Grade 10 Science Test 1

1.

The atomic number of carbon is six. It has two electrons in its K-shell and four electrons
in its L-shell. Thus, it has four valence electrons. Therefore, to form ionic bonds, it has to
either lose four electrons or gain four electrons. However, both cases require large
amounts of energy and are not possible. Hence, carbon completes its octet by sharing all
of its four electrons with other atoms forming covalent bonds.
Carbon forms strong covalent bonds because its small size allows its nucleus to attract the
shared pairs of electrons strongly.
The correct answer is D.

2.

A diamond is the hardest known natural substance. In a diamond, each carbon atom is
bonded tetrahedrally to four other carbon atoms. It is a very bad conductor of electricity.
Graphite, on the other hand, is bonded to three carbon atoms and arranged in the form of
layers. Thus, it is soft and slippery to touch. Also, it is a good conductor of electricity.
The correct answer is C.

3.

It is given that the compound contains two singly bonded carbon atoms as:
CC
Carbon is a tetravalent element, while hydrogen is monovalent. Thus, three more
valencies of each carbon atom need to be satisfied. Therefore, each carbon atom forms
bonds with hydrogen atoms as follows:

Hence, a total number of seven covalent bonds are formed.

The correct answer is A.
4.

In a Dobereiner triad, when the elements are arranged in the increasing order of their
atomic masses, the mass of the element that is present in the centre should be the
arithmetic mean of the other two elements. Since A, B, and C form a Dobereiner triad,
Atomic Mass of B =

Atomic mass of A Atomic mass of C

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Grade 10 Science Test 1

Distracter Rationale
A.
The elements in Dobereiners triad were arranged in the ascending order of their
atomic masses. Hence A, B, and C cannot have equal masses.
B, C. The atomic mass of middle element of the triad is the arithmetic mean of the
atomic masses of the remaining two elements of the triad.
The correct answer is D.
5.

Dobereiners law of triads states that when elements are placed in the ascending order of
their atomic masses, a group of three elements with similar properties is obtained with the
atomic mass of the middle element in the triad being the mean of the atomic masses of
the other two elements.
On this basis, the atomic mass of P (31) should be the mean of the atomic masses of N
and As.
The mean of the atomic masses of N and As is

31 74.9
2
105.9

2
= 52.95

However, the atomic mass of P is 31. Hence, N, P, and As do not form a Dobereiner
triad.
Distracter Rationale
A.

The mean atomic mass of Li and K is

7 39

2
46

2
= 23
This is equal to the atomic mass of Na. Hence, Li, Na, and K form a Dobereiner triad.
C.

The mean atomic mass of Cl and I is

35.5 126.9

2
162.4

2
= 81.2
This is equal to the atomic mass of Br. Hence, Cl, Br, and I form a Dobereiner triad.
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Grade 10 Science Test 1

D.

The mean atomic mass of Ca and Ba is

40.1 137.3

2
177.4

2
= 88.7
The atomic mass of Sr is 87.6, which is approximately equal to the mean mass of Ca and
Ba. Hence, Ca, Sr, and Ba form a Dobereiner triad.
The correct answer is B.

6.

Mendeleevs law states that the properties of elements are a periodic function of their
atomic masses. Thus, the chemical and physical properties of elements repeat themselves
after certain intervals when they are arranged in the increasing order of their atomic
masses.
Distracter Rationale
A.

This statement represents Newlands octave law.

B.

This statement does not state Mendeleevs periodic law.

D.

This statement is the base of the modern periodic table. It is the modern periodic
law.

The correct answer is C.

7.

When an object is placed at the focus F of a concave mirror, the image is formed at
infinity. The nature of this image is real, inverted and highly enlarged. This is shown in
the given ray diagram.

Distracter Rationale
A.

When an object is placed beyond centre of curvature C of a concave mirror, the

image formed is small, as shown in the given ray diagram.
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Grade 10 Science Test 1

B.

When an object is placed at the centre of curvature C of a concave mirror, its

image is formed at the same point. This image is real, inverted and of same size as
object, as shown in the given ray diagram.

D.

When an object is placed in between the focus F and centre of curvature C of a

concave mirror, its image is formed beyond the centre of curvature. The nature of
the image is real, inverted and enlarged in size, as shown in the given ray
diagram.

The correct answer is C.

8.

In a searchlight, the mirror is used to obtain a parallel and well focused beam of light. A
concave mirror is used in a searchlight as it can reflect a parallel beam of light when the
source of light is placed at its focus, as shown in the following figure.

Grade 10 Science Test 1

If a convex mirror is used in a searchlight, then no focused beam of light will be
obtained. Hence, convex mirrors are not used in searchlights.
Distracter Rationale
B.

Convex mirrors are used as rear-view mirrors in vehicles to increase the field of
view.

C.

A dentist uses a concave mirror to view an erect and magnified image of a

patients teeth.

D.

Large concave mirrors are used in a solar furnace to concentrate solar radiations
at a point.

The correct answer is A.

9.

The power of a lens is given by the inverse of its focal length measured in meters, i.e.,

1
f in meters

f can be obtained using the lens formula, which is given as,

1 1 1

v u f
Where,
Image size = 25 cm (Concave lenses form erect images only)
Object size = 1 m = 100 cm
Object distance = u = 1 m = 100 cm
Image distance = v
Image distance can be obtained using the magnification formula, which is given as,
Image size Image distance

Object size Object distance

25 cm
v

100 cm 100 cm
v 25 cm

Hence, the lens formula becomes,

Grade 10 Science Test 1

1
1
1

25 100 f
1
1
1 1 4
3

f 100 25 100
100
100
100 1
1
f
cm

m m
3
3 100
3
1
Power, P
3.0 D
1

3
Therefore, the power of the lens is 3.0 D.

The correct answer is A.

