Secondary 1 / Grade 7

Full Name:

Index Number:

Instructions to Students:
1. Only Scientific Calculators are allowed during the contest.
2. The duration of this contest is 1 hour 30 minutes. You may not leave the contest venue
within the first hour of the paper.
3. This examination paper contains 25 questions and comprises of 12 printed pages.
4. Each question has only 4 possible answers: a, b, c and d. Shade your correct option on
the Answer Entry Sheet provided.
5. The total marks for this paper is 77 points:
a. Section A:
Question 1 to 10: +2 points for correct answer, 0 points for no answer and −1
point for wrong answer.
b. Section B:
Question 11 to 20: +3 points for correct answer, 0 points for no answer or
wrong answer.
Application Question
Question 21, 22 and 23: +3 points for correct answer, 0 points for wrong and no
answer.
Question 24 and 25: +4 points for correct answer, 0 points for wrong and no answer.
6. You are not allowed to bring the question paper and answer script out of the contest
venue.

Note:
1) You may assume that there is no air resistance throughout the contest unless stated.
2) All temperatures are in Degrees Celsius.
3) Room Temperature is 25°C at 1 atmospheric pressure.
4) Gravitational Acceleration is taken to be 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2
Vanda 2018 Secondary 1 / Grade 7

Rough Working
 Vanda 2018 Secondary 1 / Grade 7

Section A (Question 1 to 10: +2 points for correct answer, 0 point for no answer and −1
point for wrong answer)

1. Some pupils want to compare the growth of bean sprouts in various solutions. What must
they do to ensure a fair test?

a) Place a different number of bean sprouts soaked in the same solution.

b) Place the same number of bean sprouts soaked in different solutions.
c) Place a different number of bean sprouts at different locations.
d) Place the same number of bean sprouts at different locations.

2. An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or controlled in an experiment to

analyse the outcome of the dependent variable.

A scientist is researching the effects of light and darkness on the behaviour of nocturnal
animals. The scientist switches on and off a flashlight that is directed towards the animals
during the experiment. What would be the independent and dependent variable of this
experiment?

Independent Dependent

a) Light Intensity Behaviour of Animals

b) Species of Animal Animal’s adaptability to the

dark
c) Animal’s adaptability to the dark Light Intensity

d) Species of Animals Light Intensity

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3. The following statements describe compounds. Which of the following statement is false?

a) Compounds have a fixed melting point and boiling point.

b) Chemically combined elements form a compound.
c) Compounds can be broken down chemically and physically into their respective
elements.
d) When Salt is poured into water and stirred, a compound is formed.

4. Which reason best describes why astronauts are able to walk on the moon?

a) They can walk on the moon because gravity acts on them which allows them to walk.
b) They can walk on the moon because astronauts have lower gravitational potential
energy.
c) They can walk on the moon because astronauts have higher gravitational potential
energy.
d) The gravitational potential energy on the moon is greater than the gravitational force
on earth and helps astronauts walk on the moon.

5. Substance A is a solid that has a fixed melting point. Substance B is a liquid that produces
two spots when chromatography is performed. Substance C contains a mixture of Substance
A and B with a fixed boiling point. Substance D has a range of boiling points between 29°𝐶
and 31°𝐶. Identify which substances are pure.

a) A only
b) A and D only
c) A and C only
d) A, B, C and D

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6. Pressure is defined as the force exerted on a surface area per unit area while density is
defined as mass per unit volume. If the volume of a perfect sphere, balanced on a single
point on a table, increases by 200% while it’s density remains unchanged. What can be said
about the pressure exerted on the table by the ball.

a) Increases by 200%
b) Increases by 100%
c) Decrease by 200%
d) Remains the same.

7. Which of the following physical quantities has the incorrect SI unit?

Physical quantity SI Unit

I Time Second
II Length Centimetre
III Temperature Degrees
IV Height Metre
V Mass Newton

a) I, II and IV only.
b) II, III, IV only.
c) II, III, IV and V only.
d) All of the above.

8. Carbonic acid is found in soft drinks. Why do you think it is not advisable to drink soft drinks
on an empty stomach?

a) Carbonic acid reacts with the acid in the stomach.

b) Carbonic acid aggravates the acidity in the stomach.
c) Carbonic acid neutralises the acidity in the stomach.
d) Carbonic acid reduces the acidity in the stomach.

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9. The following drawing displays the set-up used for distillation and the scientist wants to
collect the distillate in room temperature as soon as possible.

During this simple distillation, what instrument should the scientist use to collect the
distillate? (Each instrument can hold the same amount of volume)

a) Round bottom flask

b) Conical flask
c) Beaker
d) Test Tube

10. An experiment is set up to measure the heat transfer of an unknown material. The time
taken for the weight to reach the ground is recorded with various materials wrapped around
the pole. The experiment set-up is shown below.

