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Primary 4 Science Semestral Assessment 2 (End of Year) Paper 2
Free P4 Science SA2 Paper 2, Nemo3 Exam version, with questions, answers, and syllabus-aligned practice for Singapore students.
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Questions
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 4
TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)
Subject: Science
Level: Primary 4
Paper: SA2 (Version 2)
Duration: 1 h 45 min
Total Marks: 100
Name: ___________________________
Class: Primary 4 _______
Date: _______________
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
- Do not turn over this page until you are told to do so.
- Follow all instructions carefully.
- Answer all questions.
- For Section A, shade your answers on the Optical Answer Sheet (OAS) provided.
- For Section B, write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.
- The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
- The total marks for this paper is 100.
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions (56 marks)
For each question from 1 to 28, four options are given. One of them is the correct answer. Make your choice (1, 2, 3 or 4) and shade the correct oval on the OAS.
Diversity (Living & Non-Living Things, Materials, Classification)
1. Which of the following is a non-living thing? [2]
(1) Mushroom
(2) Moss
(3) Pebble
(4) Fern
2. Study the classification chart below.
Generated diagram for Q2.
Which one of the following correctly classifies the four items? [2]
| Item A (Mould) | Item B (Metal spoon) | Item C (Mushroom) | Item D (River stone) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | Living Thing (Fungi) | Non-Living Thing (Man-made) | Living Thing (Fungi) | Non-Living Thing (Natural) |
| (2) | Non-Living Thing (Natural) | Non-Living Thing (Man-made) | Living Thing (Plant) | Non-Living Thing (Natural) |
| (3) | Living Thing (Fungi) | Non-Living Thing (Man-made) | Living Thing (Plant) | Non-Living Thing (Natural) |
| (4) | Living Thing (Plant) | Non-Living Thing (Natural) | Living Thing (Fungi) | Non-Living Thing (Man-made) |
3. Four pupils made the following statements about living things.
- Ali: All living things can move from place to place.
- Bala: All living things need air, food and water.
- Carol: All living things reproduce by laying eggs.
- Devi: All living things grow and respond to changes.
Which pupil(s) made the correct statement(s)? [2]
(1) Bala only
(2) Ali and Devi only
(3) Bala and Devi only
(4) Ali, Bala, Carol and Devi
4. The diagram below shows a plant.
Generated diagram for Q4.
Which part of the plant (A, B, C, D or E) takes in water and mineral salts from the soil? [2]
(1) A (Roots)
(2) B (Stem)
(3) C (Leaves)
(4) D (Flowers)
5. Which of the following groups of materials are all flexible? [2]
(1) Rubber band, plastic ruler, metal wire
(2) Cotton cloth, rubber hose, leather belt
(3) Glass rod, wooden chopstick, ceramic tile
(4) Steel spoon, aluminium foil, copper coin
6. Study the flowchart below.
Generated diagram for Q6.
A piece of cotton fabric is classified using the flowchart. Which group does it belong to? [2]
(1) Group X
(2) Group Y
(3) Group Z
(4) Group W
7. Which of the following properties makes metal suitable for making cooking pots? [2]
(1) It is transparent.
(2) It is a good conductor of heat.
(3) It floats on water.
(4) It is magnetic.
8. The table below shows the properties of four materials, W, X, Y and Z. A tick (✓) shows that the material has the property.
| Material | Waterproof | Flexible | Transparent | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Y | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Z | ✓ | ✓ |
Which material is most suitable for making a raincoat? [2]
(1) W
(2) X
(3) Y
(4) Z
9. Which one of the following statements about microorganisms is correct? [2]
(1) All microorganisms are harmful.
(2) Microorganisms can only be seen with a microscope.
(3) Microorganisms do not need air, food and water.
(4) Bacteria and viruses are not microorganisms.
10. The diagram below shows three objects, P, Q and R, placed in a beaker of water.
Generated diagram for Q10.
Based on the diagram, which of the following statements is correct? [2]
(1) Object P has the greatest mass.
(2) Object R has the smallest volume.
(3) Object P is less dense than water.
(4) Object Q is denser than Object R.
Cycles (Matter, Water Cycle)
11. Which of the following shows the correct state of water at the given temperature? [2]
| Temperature (°C) | State of Water | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 0 | Gas |
| (2) | 25 | Solid |
| (3) | 100 | Liquid |
| (4) | -5 | Solid |
12. The diagram below shows the water cycle.
Generated diagram for Q12.
