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Primary 6 PSLE Science Materials Quiz
Free P6 PSLE Science Materials quiz, LongCat Exam version, with questions, answers, and PSLE-focused practice for Singapore students.
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Primary 6 PSLE Science Quiz - Materials
Answer Key
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (10 × 1 mark = 10 marks)
1. C — Elasticity
Marking note: "Elasticity" is the specific property describing a material's ability to return to its original shape after being stretched. "Flexibility" (B) refers to the ability to bend, not necessarily to return to shape. Do not award marks for B.
2. C — Steel nail
Marking note: Steel is a metal and a good conductor of electricity. Rubber, plastic, and wood are insulators.
3. C — Cotton
Marking note: Cotton is obtained from the cotton plant and is a natural material. Nylon, polyester, and acrylic are synthetic.
4. B — It is a good conductor of electricity.
Marking note: Copper is widely used in electrical wiring because of its high electrical conductivity.
5. B — insulator
Marking note: A thermal insulator resists the flow of heat. A conductor (A) allows heat to pass through easily.
6. B — Waterproof and high friction
Marking note: A hiking boot sole needs grip (high friction) to prevent slipping and should be waterproof to keep feet dry.
7. C — elasticity
Marking note: Returning to original shape after being stretched defines elasticity.
8. C — Aluminium
Marking note: Aluminium is a metal and a good conductor of heat. Wood, plastic, and rubber are thermal insulators.
9. B — waterproof
Marking note: A material that does not allow water to pass through is described as waterproof.
10. D — Nylon
Marking note: Nylon is a synthetic polymer made from chemicals. Silk, wool, and leather are natural materials.
Section B: Short Answer Questions (20 marks)
11. (a) [2 marks]
Answer: Material R.
Explanation: The outer casing of an electrical plug must be an electrical insulator (does not conduct electricity) for safety, and it must be strong to protect the internal components. Material R does not conduct electricity and is strong.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Material R. Award 1 mark for explaining that it does not conduct electricity AND is strong. Both reasons required for full marks.
(b) [1 mark]
Answer: Material Q.
Explanation: A raincoat must be waterproof and flexible so the wearer can move comfortably. Material Q is both waterproof and flexible.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Material Q with a valid explanation referencing waterproof and flexible properties.
12. (a) [1 mark]
Answer: To find out which material (cotton cloth, aluminium foil, or tissue paper) is the best thermal insulator.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating the aim clearly. Accept any wording that conveys comparing thermal insulation of the three materials.
(b) [2 marks]
Answer (any two of the following):
- The volume/mass of hot water in each beaker must be the same.
- The starting temperature of the hot water must be the same.
- The thickness of each wrapping material must be the same.
- The size/surface area of each material used to wrap the beaker must be the same.
- The time duration (10 minutes) must be the same for all.
Marking note: Award 1 mark each for any two valid controlled variables. Do not accept vague answers like "the beaker" without specifying what about the beaker.
(c) [1 mark]
Answer: Cotton cloth is the best thermal insulator among the three materials because it kept the water hottest (lost the least heat).
Marking note: Award 1 mark for correctly identifying cotton cloth as the best insulator with a valid reason.
13. [2 marks]
Answer: Plastic and wood are poor conductors of heat (thermal insulators). They do not allow heat from the hot pot to pass through easily to the hand, so the user can hold the handle without getting burned. Metal, on the other hand, is a good conductor of heat and would transfer heat quickly, making it too hot to hold.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating that plastic/wood are poor conductors of heat (insulators). Award 1 mark for explaining that this prevents heat from reaching the hand / prevents burns. Do not award full marks if the comparison to metal is missing.
14. [2 marks]
| Natural Materials | Synthetic Materials |
|---|---|
| 1. Obtained from nature (plants, animals, minerals) | 1. Made by humans in factories / chemically produced |
| 2. Cannot be artificially created (or: examples include cotton, wood, silk, leather) | 2. Can be designed to have specific properties (or: examples include nylon, polyester, plastic) |
Marking note: Award 1 mark per valid difference. Accept any two valid differences. Common mistake: students may write "natural materials are weaker" — this is not always true and should not be accepted as a general difference.