10.

Cornea is the front layer of the eye. It is a thin membrane that envelops the eye. Various
parts of the front of the eye are shown in the given figure.

A ray of light that falls on the eye first passes through the cornea. The light then enters
the eye through the pupil after passing through the aqueous humour present between the
pupil and the cornea. The ray of light is then focussed by the eye lens to form an image
on the retina present on the back part of the eye.
The correct answer is B.
11.

In a myopic eye, the image of distant objects is formed in front of the retina and not on
the retina, as shown in the given figure.

Grade 10 Science Test 1

Since eye lens is convex, all parallel rays converge at its focus. This is a clear indication
of the shortening of the focal length of a myopic eye lens. As a result, the curvature of the
lens gets increased. Hence, myopia is caused by an increase in the curvature of the eye
lens.
Distracter Rationale
A.

The retinal distance of an eye from the lens remains the same throughout ones
life.

B.

Myopia is also caused by the elongation of the eyeball, i.e., an increase in the
diameter of the eyeball.

C.

An increase in the thickness of a lens results in a decrease in its curvature. Hence,

the focal length of the lens increases as its thickness decreases. However, a
myopic eye has a short focal length. Hence, myopia is not caused by an increase
in the thickness of the lens.

The correct answer is D.

12.

The angle between the incident ray and the emergent ray is the extent to which a ray
deviates after refraction through a prism. Hence, it is called the angle of deviation.
An incident light bends after refraction at two lateral surfaces of a triangular glass prism,
as shown in the given figure.

It can be observed that the incident ray is deviated through an angle equal to D (the angle
of deviation). The other labelled angles are the angle of incidence (i), the angle of
refraction (r), and the angle of emergence (e).
The correct answer is D.
13.

In most organisms, DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material that is passed
on from one generation to the other at the time of reproduction.
Distracter Rationale
B.

RNA is not the genetic material in a majority of organisms. It is the genetic

material of some viruses.
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Grade 10 Science Test 1

C, D. Proteins and carbohydrates do not act as genetic materials in organisms.
The correct answer is A.

14.

Cross-pollination is the process in which pollens are transferred from the stamen of one
flower to the stigma of another flower that is present on a different plant belonging to the
same species.
Distracter Rationale
A.

The transfer of pollens from the stamen to the stigma of the same flower occurs in
self-pollination.

B.

The transfer of pollens from the stamen of one flower to the stigma of another
flower present on the same plant occurs in self-pollination.

C.

Pollination cannot occur between members of two different species.

The correct answer is D.

15.

The green-coloured beetles will not be easily visible to birds as compared to red-coloured
beetles. Hence, over a period of time, the population of green-coloured beetles will
increase.
Distracter Rationale
B.

The red-coloured beetles will be easily visible to birds as compared to greencoloured beetles. This means that they will be eaten in greater quantity by birds,
thereby leading to a decline in their population.

C.

The increase or decrease in population depends on the variations present in an

organism. The red-coloured beetles will decline in number as they are more
visible in the green environment of the forest.

D.

Organisms always make adaptations to survive in their environment. The greencoloured beetles will not change their colour to red because that will make them
more prominent to their predators.

The correct answer is A.

16.

Inherited traits are those traits that are passed on from parents to offsprings. Eye colour is
an inherited trait. Hence, it is most likely to be passed on to Nitin from his father.

Grade 10 Science Test 1

Distracter Rationale
The ability to play piano, facial scar, and the ability to sing are acquired traits. These
cannot be passed on from one generation to another.
The correct answer is C.
17.

Plastic bottles cannot be broken down into simpler compounds by the activity of bacteria,
fungi, or other saprophytes. Hence, it is a non-biodegradable waste.
Distracter Rationale
Vegetable peels, used tea leaves, and human faeces are organic compounds that can be
broken down by the activity of bacteria or other saprophytes. Hence, they are
biodegradable wastes.
The correct answer is D.

18.

Plastic bags contribute a lot to pollution. The pollution caused by them can be effectively
managed by recycling them to make new products.
Distracter Rationale
A.
Reducing the thickness of polythene bags will not make them biodegradable.
B.

Throwing plastic bags in dustbins will not put a stop to the pollution caused by
them. Their accumulation will further contribute to pollution.

D.

The burning of plastic bags will release toxic pollutants in the atmosphere. This
will further add to the pollution caused by them.
The correct answer is C.

19.

Natural resources in the environment are limited. An increase in the population has
increased the demand and utilization of the natural resources. This has led to a decrease
in the availability of natural resources.
Distracter Rationale
B.
An increase in the population using natural resources highlights the need for
conservation of these resources.
C.

Increased utilization emphasizes the need for conservation of natural resource.

D.

The demand for natural resources has gone up as a result of an increase in

population.

The correct answer is A.

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Grade 10 Science Test 1

20.

Biodiversity of a certain region is the total population of the different organisms living in
that region.
Distracter Rationale
A., B. The total plants as well as the animal population represent the biodiversity of the
region.
D.

The living organisms in a region represent the biodiversity of the region. Extinct
organisms do not constitute the biodiversity of a region.

The correct answer is C.

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