Primary 3 Science Practice Paper 5

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper — Answer Key

Science Primary 3: Diversity (Living & Non-Living Things)

Practice Paper — Version 5

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (10 marks)

1. (C) A garden snail

• A garden snail is a living animal. A wooden chair, plastic toy car, and metal spoon are non-living things.
• Common mistake: Students may choose (B) because toy cars can move, but they need a battery or a push — they cannot move by themselves.

2. (B) They can grow.

• All living things grow. Not all living things can fly (e.g., plants), are green (e.g., mushrooms), or make sounds (e.g., bacteria).
• Key concept: Growth is a universal characteristic of living things.

3. (B) A non-living thing because melting is not growth

• Melting is a physical change, not biological growth. The candle does not need food, water, or air, and it cannot reproduce.
• Common mistake: Students may think any change (like melting or inflating) means something is alive.

4. (C) Amphibians

• Frogs belong to the amphibian group. They can live both in water and on land.

5. (C) Fern

• Ferns are non-flowering plants. They reproduce using spores, not flowers. Sunflowers, orchids, and roses are flowering plants.

6. (C) fungus

• Mushrooms are fungi, not plants. They do not make their own food through photosynthesis.

7. (D) They are made of metal.

• Being made of metal is not a characteristic of living things. Options (A), (B), and (C) are all true characteristics of living things.
• Note: This is a "which is NOT" question — students should read carefully.

8. (B) fish

• A mudskipper is a type of fish. Although it can move on land, it breathes through gills and lives in water.

9. (A)

• Butterfly and Grass are living. Rock and Pencil are non-living. The other options mix up the groups.

10. (C) Grew and increased in size

• The mould grew and spread, which is a characteristic of living things. Colour, location, and warmth are not characteristics of life.
• Common mistake: Students may choose (A) because mould is often green, but colour does not determine whether something is alive.

Section B: Short-Answer Questions (20 marks)

11. State two characteristics that all living things share. (2 marks)

(a) They can grow. [1 mark] (b) They can reproduce. / They need water, food, and air. / They can respond to changes. / They can move by themselves. [1 mark — accept any valid characteristic]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each correct characteristic. "They can move" is acceptable but note that not all living things move from place to place (e.g., plants move by growing towards light).

12. Complete the table. (4 marks)

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each correct classification. Spelling variations (e.g., "nonliving") are acceptable.

13. Explain why a moving toy car is not a living thing even though it can move. (2 marks)

A toy car moves because someone pushes it or because of a battery — it cannot move by itself [1 mark]. It also cannot grow, reproduce, or need food and water [1 mark — accept any one valid reason].

Marking note: The key point is that the toy car does not move on its own. Students should also mention at least one other missing characteristic of living things.

14. Name two groups of animals and give one example of each. (4 marks)

(a) Group: Mammals Example: Dog / Cat / Human / Squirrel / Whale [1 mark for group, 1 mark for correct example] (b) Group: Birds Example: Eagle / Hummingbird / Sparrow / Parrot [1 mark for group, 1 mark for correct example]

Acceptable groups: Amphibians, Birds, Fish, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles. Marking note: The example must match the group. Award 1 mark for each correct group name and 1 mark for each correct example.

15. Explain two differences between Object X (potted plant) and Object Y (teddy bear). (2 marks)

Difference 1: Object X (the plant) can grow by itself, but Object Y (the teddy bear) cannot grow. [1 mark]

Difference 2: Object X needs water and sunlight to survive, but Object Y does not need water or food. [1 mark — also accept: Object X can reproduce/make seeds, but Object Y cannot reproduce.]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each valid difference. The answer must compare the two objects, not just describe one.

16. True or False. (3 marks)

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each correct answer. For (b), inflating a balloon is not biological growth. For (c), bacteria are living even though they are very small.

17. Explain why Rani's friend is wrong. (2 marks)

A mushroom is a fungus [1 mark], and fungi are living things because they can grow, reproduce, and need food and water [1 mark — accept any one valid characteristic].

Marking note: Students must state that mushrooms are fungi (not plants or animals) AND that fungi are living. Award 1 mark for each point.

18. Classify the living things. (3 marks)

Marking note: Award ½ mark for each correctly placed living thing. There are 6 living things to place. Total = 3 marks. Accept any order within a column.

19. Nature walk at Gardens by the Bay. (2 marks)

(a) Three living things: Orchid, Dragonfly, Moss, Squirrel [½ mark each, max 1½ marks — any 3 of the 4]

Accept: Orchid, Dragonfly, Moss, Squirrel (all are living). Fountain and metal railing are non-living.

(b) Living thing: e.g., Squirrel Characteristic: It can move by itself / It needs food and water / It can grow / It can reproduce [½ mark]

Marking note: The characteristic must match the living thing named. Award ½ mark for a valid living thing and ½ mark for a valid characteristic.

20. Two pieces of evidence that the sunflower is a living thing. (2 marks)

Evidence 1: The seed grew into a shoot / the plant grew taller — this shows growth, which is a characteristic of living things. [1 mark]

Evidence 2: The plant produced a flower / the flower produced new seeds — this shows reproduction, which is a characteristic of living things. [1 mark]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each valid piece of evidence linked to a characteristic of living things. Students must refer to information from the passage, not just state a general characteristic.

Mark Summary

This practice paper was generated using syllabus-aligned templates. It is designed to complement textbook learning and is not derived from any specific past-year examination paper.