15. (a) [1 mark]
Answer: Material X.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for correctly identifying Material X.
(b) [2 marks]
Material Y: It is not suitable because it breaks easily (not strong/durable), so the roof would not be able to withstand weather conditions or last long.
Material Z: It is not suitable because it allows water to pass through (not waterproof), so rain would leak into the house.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for each correct explanation. Students must link the property to the function of a roof.
16. (a) [1 mark]
Answer: Some materials conduct electricity while others do not. (Or: Metals and graphite conduct electricity; glass and rubber do not.)
Marking note: Award 1 mark for a valid conclusion. Accept any wording that distinguishes between conductors and insulators based on the results.
(b) [2 marks]
| Conductors | Insulators |
|---|---|
| 1. Iron nail | 1. Glass rod |
| 2. Pencil lead (graphite) | 2. Rubber eraser |
Marking note: Award 2 marks if all four are correctly classified. Award 1 mark if only two are correctly classified. Deduct 1 mark for each misclassification.
Section C: Structured / Application Questions (10 marks)
17. (a) [1 mark]
Answer: Plastic (or any specific plastic such as PET / polycarbonate).
Marking note: Accept any valid lightweight, waterproof, strong material. Do not accept glass (not strong when dropped) or metal (heavy).
(b) [2 marks]
Answer (example for plastic): Plastic is lightweight, so the bottle is easy to carry. Plastic is waterproof, so it will not leak. Plastic is strong and does not break easily when dropped.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for each valid property linked to the function (max 2 marks). Students must refer to at least two properties from the question context (lightweight, waterproof, strong).
18. (a) [1 mark]
Answer: Elastic band B (stretched 4.5 cm, the most under the same load).
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying B.
(b) [1 mark]
Answer: Elastic band C (stretched 1.5 cm, the least under the same load).
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying C.
(c) [2 marks]
Answer: The steel spring would stretch less than elastic band C. Steel is stiffer and has a higher elastic limit compared to rubber; it requires a greater force to produce the same amount of stretch. Under the same load, the steel spring would extend less than the rubber band.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating "less." Award 1 mark for explaining that steel is stiffer / has greater resistance to stretching / higher elastic modulus. Do not accept answers that only say "steel is stronger" without linking to stretch.
19. (a) [2 marks]
Answer (any two of the following):
- Glass is transparent — allows light to pass through so we can see through the window.
- Glass is waterproof — rain cannot pass through, keeping the interior dry.
- Glass is strong (when compressed) — it can withstand wind pressure.
Marking note: Award 1 mark per valid property linked to the function of a window (max 2).
(b) [1 mark]
Answer: Glass does not conduct electricity, so it cannot be used to make electrical wires which need to allow electric current to flow through them.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating that glass is an electrical insulator / does not conduct electricity.
(c) [1 mark]
Answer: Glass is brittle and breaks easily when dropped or hit, making it dangerous and impractical for a portable water bottle.
Marking note: Accept any valid disadvantage such as brittleness, heaviness, or fragility.
20. (a) [2 marks]
Answer: Material V. A frying pan must conduct heat well so that heat from the stove is transferred to the food. It must also be strong to withstand daily use and high temperatures. Material V conducts heat and is strong.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Material V. Award 1 mark for explaining with reference to TWO properties (conducts heat AND strong). Do not award full marks if only one property is mentioned.
(b) [2 marks]
Answer: Material Z. A swimming cap must be waterproof to keep hair dry and flexible so it can stretch to fit different head sizes comfortably. Material Z is both waterproof and flexible.
Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying Material Z. Award 1 mark for explaining with reference to TWO properties (waterproof AND flexible). Do not award full marks if only one property is mentioned.
END OF ANSWER KEY