Unknown material wrapped

around the metal pole
wax

weight

How does the material that is wrapped around the metal pole affect the time taken for the
weight to drop, as compared to the metal pole without the material?

a) If the material is a good conductor of heat, the time taken for the weight to fall will
decrease.
b) If the material is a poor conductor of heat, the time taken for the weight to fall will
decrease.
c) If the material is thick, the time taken for the weight to fall will decrease.
d) If the material is thin, the time taken for the weight to fall will increase.
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Section B (Question 11 to 20: +3 points for correct answer, 0 points for no answer or wrong
answer)

11. A hollow tube connector is used to connect two ends of the bottle such that water can flow
from one end of the bottle to the other bottle. This system is completely air-sealed. When
the bottle is flipped upside down as shown in the picture below, the water does not flow
into the other bottle. Which reason below best explains this observation?

Water
a) Water is less dense than air, therefore it floats above the air.
b) Water is denser than air, therefore it floats above the air.
c) Air takes up space, and therefore the water has space to flow
freely into the other bottle.
d) Water takes up space, and therefore the air has no space to
flow freely into the other bottle.

12. Two similar protozoa were isolated for an experiment. The nucleus of one of the protozoa
was carefully removed. It was observed under a microscope that the protozoa continued to
move and feed for a few days but did not reproduce. The other protozoa reproduced twice
within the same period. Which of the following can you conclude about the role of the
nucleus in the protozoa?

a) The nucleus contains DNA.

b) The nucleus is essential for cell division.
c) The nucleus is essential for staying alive.
d) The nucleus controls the chemical reactions.

13. Which of the following explains how one cancerous cell can lead to organ failure?

a) Many similar cancerous cells form cancerous tissues which eventually form organs which
consist of cancerous cells.
b) Many similar cancerous tissues form cancerous cells which eventually form organs which
consist of cancerous cells.
c) Many similar cancerous cells form more cancerous cells which eventually form organs
which consist of cancerous cells.
d) Many similar cancerous tissues form more cancerous tissues which eventually form cells
which consist of cancerous organs.

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14. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. Our body needs lactase, an
enzyme required to digest the lactose. Some people are lactose intolerant. This means that
their body does not make enough enzyme lactase to digest and break down the lactose.
Which of the following correctly describes what is experienced by a patient who is lactose
intolerant?

a) The patient is allergic to lactose.

b) The patient cannot digest lactose.
c) The patient can digest fully lactose.
d) The patient can partially digest lactose.

15. Dry ice undergoes changes from solid to gas instantaneously. What is this process called?

a) Freezing
b) Condensation
c) Crystallisation
d) Sublimation

16. An object is attached to a parachute using strings and released from a specific height. If
shorter strings are used, how will the time taken for a parachute to reach the ground be
affected? (Assuming air resistance is present)

a) The time taken to reach the ground will increase

b) The time taken to reach the ground will decrease
c) The time taken to reach the ground will remain unchanged
d) None of the above

17. Scientist believe that dinosaurs have evolved into birds not reptiles. Which of the following
might be the reason that led to this conclusion?

a) Both dinosaurs and reptiles reproduce in similar ways.

b) Both dinosaurs and reptiles have similar body structures.
c) Both dinosaurs and reptiles have similar outer body covering.
d) Both dinosaurs and reptiles lived during the same period.

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18. If a ping pong ball is attached to a string on one end, while the other end
of the string is attached to the bottom of a container filled with water.
This container is hanging to the ceiling by another string. If both strings
are cut at the same time, what could we say about the speed of the ping
pong ball relative to the container?

a) The speed of the ping pong ball will remain constant.

b) The speed of the ping pong ball will increase as fast as the container.

c) The speed of the ping pong ball will increase faster than the falling container which will
reach the top of the water before the container reaches the ground.

d) The speed of the container will increase faster than the falling ping pong ball.

19. Seawater can be extremely deadly to Humans when consumed in large amount. The salt
present in most seawater is approximately 3.5% or 35 parts per thousand. When we drink
liquids, our kidneys act as filters that separate the waste material in the blood and the waste
is stored in the bladder. Our kidney is unable to make urine if the concentration of salt in
the liquid is more than 2%. How will your body react if you drink seawater when you are
thirsty?

a) You will start to sweat off profusely to expulse the salt water in your body.
b) You will become less thirsty as your kidney will take a longer time to filter.
c) You will become thirstier as you need more water to dilute the salt water in your body.
d) Your kidney will expulse less liquid than the amount of seawater drunk.

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20. A rectangular block weighing 3kg has an initial total energy of 100J. It slides down a
frictionless slope and ascends again as shown below. Assuming there is no air resistance,
how much total energy will be lost when the block moves from point A to point B?

