Science and Technology: Model Question Sets and Predicted Questions

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Science and Technology: Model Question Sets and Predicted Questions

This chapter does three things. It sets out the pattern of the SEE Science and Technology paper and how the two model papers below spread their questions over the 19 chapters. It gives two complete model papers, each of 75 marks and three hours, followed by full solutions written the way you should write in the examination. And it ranks practice priorities — question forms worth rehearsing first — with the reason for each position.

What "predicted" means here

Nobody outside the examination board knows what will be set, and this chapter does not pretend to. A ranking here is a judgement from two public facts: the CDC specification grid (which fixes the number and size of questions) and how standard a question form is (a definition, a balanced equation, a one-step numerical). These are not forecasts. Treat the list as an order in which to practise, never as a promise that any question will appear. All questions in the model papers are original practice items, not past questions.

How to sit a three-hour paper

Seventy-five marks in 180 minutes is 2.4 minutes a mark. Plan it: Groups A and B, 30 minutes (19 one-mark questions); Group C, 60 minutes (14 questions of 2 marks, about 4 minutes each); Group D, 70 minutes (7 questions of 4 marks, about 10 minutes each); 20 minutes to check. Bank the one-mark items first.

4.1 Pattern of the paper

4.1.1 The grid

Group Type Questions Marks each Marks
A Multiple choice 10 1 10
B Very short answer 9 1 9
C Short answer 14 2 28
D Long answer 7 4 28
Total 40 75

4.1.2 How the two model papers cover the syllabus

The table counts the questions each model paper draws from each area of the textbook. It is our design for these papers, not the board's grid.

Area (chapters) Paper 1 questions Paper 2 questions
Scientific Learning (1) 1 1
Biology (2–6) 12 12
Physics (7–11) 13 14
Astronomy and ICT (12–13) 4 3
Chemistry (14–19) 10 10
Total 40 40

Chapter 1 supplies one very short item in each paper; its process skills also run through the other questions.

4.2 Model Question Set 1

Time: 3 hours. Full marks: 75. Attempt all questions.

Group A — Multiple choice (10 × 1 = 10)

  1. A plant that bears seeds but no flowers is [1]amossbpinecmangodrose
  2. A cross between Tt and tt gives tall and dwarf offspring in the ratio [1]a3 : 1b1 : 1c1 : 2 : 1d9 : 3 : 3 : 1
  3. The master gland of the human body is the [1]athyroidbpancreascpituitarydadrenal
  4. A force of 12 N acts on a 3 kg body. The acceleration is [1]a36 m s⁻²b9 m s⁻²c4 m s⁻²d0.25 m s⁻²
  5. A force of 200 N acts on 0.5 m². The pressure is [1]a100 Pab400 Pac200 Pad0.0025 Pa
  6. A convex lens has a focal length of 0.25 m. Its power is [1]a0.25 Db2.5 Dc4 Dd25 D
  7. A 1100 W heater works on 220 V. The current drawn is [1]a0.2 Ab5 Ac50 Ad242 A
  8. An element of atomic number 12 belongs to group [1]a1b2c12d18
  9. A gas of 4 L at 200 K is heated to 300 K at constant pressure. The new volume is [1]a2.7 Lb4 Lc6 Ld8 L
  10. The functional group of an alcohol is [1]a–COOHb–OHc–CHOd–CO–

Group B — Very short answer (9 × 1 = 9)

  1. Write the SI unit of time. [1]
  2. How many days does a queen bee take to develop from egg to adult? [1]
  3. Name one gas that causes acid rain. [1]
  4. At what temperature is water densest? [1]
  5. Name the star nearest to the Earth. [1]
  6. Write the full form of CPU. [1]
  7. What colour does red litmus turn in a base? [1]
  8. Name the alloy of copper and tin. [1]
  9. Name the main raw material of glass other than soda ash and limestone. [1]

Group C — Short answer (14 × 2 = 28)

  1. Write two characteristics of the kingdom Fungi. [2]
  2. Write two ways in which honey bees help agriculture. [2]
  3. Define genotype and phenotype with an example. [2]
  4. Write two functions of the kidney. [2]
  5. Write two differences between arteries and veins. [2]
  6. Define ecosystem and name its two components. [2]
  7. State the law of inertia and give one example. [2]
  8. Why do we not feel the atmospheric pressure acting on our body? [2]
  9. Give two consequences of the high specific heat capacity of water. [2]
  10. Define refraction of light and state Snell's law. [2]
  11. Define electric power and write its SI unit. [2]
  12. What is a constellation? Name one. [2]
  13. Write two ethical rules for using the internet. [2]
  14. Why is gold used for making jewellery? Give two reasons. [2]

