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Primary 6 PSLE Science Diversity Quiz
Free P6 PSLE Science Diversity quiz, Nemo3 Exam version, with questions, answers, and PSLE-focused practice for Singapore students.
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Questions
Primary 6 PSLE Science Quiz - Diversity
Name: ___________________________
Class: Primary 6 _______
Date: _______________
Score: _______ / 40
Duration: 45 minutes
Total Marks: 40
Instructions:
- This quiz consists of 20 questions.
- Section A: Questions 1–10 (Multiple Choice, 2 marks each)
- Section B: Questions 11–15 (Structured, 2–3 marks each)
- Section C: Questions 16–20 (Open-Ended, 3–4 marks each)
- Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
- For multiple-choice questions, shade the correct oval (1, 2, 3, or 4) in the Answer Sheet below.
Answer Sheet (Section A)
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 |
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Choose the correct answer and shade the corresponding oval in the Answer Sheet above.
1. Which of the following groups of organisms are all classified as fungi?
(1) Mould, yeast, mushroom
(2) Mould, fern, mushroom
(3) Yeast, bacteria, moss
(4) Mushroom, algae, yeast
2. The diagram below shows a plant.
Generated diagram for Q2.
Based on the diagram, which characteristic helps to classify this plant as a non-flowering plant?
(1) It has roots.
(2) It reproduces by spores.
(3) It has green leaves.
(4) It grows in soil.
3. Which of the following statements about bacteria is correct?
(1) All bacteria are harmful to humans.
(2) Bacteria reproduce by binary fission.
(3) Bacteria have a true nucleus.
(4) Bacteria are multicellular organisms.
4. Study the classification table below.
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| W | Paramecium, Amoeba, Euglena |
| X | Mould, Yeast, Mushroom |
| Y | Moss, Fern, Bird's Nest Fern |
| Z | Hibiscus, Orchid, Durian Tree |
Which group represents flowering plants?
(1) W
(2) X
(3) Y
(4) Z
5. A student observed an organism under a microscope. It has a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole. Which group does this organism most likely belong to?
(1) Animal
(2) Plant
(3) Fungi
(4) Bacteria
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
(1) They can move from place to place.
(2) They reproduce.
(3) They have a backbone.
(4) They make their own food.
7. The diagram below shows a food web in a garden.
Generated diagram for Q7.
How many food chains are there in this food web?
(1) 3
(2) 4
(3) 5
(4) 6
8. Which of the following organisms is classified as a vertebrate?
(1) Earthworm
(2) Grasshopper
(3) Guppy
(4) Snail
9. Fungi and bacteria are both decomposers. What is one key difference between them?
(1) Fungi are multicellular while bacteria are unicellular.
(2) Fungi reproduce by spores while bacteria reproduce by binary fission.
(3) Fungi have a nucleus while bacteria do not.
(4) All of the above.
10. The table below shows the characteristics of four organisms, A, B, C, and D. A tick (✓) means the organism has the characteristic.
| Characteristic | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has cell wall | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Has chloroplasts | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Reproduces by spores | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Is unicellular | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Which organism is most likely a bacterium?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
Section B: Structured Questions (10 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
11. The diagram below shows two organisms, P and Q.
Generated diagram for Q11.
(a) State the kingdom to which organism P belongs.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) State one difference in the way organisms P and Q obtain food.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Organism P reproduces by spores. Name the structure on organism P where spores are produced.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
12. The table below shows the characteristics of four vertebrates, W, X, Y, and Z.
| Characteristic | W | X | Y | Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has hair/fur | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lays eggs | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Has scales | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Has feathers | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Breathes through lungs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lives in water | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
(a) Which vertebrate (W, X, Y, or Z) is a mammal?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Which vertebrate (W, X, Y, or Z) is a bird?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) State one similarity between vertebrates Y and Z.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
13. A student wants to classify five animals into two groups: "Insects" and "Not Insects". The animals are: ant, spider, butterfly, millipede, beetle.
(a) Complete the classification table below by writing the names of the animals in the correct columns.
| Insects | Not Insects |
|---|---|
| [2] |
(b) State the characteristic used to classify the animals into these two groups.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
14. The diagram below shows a cell.
Generated diagram for Q14.
(a) Is this a plant cell or an animal cell?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Give two reasons for your answer in (a).
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
15. The flowchart below shows the classification of some organisms.
Generated diagram for Q15.
(a) Organism M is multicellular, has a nucleus, and absorbs food from decaying matter. Using the flowchart, state the kingdom Organism M belongs to.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Organism N is unicellular and has no nucleus. State the kingdom Organism N belongs to.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) State one characteristic that distinguishes plants from fungi.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
Section C: Open-Ended Questions (10 marks)
Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Show your working or reasoning clearly.
