A) The number of legs the animal has
(B) Whether the animal has a pupa stage
(C) The size of the animal
(D) The colour of the animal
( )
19. A seedling is a __________.
(A) type of seed
(B) young plant
(C) type of flower
(D) type of root
( )
20. Which of these items is made from a material that was once living?
(A) Glass bottle
(B) Plastic ruler
(C) Paper bag
(D) Metal spoon
( )
21. During which stage of the butterfly's life cycle does it eat the most?
(A) Egg
(B) Caterpillar (Larva)
(C) Pupa
(D) Adult butterfly
( )
22. What will happen if a plant's leaves are all removed?
(A) The plant will grow more roots
(B) The plant cannot make food
(C) The plant will flower immediately
(D) The plant will grow taller
( )
23. Which of the following is NOT a man-made material?
(A) Plastic
(B) Nylon
(C) Cotton
(D) Styrofoam
( )
24. A tadpole breathes using __________.
(A) lungs
(B) gills
(C) skin only
(D) nose
( )
25. Why do some plants have thorns?
(A) To attract insects
(B) To absorb more water
(C) To protect the plant from animals
(D) To make food
( )
Section B: Short Answer Questions (45 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
26. Study the pictures of four organisms below. (4 marks)
| Organism | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Coral attached to a rock in the sea |
| B | Empty snail shell on the beach |
| C | Fern growing in a garden |
| D | Water in a pond |
(a) Which organisms are living things? (1 mark)
(b) Organism B was once part of a living thing. Explain why it is now classified as non-living. (2 marks)
(c) Give ONE characteristic that organisms A and C have in common. (1 mark)
27. Look at the materials and their properties. (6 marks)
| Material | Hard | Flexible | Waterproof | Transparent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rubber | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cotton | No | Yes | No | No |
| Metal | Yes | No | Yes | No |
(a) Based on the table, which material would be best for making goggles? Explain your choice. (2 marks)
(b) Why is cotton used to make clothes even though it is not waterproof? Give TWO reasons. (2 marks)
Reason 1: __________________________________________________________________
Reason 2: __________________________________________________________________
(c) Which TWO materials from the table would be suitable for making a bucket? Why? (2 marks)
28. The diagram shows the life cycle of an animal. (6 marks)
Egg (in jelly-like mass)
↓
Tadpole (with tail, lives in water)
↓
Tadpole with legs
↓
Froglet (small frog with tail)
↓
Adult Frog (lives on land and in water)
(a) Name the animal in this life cycle. (1 mark)
(b) How does a tadpole breathe? How is this different from an adult frog? (2 marks)
(c) Why must frog eggs be laid in water? (2 marks)
(d) What type of metamorphosis does this animal undergo? (1 mark)
29. Ahmad set up an experiment to see how plants grow. He planted 4 identical bean seeds in pots and placed them in different conditions. (6 marks)
| Pot | Sunlight | Water | After 3 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | Yes | Tall, green, healthy plant |
| 2 | Yes | No | Seed did not grow |
| 3 | No | Yes | Tall, yellow, weak plant |
| 4 | No | No | Seed did not grow |
(a) Why did the seeds in Pots 2 and 4 not grow? (1 mark)
(b) Compare Pot 1 and Pot 3. Why was the plant in Pot 3 yellow and weak? (2 marks)
(c) What does this experiment tell us about what plants need to grow? (2 marks)
(d) Ahmad wants to test if seeds need warmth to grow. How should he set up the experiment? (1 mark)
30. Study the diagram of a plant cell. (5 marks)
A plant has the following parts:
- Roots (underground)
- Stem (above ground, supports plant)
- Leaves (attached to stem)
- Flower (at top of plant)
(a) Match each plant part to its function by drawing lines or writing the letter. (2 marks)
| Plant Part | Function |
|---|---|
| Root | Makes food for the plant |
| Stem | Absorbs water from soil |
| Leaf | Transports water to leaves |
| Flower | Produces seeds |
(b) A gardener cut off all the flowers from a tomato plant. What will happen? (1 mark)
(c) Explain why plants are important for animals and humans. Give TWO reasons. (2 marks)
31. The pictures show three different animals and their young. (5 marks)
| Animal | What the young looks like |
|---|---|
| Cat | Small version of adult cat |
| Butterfly | Caterpillar (worm-like) |
| Cockroach | Small version of adult without wings |
(a) Which animal undergoes complete metamorphosis? (1 mark)
(b) How is a kitten different from a caterpillar in terms of how they grow? (2 marks)
(c) A cockroach undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Describe the THREE stages of its life cycle. (2 marks)
