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Primary 3 Science Practice Paper 1
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Questions
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 3
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI)
Subject: Science
Level: Primary 3
Paper: Practice Paper 1 (Version 1)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Marks: 60
Name: ________________________
Class: Primary 3 ______
Date: ________________________
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
- Do not open this booklet until you are told to do so.
- Follow all instructions carefully.
- Answer all questions.
- The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
- The total marks for this paper is 60.
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions (20 marks)
For each question from 1 to 10, four options are given. Choose the correct answer and write its number (1, 2, 3, or 4) in the brackets provided.
Question 1 [2 marks]
Ahmad observed four things in his garden: a grasshopper, a mushroom, a stone, and a watering can.
Which of the following correctly classifies them into living and non-living things?
| Living Things | Non-Living Things | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | grasshopper, mushroom | stone, watering can |
| (2) | grasshopper, stone | mushroom, watering can |
| (3) | mushroom, watering can | grasshopper, stone |
| (4) | stone, watering can | grasshopper, mushroom |
Answer: (_____)
Question 2 [2 marks]
Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
(1) They can make their own food.
(2) They can move from place to place.
(3) They need air, water, and food to survive.
(4) They have legs to walk.
Answer: (_____)
Question 3 [2 marks]
Study the flowchart below.
<image_placeholder> id: Q3-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q3 description: A flowchart for classifying organisms. Start box: "Organism". First decision diamond: "Does it make its own food?" Yes arrow goes to "Plant". No arrow goes to second decision diamond: "Does it have a backbone?" Yes arrow goes to "Animal with backbone". No arrow goes to "Animal without backbone". labels: Organism, Does it make its own food?, Plant, Does it have a backbone?, Animal with backbone, Animal without backbone values: None must_show: Clear flowchart structure with decision diamonds and rectangular outcome boxes, arrows labelled Yes/No </image_placeholder>
Based on the flowchart, which group would a mushroom belong to?
(1) Plant
(2) Animal with backbone
(3) Animal without backbone
(4) Cannot be determined from the flowchart
Answer: (_____)
Question 4 [2 marks]
Four pupils made the following statements about bacteria:
- Ali: Bacteria are non-living things because they are too small to be seen.
- Bala: Bacteria are living things because they can reproduce.
- Cindy: Bacteria are non-living things because they do not move.
- Devi: Bacteria are living things because they can make their own food.
Whose statement(s) is/are correct?
(1) Ali only
(2) Bala only
(3) Cindy only
(4) Devi only
Answer: (_____)
Question 5 [2 marks]
The diagram below shows a plant.
<image_placeholder> id: Q5-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q5 description: A simple diagram of a flowering plant showing roots, stem, leaves, and flowers. The flowers are clearly visible with petals. labels: roots, stem, leaves, flowers (with petals) values: None must_show: Clear labels for roots, stem, leaves, and flowers; flowers must be visibly distinct as flowering plant </image_placeholder>
Based on the diagram, this plant can be classified as a:
(1) non-flowering plant
(2) flowering plant
(3) fungus
(4) non-living thing
Answer: (_____)
Question 6 [2 marks]
Which of the following animals is incorrectly matched to its animal group?
| Animal | Animal Group |
|---|---|
| (1) Frog | Amphibian |
| (2) Penguin | Bird |
| (3) Whale | Fish |
| (4) Snake | Reptile |
Answer: (_____)
Question 7 [2 marks]
Study the table below.
| Characteristic | Organism A | Organism B | Organism C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs air, water, and food | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can grow | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can reproduce | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can respond to changes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can move by itself | Yes | No | No |
Which organism(s) is/are non-living?
(1) Organism A only
(2) Organism B only
(3) Organism C only
(4) Organism A and B only
Answer: (_____)
Question 8 [2 marks]
Mei Ling found an unknown organism in the school garden. She observed that it:
- is green in colour
- grows in damp soil
- does not have flowers
- reproduces by spores
Which group does this organism most likely belong to?
(1) Flowering plant
(2) Non-flowering plant
(3) Fungus
(4) Bacteria
Answer: (_____)
Question 9 [2 marks]
Which of the following statements about fungi is correct?
(1) All fungi are harmful to humans.