Group D — Long answer (7 × 4 = 28)

  1. A stone is dropped from the top of a 45 m tower (g=10\ \text{m s}^{-2}). Find the time to reach the ground and the speed with which it hits. [4]
  2. Calculate the heat needed to change 0.2 kg of ice at 0 °C to water at 30 °C. (L=3.36\times10^{5} J kg⁻¹, c=4200 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹) [4]
  3. Resistors of 2 Ω and 4 Ω are connected in series across a 12 V battery. Find the current and the potential difference across the 4 Ω resistor. [4]
  4. Describe a reflex action with the help of a labelled diagram of the reflex arc. [4]
  5. Differentiate between acids and bases on four points. [4]
  6. Describe the laboratory preparation of hydrogen gas with a chemical equation and a labelled diagram. [4]
  7. What is esterification? Write the reaction of ethanol with ethanoic acid and give two uses of ethanol. [4]

4.3 Solutions to Model Set 1

Group A — answers

1. (b) — pine is a gymnosperm: naked seeds in cones, no flowers.

2. (b) — Tt × tt gives Tt, Tt, tt, tt, so 1 : 1.

3. (c) — the pituitary controls other endocrine glands.

4. (c) — a=F/m=12/3=4 m s⁻².

5. (b) — P=F/A=200/0.5=400 Pa.

6. (c) — P=1/f=1/0.25=4 D.

7. (b) — I=P/V=1100/220=5 A.

8. (b) — configuration 2, 8, 2: two valence electrons, group 2.

9. (c) — V_2=4\times300/200=6 L.

10. (b) — alcohols carry the hydroxyl group –OH.

Group B — answers

11. The second (s).

12. 16 days.

13. Sulphur dioxide (or an oxide of nitrogen).

14. 4 °C.

15. The Sun.

16. Central Processing Unit.

17. Blue.

18. Bronze.

19. Silica (sand).

Group C — model answers

20. Fungi are heterotrophic (saprophytic) and cannot photosynthesise; their cell wall is made of chitin. (Also: they reproduce by spores.)

21. Bees pollinate flowers, raising fruit and seed yield; honey and wax give farmers extra income.

22. Genotype is the genetic make-up of an organism (for example Tt); phenotype is its observable character (tall).

23. The kidney removes urea and other wastes from the blood as urine, and it regulates the water and salt balance of the body.

24. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thick elastic walls with no valves; veins carry blood to the heart and have thinner walls with valves.

25. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their non-living surroundings. Components: biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).

26. A body at rest stays at rest and a body in motion keeps moving at constant velocity unless acted on by an external force. Example: passengers lurch forward when a bus brakes.

27. The pressure inside our body (blood and body fluids) is equal to the outside pressure, so the two balance and we feel no net force.

28. Water heats up and cools down slowly, so it is used as a coolant in engines; it also moderates the climate near seas and lakes (sea breeze, mild coastal climate).

29. Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from one medium to another because its speed changes. Snell's law: \dfrac{\sin i}{\sin r}= constant (the refractive index).

30. Electric power is the rate of doing electrical work (or energy used per second): P=VI. SI unit: watt (W).

31. A constellation is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern in the sky. Example: Orion (or Ursa Major, the Great Bear).

32. Respect others' privacy and do not share personal data; do not copy or share material without permission (also: do not spread false information or bully online).

33. Gold does not rust or corrode (unreactive), and it is malleable and has an attractive shining colour.

Group D — model answers

34. h=\tfrac12gt^2\Rightarrow45=\tfrac12(10)t^2\Rightarrow t^2=9\Rightarrow t=3 s. v=gt=10\times3=30\ \text{m s}^{-1}.

35. Step 1, melt ice: Q_1=mL=0.2\times3.36\times10^{5}=67\,200 J. Step 2, heat water from 0 to 30 °C: Q_2=mc\Delta T=0.2\times4200\times30=25\,200 J. Total Q=67\,200+25\,200=92\,400 J.

36. Series: R=2+4=6\ \Omega. I=V/R=12/6=2 A. Across 4 Ω: V=IR=2\times4=8 V.

37. A reflex action is a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus, controlled by the spinal cord without waiting for the brain. Reflex arc, in order: receptor (skin) → sensory neuron → spinal cord (relay/ interneuron) → motor neuron → effector (muscle). Example: pulling the hand from a hot object. A labelled diagram showing these five parts earns 2 marks.