16. The diagram below shows a food web in a pond community.
Generated diagram for Q16.
(a) Write down one food chain with four organisms from the food web.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) If all the water fleas are removed from the pond, explain how the population of tadpoles might be affected.
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
(c) State the role of decomposers in this pond community.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
17. A student conducted an experiment to find out how temperature affects the growth of mould on bread. She placed identical slices of bread in three sealed bags and kept them at different temperatures. The results are shown below.
| Temperature (°C) | Day mould first appears |
|---|---|
| 5 | Day 10 |
| 25 | Day 3 |
| 35 | Day 2 |
(a) What is the aim of this experiment?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) State two variables that must be kept the same for a fair test.
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
(c) Based on the results, what conclusion can the student draw about the effect of temperature on mould growth?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(d) Why is it important to seal the bags in this experiment?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
18. The diagram below shows the life cycle of a mosquito.
Generated diagram for Q18.
(a) Name the stage that comes after the larva stage.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) State one difference between the larva and the adult mosquito in terms of habitat.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) Mosquitoes are classified as insects. State two characteristics of insects that can be observed in the adult mosquito.
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
(d) Explain why removing stagnant water helps to control the mosquito population.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
19. The table below shows the characteristics of five plants, A, B, C, D, and E.
| Plant | Bears flowers | Bears fruits | Reproduces by spores | Has seeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| B | No | No | Yes | No |
| C | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| D | No | No | Yes | No |
| E | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
(a) Which plants (A, B, C, D, E) are flowering plants?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) Which plants (A, B, C, D, E) are non-flowering plants that reproduce by spores?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(c) A student says, "All plants that have seeds are flowering plants." Is this statement correct? Explain your answer.
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
20. Study the classification chart below.
Generated diagram for Q20.
(a) A student found an organism that is multicellular, has a cell wall made of chitin, and absorbs nutrients from decaying wood. Which kingdom does this organism belong to?
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
(b) State two differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
________________________________________________________________________ [2]
(c) Give one example of an organism from the Protist kingdom.
________________________________________________________________________ [1]
End of Quiz
Answers
Primary 6 PSLE Science Quiz - Diversity (Answer Key)
Total Marks: 40
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
1. Answer: (1) Mould, yeast, mushroom
Marks: 2
Explanation: Mould, yeast, and mushroom are all fungi. Ferns are non-flowering plants, bacteria are prokaryotes, moss is a non-flowering plant, and algae are protists/plants.
2. Answer: (2) It reproduces by spores.
Marks: 2
Explanation: The diagram shows a fern with sori (spore clusters) on the underside of fronds. Non-flowering plants like ferns reproduce by spores, not seeds. Having roots, green leaves, or growing in soil are not unique to non-flowering plants.
3. Answer: (2) Bacteria reproduce by binary fission.
Marks: 2
Explanation: Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes that reproduce asexually by binary fission. Not all bacteria are harmful (many are beneficial). Bacteria lack a true nucleus (no nuclear membrane). Bacteria are unicellular, not multicellular.
4. Answer: (4) Z
Marks: 2
Explanation: Group Z (Hibiscus, Orchid, Durian Tree) are all flowering plants (angiosperms). Group W are protists, Group X are fungi, Group Y are non-flowering plants (mosses and ferns).
5. Answer: (2) Plant
Marks: 2
Explanation: Plant cells have a cell wall (cellulose), chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole. Animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts. Fungal cells have cell walls (chitin) but no chloroplasts. Bacterial cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles like chloroplasts.
6. Answer: (2) They reproduce.
Marks: 2
Explanation: Reproduction is a characteristic of all living things. Not all living things move from place to place (plants are stationary). Only vertebrates have backbones. Only autotrophs (mainly plants) make their own food.
7. Answer: (2) 4
Marks: 2
Explanation: The food chains are:
- Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake
- Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
- Grass → Rabbit → Eagle
- Grass → Mouse → Snake
- Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle
Wait, let me recount carefully from the diagram description. The food web shows: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake; Grass → Rabbit → Eagle; Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle. That's 4 distinct chains ending at top predators: (1) Grass-Grasshopper-Frog-Snake, (2) Grass-Grasshopper-Frog-Snake-Eagle, (3) Grass-Rabbit-Eagle, (4) Grass-Mouse-Snake, (5) Grass-Mouse-Snake-Eagle. Actually 5 chains. But the question asks "How many food chains are there in this food web?" Typically each path from producer to top predator is a chain. Let me re-read: "Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake; Grass → Rabbit → Eagle; Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle". The chains are: 1) Grass-Grasshopper-Frog-Snake, 2) Grass-Grasshopper-Frog-Snake-Eagle, 3) Grass-Rabbit-Eagle, 4) Grass-Mouse-Snake, 5) Grass-Mouse-Snake-Eagle. That's 5. But option (3) is 5. Let me check the options: (1) 3, (2) 4, (3) 5, (4) 6. So answer should be (3) 5. But I wrote (2) 4 above. Let me correct: The answer is (3) 5.