Which process(es) involve(s) a change of state from gas to liquid? [2]
(1) A only
(2) B only
(3) A and C only
(4) B and D only
13. Ice cubes are placed in a glass of warm water. After some time, the ice cubes melt. Which of the following explains this? [2]
(1) The ice cubes lose heat to the warm water.
(2) The warm water loses heat to the ice cubes.
(3) The ice cubes gain heat from the warm water.
(4) The warm water gains heat from the ice cubes.
14. Water vapour in the air condenses on the outside of a cold glass. This process is called __________. [2]
(1) evaporation
(2) condensation
(3) freezing
(4) melting
15. The graph below shows the temperature of water as it is heated over time.
Generated graph for Q15.
At which part of the graph is the water boiling? [2]
(1) The part where the temperature rises from 0°C to 100°C
(2) The part where the temperature stays constant at 100°C
(3) The part where the temperature rises above 100°C
(4) The part where the temperature falls
Systems (Plant System, Human Digestive System)
16. The diagram below shows a cross-section of a leaf.
Generated diagram for Q16.
Through which part does the leaf take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis? [2]
(1) Upper epidermis
(2) Palisade mesophyll
(3) Stomata
(4) Xylem
17. Which of the following shows the correct path of food through the human digestive system? [2]
(1) Mouth → Gullet → Stomach → Small intestine → Large intestine → Anus
(2) Mouth → Stomach → Gullet → Small intestine → Large intestine → Anus
(3) Mouth → Gullet → Stomach → Large intestine → Small intestine → Anus
(4) Mouth → Stomach → Gullet → Large intestine → Small intestine → Anus
18. In which organ does most digestion and absorption of nutrients take place? [2]
(1) Mouth
(2) Stomach
(3) Small intestine
(4) Large intestine
19. The diagram below shows the human digestive system.
Generated diagram for Q19.
Which organ produces digestive juices that help to break down fats? [2]
(1) Liver
(2) Pancreas
(3) Stomach
(4) Small intestine
20. Which of the following statements about the plant transport system is correct? [2]
(1) The xylem transports food from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
(2) The phloem transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves.
(3) The xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves.
(4) The phloem transports water from the leaves to the roots.
Energy (Light, Heat)
21. Which of the following is a source of light? [2]
(1) Moon
(2) Mirror
(3) Sun
(4) White paper
22. The diagram below shows a torch shining on an opaque ball. A shadow is formed on the screen.
Image pending generation: diagram for Q22.
Which of the following statements about the shadow is correct? [2]
(1) The shadow is formed because light bends around the ball.
(2) The shadow is the same size as the ball.
(3) The shadow is formed on the side of the ball facing the torch.
(4) The shadow is formed because light travels in straight lines.
23. Four materials, A, B, C and D, are tested to see if they allow light to pass through. The results are shown below.
| Material | Allows most light to pass through | Allows some light to pass through | Does not allow light to pass through |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ✓ | ||
| B | ✓ | ||
| C | ✓ | ||
| D | ✓ |
Which material is most suitable for making a bathroom window that allows light in but provides privacy? [2]
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
24. Heat travels from a __________ region to a __________ region. [2]
(1) hotter, colder
(2) colder, hotter
(3) hotter, hotter
(4) colder, colder
25. The diagram below shows a metal spoon placed in a cup of hot tea.
Generated diagram for Q25.
The handle of the spoon becomes hot after a while. This is because __________. [2]
(1) metal is a good conductor of heat
(2) metal is a poor conductor of heat
(3) the tea radiates heat to the handle
(4) the handle absorbs heat from the air
26. Which of the following materials is the best insulator of heat? [2]
(1) Copper
(2) Aluminium
(3) Plastic
(4) Iron
27. A metal ball is heated and it expands. When it cools down, it __________. [2]
(1) expands further
(2) contracts
(3) remains the same size
(4) melts
28. The diagram below shows an experiment set-up.
Generated experimental_setup for Q28.
Wax pieces are attached at 5 cm intervals along each rod. The rods are placed in hot water at the same time. The time taken for each wax piece to melt is recorded. What is the aim of this experiment? [2]
(1) To find out which rod conducts heat the fastest
(2) To find out which rod expands the most
(3) To find out which rod melts first
(4) To find out which rod absorbs the most water
SECTION B: Open-Ended Questions (44 marks)
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
Diversity
29. The diagram below shows four things: a cat, a mushroom, a robot, and a fern.
Generated diagram for Q29.