38.

Acid Base
pH below 7 pH above 7
Sour taste Bitter taste, soapy feel
Turns blue litmus red Turns red litmus blue
Gives H⁺ ions in water (HCl) Gives OH⁻ ions in water (NaOH)

39. Zinc granules are placed in a flask fitted with a thistle funnel and delivery tube; dilute sulphuric acid is added through the funnel. Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂ ↑. Hydrogen is collected over water (downward displacement of water), as it is almost insoluble in water. Test: it burns with a pop sound. A diagram of flask, funnel, delivery tube and trough with gas jar is required.

40. Esterification is the reaction of an alcohol with a carboxylic acid, in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, to form an ester and water. CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O (ethyl ethanoate). Uses of ethanol: as a solvent in perfumes and medicines; as a fuel (gasohol), and in disinfectants.

4.4 Model Question Set 2

Time: 3 hours. Full marks: 75. Attempt all questions.

Group A — Multiple choice (10 × 1 = 10)

  1. Binomial nomenclature was introduced by [1]aWhittakerbLinnaeuscMendeldDarwin
  2. The pollen basket is found on the legs of the [1]aqueenbdronecworkerdall bees
  3. A boy receives his X chromosome from his [1]afatherbmothercboth parentsdneither parent
  4. Which of these is a decomposer? [1]agrassbdeerchawkdfungus
  5. The momentum of a 2 kg body moving at 5 m s⁻¹ is [1]a2.5 kg m s⁻¹b7 kg m s⁻¹c10 kg m s⁻¹d25 kg m s⁻¹
  6. Ice floats on water because [1]aits density is less than that of waterbit is hottercit has more massdit is hollow
  7. Heat needed to raise 3 kg of a metal (c=400 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹) by 50 °C is [1]a6000 Jb15 000 Jc60 000 Jd150 000 J
  8. A wave of frequency 170 Hz has wavelength 2 m. Its speed is [1]a85 m s⁻¹b168 m s⁻¹c340 m s⁻¹d3400 m s⁻¹
  9. A current of 3 A flows through a 5 Ω resistor. The potential difference is [1]a0.6 Vb2 Vc8 Vd15 V
  10. The metal that is liquid at room temperature is [1]asodiumbleadcmercurydzinc

Group B — Very short answer (9 × 1 = 9)

  1. Name the instrument used to measure the volume of a liquid. [1]
  2. Which blood cells fight infection? [1]
  3. Name the largest planet of the solar system. [1]
  4. What are the elements of group 1 called? [1]
  5. Write the formula of the salt formed when HCl reacts with NaOH. [1]
  6. Which gas supports burning? [1]
  7. Name the first member of the alkane series. [1]
  8. Name the polymer made from ethene. [1]
  9. Write the full form of WWW. [1]

Group C — Short answer (14 × 2 = 28)

  1. Write two characteristics of the kingdom Protista. [2]
  2. Write two differences between a queen bee and a worker bee. [2]
  3. Name two genetic disorders in humans. [2]
  4. State one function each of insulin and glucagon. [2]
  5. Write two causes of global warming. [2]
  6. Define momentum and write its SI unit. [2]
  7. Why is the wall of a dam made thicker at the bottom? [2]
  8. Define the specific latent heat of fusion. [2]
  9. Define the power of a lens and write its unit. [2]
  10. What is electromagnetic induction? [2]
  11. Name any two planets of the inner solar system. [2]
  12. Write two properties of alkali metals. [2]
  13. What is a catalyst? Give an example. [2]
  14. A gas of 12 L at 1 atm is compressed to 4 atm at constant temperature. Find its volume. [2]

Group D — Long answer (7 × 4 = 28)

  1. A pea plant with round yellow seeds (RRYY) is crossed with one with wrinkled green seeds (rryy). Show the F₁ and the F₂ generations and state the F₂ phenotypic ratio. [4]
  2. Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on a planet of mass 6\times10^{24} kg and radius 6.4\times10^{6} m. (G=6.67\times10^{-11}\ \text{N m}^2\text{kg}^{-2}) [4]
  3. A tank is filled with water to a depth of 5 m. Find the pressure due to the water at the bottom and the force on the base of area 2 m². (\rho=1000\ \text{kg m}^{-3}, g=10\ \text{m s}^{-2}) [4]
  4. An object is 15 cm in front of a convex lens of focal length 10 cm. Find the position and magnification of the image. [4]
  5. An electric iron of 1000 W is used for 2 hours daily for 30 days. Find the energy used and the bill at Rs 12 per unit. [4]
  6. Explain global warming: its causes, two effects and two measures to reduce it. [4]
  7. Describe the manufacture of cement. [4]

4.5 Solutions to Model Set 2

Group A — answers

1. (b) — Carolus Linnaeus.

