Primary 5 Science Diversity Quiz

Primary 5 Science Quiz - Diversity

Answer Key

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (10 marks)

1. B — The variety of living organisms found in an environment [1]

• Marking note: "Biodiversity" refers to the range of different living things in a given area, not just the number of animals or a scientific process.

2. B — The natural home or environment where an organism lives [1]

• Marking note: A habitat includes all the conditions an organism needs to survive (food, water, shelter), not just one factor.

3. B — A layer of fat under the skin to keep warm [1]

• Marking note: Polar bears have thick fur AND a fat layer (blubber) for insulation. Thin fur, bright colours, and large ears would be disadvantageous in the Arctic.

4. C — Grass [1]

• Marking note: Producers are organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis. In this food chain, grass is the only producer.

5. C — Wind, water, and animals [1]

• Marking note: Seed dispersal methods include wind (e.g., dandelion), water (e.g., coconut), and animals (e.g., burrs sticking to fur or fruits being eaten).

6. B — Area B has greater biodiversity than Area A [1]

• Marking note: Greater biodiversity means a greater variety of species. Area B has 12 species compared to Area A's 3 species.

7. C — A cactus having thick, fleshy stems to store water [1]

• Marking note: Structural adaptations are physical features of an organism. Options A, B, and D describe behavioural adaptations.

8. B — The number of insects will increase [1]

• Marking note: Frogs eat insects. If frogs decrease, there are fewer predators, so the insect population would increase (at least initially).

9. C — A tropical rainforest [1]

• Marking note: Tropical rainforests have warm temperatures, abundant rainfall, and diverse plant life, supporting the greatest variety of organisms.

10. B — Plant X lives in a wet environment and Plant Y lives in a dry or cold environment [1]

• Marking note: Broad leaves (Plant X) are suited to wet environments where water loss is not a concern. Needle-like leaves (Plant Y) reduce water loss and are adapted to dry or cold conditions.

Section B: Short Answer Questions (20 marks)

11. (a) [2 marks]

• Example answer using camel: Organism: Camel. Characteristic: Humps that store fat.
• Example answer using polar bear: Organism: Polar bear. Characteristic: Thick white fur.
• Example answer using mangrove tree: Organism: Mangrove tree. Characteristic: Roots that grow above the water surface (aerial roots).
• Example answer using fish: Organism: Fish. Characteristic: Gills for breathing underwater.
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for correctly choosing an organism and 1 mark for stating a relevant characteristic. Accept any valid characteristic linked to the organism's survival in its habitat.

(b) [2 marks]

• Example answer (camel): The fat stored in the humps can be broken down to provide energy and water when food and water are scarce in the desert. This helps the camel survive for long periods without eating or drinking.
• Example answer (polar bear): The thick fur traps a layer of air close to the skin, which acts as insulation and helps keep the polar bear warm in the freezing Arctic temperatures.
• Example answer (mangrove tree): The aerial roots take in oxygen from the air because the waterlogged soil does not have enough oxygen for normal roots to breathe.
• Example answer (fish): Gills allow the fish to take in dissolved oxygen from the water, which the fish needs for respiration to release energy.
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for linking the characteristic to a survival function and 1 mark for explaining the mechanism or reason clearly.

12. (a) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Grass → Caterpillar → Lizard OR Grass → Caterpillar → Snake OR Grass → Mouse → Snake
• Marking note: The food chain must start with the producer (Grass) and contain exactly three organisms in the correct order.

(b) [1 mark]

• Answer: Grass
• Marking note: Grass is the producer because it makes its own food through photosynthesis.

(c) [2 marks]

• Answer: The number of caterpillars would increase [1] because lizards are predators of caterpillars, so with fewer lizards, fewer caterpillars would be eaten [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating the increase and 1 mark for explaining the predator-prey relationship. Do not accept answers that only state "caterpillars will increase" without a reason.

13. (a) [2 marks]

• Working: (8 + 9 + 7 + 10 + 8) ÷ 5 = 42 ÷ 5 = 8.4
• Answer: 8.4 species
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct working and 1 mark for the correct answer. Accept 8 or 8.4 if the student rounds, but 8.4 is more precise.

(b) [2 marks]

• Answer: Location Q has greater biodiversity [1] because it has a higher average number of different species (8.4) compared to Location P (4.4) [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Location Q and 1 mark for comparing the data. Students may also refer to individual day counts as evidence.