32. Siti investigated which materials let light pass through. She shone a torch through different materials and recorded her results. (6 marks)
| Material | Result |
|---|---|
| Clear glass | Light passed through completely |
| Wax paper | Some light passed through |
| Cardboard | No light passed through |
| Clear plastic | Light passed through completely |
(a) Which materials are transparent? (1 mark)
(b) What do we call a material like wax paper that lets some light through? (1 mark)
(c) What do we call a material like cardboard that does not let light through? (1 mark)
(d) Based on Siti's results, which material would be best for making a window? Why? (2 marks)
(e) Why might someone choose to use wax paper instead of clear glass for a bathroom window? (1 mark)
33. Look at the food chain below. (7 marks)
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake
(a) Which organism in the food chain is a plant? (1 mark)
(b) The grasshopper goes through incomplete metamorphosis. How many stages are in its life cycle? Name them. (2 marks)
(c) The frog lays eggs in a pond. Describe how the eggs develop into adult frogs. (3 marks)
(d) Give ONE reason why the grass is important for the grasshopper, frog, and snake. (1 mark)
Section C: Word Problems (30 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Show your working where necessary.
34. The table shows different animals found in the Singapore Zoo and their life cycles. (8 marks)
| Animal | Type of Metamorphosis | Number of Stages | Example of a Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly | Complete | 4 | Pupa |
| Grasshopper | Incomplete | 3 | Nymph |
| Frog | Complete | 4 | Tadpole |
| Chicken | None | 3 | Chick |
(a) What is the main difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis? (2 marks)
(b) Both butterfly and frog undergo complete metamorphosis. Give ONE similarity and ONE difference between their life cycles. (2 marks)
Similarity: _________________________________________________________________
Difference: _________________________________________________________________
(c) A zoo keeper found some frog eggs in a tank. He wants to observe the complete life cycle. How long might this take, and what changes will he see? (3 marks)
(d) Why is the chicken listed as having "None" for metamorphosis? (1 mark)
35. Mrs Lim's class went on a field trip to MacRitchie Reservoir. They collected information about different materials they observed. (8 marks)
Materials found:
- Wooden boardwalk
- Metal railings
- Plastic rubbish bins
- Rubber mats near exercise stations
- Glass viewing panels
- Stone benches
(a) Group these materials into natural and man-made materials. (2 marks)
Natural: ___________________________________________________________________
Man-made: _________________________________________________________________
(b) Why were metal railings used instead of wooden railings near the water? Give TWO reasons. (2 marks)
Reason 1: __________________________________________________________________
Reason 2: __________________________________________________________________
(c) The rubber mats near the exercise station are soft and flexible. Why are these properties important for exercise mats? (2 marks)
(d) Some students noticed that wooden benches near the water were rotting. Suggest why this happened and what material could be used instead. (2 marks)
36. Mr Tan set up a class investigation to study plant growth. Each group of students grew bean plants under different conditions. (8 marks)
Results after 4 weeks:
| Group | Conditions | Height | Leaf Colour | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full sunlight, watered daily | 25 cm | Dark green | Very healthy |
| 2 | Partial shade, watered daily | 18 cm | Green | Healthy |
| 3 | Full sunlight, watered weekly | 12 cm | Light green | Slightly wilted |
| 4 | Dark cupboard, watered daily | 30 cm | Yellow-white | Weak, thin stem |
(a) Which group had the healthiest plant? What conditions did it have? (2 marks)
(b) Group 4's plant was the tallest but was weak with yellow-white leaves. Explain why this happened. (2 marks)
(c) Compare Group 1 and Group 3. What does this tell us about how often plants should be watered? (2 marks)
(d) Based on all the results, write TWO conclusions about what plants need to grow healthy. (2 marks)
Conclusion 1: _______________________________________________________________
Conclusion 2: _______________________________________________________________
37. The Science Centre Singapore has an exhibition about life cycles. Read the information and answer the questions. (6 marks)
Exhibition Display:
The Amazing Butterfly Garden "Watch butterflies go through their incredible transformation! From tiny eggs to hungry caterpillars to sleeping pupae to beautiful adult butterflies."