(2) Fungi can make their own food like plants.
(3) Fungi reproduce by spores.
(4) Fungi have roots, stems, and leaves.
Answer: (_____)
Question 10 [2 marks]
The diagram below shows the life cycle of a butterfly.
<image_placeholder> id: Q10-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q10 description: A circular life cycle diagram with four stages: Egg → Larva (caterpillar) → Pupa (chrysalis) → Adult butterfly. Arrows show direction of cycle. labels: Egg, Larva (caterpillar), Pupa (chrysalis), Adult butterfly values: None must_show: Four distinct stages in correct cyclic order with arrows; labels clearly visible </image_placeholder>
At which stage does the butterfly reproduce?
(1) Egg
(2) Larva
(3) Pupa
(4) Adult butterfly
Answer: (_____)
SECTION B: Structured Questions (20 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
Question 11 [4 marks]
During a nature walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Jason observed the following:
- A heron (bird) catching a fish
- A mangrove tree with flowers
- A crab moving on the mudflat
- A wooden signboard
(a) Complete the table below to classify each observation as living or non-living. [2]
| Observation | Living / Non-Living |
|---|---|
| Heron | _______________ |
| Mangrove tree | _______________ |
| Crab | _______________ |
| Wooden signboard | _______________ |
(b) For the heron, state one characteristic of living things that it shows. [1]
(c) The wooden signboard was once part of a living tree. Explain why the signboard is now considered non-living. [1]
Question 12 [4 marks]
The diagram below shows three organisms: a mould, a yeast cell (under microscope), and a mushroom.
<image_placeholder> id: Q12-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q12 description: Three separate diagrams side by side: (1) Mould on bread - fuzzy green/black patches on bread surface. (2) Yeast cells - oval microscopic cells, some budding. (3) Mushroom - typical cap and stem growing on soil. labels: Mould (fuzzy patches on bread), Yeast cells (oval cells, some budding), Mushroom (cap and stem) values: None must_show: Three distinct fungus types clearly labelled; yeast cells show budding; mould shows fuzzy texture; mushroom shows cap and stem </image_placeholder>
(a) State the group that all three organisms belong to. [1]
(b) State one similarity in the way mould and mushroom obtain food. [1]
(c) Yeast is used in making bread. Explain how yeast helps the bread dough rise. [2]
Question 13 [4 marks]
Study the classification chart below.
<image_placeholder> id: Q13-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q13 description: A classification chart. Top box: "Animals". Two branches: "Animals with backbone (Vertebrates)" and "Animals without backbone (Invertebrates)". Under Vertebrates: five boxes - Fish, Amphibian, Reptile, Bird, Mammal. Under Invertebrates: one box - Insects (with examples: butterfly, grasshopper, beetle). Labels: Animals, Animals with backbone (Vertebrates), Animals without backbone (Invertebrates), Fish, Amphibian, Reptile, Bird, Mammal, Insects Values: None Must_show: Clear hierarchical structure; five vertebrate groups; insects under invertebrates </image_placeholder>
(a) Based on the chart, which animal group does a bat belong to? [1]
(b) State one characteristic of mammals that a bat has. [1]
(c) A penguin is a bird but it cannot fly. State one characteristic that makes a penguin a bird. [1]
(d) The chart shows "Insects" under "Animals without backbone". Give one example of an animal without backbone that is not an insect. [1]
Question 14 [4 marks]
Ravi conducted an experiment to find out if seeds need air to germinate. He set up two set-ups as shown below.
<image_placeholder> id: Q14-fig1 type: experimental_setup linked_question: Q14 description: Two set-ups side by side. Set-up A: Seeds on damp cotton wool in an open container. Label: "With air". Set-up B: Seeds on damp cotton wool in a sealed container with a substance that absorbs air (e.g., pyrogallic acid). Label: "Without air". Both set-ups kept in same warm place. Labels: Set-up A (With air), Set-up B (Without air), Seeds, Damp cotton wool, Open container, Sealed container, Air-absorbing substance Values: None Must_show: Clear contrast between open and sealed containers; air-absorbing substance in Set-up B; seeds on damp cotton wool in both </image_placeholder>
(a) What is the aim of Ravi's experiment? [1]
(b) State one variable that Ravi must keep the same in both set-ups to make the experiment fair. [1]
(c) After 5 days, seeds in Set-up A germinated but seeds in Set-up B did not. What can Ravi conclude? [1]
(d) Ravi wants to test if seeds need light to germinate. Describe how he should change the set-ups. [1]
Question 15 [4 marks]
The table below shows the characteristics of four organisms, W, X, Y, and Z.