Gravitational Potential Energy = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 × 10𝑚/𝑠

1
Kinetic Energy = 2 × 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 × 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 × 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
A

3m

a) 190 J
b) 100 J
c) 90 J
d) 0J

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Application Question (Question 21, 22 and 23: 3 points for correct answer, 0 points for
wrong or no answer. Question 24 and 25: 4 points for correct answer, 0 points for wrong or
no answer.)

Swimming has been one of the Olympic Sports since 1896 in the Summer Olympics. There are
4 common swimming styles: Breaststroke, Free-style, Butterfly Stroke and Backstroke. These
styles involve the motion of a swimmer’s arms and legs to propel the swimmer through the
water.

The diagram below shows the forces acting on the swimmer in the water.

Buoyant Force

Force A

21. Which option below can be represented as Force A?

a) Mass
b) Weight
c) Downward Force
d) Gravitational Potential Energy

Buoyant Force

Thrust force
Drag Force

Force A

If all 4 forces in the direction of the arrow are equal, the swimmer will stay stationary until a
net force acts on the swimmer. For instance, if the thrust force is greater than the drag force,
the swimmer will accelerate forward in the direction of the net force.

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22. What could be said if force A is greater than the Buoyant force, and the thrust force is
greater than the drag force?

a) The swimmer will continue to accelerate forward parallel to the ground.

b) The swimmer will continue to accelerate forward parallel to the direction of the net force.
c) The swimmer will continue to decelerate backwards parallel to the ground.
d) The swimmer will continue to decelerate backwards parallel to the direction of the net
force.

23. The acceleration (𝑎) and velocity of the particle can be determined by the following formula,
where 𝑑 is the distance travelled by the particle, 𝑢 is the initial velocity of the particle, 𝑣 is
the final velocity of the particle and t is time taken for the particle to travel:
1
𝑑 =𝑢×𝑡+ × 𝑎 × 𝑡2
2
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2 × 𝑎 × 𝑑

A particle with an acceleration of 20 𝑚/𝑠 2 and a velocity of 3 𝑚/𝑠 is emitted from machine
A and received by Machine B. The particle travels in the direction as shown in the diagram
below. The velocity of the particle will decrease instantaneously by 10% every second and
the total time taken for the particle to reach the receiver is 2 seconds. What is the velocity
of the particle when it reaches the half way point? (Correct your answer to the nearest
whole number)

Machine A Machine B

Emitter Receiver

a) 28 𝑚/𝑠
b) 36 𝑚/𝑠
c) 41 𝑚/𝑠
d) 45 𝑚/𝑠

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Use the information below to answer question 24 and 25

Scientists conduct tests on food samples to determine the presence of chemical substances in
the food.

Test for Solution added Observation Conclusion

Starch Iodine solution Blue-black colour is formedStarch is
present
Brown colour remains Starch is
absent
Glucose Benedict’s The mixture turns Glucose is
solution green/yellow/orange/brick- present
red

The mixture remains blue Glucose is

absent

Protein Biuret solution The mixture turns violet Protein is

present

The mixture remains light blue Protein is

absent

A student conducted an experiment to determine the presence of various chemical substance

of a potato. He treated the potato with iodine solution, Benedict’s solution and Biuret solution
in different test tubes. The result is as follows:

Solution added Colour of resulting mixture

Iodine solution Blue-black
Benedict’s solution Blue
Biuret solution Violet

24. What is present in the potato?

Starch Glucose Protein

a) Present Present Present
b) Present Absent Present
c) Present Absent Absent
d) Absent Absent Absent

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25. Enzymes can be used to break down starch into glucose and protein into amino acids.

Enzymes Function
Amylase and maltase Starch → Maltose → Glucose
Peptidase Protein → Amino acid

Amylase and maltase

Peptidase

Corn

Corns contains starch, glucose, fats and proteins. Firstly, a student added corns into a test tube
containing amylase and maltase. Next, he transferred the corn into another test tube containing
peptidase. If he conducted a food test on the corn to test the presence of starch, glucose and
proteins, what would be the resultant colour of each test?

Test for starch Test for glucose Test for protein

a) Blue-black Brick-red Violet
b) Blue-black Blue Light blue
c) Brown Blue Light blue
d) Brown Brick-red Light blue

- End of Paper -

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Vanda 2018 Secondary 1 / Grade 7

Rough Working
VANDA Answer Key 2018
G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8
Q1 B C D D B B
Q2 C C B C A C
Q3 C C D A D C
Q4 B C D D A A
Q5 B D C C A D
Q6 B C D C C B
Q7 C D A C C A
Q8 A C D C B D
Q9 A B D C C A
Q10 A A C C D D
Q11 A C A C D C
Q12 A B D C B A
Q13 B D C A A D
Q14 D B D C D D
Q15 A A C C D B
Q16 D A C B B D
Q17 D C B D B C
Q18 C A D C C B
Q19 A B B A C D
Q20 C A C D D B
Q21 C B C D B C
Q22 C C C B B B
Q23 B D B B B C
Q24 B C C B B A
Q25 A B A D D B