Frog Pond "See our frogs at different stages of their life cycle. Spot the jelly-like eggs, swimming tadpoles, and hopping adult frogs!"
Insect Corner "Learn about insects that look like mini adults when they hatch! Cockroaches and grasshoppers grow bigger without completely changing shape."
(a) According to the exhibition, how is the butterfly's life cycle different from the cockroach's life cycle? (2 marks)
(b) A visitor asks: "Why does the caterpillar eat so much?" Write an answer that could be displayed at the exhibition. (2 marks)
(c) Both frogs and butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis. However, their environments are different. Describe ONE difference between where frog eggs and butterfly eggs are usually laid. (2 marks)
End of Paper
Remember to check your answers before submitting!
Answers
Primary 3 Science SA1 Examination 2026
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Version 3 ANSWER KEY
Duration: 75 minutes
Total Marks: 100
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (25 marks)
| Question | Answer | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Diversity of Living and Non-living Things |
| 2 | C | Diversity of Living and Non-living Things |
| 3 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 4 | A | Life Cycles |
| 5 | C | Plant Systems |
| 6 | C | Diversity of Living and Non-living Things |
| 7 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 8 | D | Life Cycles |
| 9 | B | Plant Systems |
| 10 | B | Diversity of Living and Non-living Things |
| 11 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 12 | C | Life Cycles |
| 13 | B | Plant Systems |
| 14 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 15 | D | Life Cycles |
| 16 | C | Plant Systems |
| 17 | B | Diversity of Materials |
| 18 | B | Life Cycles |
| 19 | B | Plant Systems |
| 20 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 21 | B | Life Cycles |
| 22 | B | Plant Systems |
| 23 | C | Diversity of Materials |
| 24 | B | Life Cycles |
| 25 | C | Plant Systems |
Section B: Short Answer Questions (45 marks)
26. (4 marks)
(a) Living organisms (1 mark):
- A (Coral) and C (Fern)
(b) Why organism B is now non-living (2 marks):
- The snail that lived in the shell has died. (1 mark)
- An empty shell cannot grow, reproduce, or respond to its environment anymore. (1 mark)
(c) Common characteristic of A and C (1 mark):
- Both can grow / Both can reproduce / Both need water to survive / Both are living things
27. (6 marks)
(a) Best material for goggles and explanation (2 marks):
- Glass (1 mark)
- Glass is transparent (so you can see through it), hard (won't scratch easily), and waterproof (protects eyes from water). (1 mark)
(b) Two reasons cotton is used for clothes (2 marks):
- Reason 1: Cotton is flexible/soft and comfortable to wear. (1 mark)
- Reason 2: Cotton absorbs sweat from the body, keeping you cool. / Cotton allows air to pass through. (1 mark)
(c) Two suitable materials for a bucket and reason (2 marks):
- Metal and Rubber (or Glass) (1 mark)
- Both are waterproof so they can hold water without leaking. / Both are hard or durable enough to hold things. (1 mark)
28. (6 marks)
(a) Name of animal (1 mark):
- Frog
(b) How tadpole breathes and difference from adult (2 marks):
- Tadpole breathes using gills. (1 mark)
- Adult frog breathes using lungs (and also absorbs some oxygen through its moist skin). (1 mark)
(c) Why frog eggs must be laid in water (2 marks):
- Frog eggs do not have hard shells and would dry out on land. (1 mark)
- Tadpoles need water to swim and breathe using gills. (1 mark)
(d) Type of metamorphosis (1 mark):
- Complete metamorphosis (Accept: They undergo metamorphosis with distinct stages)
29. (6 marks)
(a) Why seeds in Pots 2 and 4 did not grow (1 mark):
- They did not have water, which is needed for germination.