| Characteristic | Organism W | Organism X | Organism Y | Organism Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has backbone | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Lays eggs | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Has feathers | No | No | No | No |
| Has hair/fur | No | No | Yes | No |
| Lives in water | Yes | No | No | No |
| Breathes through gills | Yes | No | No | No |
(a) Which organism (W, X, Y, or Z) is most likely a fish? [1]
(b) Which organism (W, X, Y, or Z) is most likely a mammal? [1]
(c) Organism X lays eggs but has no backbone. Which animal group does Organism X most likely belong to? [1]
(d) State one difference between Organism W and Organism Y. [1]
SECTION C: Open-Ended Questions (20 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
Question 16 [5 marks]
Aisha and Ben were discussing whether a cloud is a living thing.
Aisha said: "Clouds move and grow bigger, so they are living things."
Ben said: "Clouds are non-living things because they do not need food."
(a) Who is correct? Tick (✓) one box. [1]
☐ Aisha
☐ Ben
(b) Give two reasons to support your answer in (a). [2]
Reason 1: ___________________________________________________________________
Reason 2: ___________________________________________________________________
(c) Aisha thinks that because clouds can "move" (drift with wind) and "grow" (get bigger), they are living. Explain why moving and growing in clouds are not the same as the characteristics of living things. [2]
Question 17 [5 marks]
The diagram below shows a food chain in a garden.
<image_placeholder> id: Q17-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q17 description: A simple linear food chain: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle. Arrows point from food to consumer (Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle). Labels: Grass, Grasshopper, Frog, Snake, Eagle Values: None Must_show: Five organisms in correct trophic order; arrows pointing from prey to predator; clear labels </image_placeholder>
(a) Name the producer in this food chain. [1]
(b) Which organism is both a predator and a prey? [1]
(c) If all the grasshoppers are removed from this food chain, what will happen to the frog population? Explain your answer. [2]
(d) The grass makes its own food. Name the process by which green plants make their own food. [1]
Question 18 [5 marks]
Mr Tan wants to build a bird feeder to attract birds to his garden. He tested three materials for the roof of the bird feeder.
| Material | Waterproof? | Strong? | Transparent? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic sheet | Yes | Yes | No |
| Glass | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cardboard | No | Yes | No |
(a) Which material is most suitable for the roof of the bird feeder? [1]
(b) Give two reasons for your choice in (a), based on the table. [2]
Reason 1: ___________________________________________________________________
Reason 2: ___________________________________________________________________
(c) Mr Tan decides to use the plastic sheet. He wants to paint it. State one property of the plastic sheet that makes it suitable for painting. [1]
(d) Birds need water to survive. Suggest one way Mr Tan can provide water for the birds at the feeder. [1]
Question 19 [5 marks]
Study the diagram below. It shows the life cycle of a flowering plant (bean plant).
<image_placeholder> id: Q19-fig1 type: diagram linked_question: Q19 description: A circular life cycle diagram of a bean plant with 5 stages: (1) Seed, (2) Germination (seedling with root and shoot), (3) Young plant (with leaves), (4) Adult plant with flowers, (5) Fruit with seeds. Arrows connect stages in a cycle. Labels: Seed, Germination, Young plant, Adult plant with flowers, Fruit with seeds Values: None Must_show: Five distinct stages in correct cyclic order; arrows showing cycle; flowers and fruit clearly shown; seed visible in fruit </image_placeholder>
(a) At which stage (choose from the diagram) does the plant start to make its own food? [1]
(b) The flower develops into a fruit. What is the function of the fruit? [1]
(c) Seeds are dispersed in different ways. State one way the seeds of a bean plant are dispersed. [1]
(d) Explain why seed dispersal is important for plants. [2]
Question 20 [5 marks]
Priya found an unknown animal in the park. She recorded her observations:
- It has a backbone.