(a) Classify the four things into two groups: Living Things and Non-Living Things. Write the letters (A, B, C, D) in the correct boxes below. [2]
Living Things: _______________
Non-Living Things: _______________
(b) State one characteristic of living things that the mushroom has but the robot does not have. [1]
(c) The mushroom and the fern are both living things. State one difference between them. [1]
30. Study the classification table below.
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| Copper wire | Plastic ruler |
| Iron nail | Wooden chopstick |
| Steel key | Rubber band |
| Aluminium foil | Glass marble |
(a) Give a suitable heading for Group 1 and Group 2. [2]
Group 1: ___________________________________
Group 2: ___________________________________
(b) State one property that all materials in Group 1 share. [1]
(c) A new material, a gold ring, is added. Which group does it belong to? Explain your answer. [1]
31. The diagram below shows a plant.
Generated diagram for Q31.
(a) Name the parts labelled P, Q, R and S. [2]
P: _______________
Q: _______________
R: _______________
S: _______________
(b) State the function of part Q. [1]
(c) Part R is removed from the plant. What will happen to the plant after some time? Explain your answer. [2]
Cycles
32. The set-up below shows an experiment on evaporation.
Generated experimental_setup for Q32.
(a) What is the aim of this experiment? [1]
(b) State one variable that is kept the same in this experiment. [1]
(c) After 3 hours, the water level in Beaker A is lower than in Beaker B. Explain why. [2]
33. The diagram below shows the water cycle.
Generated diagram for Q33.
(a) Name the process where water changes from liquid to gas. [1]
(b) Name the process where water vapour changes to liquid water droplets to form clouds. [1]
(c) The Sun plays an important role in the water cycle. State what the Sun provides. [1]
(d) Explain why the water cycle is important for living things on Earth. [2]
Systems
34. The diagram below shows the human digestive system.
Generated diagram for Q34.
(a) In which part (A, B, C, D or E) is food completely digested and absorbed into the blood? [1]
(b) State the function of part B. [1]
(c) Part E removes water from undigested food. What happens to the undigested food after water is removed? [1]
(d) Chewing food into smaller pieces in the mouth helps digestion. Explain why. [2]
35. The diagram below shows a cross-section of a stem.
Generated diagram for Q35.
(a) Name the two types of tubes found in the vascular bundles. [1]
(b) State the function of the xylem. [1]
(c) A ring of bark (including phloem) is removed from the stem. The leaves above the cut remain green for a few days but the roots die first. Explain why. [2]
Energy
36. The diagram below shows a light source shining on three different materials, X, Y and Z, placed one behind the other.
Generated experimental_setup for Q36.
(a) Which material (X, Y or Z) allows most light to pass through? [1]
(b) Which material (X, Y or Z) forms the darkest shadow on the screen? [1]
(c) Material Y is used to make a lampshade. Explain why it is suitable. [2]
37. Peter wants to find out which material is the best conductor of heat. He sets up the experiment as shown below.
Generated experimental_setup for Q37.
(a) State the variable that is changed in this experiment. [1]
(b) State two variables that must be kept the same for a fair test. [2]
(c) The thumbtack on the copper rod drops first. What conclusion can Peter draw? [1]
(d) Peter repeats the experiment using rods of different thicknesses. Explain why this would not be a fair test. [1]
38. The diagram below shows a clinical thermometer.
Generated diagram for Q38.
(a) What is the purpose of the constriction (kink) in the clinical thermometer? [1]
(b) Before using the clinical thermometer, it must be shaken. Explain why. [1]
(c) State the normal human body temperature. [1]
(d) Why is the clinical thermometer not suitable for measuring the temperature of boiling water? [1]
END OF PAPER
Answers
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 4 (SA2 Version 2) - Answer Key
Subject: Science
Level: Primary 4
Paper: SA2 (Version 2)
Total Marks: 100
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions (56 marks)
Diversity
1. Answer: (3) Pebble [2]
Explanation: A pebble is a non-living thing. Mushrooms and moulds are fungi (living things), moss and ferns are plants (living things). Non-living things do not need air, food, or water, and cannot grow or reproduce on their own.
