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Primary 4 Science Semestral Assessment 2 (End of Year) Paper 3
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Questions
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 4
TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)
Subject: Science Level: Primary 4 Paper: SA2 Practice Paper Duration: 60 minutes Total Marks: 60 Version: 3 of 5
Name: ________________________ Class: ________________________ Date: ________________________
Instructions
- Answer ALL questions.
- Write your answers in the spaces provided.
- Do not write on the barcodes or outside the answer spaces.
- The number of marks for each question is shown in brackets [ ].
- You are advised to spend about 60 minutes on this paper.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Questions 1–10: Choose the most correct answer and write its letter in the brackets provided.
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Which of the following is a living thing? (A) A rock (B) A wooden chair (C) A mushroom (D) A plastic bottle
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which characteristic is common to ALL living things? (A) They can fly. (B) They can grow. (C) They have legs. (D) They live on land.
Answer: ( ) [1]
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A fish is different from a dolphin because a fish (A) breathes through lungs. (B) has scales and fins. (C) gives birth to live young. (D) is warm-blooded.
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which of the following animals is a mammal? (A) Crocodile (B) Penguin (C) Bat (D) Lizard
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of birds? (A) They have feathers. (B) They lay eggs. (C) They have teeth. (D) They have wings.
Answer: ( ) [1]
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A spider is different from an insect because a spider has (A) six legs. (B) eight legs. (C) wings. (D) antennae.
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which of the following plants is a non-flowering plant? (A) Rose (B) Fern (C) Sunflower (D) Orchid
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which of the following is a characteristic of reptiles? (A) They have moist skin. (B) They have dry, scaly skin. (C) They have feathers. (D) They give birth to live young only.
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which group of animals has a backbone? (A) Insects (B) Jellyfish (C) Earthworms (D) Frogs
Answer: ( ) [1]
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Which of the following is an invertebrate? (A) Shark (B) Eagle (C) Snail (D) Snake
Answer: ( ) [1]
Section B: Short Answer Questions (25 marks)
Answer each question in the space provided.
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State two ways in which living things are different from non-living things.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
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The table below shows four organisms.
Organism Has legs Has wings Has scales A Yes No Yes B Yes Yes No C No No Yes D Yes No No (a) Which organism is most likely a fish? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
(b) Which organism is most likely a bird? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
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Complete the following classification table by filling in the missing information.
Group Body covering Breathes through Lays eggs? Mammal Fur / hair Lungs No* Bird ________ Lungs Yes Reptile Scales ________ Yes Amphibian Moist skin Lungs & skin ________ Fish Scales ________ Yes *Most mammals; some exceptions exist.
[4]
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Study the pictures of the two animals below.
Animal X: Has six legs, two antennae, three body segments, wings Animal Y: Has eight legs, no antennae, two body segments, no wings
(a) Which group does Animal X belong to?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Which group does Animal Y belong to?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Give one other difference between the two groups.
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
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A pupil found an unknown organism in the garden. It has a soft body, no backbone, and moves slowly.
(a) Is this organism a vertebrate or invertebrate?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Suggest one possible identity for this organism.
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
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Explain why a whale is classified as a mammal and not a fish. Give two reasons.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
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State two differences between flowering plants and non-flowering plants.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
Section C: Structured / Application Questions (15 marks)
Answer each question in the space provided. Show your reasoning where required.
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The diagram below shows a simple classification key for animals.
Animal ├── Has backbone? │ ├── Yes → Vertebrate │ │ ├── Has feathers? → Yes → Bird │ │ │ → No → Has dry, scaly skin? → Yes → Reptile │ │ │ → No → Has moist skin? → Yes → Amphibian │ │ │ → No → Has scales & fins? → Yes → Fish │ │ │ → No → Mammal │ └── No → Invertebrate │ ├── Has 6 legs? → Yes → Insect │ │ → No → Has 8 legs? → Yes → Arachnid │ │ → No → Other invertebrate(a) Use the key to classify the following animals. Write the group name for each.
(i) A frog: _________________________________ [1]
(ii) A butterfly: _________________________________ [1]
(iii) A shark: _________________________________ [1]
(iv) A scorpion: _________________________________ [1]
(b) A new animal is discovered. It has a backbone, moist skin, and lays eggs in water. Which group does it belong to?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
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A group of pupils went on a nature walk and recorded the organisms they found.
Organism Number found Ant 25 Earthworm 8 Sparrow 3 Grasshopper 12 Lizard 2 Snail 6 Butterfly 4 Frog 1 (a) How many different types of organisms did the pupils find?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Which organism was the most common?
