Name: _________________________________________

SUBJECT

: GENERAL SCIENCE

DURATION : 1 HR 30 MIN

DATE

: FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER 2012

MARKS

: 100

________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Do not open this booklet until you are told to do so.
Write your name and class in the spaces provided at the top of this page.
This booklet consists of 3 Sections.
Section A: Select the correct answer and shade (A, B, C or D) in the Answer Grid
provided on page 15.
Section B & C: Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
You are allowed to use electronic calculators where necessary.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The total number of marks for this paper is 100.
You are advised to plan your time wisely for each question.
Please check your answers thoroughly before handing in your answer scripts.
For Examiners Use Only
SECTION A
(30 marks)
SECTION B
(30 marks)
SECTION C
(40 marks)
Total (100)

This question paper consists of 16 printed pages, including the cover page and answer grid.

2
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (30 MARKS)
Each question below is provided with four answers.
Select the correct answer and shade (A, B, C or D) in the Answer Grid provided on page 15.
1

Which of the following shows a conical flask?

A

Non-luminous blue flame

Luminous blue flame

C
D

Non-luminous yellow flame

Luminous yellow flame

Toxic
Flammable

C
D

Corrosive
Radioactive

Which of the following methods of investigation follows the correct order?

A
B
C
D

A bottle was found with the following label:

This shows that the substance in the bottle is __________________.
A
B

Which type of flame will you get when you close the air holes of a Bunsen burner?
A
B

Observation, Hypothesis, Experiments, Conclusion, Analysis

Analysis, Observation, Experiments, Conclusion, Hypothesis
Hypothesis, Observation, Analysis, Experiments, Conclusion
Observation, Analysis, Hypothesis, Experiments, Conclusion

What is the correct reading from the vernier calipers shown below?
Main Scale
3

5
cm

10

Vernier Scale

A
B

3.80 cm
3.82 cm

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

C
D

3.90 cm
4.20 cm

3
6

The figures below show the difference in water level before and after solid A is submerged
in a measuring cylinder. Given that solid A is 25 g, what is the density of solid A?
0.3 g cm-3
0.5 g cm-3
3.3 g cm-3
4.2 g cm-3

A
B
C
D

5 minutes
10 minutes

C
D

fish and mammals

amphibians and birds

40

cm3

cm3

150 minutes
300 minutes

C
D

reptiles and fish

birds and reptiles

C
D

Algae
Mosses

Which of the following is a flowering plant?

A
B

10

40

Animals that lay eggs with shells are __________________.

A
B

50

Melvin tries to download a song from the internet. The rate of downloading is 40 kb/s. If the
file has a size of 12 000 kb, what will be the time taken for the file to download completely?
A
B

50

Passion plant
Fern

Invertebrates can be grouped into the following groups.

Invertebrates

M
With jointed legs

N
Without jointed legs

Which of the following are correct examples for groups M and N?

M

millipedes

centipedes

centipedes

roundworm

jellyfish

coral

roundworm

coral

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

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4
11

Which of the following best describes a dichotomous key?

A
B
C
D

12

It is a process to clarify different items based on the colour and shape.

It is a key to classify different items based on the way of reproduction.
It is a method to divide a group of items into two groups at each stage.
It is a way to classify living things and non-living things into two different groups.

The scale of hardness for different materials is shown below:

Hardness value
Material

10

powder

fingernail

steel

quartz

diamond

Which of the following statements is true?

A
B
C
D
13

Which of the following has the least number of different types of elements present?
A
B

14

15

Quartz is able to scratch only one object.

Powder is able to scratch diamond.
Steel is unable to scratch quartz.
Fingernail is able to scratch quartz but not steel.

C6H12O8
KMnO6

C
D

CH4
MgSO4

A compound can be broken down into simpler substances by _______________.

I)
II)
III)
IV)

Distillation
Electrolysis
Heating
Evaporation

A
B

I and II
II and III

C
D

III and IV
I and IV

Which of the following does not involve the formation of a compound?

A
B
C
D

Water droplets appear on the outside of a cold glass of lemonade.

During photosynthesis, cells with chlorophyll make food from sunlight.
In the test for hydrogen, a burning splinter goes off with a pop sound when placed at
the mouth of a tube of hydrogen.
During respiration, cells burn food to provide energy for the life processes of the cell.