2. Answer: (1) [2]
Explanation:
- Mould (Item A) is a fungus → Living Thing (Fungi)
- Metal spoon (Item B) is made by humans → Non-Living Thing (Man-made)
- Mushroom (Item C) is a fungus → Living Thing (Fungi)
- River stone (Item D) occurs naturally → Non-Living Thing (Natural)
Common mistake: Mushrooms are often mistaken as plants. They are fungi, not plants (no photosynthesis).
3. Answer: (3) Bala and Devi only [2]
Explanation:
- Ali is incorrect: Plants are living things but cannot move from place to place.
- Bala is correct: All living things need air, food, and water to survive.
- Carol is incorrect: Not all living things lay eggs (e.g., mammals give birth, plants produce seeds).
- Devi is correct: All living things grow and respond to changes in their environment.
4. Answer: (1) A (Roots) [2]
Explanation: Roots absorb water and mineral salts from the soil. They also anchor the plant. The stem transports water and food, leaves make food, and flowers are for reproduction.
5. Answer: (2) Cotton cloth, rubber hose, leather belt [2]
Explanation: Flexible materials can bend without breaking. Cotton cloth, rubber hose, and leather belt are all flexible. Glass rod, wooden chopstick, ceramic tile (3) are rigid. Steel spoon, aluminium foil, copper coin (4) - aluminium foil is flexible but steel spoon and copper coin are not. Rubber band and plastic ruler (1) are flexible but metal wire may not be very flexible depending on thickness.
6. Answer: (3) Group Z [2]
Explanation: Following the flowchart: Cotton fabric → Not a living thing → Not man-made (it's from plants) → Natural → From plants/animals? Yes → Group Z.
Note: Cotton comes from the cotton plant, so it is a natural material from plants.
7. Answer: (2) It is a good conductor of heat [2]
Explanation: Cooking pots need to transfer heat quickly and evenly from the stove to the food. Metals are good conductors of heat. Transparency (1), floating (3), and magnetism (4) are not relevant properties for cooking pots.
8. Answer: (2) X [2]
Explanation: A raincoat needs to be waterproof (to keep rain out), flexible (to wear comfortably), and strong (to last). Material X has all three properties: Waterproof ✓, Flexible ✓, Strong ✓. Material W is not flexible. Material Y is not waterproof or strong. Material Z is not flexible.
9. Answer: (2) Microorganisms can only be seen with a microscope [2]
Explanation: Microorganisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Not all are harmful (some are useful, e.g., yeast, decomposers). They do need air, food, and water. Bacteria and viruses are microorganisms.
10. Answer: (3) Object P is less dense than water [2]
Explanation: Object P floats on the surface, meaning its density is less than water (1 g/cm³). Object Q is suspended (neutral buoyancy), so its density equals water. Object R sinks, so its density is greater than water. Mass and volume alone cannot determine floating/sinking without density.
Cycles
11. Answer: (4) -5°C, Solid [2]
Explanation: Water freezes at 0°C and below. At -5°C, water is in solid state (ice). At 0°C it can be solid or liquid (melting/freezing point). At 25°C it is liquid. At 100°C it boils and becomes gas (steam).
12. Answer: (2) B only [2]
Explanation: Process B is condensation (gas → liquid). Process A is evaporation (liquid → gas). Process C is precipitation (liquid falling). Process D is collection (liquid gathering). Only condensation involves gas to liquid change.
13. Answer: (3) The ice cubes gain heat from the warm water [2]
Explanation: Heat flows from hotter to colder regions. The warm water is hotter than the ice cubes, so the ice cubes gain heat from the warm water, causing them to melt. The warm water loses heat to the ice cubes.
14. Answer: (2) condensation [2]
Explanation: Condensation is the process where water vapour (gas) changes to liquid water when it loses heat to a cooler surface (the cold glass).
15. Answer: (2) The part where the temperature stays constant at 100°C [2]
Explanation: During boiling, temperature remains constant at 100°C (boiling point) even though heating continues. The heat energy is used to overcome forces between molecules to change state from liquid to gas, not to raise temperature.
Systems
16. Answer: (3) Stomata [2]
Explanation: Stomata (pores on the leaf surface, usually lower epidermis) allow gas exchange - carbon dioxide enters for photosynthesis, oxygen and water vapour exit. Xylem transports water, phloem transports food, epidermis protects.
17. Answer: (1) Mouth → Gullet → Stomach → Small intestine → Large intestine → Anus [2]
Explanation: This is the correct sequence of the digestive tract. Food enters the mouth, passes through the gullet (oesophagus) to the stomach, then small intestine (main digestion/absorption), large intestine (water absorption), and out through the anus.