Correction: Answer: (3) 5
Explanation: There are 5 food chains: (1) Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake, (2) Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle, (3) Grass → Rabbit → Eagle, (4) Grass → Mouse → Snake, (5) Grass → Mouse → Snake → Eagle.
8. Answer: (3) Guppy
Marks: 2
Explanation: Guppy is a fish, which is a vertebrate (has a backbone). Earthworm (annelid), grasshopper (insect), and snail (mollusc) are all invertebrates.
9. Answer: (4) All of the above.
Marks: 2
Explanation: All three statements are correct differences: (1) Most fungi are multicellular (mould, mushroom) while bacteria are unicellular; (2) Fungi reproduce by spores, bacteria by binary fission; (3) Fungi are eukaryotes (have nucleus), bacteria are prokaryotes (no nucleus).
10. Answer: (3) C
Marks: 2
Explanation: Bacteria: have cell wall (✓), no chloroplasts (✗), reproduce by binary fission not spores (✗), are unicellular (✓). Organism C matches: cell wall ✓, chloroplasts ✗, spores ✗, unicellular ✓. Organism A has chloroplasts (plant), B reproduces by spores and has cell wall but no chloroplasts (fungi), D has no cell wall (animal/protist).
Section B: Structured Questions (10 marks)
11.
(a) Kingdom Fungi / Fungi
Marks: 1
Explanation: Mushrooms are fungi. They are multicellular (except yeast), have cell walls made of chitin, and are heterotrophic (absorb nutrients).
(b) Organism P (mushroom) is a decomposer that absorbs nutrients from decaying matter, while organism Q (fern) is a producer that makes its own food through photosynthesis.
Marks: 1
Explanation: Fungi are saprotrophs (external digestion and absorption). Ferns are autotrophs (photosynthesis).
(c) Gills (on the underside of the cap)
Marks: 1
Explanation: In mushrooms, spores are produced on the gills (lamellae) under the cap.
12.
(a) W
Marks: 1
Explanation: Mammals have hair/fur and breathe through lungs. W has hair/fur, does not lay eggs (most mammals give live birth), and breathes through lungs.
(b) X
Marks: 1
Explanation: Birds have feathers, lay eggs, and breathe through lungs. X has feathers, lays eggs, and breathes through lungs.
(c) Both Y and Z lay eggs and breathe through lungs. (Or: Both are vertebrates / Both live in water)
Marks: 1
Explanation: From the table: Y and Z both lay eggs (✓), both breathe through lungs (✓), both live in water (✓). Any one valid similarity earns the mark.
13.
(a)
| Insects | Not Insects |
|---|---|
| Ant | Spider |
| Butterfly | Millipede |
| Beetle | |
| Marks: 2 (1 mark for each correct column with all 3 insects and 2 non-insects correctly placed; deduct 0.5 per error up to 2 marks) | |
| Explanation: Insects have 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), 6 legs, and usually 2 pairs of wings. Ant, butterfly, beetle are insects. Spider (arachnid: 2 body parts, 8 legs) and millipede (myriapod: many segments, many legs) are not insects. |
(b) Number of legs (insects have 6 legs; spiders have 8 legs; millipedes have many legs) / Number of body parts (insects have 3 body parts; spiders have 2; millipedes have many).
Marks: 1
Explanation: The key distinguishing characteristic of insects is 3 body parts and 6 legs.
14.
(a) Plant cell
Marks: 1
(b) It has a cell wall and chloroplasts (and a large central vacuole), which are not found in animal cells.
Marks: 2 (1 mark each for any two correct features: cell wall, chloroplasts, large central vacuole)
Explanation: Plant cells have cellulose cell walls, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole for storage and turgor. Animal cells lack these.
15.
(a) Fungi
Marks: 1
Explanation: Following the flowchart: Has nucleus (Yes) → Multicellular (Yes) → Makes own food (No) → Absorbs food (Yes) → Fungi.