- It has dry, scaly skin.
- It lays eggs with leathery shells.
- It breathes through lungs.
- It is cold-blooded.
(a) Based on the observations, which animal group does this animal belong to? [1]
(b) State two characteristics from Priya's observations that helped you decide. [2]
Characteristic 1: ______________________________________________________________
Characteristic 2: ______________________________________________________________
(c) Priya later found out that the animal is a snake. Snakes are carnivores. What does carnivore mean? [1]
(d) Give one example of a reptile that is not a snake. [1]
END OF PAPER
Answers
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 3 (Answer Key)
Subject: Science
Level: Primary 3
Paper: Practice Paper 1 (Version 1)
Total Marks: 60
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions (20 marks)
Question 1 [2 marks]
Answer: (1)
Explanation:
- Grasshopper is an insect (animal) – it grows, reproduces, moves by itself, responds to changes, and needs air, water, and food.
- Mushroom is a fungus – it grows, reproduces (by spores), responds to changes, and needs air, water, and food. It cannot move by itself but is still living.
- Stone and watering can are non-living – they do not grow, reproduce, move by themselves, respond to changes, or need air, water, and food.
Common mistake: Some students think mushrooms are non-living because they don't move like animals. Remember: movement is not the only characteristic of living things!
Question 2 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
All living things need air, water, and food to survive. This is a universal characteristic.
- (1) is incorrect: Only plants (and some bacteria) make their own food; animals and fungi cannot.
- (2) is incorrect: Plants are living but cannot move from place to place.
- (4) is incorrect: Many living things (plants, fungi, bacteria, snakes, worms) do not have legs.
Question 3 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
Follow the flowchart for a mushroom:
- "Does it make its own food?" → No (mushrooms are fungi, they decompose dead matter for food).
- "Does it have a backbone?" → No (mushrooms are not animals).
- This leads to "Animal without backbone".
Note: The flowchart is simplified and classifies mushrooms under "Animal without backbone" because they are not plants and have no backbone. In reality, fungi are a separate kingdom, but based on the given flowchart, this is the correct path.
Question 4 [2 marks]
Answer: (2)
Explanation:
- Bala is correct: Bacteria are living things because they can reproduce (divide by binary fission). They also grow, respond to changes, and need air, water, and food.
- Ali is wrong: Being too small to see does not make something non-living (e.g., dust mites, pollen).
- Cindy is wrong: Bacteria can move (some have flagella); also, not moving doesn't mean non-living (plants don't move from place to place).
- Devi is wrong: Most bacteria cannot make their own food; they obtain food from their environment.
Question 5 [2 marks]
Answer: (2)
Explanation:
The diagram shows a plant with flowers (petals visible). Plants that produce flowers are flowering plants. Non-flowering plants (e.g., ferns, mosses) reproduce by spores and do not have flowers.
Question 6 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
- Whale is a mammal, not a fish. Whales breathe air through lungs, give birth to live young, feed young with milk, and have hair (though very little).
- Frog → Amphibian ✓
- Penguin → Bird ✓ (birds have feathers and lay eggs; flight is not required)
- Snake → Reptile ✓
Question 7 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
A living thing shows all characteristics: needs air/water/food, grows, reproduces, responds to changes, and can move by itself (plants move parts like leaves/roots).
- Organism A: Shows all 5 characteristics → Living
- Organism B: Shows 4 characteristics (cannot move by itself) → Still living (e.g., a plant)
- Organism C: Shows none of the characteristics → Non-living
Question 8 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
The organism:
- Is green → could be plant or algae
- Grows in damp soil → suitable for fungi and some plants
- Does not have flowers → not a flowering plant
- Reproduces by spores → characteristic of fungi (mould, yeast, mushroom) and non-flowering plants (ferns, mosses)
However, "green in colour" and "grows in damp soil" with "no flowers" and "reproduces by spores" most closely matches fungi (some moulds appear green) or non-flowering plants. But among the options, fungus is the best fit because non-flowering plants like ferns are typically larger and not described as just "green in damp soil" without mention of fronds/leaves. Fungi are commonly found in damp places and reproduce by spores.