2. (c) — the workers carry pollen on their hind legs.

3. (b) — a boy is XY; the Y comes from the father, the X from the mother.

4. (d) — fungi decompose dead matter.

5. (c) — p=mv=2\times5=10 kg m s⁻¹.

6. (a) — ice is less dense than liquid water.

7. (c) — Q=3\times400\times50=60\,000 J.

8. (c) — v=f\lambda=170\times2=340 m s⁻¹.

9. (d) — V=IR=3\times5=15 V.

10. (c) — mercury melts at about −39 °C.

Group B — answers

11. Measuring cylinder.

12. White blood cells (leucocytes).

13. Jupiter.

14. Alkali metals.

15. NaCl.

16. Oxygen.

17. Methane.

18. Polythene (polyethylene).

19. World Wide Web.

Group C — model answers

20. Protista are unicellular eukaryotes with a true nucleus; they live in water or damp places (examples: Amoeba, Paramecium).

21. The queen is larger and lays eggs; the worker is smaller and sterile. The queen lives for years and the worker for weeks; the queen develops in 16 days and the worker in 21.

22. Down syndrome and colour blindness (also haemophilia).

23. Insulin lowers blood sugar by helping cells take up glucose and store it as glycogen; glucagon raises blood sugar by converting glycogen to glucose.

24. Burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide; deforestation, which removes trees that take in CO₂ (also methane from rice fields and livestock).

25. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity (p=mv). SI unit: kg m s⁻¹.

26. Liquid pressure increases with depth (P=h\rho g), so the lower wall must withstand a larger pressure.

27. It is the quantity of heat needed to change 1 kg of a solid into liquid at its melting point without a change in temperature (for ice, 3.36\times10^{5} J kg⁻¹).

28. Power of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length in metres, P=1/f. Unit: dioptre (D).

29. When the magnetic flux linked with a coil changes, an emf is induced in the coil; this is electromagnetic induction.

30. Mercury and Venus (also Earth and Mars).

31. Alkali metals are soft (cut with a knife) and highly reactive (react vigorously with water to give hydrogen and an alkali).

32. A catalyst is a substance that changes the rate of a reaction without being used up. Example: MnO₂ in the decomposition of KClO₃.

33. P_1V_1=P_2V_2\Rightarrow1\times12=4\times V_2\Rightarrow V_2=3 L.

Group D — model answers

34. F₁: all RrYy (round yellow), since RRYY × rryy gives gametes RY and ry. F₂ (RrYy × RrYy): round yellow : round green : wrinkled yellow : wrinkled green = 9 : 3 : 3 : 1. Of the 16 boxes, 9 are round yellow, 3 round green, 3 wrinkled yellow and 1 wrinkled green. A 4 × 4 Punnett square earns the working marks.

35. g=\dfrac{GM}{R^2}=\dfrac{6.67\times10^{-11}\times6\times10^{24}}{(6.4\times10^{6})^2}=\dfrac{4.002\times10^{14}}{4.096\times10^{13}}\approx9.77\ \text{m s}^{-2}.

36. P=h\rho g=5\times1000\times10=50\,000 Pa. Force F=PA=50\,000\times2=100\,000 N =10^{5} N.

37. \dfrac{1}{v}=\dfrac{1}{f}-\dfrac{1}{u}=\dfrac{1}{10}-\dfrac{1}{15}=\dfrac{3-2}{30}=\dfrac{1}{30}, so v=30 cm (real image, beyond the lens on the other side). m=\dfrac vu=\dfrac{30}{15}=2: the image is real, inverted and twice as large.

38. P=1000 W =1 kW. Energy =1\times2\times30=60 kWh = 60 units. Bill =60\times12= Rs 720.

39. Global warming is the rise of Earth's average temperature due to more greenhouse gases. Causes: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture (methane). Effects: melting glaciers (rising rivers and sea level), changing rainfall, droughts and floods, and risk to crops. Measures: plant trees, use clean energy, save electricity, reduce vehicle use. (Two causes, two effects, two measures: full marks for four creditable points.)

40. Raw materials: limestone (calcium carbonate) and clay (silica, alumina), with gypsum added later. (i) Limestone and clay are crushed and mixed to a fine powder. (ii) The mixture is heated in a rotary kiln at about 1400–1500 °C; it fuses into hard lumps called clinker. (iii) The clinker is cooled and ground with 2–3% gypsum to a fine powder, which is cement. The gypsum slows down the setting.

