HKDSE Biology – Past Examination Questions (Multiple-choice Questions)

Chapter 5 – Food and humans

Food substances

HKCEE 81
45. Which one of the following fluids from a healthy person would produce a reddish-brown colour on testing with Benedict’s
solution?
A. tears
B. sweat
C. urine
D. saliva
E. blood

HKCEE 82
31. The table below shows the results of testing a certain food sample:
Test Result
Benedict’s test a green solution appears
Using Albustix paper a green paper seen
Iodine test a brown solution appears
‘Spot’ test a translucent spot appears; disappears after immersing into organic solvent

The results show that the food sample contains

A. fat and starch
B. fat and protein
C. reducing sugar and starch
D. protein and reducing sugar
E. fat and reducing sugar

HKCEE 85
23. The Water Supplies Department has added a suitable amount of fluoride to our drinking water for the purpose of
A. killing germs.
B. aerating the water.
C. strengthening bones.
D. preventing tooth decay.

40. Bone formation requires

A. iron and vitamin C.
B. iron and vitamin D.
C. calcium and vitamin C.
D. calcium and vitamin D.

HKCEE 86
12.

If vitamin C is present in the fruit juice inside the syringe, it would finally turn the colour of the DCPIP solution in the
beaker to
A. red.
B. blue.
C. orange.
D. colourless.

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 1

HKCEE 87
12. The diagram below shows an experiment to compare the vitamin C content of 4 fruit juices.

The results are shown in the table below:

Fruit juice Volume required to decolorise 1 cm3 of DCPIP solution
A 0.30 cm3
B 0.55 cm3
C 0.65 cm3
D 0.85 cm3
Which fruit juice contains most vitamin C?

13. Which of the following shows correctly the diseases caused by the deficiency of the corresponding minerals?
Deficiency of calcium Deficiency of iron
A. rickets anaemia
B. rickets scurvy
C. anaemia rickets
D. scurvy anaemia

42. Which of the following sets of carbohydrates are correctly described in the table below?

Cell wall structure Storage product Transported food

Use
Set
A cellulose glucose starch
B starch sucrose glucose
C sucrose starch glucose
D cellulose starch sucrose

44. A series of tests was carried out on a sample of food to determine which food substances were present. The results are
given below:
Test Result
Benedict’s test blue colour
Iodine test blue-black colour
Using Albustix paper green paper seen

Which of the following food substances were present in the sample?

A. fat and starch
B. protein and starch
C. glucose and fat
D. protein and glucose

53. In order to detect the products of lipase activity, one would test for the presence of
A. fat.
B. reducing sugars.
C. non-reducing sugars.
D. protein.

HKCEE 89
45. Which of the following food matches the major type of vitamin/ mineral they provide?
food vitamin/ mineral
A. pork vitamin B
B. potato vitamin A
C. bean curd iron
D. milk calcium

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 2

51. What kind of food would you recommend for a child suffering from scurvy?
A. milk, liver, carrot
B. oranges, tomatoes, vegetables
C. cod-liver oil, egg yolk, fish
D. yeast, whole cereal grains, meat

52. Cellulose is NOT a basic nutrient for human begins because

A. cellulose has no energy value.
B. cellulose is the main nutrient for herbivores.
C. human beings do not produce cellulose-digesting enzymes.
D. the products of cellulose digestion cannot be absorbed.

HKCEE 92
17. The following bar charts (A, B, C and D) show the relative amounts of certain food substances taken in daily by 4 different
persons. Which person is least likely to suffer from rickets?

HKCEE 95
9. The table below shows the result of an experiment to compare the amount of vitamin C in four fruit juices P, Q, R and S:

Fruit juice Number of drops used to decolourise 1 cm3 DCPIP

P 20
Q 24
R 40
S 28

Which fruit juice has the highest vitamin C concentration?

A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S

13. Poor vision in dim light could be prevented by taking an adequate amount of
A. beef.
B. liver.
C. fresh fruits.
D. potatoes.

HKCEE 96
Directions: Questions 3 and 4 refer to the information below:
Food tests were carried out on a certain kind of drink. The results are as follows:

DCPIP test Using Albustix paper Benedict’s test

Result of the test colourless solution yellow paper blue solution

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 3

3. What can be concluded form the result?
A. The drink contains protein.
B. The drink contains vitamin C.
C. The drink contains protein and reducing sugar.
D. The drink contains vitamin C and reducing sugar.