Teaching note: This question tests distinguishing features. Fungi reproduce by spores and do not have flowers.
Question 9 [2 marks]
Answer: (3)
Explanation:
- (1) False: Many fungi are useful (yeast for bread/beer, penicillin, edible mushrooms).
- (2) False: Fungi cannot make their own food; they are decomposers (absorb nutrients from dead/decaying matter).
- (3) True: Fungi reproduce by spores (mould, yeast, mushrooms all produce spores).
- (4) False: Fungi do not have roots, stems, or leaves; they have hyphae (thread-like structures).
Question 10 [2 marks]
Answer: (4)
Explanation:
Reproduction occurs at the adult stage. The adult butterfly mates and lays eggs. The egg, larva (caterpillar), and pupa (chrysalis) are developmental stages; they do not reproduce.
SECTION B: Structured Questions (20 marks)
Question 11 [4 marks]
(a) [2 marks – ½ mark each]
| Observation | Living / Non-Living |
|---|---|
| Heron | Living |
| Mangrove tree | Living |
| Crab | Living |
| Wooden signboard | Non-Living |
(b) [1 mark]
Any one valid characteristic:
- It can move by itself (flies, walks).
- It can grow (from chick to adult).
- It can reproduce (lays eggs).
- It responds to changes (flies away when disturbed).
- It needs air, water, and food to survive.
(c) [1 mark]
The wooden signboard cannot grow, reproduce, move by itself, respond to changes, or need air/water/food. It is made of dead wood (no longer living cells). Once the tree is cut and processed, it loses all characteristics of living things.
Question 12 [4 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Fungi (or Fungus)
(b) [1 mark]
Both mould and mushroom are decomposers – they obtain food by breaking down dead or decaying organic matter (external digestion and absorption).
Accept: Both feed on dead/decaying matter; both are saprotrophs.
(c) [2 marks]
- Yeast carries out fermentation (anaerobic respiration).
- It breaks down sugar in the dough into carbon dioxide gas and alcohol.
- The carbon dioxide bubbles get trapped in the dough, causing it to rise.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for fermentation/breaking down sugar; 1 mark for carbon dioxide causing rising.
Question 13 [4 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Mammal (bats have backbone, hair/fur, give birth to live young, feed young with milk)
(b) [1 mark]
Any one mammalian characteristic of bats:
- Has hair/fur on its body.
- Gives birth to live young (does not lay eggs).
- Feeds its young with milk from mammary glands.
- Breathes through lungs.
- Is warm-blooded.
(c) [1 mark]
Penguins have feathers (or: lay eggs with hard shells, have beaks, have wings modified as flippers).
Key: Feathers are unique to birds.
(d) [1 mark]
Any invertebrate that is not an insect, e.g.:
- Spider (arachnid)
- Earthworm (annelid)
- Snail (mollusc)
- Prawn/Crab (crustacean)
- Jellyfish (cnidarian)
- Starfish (echinoderm)
Question 14 [4 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
To find out whether seeds need air to germinate.
Or: To investigate the effect of air on seed germination.
(b) [1 mark]
Any one controlled variable:
- Type/number of seeds
- Amount of water (damp cotton wool)
- Temperature (both in same warm place)
- Type of container (except for air access)
- Light conditions
(c) [1 mark]
Seeds need air to germinate. (Or: Air is necessary for seed germination.)
(d) [1 mark]
Use two identical set-ups with air, but place one in light (e.g., near window) and one in darkness (e.g., in a cupboard/box). Keep all other conditions the same (water, temperature, air, seeds).
Or: Wrap one container in black paper/foil to block light; leave the other transparent.
Question 15 [4 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Organism W
Reasoning: Has backbone, lays eggs, lives in water, breathes through gills → Fish characteristics.
(b) [1 mark]
Organism Y
Reasoning: Has backbone, does not lay eggs (gives birth to live young), has hair/fur → Mammal characteristics.
(c) [1 mark]
Insect (or Invertebrate – but "insect" is more specific based on the chart in Q13)
Reasoning: No backbone, lays eggs → Invertebrate; among options, insects are the invertebrate group taught that lay eggs.