(b) Why plant in Pot 3 was yellow and weak (2 marks):
- The plant did not receive sunlight. (1 mark)
- Without sunlight, the plant could not make food properly and could not produce the green colour (chlorophyll). (1 mark)
(c) What experiment tells us about plant needs (2 marks):
- Plants need both water and sunlight to grow healthily. (1 mark)
- Water is needed for germination, and sunlight is needed for making food. (1 mark)
(d) How to test if seeds need warmth (1 mark):
- Place one pot with water in a warm place and another pot with water in a cold place (like a refrigerator), then compare.
30. (5 marks)
(a) Matching plant parts to functions (2 marks):
| Plant Part | Function |
|---|---|
| Root | Absorbs water from soil |
| Stem | Transports water to leaves |
| Leaf | Makes food for the plant |
| Flower | Produces seeds |
(b) What happens if flowers are cut off (1 mark):
- The plant cannot produce seeds / The plant cannot reproduce.
(c) Why plants are important (2 marks):
- Plants produce food for animals and humans to eat. (1 mark)
- Plants produce oxygen which animals and humans need to breathe. (1 mark)
- Accept: Plants provide shelter for animals / Plants provide materials like wood
31. (5 marks)
(a) Animal that undergoes complete metamorphosis (1 mark):
- Butterfly
(b) Difference between kitten and caterpillar growth (2 marks):
- A kitten grows bigger but keeps the same body shape as the adult cat (no metamorphosis). (1 mark)
- A caterpillar completely changes its body shape and form to become an adult butterfly (complete metamorphosis). (1 mark)
(c) Three stages of cockroach life cycle (2 marks):
- Egg → Nymph → Adult cockroach (1 mark for all three correct)
- The nymph looks like a small adult without wings and grows larger through several moults until it becomes an adult. (1 mark)
32. (6 marks)
(a) Transparent materials (1 mark):
- Clear glass and clear plastic
(b) Material like wax paper (1 mark):
- Translucent
(c) Material like cardboard (1 mark):
- Opaque
(d) Best material for window and reason (2 marks):
- Clear glass (or clear plastic) (1 mark)
- It is transparent, so light can pass through completely, making the room bright. / It is also waterproof and hard. (1 mark)
(e) Why wax paper for bathroom window (1 mark):
- Wax paper provides privacy because people cannot see clearly through it, while still allowing some light to enter.
33. (7 marks)
(a) Plant in food chain (1 mark):
- Grass
(b) Grasshopper life cycle stages (2 marks):
- 3 stages (1 mark)
- Egg → Nymph → Adult (1 mark)
(c) How frog eggs develop into adults (3 marks):
- Eggs hatch into tadpoles that swim and breathe with gills. (1 mark)
- Tadpoles grow legs and their tails become shorter. (1 mark)
- They develop lungs and become adult frogs that can live on land and in water. (1 mark)
(d) Why grass is important (1 mark):
- Grass is food for the grasshopper, which is then food for the frog, which is food for the snake. Without grass, all the animals would not have food.