4. A patient is recommended to take this drink regularly as a treatment. What disease might be suffered from?
A. anaemia
B. diabetes
C. night-blindness
D. scurvy

HKCEE 99
12. Which of the following food substance is not usually found in pork, milk and egg?
A. fat
B. protein
C. dietary fibre
D. mineral salt

14. If the diet of a person is rich in carbohydrate, his body will store the excess carbohydrate as
(1) fat.
(2) starch.
(3) glycogen.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

HKCEE 99
20. In the liver, excess amino acids will be converted into
(1) urea.
(2) protein.
(3) carbohydrate.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

HKCEE 01
7. A student mixed a 0.1% amylase solution with a 1% starch solution. He performed a number of food tests on the mixture
immediately after mixing and obtained the following results:
Iodine test Test using albustix paper Benedict’s test
+ + -
Key: + positive result; - negative result

If he repeated the food tests on the mixture 10 minutes later, what would be the possible results?
Iodine test Test using albustix paper Benedict’s test
A. + + +
B. - + -
C. - - +
D. + - -

HKCEE 03
6. When a drop of liquid food was added to a piece of filter paper, a translucent spot appeared and remained after drying. What
further step should be carried out in order to determine whether the food contains fat?
A. Rinse the spot with alcohol.
B. Put the paper under sunlight.
C. Heat the paper over a water bath.
D. Observe the spot again after 30 minutes.

12. Given a solution containing starch, lipase and glucose, which of the following tests will give a negative result with this
solution?
A. Benedict's test
B. Test using Albustix paper
C. Grease spot test
D. Iodine test

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 4

11. Excess amino acids absorbed into the human body will be
A. used to form bile.
B. used to form new cells.
C. stored in the liver as protein.
D. converted to urea and carbohydrate.

A balanced diet

HKCEE 82
45. The table below shows the protein content and the energy value of a 100 g sample of each of the following foods:
Food Protein (g) Energy (kJ)
rice 7 1,468
butter 0.8 3,108
beef 22 672
fish 18 339
eggs 13 634

If a young and very active boy were allowed to take only one of the above foods in his diet, the most suitable one would be
A. rice
B. butter
C. beef
D. fish
E. eggs

HKCEE 86
52. Which of the pie charts below correctly represents the relative food contents of peanuts?

HKCEE 87
43. The following data give the percentage (by weight) of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in four samples of fast food.
carbohydrates fats proteins
A. apple pie 46 14 3
B. chicken pie 28 20 8
C. ham sandwich 29 27 32
D. potato chips 37 17 4

Which of the above food contains the most energy?

48. The data below show the percentage (by weight) of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in three common foods X, Y and Z:
X Y Z
carbohydrates 87 0 0
fats 1 13 85
proteins 6 18 1

The three kinds of food might be:

X Y Z
A. butter rice beef
B. rice butter beef
C. rice beef butter
D. beef butter rice

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 5

HKCEE 88
25. The table shows the composition of cow’s milk:

Food substance Percentage by weight

Fat 3.6
Protein 3.6
Carbohydrate 4.5
Mineral salts 0.7
X 0.2
Y 87.4

Which of the following substances may be represented by X and Y?

X Y
A. Sugar Roughage
B. Vitamins Sugar
C. Vitamins Water
D. Roughage Sugar

HKCEE 89
14. Which of the following food substances provides the greatest amount of energy per unit weight?
A. fat
B. protein
C. glucose
D. sucrose

53. Milk is good for a pregnant woman because

(1) it provides protein for the pregnant woman.
(2) it is an ideal balanced diet for the foetus.
(3) it provides calcium for bone development in the foetus.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

HKCEE 90
6. In a starving mammal, the food reserves in the body will be depleted for energy release according to the following
sequence:
A. carbohydrates, proteins, fats
B. carbohydrates, fats, proteins
C. fats, carbohydrates, proteins
D. fats, proteins, carbohydrates

HKCEE 92
12. Which of the following groups of food has the greatest energy value?

Directions: Questions 20 and 21 refer to the following plant products:

(1) peanuts
(2) potatoes
(3) rice grains
(4) soya beans

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 6

20. Which of the following statements is true?
A. They have low starch content.
B. They can be used for plant reproduction.
C. They contain a large amount of fat.
D. They are products of non-flowering plants.