(d) [1 mark]
Any one valid difference:
- Organism W lives in water and breathes through gills; Organism Y lives on land and breathes through lungs.
- Organism W lays eggs; Organism Y gives birth to live young.
- Organism W has no hair/fur; Organism Y has hair/fur.
- Organism W is cold-blooded; Organism Y is warm-blooded.
SECTION C: Open-Ended Questions (20 marks)
Question 16 [5 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
☑ Ben
(b) [2 marks – 1 mark each]
Reason 1: Clouds do not need air, water, and food to survive.
Reason 2: Clouds cannot reproduce (they do not produce young clouds).
Accept any two valid characteristics that clouds lack: cannot grow by cell division, cannot respond to stimuli, cannot move by themselves.
(c) [2 marks]
- Moving: Clouds drift due to wind (external force), not by their own effort. Living things move by themselves using their own energy (e.g., muscles, cilia, growth movements).
- Growing: Clouds get bigger by collecting more water vapour (physical accumulation), not by cell division or increase in living matter. Living things grow by adding new cells / increasing living substance.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for explaining cloud movement vs self-movement; 1 mark for explaining cloud growth vs biological growth.
Question 17 [5 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Grass (Producer – makes its own food by photosynthesis)
(b) [1 mark]
Frog (or Snake)
Frog: Eats grasshopper (predator), eaten by snake (prey).
Snake: Eats frog (predator), eaten by eagle (prey).
(c) [2 marks]
- The frog population will decrease (or die out).
- Reason: Grasshoppers are the food source for frogs. Without grasshoppers, frogs have no food and will starve / not survive / not reproduce.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for correct prediction (decrease); 1 mark for correct explanation (loss of food source).
(d) [1 mark]
Photosynthesis
Question 18 [5 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Plastic sheet
(b) [2 marks – 1 mark each]
Reason 1: It is waterproof (protects bird food from rain).
Reason 2: It is strong (durable, withstands wind/weather/birds landing on it).
Note: "Not transparent" is also acceptable as a reason (birds may feel safer with opaque roof), but waterproof and strong are the primary functional reasons.
(c) [1 mark]
Any one suitable property:
- Smooth surface (paint adheres well).
- Waterproof (paint won't wash off / surface won't absorb moisture).
- Durable/strong (paint lasts long).
- Flexible (can be painted before shaping).
(d) [1 mark]
Any one practical suggestion:
- Place a shallow dish/bowl of water near the feeder.
- Attach a small water container/dispenser to the feeder.
- Provide a bird bath nearby.
- Ensure the water is changed regularly to keep it clean.
Question 19 [5 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Young plant (or "Germination" stage when first leaves appear)
Explanation: Once the seedling develops leaves (with chlorophyll), it can perform photosynthesis to make its own food. The seed stage uses stored food; germination begins growth but food-making starts with functional leaves.
(b) [1 mark]
The fruit protects the seeds and helps in seed dispersal.
Accept either: protects seeds OR aids dispersal.
(c) [1 mark]
Explosive action / splitting of the pod (when the pod dries, it splits open and flings seeds away).
Accept: "By splitting open" or "explosive dispersal".
(d) [2 marks]
- Seed dispersal prevents overcrowding near the parent plant.
- This reduces competition for light, water, nutrients, and space between the parent and seedlings / among seedlings.
- It allows plants to colonise new areas / increase their range.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for preventing overcrowding/competition; 1 mark for explaining what they compete for OR colonising new areas.
Question 20 [5 marks]
(a) [1 mark]
Reptile
(b) [2 marks – 1 mark each]
Characteristic 1: It has dry, scaly skin.
Characteristic 2: It lays eggs with leathery shells (or: it is cold-blooded / breathes through lungs / has a backbone).
Any two from the observations that are key reptile traits. Dry scaly skin and leathery eggs are most distinctive.
(c) [1 mark]
A carnivore is an animal that eats other animals (meat-eater).
Or: Feeds on the flesh of other animals.
(d) [1 mark]
Any reptile that is not a snake, e.g.:
- Lizard (gecko, monitor lizard, chameleon)
- Turtle / Tortoise
- Crocodile / Alligator
- Tuataras
END OF ANSWER KEY