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

5
Refer to the Periodic Table below to answer questions 16 and 17.

16

Which three elements listed below have similar chemical properties?

A
B

17

Na, Ca, Y
Mo, Cr, Mn

V, Si, P
Po, Br, K

C, O, Ar
D
As, Sb, Bi

Which of the following is not a solution?

A
B
C
D

19

C
D

Which three elements listed below are non-metals?

A
B

18

Fe, Co, Ni
Cu, Ag, Au

oxygen and nitrogen (air)

zinc and copper (brass)
alcohol and water (wine)
blood cells, oxygen and water (blood)

Which of the following mixtures form a suspension?

A
B
C
D

Copper sulphate and water

Paint and turpentine
Iodine and alcohol
Calamine lotion

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

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6
20

Which one of the following statements about an alkali is false?

A
B
C
D

21

What happens when blue litmus paper is placed in vinegar?

A
B
C
D

22

27

C
D

less than 7
zero

cation
nucleus

C
D

anion
neutron

Molecules are defined as two or more _______________ joined together by strong chemical
bonds.
A
B

26

exactly 7
more than 7

An example of a sub-atomic particle is the _______________.

A
B

25

Ammonia solution Sodium hydroxide Pure water Carbonic acid

Pure water Sulphuric acid Nitric acid Ammonia solution
Hydrochloric acid Ethanoic acid Rainwater Ammonia solution
Potassium hydroxide solution Ammonia solution Distilled water Carbonic
acid

When a mixture of alkali and acid is completely neutralized, its pH reading will be
_______________.
A
B

24

It turns red immediately.

It turns white immediately.
It remains as blue.
It turns to red then back to blue again.

Which of the following substances is arranged in increasing values of pH?

A
B
C
D

23

It is a substance which can be found in detergents.

It gives red colour when Universal Indicator is added to it.
It has a soapy feeling and bitter taste.
It can conduct electricity.

ions
elements

C
D

atoms
compounds

40
S . This means it has _______________.
The element S has the following symbol, 25

Protons

Electrons

Neutrons

40

40

40

25

25

15

25

15

40

25

40

25

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

An ion of potassium has a formula K+. This is

because it has _______________.
A
C

19 protons and 19 electrons

19 protons and 18 electrons

7
B
28

18 protons and 18 electrons

18 protons and 19 electrons

The diagram below shows the cells of two types of plants seen under the microscope.
Observe them carefully.

Specimen Cell A

Specimen Cell B

Which part of the plant can we most likely find Specimen Cell B?
A
B
29

C
D

Leaves
Branches

Which example is the most suitable to demonstrate the diffusion of substances?

A
B
C
D

30

Stem
Roots

An ice cube melts when it placed on the table at room temperature.

A hospital corridor is permeated with the smell of medicinal vapours.
Aluminium oxide is formed when pure aluminium is exposed to air.
Alcohol vapour condenses when it touches a cold surface object.

Root hair cells take in dissolved mineral salts by _____________.

A
B

osmosis only
diffusion only

C
D

osmosis and diffusion

active transport and diffusion

SECTION B: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS (30 marks)

Answer ALL the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

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8
31

32

Convert the following:

(a)

47 g

= ________________ kg

(b)

238 mm

= ________________ m

(c)

2 hr 5 min

= ________________ s

The following five sentences describe the steps to light a Bunsen burner.
Place the numbers 1 to 5 in the boxes to show the correct sequence of the steps.

33

[3]

(a)

[1]

Open the air-hole.

Ignite the Bunsen burner with the lighter.

Turn on the gas tap.

Close the air-hole.

Hold the lighter near the top of the barrel.

State, by providing reasons, the choice of materials in the following applications.

(i)

Cover for electrical wires

[1]

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(ii)

Cooking pots

[1]

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(b)

Give two similarities between ceramics and glass.

[2]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

34

(a)

Classify the following substances into acidic, alkaline and neutral substances.
Vinegar

Distilled water

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

Soap

Grape juice

Bleach
Milk

[3]

Acidic

(b)

Neutral

Alkaline

When an acid of pH 2 is added to an alkali of pH 9, the pH of the solution turns to 7.

What is the name of this type of reaction?
[1]
_____________________________________________________________________

(c)

Describe how you would differentiate an acid, an alkali and a neutral solution by
using a suitable indicator.