4.6 Predicted questions: ranked practice priorities

These are practice priorities, ranked from the grid and the syllabus. They are not forecasts. A form is ranked higher when it is a standard, clearly examinable question (a one-step numerical, a balanced equation, a labelled diagram), when it fits the sizes the grid allows (2 or 4 marks), and when many chapters can supply it.

4.6.1 Tier A — rehearse until automatic

Rank Topic and likely form Marks Why it is ranked here
1 Mechanics numericals: F=ma, momentum and recoil, free fall, g=GM/R^2 4 or 2 Every formula is one step and the chapter offers many variations, so a 4-mark numerical is easy to set.
2 Electricity numericals: Ohm's law, series and parallel, power, bill, transformer ratio 4 Four distinct question forms fit one chapter; practical and everyday.
3 Heat numericals: Q=mc\Delta T, Q=mL, mixing of water 4 Calorimetry gives a clean three-step answer.
4 Light and sound numericals: lens formula and magnification, echo, v=f\lambda, power of a lens 4 or 2 Quick to set and mark; recent model papers favour scenario forms.
5 Gas laws: Boyle's and Charles' numericals, with kelvin conversion 2 or 4 A tiny chapter with only two formulae; the answer is a clean number.
6 Balanced equations and types of reaction; acid and base differences 2 A balanced equation is a self-checking, standard 2-mark item.
7 Mendel's crosses: monohybrid and dihybrid Punnett squares; sex determination 4 A fixed method with ratios, ideal for a 4-mark answer.
8 Labelled diagrams and processes: heart, reflex arc, kidney, hormones 4 Biology's life-process chapter is long, and a diagram plus four steps fits a 4-mark question.

4.6.2 Tier B — second pass

Rank Topic and likely form Marks Why it is ranked here
9 Environment: acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion (cause, effect, remedy) 4 Current topics with a natural cause-effect-remedy structure.
10 Periodic table: configuration to group and period, trends 2 or 4 One method answers the whole question and it is easy to mark.
11 Pressure: Pascal's law, liquid pressure and upthrust numericals 4 Standard one-step numericals, with a definition as the other mark.
12 Hydrocarbons: formulae, homologous series, alkane versus alkene 2 A table of differences is a typical short question.
13 Metals: reactivity series, rusting, extraction of aluminium 2 or 4 Definitions and a flow of steps.
14 Preparation of H₂, O₂ and CO₂ with diagram and test 4 Equation, diagram, collection and test make four marks.
15 Honey bee: castes, life cycle with days, products 2 or 4 Short chapter with fixed facts (16, 21, 24 days).

4.6.3 Tier C — a quick pass

Rank Topic and likely form Marks Why it is ranked here
16 Kingdoms: differences between Monera, Protista, Fungi 2 Mostly recall; one item at most.
17 Universe: light-year numerical, Big Bang, satellites 2 or 4 A short chapter; the numerical is one step.
18 ICT: definitions, e-commerce, cyber crime, ethics 1 or 2 Tested mostly as very short items.
19 Daily-life chemicals: soap, cement, glass, fertilisers 2 or 4 Process descriptions are possible but less frequent.
20 Scientific method and measurement 1 Appears mainly as a one-mark item inside Groups A and B.
How to use the list

Work Tier A until the method is automatic, then Tier B, and keep a day for Tier C. For each form, practise the whole answer (working and final statement), because 2-mark and 4-mark questions are marked by steps, and keep a list of the formulae at the front of your notebook.

Chapter summary

  • The paper is 10\times1+9\times1+14\times2+7\times4=75; plan 30, 60, 70 and 20 minutes for A and B, C, D and checking.
  • Marks come from steps: formula, substitution, answer, unit for numericals; labelled diagram plus points for descriptions.
  • Quick results to hold: F=ma; p=mv; P=h\rho g; Q=mc\Delta T; Q=mL; v=f\lambda; V=IR; P=VI; P_1V_1=P_2V_2; V_1/T_1=V_2/T_2; g=GM/R^2.
  • Biology anchors: F₂ ratios 3 : 1 and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1; bee development 16, 21, 24 days; heart path; reflex arc.
  • Chemistry anchors: balanced equations; lab preparation with diagram and test; alkane \text{C}_n\text{H}_{2n+2}; cement: clinker plus gypsum.
  • The ranked list is an order of practice, never a forecast.