21. Which type of plant product is best for supplementing the diet of people in poor countries so as to reduce protein
deficiency?
A. (1)
B. (2)
C. (3)
D. (4)

HKCEE 93
13. The table below shows the amount of certain food substances present in 100 g of each of three kinds of food X, Y and :

Food X Food Y Food Z

proteins (g) 8.3 14.8 3.3
carbohydrates (g) 55.5 0.01 4.8
fats (g) 1.7 28.2 3.8
minerals (mg) 103 14.0 122

Which of the following correctly identifies the three kinds of food?

Food X Food Y Food Z
A. beef bread milk
B. bread beef milk
C. beef milk bread
D. bread milk beef

HKCEE 93
22. The table below shows the daily requirements of certain nutrients and energy for four different types of people, namely 2
year-old children, 35-year-old male labourers, 25-year-old females and pregnant women:

Daily requirements
Proteins (g) Vitamin D (mg) Calcium (mg) Energy (kJ))
A 90 0.0025 500 15100
B 60 0.01 1200 10000
C 44 0.005 500 8400
D 35 0.01 500 5900

Which row of information (A, B, C or D) describes the daily requirements for the 2 year-old children?

HKCEE 94
Directions: Questions 9 and 10 refer to the table below which shows the composition of food substances in four vegetables:

Water Protein Fat Carbohydrate Calcium *Carotene Vitamin C

(g) (g) (g) (g) (mg) (mg) (mg)
Potato (100g) 79 1.9 0.7 16 11 0.01 18
Soya bean (100g) 70 13.6 5.7 7 100 0.28 25
Spinach (100g) 93 2.0 0.2 2 70 2.96 31
Green pepper (100g) 93 0.9 0 5 7 1.56 105
* Carotene can be converted to vitamin A in the human body.

9. Vivian, a 6-year-old girl, does not have meat or milk in her diet. Which of the vegetables listed in the table is most
important for her growth?
A. potato
B. soya bean
C. spinach
D. green pepper

10. If Vivian has bleeding gums, which vegetable is most effective in helping her to recover?
A. potato
B. soya bean
C. spinach
D. green pepper
HKCEE 96

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 7

5. Vegetarians mainly eat plant products. Compared to a diet with meat, a vegetarians diet of the same mass contains
(1) less fat.
(2) more protein.
(3) more dietary fibre.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

6. Which of the following is not an essential component of the human diet?

A. calcium salts
B. fat
C. nitrates
D. water

Directions: Questions 7 and 8 refer to the pie charts below which show the proportions of carbohydrate, fat and protein in four
kinds of diet:

7. Which diet provides the greatest amount of energy per unit mass?
A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S

8. Which is a balanced diet?

A. P
B. Q
C. R
D. S

12. In Hong Kong, many school children are overweight because they
(1) eat a lot of vegetables.
(2) eat a lot of sugary food.
(3) do little sport.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and.(3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

HKCEE 98
6. Obesity (being very fat) may lead to the following except
A. diabetes.
B. liver cancer.
C. high blood pressure.
D. coronary heart disease.

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 8

Directions: Questions 7 and 8 refer to the table below which shows the composition of food substances in four vegetables:

Carbohydrate Fat Protein Calcium *Carotene Vitamin C

(g) (g) (g) (mg) (mg) (mg)
Broad bean (100g) 12 0.7 9.0 15 0.15 12
Potato (100g) 16 0.7 1.9 11 0.01 18
Spinach (100g) 2 0.2 2.0 70 2.96 31
green pepper (100g) 5 0 0.9 7 1.56 105
* Carotene can be converted to vitamin a in the human body.

7. Which vegetable listed above has the highest energy value?

A. broad bean
B. potato
C. spinach
D. green pepper

8. A person has normal vision in bright conditions but cannot see clearly in dim light. Which vegetable listed above is most
effective in helping him to overcome the problem?
A. broad bean
B. potato
C. spinach
D. green pepper

HKCEE 99
Directions: Questions 10 and 11 refer to the following diagram of a set-up used to estimate the energy value of two types of
food:

The table below shows the results obtained:

Mass of food used Initial water Final water

Type of food
(g) temperature (oC) temperature (oC)
Sugar 3 20 60
X 2 20 73

10. Food X is most likely to be

A. rice.
B. bean.
C. butter.
D. milk powder.

11. Which of the following are the possible sources of error in estimating the energy value of food by using the above set-up?
(1) Heat is lost to the surroundings.
(2) The food is not burnt completely.
(3) The mass of food used is not the same.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 9