[2]

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
35

Classify the following into elements, mixtures and compounds.

potassium
sauce
sugar

milk
common salt

ELEMENTS

36

[3]

oyster
argon
MIXTURES

COMPOUNDS

Based on the pictures below, what can you infer from them?
[Turn over

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

10

Gases can be compressed more easily than _______________ or _______________. This

shows that _______________ between particles in ________ are greater than those
between solids or liquids.
[4]
37

Study the chemical formula of baking soda shown below.

NaHCO3
(a)

Name the elements in this compound. __________________________________ [2]

(b)

Which of the elements in this compound is able to conduct electricity?

[1]

___________________________________________________________________

38

(c)

What is the ratio of the constituents in this compound? _____________________ [1]

(a)

For each of the following molecules, identify the elements present and state the
number of atoms present for each element.

(b)

(i)

AlCl3

_______________________________________________ [1]

(ii)

NaF

_______________________________________________ [1]

(iii)

CaSO4 :

_______________________________________________ [1]

The diagram below represents a molecule of heptanol.

C
O

(i)
(ii)

State the number of atoms present in the molecule.

____________ [1]

Write down the formula of the molecule.

____________ [1]
SECTION C: FREE RESPONSE QUESTIONS (40 marks)

Answer ALL the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

11

39

(a)

The following diagram shows how Haixiang measured the length of a book.

Describe two errors made by Haixiang while he was measuring the length
of the book.

[2]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(b)

(c)

40

41

The external diameter of a wedding ring was measured using a pair of vernier
calipers as shown in the diagram below.

The external diameter of the ring is _______________.

[1]

The average speed of a car is 60 km/h.

What is the distance travelled by the car in 12 minutes?

[2]

Wenhao is given a measuring cylinder, a string, a weighing scale, a displacement can, a

beaker and access to water.
Explain, using a diagram, how these apparatus can be used to find the density of a
piece of stone.

[3]

Name the appropriate methods for the separation of the following mixtures.

[4]

(a)

Pure water from seawater

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

[Turn over

______________________________________

12

42

(b)

Scrap iron doors from cars

______________________________________

(c)

Tea leaves from tea

______________________________________

(d)

Permitted food dyes in sweets

______________________________________

Daisy would like to dissolve a substance in water. She performs the following procedures.

(a)

From the observations above, what can you say about the solubility of the
substance in water?

[1]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(b)

Is water a good solvent for this experiment? Explain your answer.

[2]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(c)

State one other way to increase the rate of solubility of this substance in water.

[1]

___________________________________________________________________

43

The table below shows five different atoms and their compositions.

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

13

(a)

Atoms

Electrons

Protons

Neutrons

10

10

11

12

18

17

20

18

16

16

(i)

Which two atoms are neutral?

[2]

_____________________________________________________________
(ii)

Explain your answer.

[1]

_____________________________________________________________
(b)

What is the mass number of atom X?

_____________________________ [1]

(c)

(i)

Which atom is positively-charged?

_____________________________ [1]

(ii)

Explain your answer.

[1]

__________________________________________________________
44

(a)

(i)

Draw a plant cell below, labeling the following in your diagram.

[2]

cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplast, vacuole, cytoplasm

(ii)

(iii)

Identify the part of the cell that contains the following:

chromosomes - _________________________________

[1]

cellulose

[1]

- _________________________________

List three differences between a plant cell and an animal cell.

[3]

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(b)

(i)

Name two examples of systems that are found in the human body.

[2]

[Turn over

_____________________________________________________________
End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

14
(ii)

Name two examples of organs that are found in animals.

[2]

_____________________________________________________________
45

(a)

State the main difference between osmosis and diffusion.

[2]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(b)

Identify the following processes as osmosis or diffusion.

(i)

[4]

Pieces of potatoes placed in water swell and become firmer.

_______________

(ii)

Water from the soil moves through cell membranes into root hair cells.
_______________

(iii)

Oxygen from the air moves through cell membranes into the cells of the
leaves.
_______________

(iv)

Glucose, but not starch, passes through the Visking tubing.

_______________

(c)

Define active transport.

[1]

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

END OF PAPER

YEAR END EXAMINATION 2012

SECONDARY 1 GENERAL SCIENCE

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

15
Section A - MCQ (30 marks)

ANSWER GRID
Shade the correct answers.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

End-Year Examination 2012: Sec 1(B) GENERAL SCIENCE

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30