18. Answer: (3) Small intestine [2]
Explanation: The small intestine is where most chemical digestion occurs (with enzymes from pancreas and bile from liver) and where most nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through villi. The stomach does some digestion (proteins), mouth starts digestion (starch), large intestine mainly absorbs water.
19. Answer: (1) Liver [2]
Explanation: The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats (breaks large fat globules into smaller droplets) to help in fat digestion. The pancreas produces lipase (enzyme that digests fats), but the question asks for the organ producing digestive juices that help break down fats - bile from the liver is the key answer at P4 level.
20. Answer: (3) The xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves [2]
Explanation: Xylem: water and mineral salts (upward, one-way). Phloem: food (sugar) from leaves to all parts (two-way). Options (1), (2), and (4) have the functions swapped or incorrect directions.
Energy
21. Answer: (3) Sun [2]
Explanation: The Sun produces its own light (luminous). The Moon reflects sunlight, mirrors reflect light, white paper reflects light - they are non-luminous.
22. Answer: (4) The shadow is formed because light travels in straight lines [2]
Explanation: Light travels in straight lines. The opaque ball blocks the light, preventing it from reaching the screen behind, forming a shadow. Light does not bend around objects (1). The shadow is larger than the object when the screen is further away (2). The shadow forms on the side away from the light source (3).
23. Answer: (2) B [2]
Explanation: A bathroom window needs to allow light in (translucent - allows some light) but provide privacy (not transparent - cannot see through clearly). Material B allows some light to pass through (translucent/frosted glass). Material A and D are transparent (clear glass). Material C is opaque (blocks all light).
24. Answer: (1) hotter, colder [2]
Explanation: Heat always flows from a region of higher temperature (hotter) to a region of lower temperature (colder) until thermal equilibrium is reached.
25. Answer: (1) metal is a good conductor of heat [2]
Explanation: Metals are good conductors of heat. Heat from the hot tea travels quickly through the metal spoon by conduction to the handle. Radiation (3) and air conduction (4) are minor effects. Metal is not a poor conductor (2).
26. Answer: (3) Plastic [2]
Explanation: Plastic is a poor conductor of heat (good insulator). Copper, aluminium, and iron are metals and good conductors of heat. Insulators slow down heat transfer.
27. Answer: (2) contracts [2]
Explanation: Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. The metal ball expands when heated; when it cools, it loses heat and contracts back to its original size (assuming no phase change).
28. Answer: (1) To find out which rod conducts heat the fastest [2]
Explanation: The wax melts when heat reaches it by conduction along the rod. The faster the heat travels (better conductor
<stage3_exam_answers_md>
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 4 (Answer Key)
TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)
Subject: Science
Level: Primary 4
Paper: SA2 (Version 2)
Total Marks: 100
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions (56 marks)
| Question | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (3) | A pebble is a non-living thing. Mushroom, moss, and fern are living things (fungi, bryophyte, plant). |
| 2 | (1) | Mould and mushroom are fungi (Living Things). Metal spoon is man-made. River stone is natural non-living. |
| 3 | (3) | Bala: All living things need air, food, water (correct). Devi: All living things grow and respond to changes (correct). Ali: Plants don't move place to place. Carol: Not all lay eggs (plants, mammals). |
| 4 | (1) | Roots absorb water and mineral salts from soil. |
| 5 | (2) | Cotton cloth, rubber hose, leather belt are all flexible. Others contain rigid materials. |
| 6 | (3) | Cotton fabric: Not living → Man-made? No (from plant) → Natural → From plants/animals? Yes → Group Z. |
| 7 | (2) | Metals are good conductors of heat, allowing even cooking. |
| 8 | (2) | Raincoat needs waterproof, flexible, strong. Material X has all three (Waterproof ✓, Flexible ✓, Strong ✓). |
| 9 | (2) | Microorganisms are microscopic. Some are beneficial. They need air, food, water. Bacteria/viruses are microorganisms. |
