Primary School Leaving Examinations

Science (0009)
PSLE Science Booklet B Answering Techniques 2019

PSLE SCIENCE 2019: BOOKLET B ANSWERING TECHNIQUES

Apply RULE for the reading/ understanding the instruction given

READ:
 Read the question twice (Break down the keywords)
 Analyse the question type (Factual, experiment-based, process skills needed)
 Analyse the diagrams / tables / flowchart, etc
UNDERLINE
 Underline important keywords / contextual clues / instructions, etc.
LINK
 Link question to topics or concepts learn. Write down by the side the topics or concepts that
will help you to craft the answer related to the question.
EXPLAIN
 Explain in complete sentences for “Explain why/how”, “Give a reason”, “What is the
aim/conclusion”, “Describe what should be done” type of questions.

Answering Techniques: TRACCER

Identify the Topic: What is the topic the question is from? E.g. Magnets, Magnetism

Recall the Concept: What is the definition of a magnet? We learn from the topic of magnets that the
properties of the magnet are: like poles of two magnets repel each other, opposite poles of two
magnets attracts each other.

Aim of the Question: What is the question asking for? The question is asking the reason why the
object could not be determined to be a magnet.

Comparison: Is there a comparison needed?

“The salt solution was heated over fire for ten minutes. After a while, more water droplets could be
observed inside the beaker. Why is this so? (1m)”

Here’s the Template Answer

The water gains heat from the ____________ (heat source) and evaporates to form water vapour.
The warmer water vapour rises and comes into contact with the cooler inner/outer (choose one)
surface of the _________ (object), loses heat to it and condenses to form tiny water droplets.

Here’s the Template Answer (with Comparison Terms)

The water gains heat faster from the ____________ (heat source) and evaporates faster to form
more water vapour. More warmer water vapour rises and comes into contact with the cooler
inner/outer (choose one) surface of the _________ (object), loses heat faster to it and condenses to
form more tiny water droplets.

Hence, it is vital for students to analyse the question carefully before crafting their answer to ensure
that they do not lose marks carelessly by missing out on comparison terms!
Claim: Object X cannot be determined/concluded to be a magnet

Evidence: Use the data provided! The student has to state an observation based on the question.
The observation can be made based on a table, a graph or features in a diagram provided. From the
diagram, we can only observe that Object X is being attracted towards Magnet B by a magnetic
force. We cannot observe any repulsive forces in play.

Reason: The student is required to draw a link between the observation made and the relevant
definition, function or science concept, in order to craft a complete answer. We cannot tell from the
diagram if the like poles of the two objects will repel each other, hence we cannot conclude that
Object X is definitely a magnet.

Students ans for part a: Ball A has a greater mass n hence pole for ball A will tilts towards the side..

According to the concepts, (Matter) we know that air, which is matter, has mass and occupies space.
(Volume and Mass of Gas) Air can spread out and takes the volume of the container it can hold.

This is a two mark question, requires at least 4 key points to score well. The pole with the two balls
will tilt towards the side of Ball A(1/2m). This is because air is matter and has mass (1/2m), Ball A has
a greater volume of air pumped into it compared to Ball B (1/2m), Ball A will have greater mass
compared to Ball B. (1/2m)

Again, highly recommended to use the TRACCER framework:

Identify Topic: Matter, Volume and Mass of Gas

Recall concepts: Air is matter and has mass.

Aim of the Question: To test us about the concepts of Volume and Mass of Gas

Comparison?: Yes! Must show comparison between Ball A and B

Claim: The pole will tilt towards side of Ball A

Evidence: We know that Ball A has a greater volume of air pumped into it compared to Ball B.
Reason: Air is matter and has mass. A greater volume of air means greater mass.
41(a) When switch C is closed, the circuit containing iron rod A is a closed circuit. (1/2m) Electric
current can flow through the circuit (1/2), iron rod is a magnetic material and becomes an
electromagnet (temporary magnet). (1/2m) The magnetised iron rod A attracts the iron rod B (1/2m)
and the door is hence able to be brought away from the wall (unlocked).

(b) 1. Increasing the number of coils/turns of wire around the iron rod A

2. Place more batteries in series with the circuit with iron rod A

Question is asking you for the ways (how)to strengthen the magnetism/magnetic attraction of the
electromagnet.