_____________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Classify the organisms into vertebrates and invertebrates. Write your answers in the table below.
Vertebrates Invertebrates [4]
(d) What does this data tell us about the diversity of organisms in the garden?
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
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Read the following passage and answer the questions.
In a tropical rainforest, there is a great diversity of living things. Tall trees form a canopy that blocks sunlight from reaching the forest floor. On the forest floor, ferns and mosses grow well in the damp, shady conditions. Insects such as beetles and ants are found everywhere. Birds like the hornbill feed on fruits in the canopy, while frogs and snakes live near the streams.
(a) Give two abiotic (non-living) factors mentioned in the passage that affect the organisms.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
(b) Name two vertebrates and two invertebrates mentioned in the passage.
Vertebrates: _________________________ and _________________________
Invertebrates: _________________________ and _________________________ [2]
(c) Explain why ferns and mosses are found on the forest floor instead of in the canopy.
_____________________________________________________________ [2]
END OF PAPER
Answers
TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Science Primary 4
Answer Key — Version 3 of 5
Subject: Science | Level: Primary 4 | Paper: SA2 Practice Paper | Total Marks: 60
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Marking note: 1 mark each. No partial credit.
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(C) — A mushroom is a living thing (a fungus). Rocks, wooden chairs, and plastic bottles are non-living.
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(B) — All living things can grow. Not all living things can fly, have legs, or live on land (e.g., fish live in water).
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(B) — Fish have scales and fins. Dolphins breathe through lungs, give birth to live young, and are warm-blooded — these are mammalian traits.
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(C) — A bat is a mammal. Crocodiles and lizards are reptiles; penguins are birds.
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(C) — Birds do not have teeth; they have beaks. Feathers, laying eggs, and having wings are all bird characteristics.
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(B) — Spiders have 8 legs; insects have 6 legs. Spiders also lack antennae and wings.
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(B) — Ferns are non-flowering plants (they reproduce via spores). Roses, sunflowers, and orchids are flowering plants.
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(B) — Reptiles have dry, scaly skin. Moist skin is a characteristic of amphibians; feathers belong to birds; some reptiles give birth to live young but not all.
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(D) — Frogs are vertebrates (amphibians) and have a backbone. Insects, jellyfish, and earthworms are invertebrates.
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(C) — A snail is an invertebrate (a mollusc). Sharks, eagles, and snakes are all vertebrates.
Section B: Short Answer Questions (25 marks)
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[2 marks] — Award 1 mark for each valid difference (maximum 2).
Acceptable answers (any two):
- Living things can grow; non-living things cannot.
- Living things can reproduce; non-living things cannot.
- Living things need food/water/air; non-living things do not.
- Living things can respond to changes; non-living things do not.
- Living things can move (at least some part); non-living things cannot move on their own.
- Living things carry out respiration; non-living things do not.
Common mistake: Saying "living things can move" without qualification — plants are living but do not move from place to place. Accept if the student clarifies "move in some way" or gives a valid example.
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(a) [2 marks] — Organism C.
- 1 mark for identifying Organism C.
- 1 mark for explanation: It has scales and no legs, which are characteristics of fish. Fish have scales for protection and use fins (not legs) to swim.
(b) [2 marks] — Organism B.
- 1 mark for identifying Organism B.
- 1 mark for explanation: It has legs and wings but no scales. Birds have legs (with scaly skin on legs), wings, and feathers (not scales on body).
Marking note: Accept Organism D for bird if the student explains it has legs but no scales (some students may associate "no scales" with feathers). Award 1 mark for the identification and 1 mark for a reasonable explanation.
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[4 marks] — 1 mark for each correct blank.
Group Body covering Breathes through Lays eggs? Mammal Fur / hair Lungs No* Bird Feathers Lungs Yes Reptile Scales Lungs Yes Amphibian Moist skin Lungs & skin Yes Fish Scales Gills Yes Common mistakes:
- Writing "skin" instead of "moist skin" for amphibians — accept "skin" as it is technically correct but "moist skin" is the expected answer.
- Writing "fins" for fish body covering — incorrect; fins are for movement, scales are the body covering.
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(a) [1 mark] — Insect (or Insecta).
(b) [1 mark] — Arachnid (or spider group).
(c) [1 mark] — Any one valid difference:
- Insects have 6 legs; arachnids have 8 legs.
- Insects have 3 body segments; arachnids have 2 body segments.
- Insects have antennae; arachnids do not.
- Insects may have wings; arachnids do not have wings.
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(a) [1 mark] — Invertebrate.