Section C: Word Problems (30 marks)
34. (8 marks)
(a) Main difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis (2 marks):
- Complete metamorphosis has 4 stages including a pupa stage where the animal completely changes form. (1 mark)
- Incomplete metamorphosis has 3 stages with no pupa stage, and the young (nymph) looks like a small adult. (1 mark)
(b) Similarity and difference between butterfly and frog life cycles (2 marks):
- Similarity: Both have 4 stages / Both undergo complete metamorphosis / Both have a stage where the young looks very different from the adult. (1 mark)
- Difference: Butterfly has a caterpillar (larva) stage while frog has a tadpole stage. / Frog lives in water as a young but butterfly does not. / Butterfly pupa is called chrysalis while frog does not have a hard pupa covering. (1 mark)
(c) Time and changes for frog life cycle (3 marks):
- It may take several weeks to months (approximately 12-16 weeks). (1 mark)
- Changes: Eggs will hatch into tadpoles, tadpoles will grow legs and lose their tails, and finally become adult frogs. (2 marks)
(d) Why chicken has "None" for metamorphosis (1 mark):
- The chick looks like a small version of the adult chicken and just grows bigger without major changes to its body form.
35. (8 marks)
(a) Grouping materials (2 marks):
- Natural: Wooden boardwalk, Stone benches (1 mark)
- Man-made: Metal railings, Plastic rubbish bins, Rubber mats, Glass viewing panels (1 mark)
(b) Two reasons for metal railings instead of wood (2 marks):
- Reason 1: Metal is stronger and more durable than wood. (1 mark)
- Reason 2: Metal does not rot or decay when it gets wet. / Metal is waterproof. (1 mark)
(c) Why soft and flexible properties are important for exercise mats (2 marks):
- Soft mats cushion falls and prevent injuries during exercise. (1 mark)
- Flexible mats can absorb impact and are comfortable to stand/lie on. (1 mark)
(d) Why wooden benches rotted and alternative material (2 marks):
- Wood absorbs water and when constantly wet, it can rot due to fungi and bacteria. (1 mark)
- Metal, plastic, or stone could be used instead as they do not absorb water and will not rot. (1 mark)
36. (8 marks)
(a) Healthiest plant and conditions (2 marks):
- Group 1 had the healthiest plant. (1 mark)
- Conditions: Full sunlight and watered daily. (1 mark)
(b) Why Group 4's plant was tall but weak with yellow-white leaves (2 marks):
- The plant grew tall trying to reach light (etiolation). (1 mark)
- Without sunlight, the plant could not make food or produce green chlorophyll, so it became weak and yellow-white. (1 mark)
(c) What comparison of Group 1 and 3 tells us (2 marks):
- Group 1 (watered daily) was healthier than Group 3 (watered weekly). (1 mark)
- This tells us that plants need regular watering to grow healthy. / Plants that don't get enough water become wilted. (1 mark)
(d) Two conclusions about plant needs (2 marks):
- Conclusion 1: Plants need sunlight to grow healthy and produce green leaves. (1 mark)
- Conclusion 2: Plants need regular water to grow healthy and avoid wilting. (1 mark)
37. (6 marks)
(a) Difference between butterfly and cockroach life cycles (2 marks):
- Butterfly goes through complete metamorphosis with 4 stages (egg → caterpillar → pupa → adult) where the caterpillar looks very different from the adult. (1 mark)
- Cockroach goes through incomplete metamorphosis with 3 stages (egg → nymph → adult) where the nymph looks like a mini adult. (1 mark)
(b) Answer about why caterpillar eats so much (2 marks):
- "The caterpillar needs to eat a lot to store energy for the pupa stage. (1 mark)
- During the pupa stage, the caterpillar does not eat but uses stored energy to transform into a butterfly." (1 mark)
(c) Difference between where frog and butterfly eggs are laid (2 marks):
- Frog eggs are laid in water (ponds, streams) because tadpoles need water to survive. (1 mark)
- Butterfly eggs are laid on leaves of plants because caterpillars need to eat leaves when they hatch. (1 mark)
Marking Summary
| Section | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Section A: MCQ | 25 |
| Section B: Short Answer | 45 |
| Section C: Word Problems | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
End of Answer Key