(b) Bacteria / Monera
Marks: 1
Explanation: No nucleus → Bacteria (prokaryotes).
(c) Plants make their own food through photosynthesis (have chloroplasts), while fungi absorb nutrients from decaying matter (no chloroplasts).
Marks: 1
Explanation: Fundamental nutritional difference: autotrophic vs. saprotrophic.
Section C: Open-Ended Questions (10 marks)
16.
(a) Algae → Water Flea → Small Fish → Kingfisher (or any valid 4-organism chain: Water Lily → Tadpole → Large Fish → Kingfisher, etc.)
Marks: 1
Explanation: A food chain shows energy transfer from producer to consumer to higher-level consumers. Must start with a producer and show correct feeding relationships.
(b) The tadpole population may increase because water fleas and tadpoles both feed on algae (competition). With fewer water fleas, more algae is available for tadpoles, so they have more food and can survive better.
Marks: 2 (1 mark for identifying competition for algae, 1 mark for explaining population increase)
Explanation: Water fleas and tadpoles are both primary consumers feeding on algae. Removing a competitor increases resource availability.
(c) Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste, returning nutrients to the environment for producers (algae, water lily) to reuse.
Marks: 1
Explanation: Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.
17.
(a) To find out how temperature affects the growth of mould on bread / the time taken for mould to first appear on bread.
Marks: 1
Explanation: The aim states the independent variable (temperature) and dependent variable (mould growth/day of appearance).
(b) Type of bread, size/thickness of bread slice, amount of moisture on bread, type of mould spores present, sealing of bags. (Any two)
Marks: 2 (1 mark each)
Explanation: Controlled variables ensure only temperature affects the result. Same bread type, size, moisture, and spore exposure are essential.
(c) As temperature increases (from 5°C to 35°C), mould grows faster (appears earlier). / Mould grows best at warmer temperatures (around 35°C).
Marks: 1
Explanation: Data shows Day 10 at 5°C, Day 3 at 25°C, Day 2 at 35°C. Higher temperature → faster mould growth (up to an optimum).
(d) To prevent mould spores from the air from entering the bags and contaminating the bread / to ensure only the mould from the original spores on the bread grows.
Marks: 1
Explanation: Sealing controls the variable "exposure to external mould spores", ensuring a fair test.
18.
(a) Pupa
Marks: 1
Explanation: Life cycle: Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult.
(b) Larva lives in water (aquatic), while adult mosquito lives on land / flies in air (terrestrial/aerial).
Marks: 1
Explanation: Mosquito larvae and pupae are aquatic; adults are terrestrial/flying.
(c) Has 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), 6 legs, 1 pair of wings (or 2 wings), compound eyes, antennae. (Any two)
Marks: 2 (1 mark each)
Explanation: Insect characteristics: 3 body segments, 6 jointed legs, typically 1-2 pairs of wings, 1 pair of antennae, compound eyes.
(d) Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, and the larva and pupa stages develop in water. Removing stagnant water removes their breeding sites, so they cannot complete their life cycle.
Marks: 1
Explanation: Water is essential for the aquatic stages (egg, larva, pupa). No water = no reproduction.
19.
(a) A, C, E
Marks: 1
Explanation: Flowering plants bear flowers, fruits, and have seeds. A, C, E show "Yes" for all three.
(b) B, D
Marks: 1
Explanation: Non-flowering plants that reproduce by spores: no flowers, no fruits, no seeds, reproduce by spores. B and D match.
(c) No, the statement is not correct. Some non-flowering plants (gymnosperms like conifers) have seeds but do not bear flowers or fruits. Their seeds are "naked" (not enclosed in an ovary/fruit).
Marks: 2 (1 mark for "No/Incorrect", 1 mark for correct explanation with example)
Explanation: Gymnosperms (e.g., pine, fir) produce seeds in cones, not flowers. Only angiosperms are flowering plants.
20.
(a) Fungi
Marks: 1
Explanation: Multicellular, cell wall of chitin, absorbs nutrients from decaying matter (saprotrophic) = Fungi.
(b) Vertebrates have a backbone (vertebral column) / internal skeleton; invertebrates do not have a backbone. Vertebrates have an endoskeleton; invertebrates may have an exoskeleton or hydrostatic skeleton. (Any two differences)
Marks: 2 (1 mark each)
Explanation: Key distinction: presence/absence of vertebral column. Also differences in skeleton type, body symmetry, complexity.
(c) Amoeba / Paramecium / Euglena / Plasmodium (Any one)
Marks: 1
Explanation: Protists are mostly unicellular eukaryotes. Common examples: Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena.
End of Answer Key
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