(b) [1 mark] — Accept any reasonable invertebrate with a soft body that moves slowly:
- Snail
- Slug
- Earthworm
- Caterpillar
- Flatworm
Common mistake: Saying "worm" without specifying — accept as correct.
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[2 marks] — Award 1 mark for each valid reason (maximum 2).
Acceptable answers (any two):
- Whales breathe through lungs (fish use gills).
- Whales give birth to live young (most fish lay eggs).
- Whales produce milk to feed their young (fish do not).
- Whales are warm-blooded (most fish are cold-blooded).
- Whales have a layer of fat/blubber (fish do not have this in the same way).
Common mistake: Saying "whales live in water so they are fish" — this is incorrect. Living in water does not determine classification.
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[2 marks] — Award 1 mark for each valid difference (maximum 2).
Acceptable answers (any two):
- Flowering plants produce flowers; non-flowering plants do not.
- Flowering plants reproduce through seeds (in fruits); non-flowering plants reproduce through spores.
- Flowering plants have true roots, stems, and leaves; some non-flowering plants (like mosses) do not have true roots/stems/leaves.
- Examples of flowering plants include roses and sunflowers; examples of non-flowering plants include ferns and mosses.
Section C: Structured / Application Questions (15 marks)
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(a) [4 marks] — 1 mark each.
(i) Amphibian — Has backbone → no feathers → no dry, scaly skin → has moist skin → Amphibian.
(ii) Insect → Invertebrate → has 6 legs → Insect.
(iii) Fish — Has backbone → no feathers → no dry, scaly skin → no moist skin → has scales & fins → Fish.
(iv) Arachnid → Invertebrate → does not have 6 legs → has 8 legs → Arachnid.
(b) [1 mark] — Amphibian.
Reasoning: The animal has a backbone (so it is a vertebrate), has moist skin, and lays eggs in water — these are all characteristics of amphibians.
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(a) [1 mark] — 8 different types of organisms.
(b) [1 mark] — Ant (25 found, the highest number).
(c) [4 marks] — Award 1 mark for each correctly classified organism. All 8 must be placed correctly for full marks.
Vertebrates Invertebrates Sparrow Ant Lizard Earthworm Frog Grasshopper Snail Butterfly Common mistakes:
- Classifying butterfly as a vertebrate — butterflies are insects (invertebrates).
- Classifying frog as an invertebrate — frogs are amphibians (vertebrates).
- Missing organisms or listing fewer than 8.
Marking note: If a student lists 3 vertebrates correctly and 5 invertebrates correctly, award 4 marks. Deduct 1 mark for each misclassified organism, minimum 0.
(d) [2 marks] — Award up to 2 marks for a valid interpretation.
Acceptable answers (any two points):
- There is a wide variety/diversity of organisms in the garden.
- There are more invertebrates than vertebrates in the garden.
- Insects (ant, grasshopper, butterfly) are the most common group.
- The garden has organisms from different groups (insects, molluscs, annelids, birds, reptiles, amphibians).
- Vertebrates are fewer in number compared to invertebrates.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for a basic observation (e.g., "there are many different organisms") and 2 marks for a more detailed or comparative observation.
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(a) [2 marks] — Award 1 mark for each abiotic factor (maximum 2).
Acceptable answers:
- Sunlight (mentioned as being blocked by the canopy)
- Water / moisture / damp conditions
- Temperature (implied by "tropical")
- Soil (implied by forest floor)
Note: "Damp" or "moisture" is acceptable as an abiotic factor related to water availability.
(b) [2 marks] — 1 mark for each pair correctly identified.
Vertebrates: Hornbill (bird), frog (amphibian), snake (reptile) — any two.
Invertebrates: Beetle (insect), ant (insect) — any two.
Common mistake: Listing "trees" or "ferns" as animals — these are plants, not vertebrates or invertebrates.
(c) [2 marks] — Award 2 marks for a complete explanation.
Expected answer: Ferns and mosses are found on the forest floor because they thrive in damp, shady conditions with less sunlight. The canopy blocks most sunlight from reaching the forest floor, creating a shady environment. Ferns and mosses are adapted to grow in low-light, moist conditions, unlike tall trees that need more sunlight and grow above the canopy.
Marking breakdown:
- 1 mark for mentioning that the forest floor is shady/damp.
- 1 mark for linking this to the adaptation of ferns and mosses (they grow well in shade/moisture).
Common mistake: Saying "ferns are too short to reach the canopy" — this is not the correct biological reason. The correct reason relates to their adaptation to low-light conditions.
END OF ANSWER KEY