HKCEE 00
Directions: Questions 59 and 60 refer to the following information:
In the early 1900s, Frederick Hopkins performed an experiment using rats. He divided young rats from the same
litter (developed from a single pregnancy) into two groups. Group A was fed with purified protein, sugar, starch,
fat, mineral salts and water. Group B received the same food plus 3 mL of milk each day. After 18 days, group A
instead of group B was given the milk. The results of the experiment are shown in the graph below:

59. Based on the given information, what do you think was the aim of Hopkins's experiment?
A. To show that the growth of rats requires protein, carbohydrates, fat, mineral salts, water and vitamins.
B. To show that milk is more important than protein, carbohydrates, fat, mineral salts and water for the growth of rats.
C. To show that milk contains vitamin A which is necessary for the normal growth of rats.
D. To show that milk contains some substances that are essential for the growth of rats.

60. In this experiment, Hopkins used rats from the same litter. This was to ensure that at the beginning of the experiment the
two groups of rats
A. showed the least variation.
B. were of the same genotype.
C. were of the same phenotype.
D. did not contain vitamin A.

HKCEE 01
Directions: Questions 9 and 10 refer to the table below, which shows the composition of 150 g each of four kinds of food:

Protein Carbohydrate Fat Calcium Iron Vitamin A Vitamin C

Food
(g) (g) (g) (mg) (mg) (mg) (mg)
W 40 30 30 324 18 0.03 4.3
X 50 10 40 974 6 0.01 1.9
Y 30 10 60 226 3 0.09 1.5
Z 20 60 20 181 1 0.16 0.2

9. Which food has the highest energy value?

A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z

10. The haemoglobin content of a person’s blood is found to be lower than normal. Which food would be most effective in
helping the person to improve this condition?
A. W
B. X
C. Y
D. Z

HKCEE 02
10. For overweight people, beans are better than eggs and meat as sources of protein because beans contain
A. less fat.
B. more iron.
C. more ammo acids
D. less dietary fibre

11. Honey is not easily spoiled even without refrigeration became of its

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 10

 A. low pH.
B. low water potential.
C. low oxygen content.
D. low nutrient content.

12. Apples are good for our health because they provide
(1) vitamins.
(2) minerals.
(3) dietary fibre.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

HKCEE 03
15. Some old people suffer from a condition known as osteoporosis in which their bones become porous and brittle; this is
due to the loss of a large amount of
A. iron.
B. calcium.
C. vitamin C.
D. vitamin D.

16. If a person suffers from night-blindness and constipation, which of the following foods is most effective for treating these
disorders?
A. ham
B. liver
C. carrot
D. wholemeal bread

32. A balanced diet helps to prevent

A. AIDS.
B. anaemia.
C. food poisoning.
D. colour-blindness.

HKCEE 04
12. The diet of many children contains only a small amount of fruit and vegetables. This may lead to
A. anaemia.
B. constipation.
C. night-blindness.
D. rickets.

31. Man and woman differ in their dietary requirement of iron. This is because
A. man needs more red blood cells.
B. man can store more iron in his liver.
C. woman loses blood in the menstrual flow.
D. the red blood cells of woman have a shorter life span.

32. A woman's dietary requirement of calcium increases

A. during menstruation.
B. in the first week of pregnancy.
C. at the onset of labour.
D. during the breast-feeding period.

HKDSE Biology – Past Examination Questions (Multiple-choice Questions) Answer Key

Chapter 5 – Food and humans

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 11

p.1 p.2 p.3 p.4 p.5
81-45 E 87-12 A 89-51 B 96-03 B 05-11 D
82-31 B 87-13 A 89-52 C 96-04 D 82-45 C
85-23 D 87-42 D 92-17 B 99-12 C 86-52 A
85-40 D 87-44 B 95-09 A 99-14 B 87-43 C
86-12 D 87-53 D 95-13 B 99-20 C 87-48 C
89-45 D 01-07 A
03-06 A
03-12 C

p.6 p.7 p.8 p.9 p.10

88-25 C 92-20 B 96-05 B 98-07 A 00-59 D
89-14 A 92-21 D 96-06 C 98-08 C 00-60 B
89-53 C 93-13 B 96-07 C 99-10 C 01-09 C
90-06 B 93-22 D 96-08 D 99-11 A 01-10 A
92-12 C 94-09 B 96-12 C 02-10 A
94-10 D 98-06 B

p.11
02-11 B
02-12 D
03-15 B
03-16 C
03-32 B
04-12 B
04-31 C
04-32 D

Chapter 5 – Food and Humans (Past Exam Questions – CE MC Questions) 12