CHAPTER 1: THE SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOUR

SECTION A [30 MARKS]

Write your answers, A, B, C or D, clearly in the brackets provided.

1. A teacher carried out his first Science lesson in a class. The teacher asked his students the
following questions about the study of Science.

I. Is Science the study of the natural world?

II. Is Science the study of the physical world?
III. Is Science the study of the supernatural world?

The answers should be ‘yes’ for ___________.

A I and II only B I and III only

C II and III only D All of the above ( )

2. Which of the following statements about the study of Science is correct?

A Science can be studied inside or outside the Science laboratory.

B Science can be studied only inside a Science laboratory.
C Science can be studied only outside a Science laboratory.
D Science can be studied only inside an air-conditioned Science laboratory. ( )

3. Which of the following statements about motor vehicles is correct?

I. Motor vehicles transport people and objects from one place to another quickly.
II. Smoke emissions from motor vehicles does not cause air pollution.
III. Motor accidents may occur due to speeding, leading to injuries or death.

A I and II only B I and III only

C II and III only D All of the above ( )

4. Which of the following statements about styrofoam are not correct?

I. Styrofoam is used to make cups and food containers.

II. The manufacture of styrofoam does not lead to environmental problems.
III. Usage of styrofoam does not lead to health problems.

A I and II only B I and III only

C II and III only D All of the above ( )

For questions 5–6, use the options A–D below.

A biohazardous B radioactive
C flammable D explosive

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5. The diagram below shows a hazard symbol.

This hazard symbol is used to label ______________ substances. ( )

6. The diagram below shows a hazard symbol.

This hazard symbol is used to label ______________ substances. ( )

7. The diagram below shows the symbol for a laboratory apparatus.

What does this symbol represent?

A Bunsen burner B Round-bottomed flask

C Retort stand D Tripod stand ( )

8. The diagram below shows the symbol for a laboratory apparatus.

What does this symbol represent?

A Beaker B Filter funnel

C Bell jar D Test tube ( )

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For questions 9–10, use the options A–D below.

A To stick to the truth until the scientist’s discovery is proven

B To want to know more about the unexpected results that may be observed
C To be willing to accept that something could happen contrary to popular belief
D To follow the facts and not be influenced by what is widely believed by others

9. What does ‘open-mindedness’ of a good scientist refer to? ( )

10. What does ‘curiosity’ of a good scientist refer to? ( )

11. In the scientific method, a good scientist makes observations with his or her senses of
____________.

A sight, hearing and smell only

B hearing, sight and touch only
C hearing, taste and touch only
D hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch ( )

12. In the scientific method, which of the following statements is not correct?

A After only one experiment, a scientist summarises the results and draws conclusion.
B The results of experiments are recorded and analysed.
C The scientist’s hypothesis is discussed with others.
D Experiments are planned to test the scientist’s hypothesis. ( )

13. A student resists the temptation to change his experimental readings in order to verify a law of
Science. Which essential attitude of a good scientist does he possess?

A Curious B Objectivity
C Integrity D Open-mindedness ( )

14. Which of Galileo’s actions is included in the scientific method?

A Argued against Aristotle’s ideas about the motions of free-falling bodies

B Argued for Copernicus’ model of the universe
C Used a telescope to observe objects in the sky
D Made a telescope ( )

15. The scientific method usually involves the following four skills.

I. Making meaning of information and evidence

II. Communication
III. Engaging with an event
IV. Collecting and presenting evidence

What is the correct sequence in which the four skills are applied in the scientific method?

A I, IV, III, II B III, I, IV, II

C I, II, III, IV D IV, III, II, I ( )

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16. Which of the following statements about safety precautions in the laboratory is incorrect?

A Seek your Science teacher’s permission before carrying out an experiment.

B Do not remove chemicals and apparatus from the Science laboratory.
C Keep your desk clean and tidy.
D An experiment that is very simple and safe can be done in the Science laboratory without the
Science teacher. ( )

17. Which of the following statements are the attitudes of scientific enquiry?

I. Curiosity
II. Open-mindedness
III. Creativity
IV. Perserverance

A I, II and III only B I, II and IV only

C II, III and IV only D All of the above ( )

18. ‘Objectivity’ is an attitude of scientific enquiry. What do you understand by this term?

A Influenced by what is widely believed by others

B Not influenced by what is widely believed by others
C Follow the facts and be influenced by what is widely believed by others
D Follow the facts and not be influenced by what is widely believed
by others ( )

19. When we use scientific inquiry skills to explore the world around us, we are using the
_______________.

A technological method B scientific method

C inquiry method D laboratory method ( )

The table below shows the data that Marie collected for an experiment on falling objects.