Just take note:

- Read the question carefully and take note of what they are asking/any key words

- Take note usually 1 mark means 2 key points (1/2 mark each)

- Remember TRACCER:

Identify Topic: E.g. Magnetism, Electricity?

Recall concept: What happens when the switch is closed? Closed circuit, electric current can flow.
What are the 4 magnetic materials? Steel, iron, nickel, cobalt. When magnetic material is
magnetised by electricity, what does it become? An electromagnet

Aim of the question: What concepts are the question trying to test you?

Compare: Is the question asking for a comparison? Take note of the Question word e.g. Explain,
Suggest, Observation, State the Difference

Claim: Your stand on the question, how it will be unlocked.

Evidence: From the question, diagrams, tables, what is the evidence provided.

Reason: Using the concepts from above, answer according to the question.
Question 32a and 32b, take note of the context of the question: TRACCER (What topic is it testing
you on) and the marks at the side [2m]. The marks will give a good indication of the expectation of
the answer: number of key points (at least 4 key points), whether it is expecting a simple
observation or testing more complex inference and deduction skills.

32(a) Water vapour in the atmosphere (1/2m) came into contact with the cooler surface of the
leaves (1/2m), loses heat to the surroundings (1/2m) and condenses to form water droplets on the
leaves(1/2m).

Same for part 32(b) Water droplets gain heat from its surroundings (1/2m) due to the higher
temperature and evaporated to form water vapour (1/2m).
Useful Advice for Answering Booklet B Open Ended Questions

 Be Specific! No general statement. Apply concepts to the specific scenario.

- E.g. Heat travel from hotter area to cooler area. (general)
Heat travels from the hotter drink to the cooler spoon. (specific)
- Try not to use “it”, “they”, etc in a sentence especially when the questions involve a
number of variables or objects. It would not be clear which variable/object you are
referring to.
 Answer the question directly
- E.g. Why do plants need light to survive?
Without light, plants cannot…. (Not answering the question directly)
Plants need light to photosynthesize so as to make food and produce oxygen. (Better!)
 Comparing questions
- Must compare both objects/set-ups given. Do not just elaborate on one object as there is
no comparison.
- Use comparative words like “more than”, “less than”, words ending with “er” when
comparing 2 objects or set-ups.
- Example, A is hot and B is cold. (wrong)
A is hotter than B. (correct)
- Use superlative words ending with “est” when comparing more than 2 objects or set-ups.
E.g. Which setup, A, B or C has the highest temperature?
Setup A has the highest temperature compared to setup B and C. (Correct)
- When question asks for similarities between 2 objects, you can start your comparison with
“Both A and B have…”
- When question asks for differences between 2 objects, you can start with “A has 6 legs…
but B has 8 legs …”
- Do not phrase your answer as “A has 6 legs but B does not.” (Then what if B does not have
6 legs? It is not clear).
 Do not give “common sense” answer. Back up your answer with a scientific concept
whenever possible.
- Example:
Why is it that A can see B in the room?
There is light in the room or The light is switched on. (Wrong)
- Light reflected off B into A’s eyes. (Correct – scientific concept on reflection of light)
 To explain an observation, do elaborate thoroughly. Use the “Cause-Effect” or “Begin-End”
approach.
- Example:
Explain why the plant died when it was placed in darkness for a long period of time.
The plant could not make food. (Effect stated only. What is the cause?) (Incomplete
answer)
- The plant did not have light (Cause), thus it could not make food (effect) for itself.
(Complete explanation)
 Answering parallel questions
- For some questions divided into two parts, use clues in the previous part to answer the
second part of the question.
Example:
Part a) A test tube containing hot water is immersed in a beaker of cold water. What will
happen to the hot water in the test tube after some time and why?

Part b) Why do flamingoes stand on one leg in cold water?

- Pupils are not required to read up facts about flamingo to answer the question. The
concept tested in Part a will give the clue in answering Part b.

- Answer for Part a: The hot water in the test tube will become colder as heat is lost from
the hot water in the test tube to the cold water in the beaker. This causes the
temperature of water in the test tube to be lower.
- Answer for Part b: Flamingoes will lose less heat from their bodies to the colder water by
standing on one leg only. The flamingoes are trying to regulate their body temperature.
- Note: Based on Part a, we can infer that the answer for Part b should be linked to the
concept of heat loss.