14. (a) [2 marks]

• Answer: Beak A [1] because a short, thick, and strong beak can apply great force to crack open hard shells of seeds [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Beak A and 1 mark for explaining the link between beak structure and function.

(b) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Nectar from flowers / insects from narrow spaces / small insects from bark / probing into soft ground for worms
• Marking note: Accept any reasonable food source that a long, thin, pointed beak could access.

15. [4 marks]

• Example answer:
  • Reason 1: The tropical rainforest has abundant rainfall and warm temperatures all year round, which provide ideal conditions for a wide variety of plants to grow. More plant species mean more food and shelter for different animal species. [2]
  • Reason 2: The desert has very little water and extreme temperatures, which make it difficult for most organisms to survive. Only a few specially adapted species can live there, resulting in lower biodiversity. [2]
• Marking note: Award 2 marks per reason. Each reason must include a comparison between the two environments and explain how the condition affects biodiversity. Award 1 mark if the reason is partially explained.

16. (a) [1 mark]

• Answer: The animals in Group 1 are mammals and the animals in Group 2 are birds. (OR: Group 1 animals give birth to live young / produce milk; Group 2 animals lay eggs / have feathers.)
• Marking note: Accept any valid distinguishing characteristic between mammals and birds.

(b) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Dog, cat, dolphin, elephant, human, monkey, cow, etc. (any mammal)
• Marking note: Accept any animal that is a mammal. Do not accept birds, reptiles, fish, or insects.

Section C: Structured / Application Questions (10 marks)

17. (a) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Use of pesticides killed the bees / destruction of nearby flowering plants that bees feed on / pollution in the area / loss of natural habitats
• Marking note: Accept any reasonable suggestion that explains a decrease in bee population.

(b) [2 marks]

• Answer: Bees are important pollinators [1]. When bees visit flowers, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, which is needed for fertilisation and fruit production. With fewer bees, less pollination occurs, so fewer fruits are produced [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying bees as pollinators and 1 mark for explaining the link between pollination and fruit yield.

(c) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Plant more flowering plants to attract bees / reduce or stop using pesticides / set up beehives in the plantation / create a nearby water source for bees
• Marking note: Accept any reasonable action that would help increase the bee population.

18. (a) [1 mark]

• Answer: Mangrove trees
• Marking note: Mangrove trees are producers because they make their own food through photosynthesis.

(b) [1 mark]

• Answer: Bacteria act as decomposers [1]. They break down dead organic matter (dead organisms and waste) into simpler substances, returning nutrients to the soil/water.
• Marking note: Accept "decomposer" or a description of the decomposer role.

(c) [2 marks]

• Answer: Mangrove trees provide food for crabs in the form of fallen leaves [1]. They also provide shelter and a habitat for crabs to live among the roots, protecting them from predators [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for food and 1 mark for shelter/habitat. Accept other valid points such as roots providing a surface for crabs to cling to.

19. (a) [2 marks]

• Answer: Ali's garden is likely to have greater insect diversity [1] because it has a greater variety of plants, a water source (pond), and a compost heap, which provide more types of food, shelter, and breeding grounds for different insect species [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Ali's garden and 1 mark for explaining the link between habitat diversity and insect diversity.

(b) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Greater insect diversity helps with pollination of plants / helps control pest populations (e.g., ladybugs eat aphids) / decomposers help recycle nutrients / a more balanced and stable ecosystem
• Marking note: Accept any valid benefit of insect diversity to a garden ecosystem.

20. (a) [2 marks]

• Answer: Clearing the rainforest destroys the habitats of many species [1]. Without their natural habitat, these organisms lose their food sources, shelter, and breeding grounds, and may not be able to survive elsewhere, leading to extinction [1].
• Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying habitat destruction and 1 mark for explaining the consequence (loss of food/shelter/breeding grounds leading to extinction).

(b) [1 mark]

• Acceptable answers: Support organisations that protect rainforests / reduce consumption of products linked to deforestation (e.g., unsustainably sourced palm oil) / raise awareness about rainforest conservation / support reforestation efforts / create nature reserves
• Marking note: Accept any reasonable suggestion that would help protect rainforest biodiversity.

End of Answer Key

Total: 40 marks