Mass of falling object (kg) Height from which object Time taken to reach ground
was released (m) (s)

Use the table to answer questions 20 and 21.

20. Marie carried out the experiment to test a hypothesis. Which of the three statements below could
be the hypothesis that she tested?

I. The greater the mass of an object, the longer the time it takes to fall to the ground.
II. The larger the volume of an object, the longer the time it takes to fall to the ground.
III. The greater the mass of a falling object, the greater the distance it falls before it
reaches the ground.

A I and II only B II and III only

C I and III only D All of the above ( )

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21. To improve the experiment, Marie’s teacher told her that she should ask herself some questions
before carrying out the experiment. Which of the following questions should Marie have asked?

A Should the release height be measured in centimetres instead of metres?

B How does the shape of the falling object affect the time taken?
C Should the mass of the object be measured using a beam balance or extension spring
balance?
D Should the mass of the object be measured again after it reaches the
ground? ( )

22. Why are hazard symbols important in the Science laboratory?

A The hazard symbols provide information on what chemicals are used for.
B The hazard symbols provide instructions on how to use the chemicals.
C The hazard symbols alert us to the presence and types of hazards.
D The hazard symbols remind us to dispose of the chemicals. ( )

23. Which of the following statements about science and technology is incorrect?

A Science and technology can solve all our problems.

B Only technology can solve all our problems.
C Only Science can solve all our problems.
D Science and technology cannot solve all our problems. ( )

24. Which of the following options correctly states the disadvantage of a technology that
benefits society?

A Taking X-ray photographs too often may cause cancerous tumours.

B Too many motor vehicles on the roads pollute the water.
C Antibiotics increase our bodies’ resistance to superbugs.
D Styrofoam pollutes the environment when it decomposes naturally. ( )

25. Why is it important to be familiar with apparatus used in a Science laboratory?

A It completely eliminates the danger of using hazardous substances.

B It enables us to use the right apparatus safely.
C It helps us store them in the right place.
D It completely eliminates the danger of using the apparatus. ( )

The air-hole of a Bunsen burner can be opened or closed to obtain two types of flame. The colours of
the flame are labelled in the diagram below.

flame of a Bunsen burner flame of a Bunsen burner

with the air-hole open with the air-hole closed

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26. Which of the following option correctly states the colours of W, X, Y and Z?

W X Y Z
A dark blue orange dark blue orange
B orange dark blue orange dark blue
C orange dark blue blue dark blue
D blue dark blue orange dark blue ( )

27. Which of the safety precautions below should be taken when heating liquids in a test tube over a
Bunsen flame?

I. Point the test tube away from people

II. Wear safety goggles
III. Wear a laboratory coat

A I only B I and II
C I and III D All of the above ( )

28. Isaac comes across a container in which a chemical is stored. The container is left unattended on
the bench. The following labels are pasted on the container.

Which of the action(s) below should Isaac take?

I. Use the chemical to rinse his hand.

II. Report to his teacher where and how he found the container.
III. Use the chemical near a naked flame.

A II only B I and III

C II and III D All of the above ( )

Read the following incident and answer questions 29 and 30.

At the start of an experiment, Marie notices that there is a small crack along the bottom of a glass
beaker. In the middle of her experiment, the beaker breaks into two. She picks up the two pieces of
beaker with her bare hands and places them into the sink.

29. What should Marie have done when she first noticed the small crack?

A Paste adhesive tape over the crack to prevent the beaker from breaking
B Inform her teacher about the crack and dispose of the cracked beaker in a dustbin
C Exchange the beaker for another one at the teacher’s bench
D Return the beaker without informing her teacher ( )

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30. What should Marie have done when the beaker broke into two pieces?

A Stay away from the broken pieces and leave them alone
B Wear thin plastic gloves when picking up the broken pieces
C Inform her classmate about the breakage and share apparatus with him or her
D Inform her teacher about the breakage and use a pair of tongs to dispose of the broken pieces
in a dustbin ( )

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SECTION B [70 MARKS]
Write your answers in the spaces provided.

1. (a) The table below shows the three main branches of Science. Complete the table below. [4]

Branch of study in Science Is the study of

living things
Chemistry
the relationship between the amount of matter,
energy, space and time

(b) Some objects sink in water while others float. Iron pellets sink in water but ships made of iron
do not. What part does science and technology both play in the invention of iron ship? [2]

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. The diagram below shows parts (labelled a to g) of a Bunsen burner.

(a) Use the words below to label the parts a–g. [7]

gas tap air-hole jet barrel

base rubber tubing collar

(b) What is a Bunsen burner used for?