| 10 | (3) | Object P floats → less dense than water. Object R sinks → denser than water. Object Q suspended → density ≈ water. |
| 11 | (4) | At -5°C, water is solid (ice). At 0°C: solid/liquid. At 25°C: liquid. At 100°C: liquid/gas. |
| 12 | (2) | B (condensation) is gas → liquid. A: liquid→gas. C: liquid→solid (or liquid→liquid). D: collection (no state change). |
| 13 | (3) | Heat flows from hotter (water) to colder (ice). Ice gains heat, melts. |
| 14 | (2) | Water vapour (gas) → liquid water on cold surface = condensation. |
| 15 | (2) | Boiling occurs at constant temperature (100°C) - the horizontal plateau. |
| 16 | (3) | Stomata (pores on leaf underside) allow gas exchange (CO₂ in, O₂ out). |
| 17 | (1) | Correct order: Mouth → Gullet → Stomach → Small intestine → Large intestine → Anus. |
| 18 | (3) | Small intestine: villi increase surface area for most digestion & absorption. |
| 19 | (1) | Liver produces bile (stored in gallbladder) which emulsifies fats. Pancreas produces lipase too, but liver is primary for bile. |
| 20 | (3) | Xylem: water & minerals ↑ (roots to leaves). Phloem: food ↓↑ (leaves to all parts). |
| 21 | (3) | Sun produces own light. Moon reflects. Mirror reflects. White paper reflects. |
| 22 | (4) | Shadows form because light travels in straight lines and is blocked by opaque object. |
| 23 | (2) | Bathroom window: translucent (allows some light, privacy). Material B = translucent. A/D = transparent. C = opaque. |
| 24 | (1) | Heat flows from hotter region to colder region (2nd Law of Thermodynamics). |
| 25 | (1) | Metal conducts heat well from hot tea up handle via conduction. |
| 26 | (3) | Plastic is a poor conductor (good insulator). Copper, Aluminium, Iron are metals (good conductors). |
| 27 | (2) | Heating → expansion. Cooling → contraction (particles move closer). |
| 28 | (1) | Wax melting time indicates heat travel speed along rod → compares thermal conductivity. |
SECTION B: Open-Ended Questions (44 marks)
Diversity
29.
(a) Living Things: A, B, D
Non-Living Things: C
(Cat, Mushroom, Fern are living. Robot is man-made non-living.)
(b) The mushroom can reproduce / grow / respond to changes / needs air, food, water (any one characteristic of life).
(Robot does not carry out life processes.)
(c) The fern is a plant that makes its own food through photosynthesis, while the mushroom is a fungus that obtains food by decomposing dead matter / is a decomposer.
(Or: Fern has chlorophyll/roots/stems/leaves; mushroom does not. Fern reproduces by spores on fronds; mushroom by spores on gills.)
30.
(a) Group 1: Conductors of electricity / Metals / Good conductors of heat
Group 2: Insulators of electricity / Non-metals / Poor conductors of heat
(Copper wire, Iron nail, Steel paper clip are metals/conductors. Plastic ruler, Wooden chopstick, Rubber band are non-metals/insulators.)
(b) Aluminium foil
(It is a metal, so it belongs to Group 1 - conductors.)
(c) Property: Waterproof / Flexible / Transparent / Strong (choose one relevant to the group).
Example: "Group 1 materials are generally strong and good conductors of heat. Group 2 materials are generally flexible and poor conductors of heat."
(Answer must match the property used to classify in (a). If classified by electrical conductivity, state "Electrical conductivity".)
31.
(a) Solid
(Ice is solid water. Definite shape and volume.)
(b) The ice gained heat from the warmer surroundings / water, causing it to melt into liquid water.
(Heat gain → melting. State change: Solid → Liquid.)
(c) The water vapour in the surrounding air lost heat to the cold outer surface of the beaker and condensed into tiny water droplets.
(Condensation: Gas → Liquid on a cooler surface. Not from inside the beaker.)
Cycles
32.
(a) Process A: Evaporation. Process B: Condensation.
(A: Liquid → Gas (sea to clouds). B: Gas → Liquid (clouds to rain).)
(b) The Sun provides heat energy for water to evaporate from water bodies (sea, rivers, lakes) into water vapour, driving the water cycle.
(Heat source for evaporation.)
(c) The water level in the beaker will decrease / drop.
(Water evaporates over time, escaping as vapour into the air. Mass/volume of liquid water reduces.)
33.
(a) 100°C
(Boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.)
(b) The temperature of the water remains constant at 100°C while it is boiling.
(Heat energy absorbed is used to overcome intermolecular forces for state change (latent heat), not raise temperature.)
(c) Use a lid on the beaker / Use a wider beaker / Increase the flame / Use less water (any one valid method).
(Lid traps heat, reduces heat loss. Wider surface area increases evaporation rate. More heat input. Less mass to heat.)
Systems
34.
(a) Part X: Stomach. Part Y: Small intestine.
(X: J-shaped bag, churns food. Y: Long coiled tube, villi shown.)
(b) Digestion: The stomach churns food and secretes gastric juices to break it down into a semi-liquid (chyme). Absorption: The small intestine has villi (finger-like projections) that increase surface area for absorption of digested nutrients into the bloodstream.
(Stomach: mainly digestion (proteins). Small intestine: completes digestion & main site of absorption.)
(c) The large intestine absorbs water and mineral salts from the undigested food / waste matter.
(Forms faeces. No digestion occurs here.)
35.
(a) Function of Part A (Roots): To absorb water and mineral salts from the soil / To anchor the plant firmly to the ground.
(Either answer accepted.)
(b) The food-carrying tubes (phloem) in the stem were removed / blocked by the ring cut, so food made by the leaves could not be transported down to the roots. The roots starved and died, causing the plant to die.
(Water-carrying tubes (xylem) are inner, usually intact in ring barking. Phloem is outer. Food accumulates above cut → swelling.)
(c) The leaves cannot make food because there are no roots to absorb water (raw material for photosynthesis). / The plant cannot take in water to replace water lost through transpiration, so it wilts and dies.
(Roots dead → no water uptake → photosynthesis stops / plant dehydrates.)
36.
(a) Cell wall
(Plant cells have cell wall (cellulose). Animal cells do not. Both have cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus.)
(b) Part B: Nucleus. Function: Controls all activities in the cell / Contains genetic information (DNA) / Controls cell division.
(Brain of the cell.)
(c) The red blood cell has no nucleus (in mammals) / has a biconcave disc shape / contains haemoglobin to transport oxygen.
(Any one correct difference. Plant cell: regular shape, cell wall, chloroplasts, large vacuole. Red blood cell: no nucleus, no mitochondria, disc shape, haemoglobin.)
Energy
37.
(a) Light travels in straight lines. The opaque book blocks the light from the torch, preventing it from reaching the wall behind it, forming a dark shadow.
(Key terms: straight lines, opaque, blocks light, shadow.)
(b) The shadow becomes larger / bigger.
(Moving object closer to light source → larger shadow (diverging rays).)
(c) Use a brighter torch / Move the torch closer to the book / Move the screen further away from the book (any one).
(Sharper shadow: point source, increase object-screen distance, decrease source-object distance. "Brighter" increases contrast.)
38.
(a) Set-up B
(Metal rod is a good conductor of heat. Heat travels fast from hot water → wax → melts first. Wood/Plastic are poor conductors.)
(b) The metal rod conducts heat faster than the wooden rod, so heat reaches the thumbtack on the metal rod first, melting the wax and causing the thumbtack to drop first.
(Comparative explanation: Good conductor vs Poor conductor → speed of heat transfer.)
(c) To ensure a fair test / To ensure that the only variable is the type of material (rod), so that any difference in time taken is due to the material's conductivity.
(Constants: Length, thickness, wax amount, water temp, distance from heat source.)
39.
(a) The metal lid expands / becomes larger when heated / gains heat.
(Metal expands on heating. Lid loosens.)
(b) The glass jar expands very little / is a poor conductor of heat, so the lid expands more than the jar, loosening the fit.
(Differential expansion. Glass has low thermal expansion & conductivity. Hot water heats metal lid faster/more.)
(c) Metal expands more than glass for the same rise in temperature / Metal is a better conductor of heat than glass.
(Underlying principle: Different coefficients of thermal expansion / conductivity.)
MARKING SCHEME SUMMARY
- Section A: 28 questions × 2 marks = 56 marks
- Section B: 11 questions (29-39) = 44 marks
- Q29: 2+1+1 = 4
- Q30: 2+1+1 = 4
- Q31: 1+1+1 = 3
- Q32: 1+1+1 = 3
- Q33: 1+1+1 = 3
- Q34: 1+2+1 = 4
- Q35: 1+2+1 = 4
- Q36: 1+2+1 = 4
- Q37: 2+1+1 = 4
- Q38: 1+2+1 = 4
- Q39: 1+1+1 = 3
- Total: 44 marks
Grand Total: 100 marks
End of Answer Key
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