[1]

___________________________________________________________________________

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 (c) The parts of the Bunsen burner and their function(s) are listed below in columns A and B
respectively. Draw lines to match each part to its respective function(s). (Each part may have
more than one function) [5]

Column A Column B
Barrel • • To control the rate of flow of gas into the
barrel.
Collar • • To allow the air into the barrel.
Air-hole • • To control the rate of flow of air into the
barrel
Gas tap • • To direct the mixture of gas and air to fuel
the flame
• To raise the flame to a certain height.

3. The Bunsen burner is commonly used in a Science laboratory. In an experiment, a student used
the wrong Bunsen burner flame to heat a substance in a test tube.

(a) (i) Name the type of flame that the student was using. [1]

________________________________________________________________________

(ii) State a characteristic of the flame and suggest an advantage of using this type of flame. [2]

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

(b) (i) Describe the appearance of the test tube exposed to the flame. [1]

________________________________________________________________________

(ii) Name the substance that gives the appearance described in (i). [1]

________________________________________________________________________

(iii) What causes the substance to form? [1]

________________________________________________________________________

(c) State a characteristic of non-luminous flame and suggest a disadvantage of using it. [2]

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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4. (a) Draw a sectional diagram for each of the following apparatus. [6]

Conical flask Evaporating dish Gas jar

(b) Complete the table below. [4]

Apparatus Use

Conical flask

To collect gas
Evaporating dish

(c) For each of the following hazard symbols, write down its name and give an example.
(i)

Name of hazard symbol :______________________________________ [1]

Example :______________________________________ [1]

(ii)

Name of hazard symbol :_______________________________________ [1]

Example is :_______________________________________ [1]

_______________________________________

5. (a) Indicate ‘True’ or ‘False’ in the brackets provided for each of the following statements
concerning safety precautions in a Science laboratory. [6]

(i) Read all instructions carefully before each experiment. ( )

(ii) Drinks can be consumed in the Science laboratory. ( )

(iii) Breakage and spillage need not be reported to your teacher immediately. ( )

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 (iv) Do not remove chemicals and apparatus from the Science laboratory. ( )

(v) Never throw solids or corrosive liquids down the sink. ( )

(vi) When the practical lesson is over, you can just return the apparatus to their proper
places without washing them. ( )

(b) For each of the following situations, identify the unsafe behaviour. Then, write down the
precaution to take.

(i) In a practical lesson, the pupils of a class were lined up outside the Science laboratory
to wait for their Science teacher. Before the Science teacher arrived, one of the pupils
entered the Science laboratory. [2]

Unsafe behaviour:

_____________________________________________________________________

Precaution:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(ii) After a practical lesson in the Science laboratory, the pupils of a class were dismissed
for their recess. Some of the pupils went directly to the canteen, bought their food and
drinks and immediately consumed them. [2]

Unsafe behaviour:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Precaution:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(c) Explain how each of the following safety precautions in the Science laboratory helps to keep
us safe.

(i) Wear safety goggles when heating or mixing reactive chemicals. [2]

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(ii) Never smell or taste chemicals unless your Science teacher grants permission. [2]

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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6. (a) For each of the following technologies, write down one advantage and one disadvantage.

(i) Food crops resistant to pest and disease

Advantage: [1]

_____________________________________________________________________

Disadvantage: [1]

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(ii) Medicines

Advantage: [1]

_____________________________________________________________________

Disadvantage:

_____________________________________________________________________

(iii) Automobiles

Advantage: [1]

_____________________________________________________________________

Disadvantage: [1]

_____________________________________________________________________

(b) Name one abuse of technology and two of its consequences. [3]

Abuse:

_________________________________________________________________________

Consequences:

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

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7. Tom observed that on a swing, a person with higher mass seems to swing slower than a person of
lighter mass. He decided to perform an experiment. He moulded a 100-g lump of plasticine into a
ball and then hung the plasticine from a piece of thread. He recorded the time taken for the
plasticine ball to make 20 swings. Tom then repeated the measurement using a 150-g plasticine
ball and different lengths of thread.

Tom’s measurements were recorded in the following table.

Mass of ball (g) Length of thread used (cm) Time taken to complete 20
swings (s)
100 30 22
100 20 18
100 15 16
150 35 24
150 25 20
150 10 13

(a) Tom used the data above to test the following hypothesis:

The greater the mass of the ball, the lesser time it takes to complete a swing. Tom’s Science
teacher told him that the data he collected does not allow him to test this hypothesis.
Suggest two possible reasons for this. [2]

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

(b) What other questions should Tom ask to improve his experiment? [2]

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

– END OF TEST –

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