⚡ TRICKY & TOUGH SCIENCE PAPER — CLASS 6

Same Format | Hard Questions | Super Easy Answers | Teacher Comments on Every Question

TIME: 3 Hours ⚠ Read every word

carefully!
Total Marks: 80

SECTION TYPE MARKS

A 10 Tricky MCQ + 4 Tricky Assertion-Reasoning (1 14 Marks
mark each)
B 7 Tough 2-in-1 Short Answers (2 marks each) 14 Marks
C 9 Tough Short Answer II + Differentiate (3 marks 27 Marks
each)
D 3 Difficult Long Answers (5 marks each) 15 Marks
E 2 Tough Case Studies (5 marks each) 10 Marks
TOTAL 80 Marks

SECTION A — Tricky MCQ (Q1–Q10) + Tricky Assertion-Reasoning (Q11–Q14) [ 14

× 1 = 14 Marks ]
⚠ These questions have TRAPS. Read slowly and carefully before picking your answer!

Q1. A 'light year' is a unit of:

(a) Time
(b) Speed
(c) Distance
(d) Brightness
✔
💡 Answer: (c) Distance — NOT time!
💡 The word 'year' tricks almost everyone into choosing 'time'.
💡 A light year = the DISTANCE light travels in one year = 9,460,000,000,000 km.
💡SameThinkideaofhere!
it like this: 'I live 10 minutes away' — you used time to mean DISTANCE.

🧠 Tip: LIGHT YEAR = how FAR, not how LONG. Distance, not time!
📝DISTANCE!
This question appears in almost every exam. Now you know — light year =

Q2. You cut a bar magnet into 2 equal pieces. What happens?
(a) One piece gets only N pole, other gets only S pole
(b) Each piece becomes a complete magnet with both poles
(c) Both pieces lose all magnetism
✔
(d) One piece becomes twice as strong

💡 Answer: (b) Each piece becomes a COMPLETE magnet with BOTH N and S poles!
💡 Magnetic poles can NEVER be separated — no matter how many times you cut.
💡 Cut into 2 = 2 complete magnets. Cut into 10 = 10 complete magnets.
💡 BONUS: Each smaller piece is WEAKER than the original — but still has both poles.
 🧠 Tip: CUT magnet = 2 complete magnets. Poles always come in PAIRS. Never alone!
📝weaker)
Nature never allows an isolated magnetic pole. Cutting just creates more (but
magnets!

Q3. Which planet has the MOST moons in our Solar System (2024)?
(a) Jupiter (95 moons)
(b) Uranus (28 moons)
(c) Saturn (146 moons)
(d) Neptune (16 moons)
✔
💡 Answer: (c) Saturn — with 146 moons!
💡 SHOCK: Saturn overtook Jupiter recently! Jupiter used to hold the record.
💡place).
As of 2023–2024: Saturn = 146 moons (first place). Jupiter = 95 moons (second

💡 Old textbooks say Jupiter — but the UPDATED answer is SATURN!

🧠 Tip: Saturn = MOON KING! 146 moons as of 2024. Jupiter = 95. Remember the new record!
📝Saturn
If your textbook says Jupiter has the most moons — note that this changed recently.
now leads!

Q4. Which statement about the Greenhouse Effect is CORRECT?

(a) The Greenhouse Effect is always harmful and should be completely stopped

✔ (c) There is no natural Greenhouse Effect on Earth

(b) The Greenhouse Effect is natural and essential — only the enhanced version is harmful

(d) Greenhouse Effect is caused only by factories

💡 Answer: (b) The natural Greenhouse Effect is ESSENTIAL for life on Earth!
💡frozen.
WITHOUT natural GHE: Earth temperature = -18°C. Earth would be completely

💡 The NATURAL GHE keeps Earth at a comfortable +15°C average temperature.

No life!

💡CO₂The→ extra
PROBLEM is the ENHANCED GHE — humans burning fossil fuels → extra
warming.
🧠 Tip: Natural Greenhouse Effect = Earth's life-saving blanket. Enhanced GHE = blanket too
thick = overheating!

📝version
Biggest misconception: students think ALL greenhouse effect is bad. The natural
is why Earth is habitable!

Q5. Repulsion is the sure test for a magnet. WHY is attraction alone NOT enough?
(a) Attraction is too weak to measure
(b) Magnets can only push, not pull
(c) Both magnets and plain iron pieces are attracted to a magnet
(d) Attraction only works for nickel
✔
💡nothing!
Answer: (c) Both magnets AND plain iron are attracted — so attraction proves

💡cannot
If object A attracts to a magnet, A could be: (i) another magnet, or (ii) plain iron. We

💡[Link] REPULSION: Plain iron is ALWAYS attracted to magnets — it can NEVER

tell.
 💡100%Onlyproof!
a magnet can REPEL another magnet (like poles push apart). So repulsion =

🧠 Tip: Attraction = magnet OR iron (can't tell). Repulsion = ONLY magnets do this = 100% proof!
Q6. Saturn could float on water. What does this tell us about Saturn's density?
(a) Saturn's density is GREATER than water
(b) Saturn's density EQUALS water
(c) Saturn's density is LESS than water
(d) Saturn has zero density
✔
💡 Answer: (c) Saturn's density is LESS than water (approximately 0.69 g/cm³).
💡 Water's density = 1.0 g/cm³. Saturn's density = 0.69 g/cm³.
💡 Any object less dense than water floats (wood, cork, ice).
💡 Saturn is the ONLY planet in our Solar System less dense than water!
🧠 Tip: Less dense than water = FLOATS. Saturn = 0.69 < 1.0 = floats like a giant space bubble!
Q7. Plants release oxygen. But at NIGHT, plants release:
(a) Oxygen only
(b) Carbon dioxide ✔
(c) Both oxygen and carbon dioxide
(d) No gases at all

💡 Answer: (b) Carbon dioxide — plants release CO₂ at night.

💡 DURING THE DAY: Photosynthesis releases O₂. Respiration releases CO₂.
💡 Photosynthesis is FASTER → net result: O₂ is released. Plants 'give oxygen'.
💡released.
AT NIGHT: No sunlight → photosynthesis STOPS. Only respiration → CO₂ is

🧠 Tip: Day: photosynthesis beats respiration = net O₂. Night: only respiration = net CO₂. Plants
switch!

📝treeSleeping under a tree all night is not ideal — CO₂ at night. During the day under a
= fresh O₂!

Q8. Mercury is closest to the Sun. But which planet is the HOTTEST?
(a) Mercury
(b) Earth
(c) Venus
(d) Mars
✔
💡 Answer: (c) VENUS is the hottest (~465°C)!
💡180°C.
Mercury is closest but has NO atmosphere → heat escapes at night → drops to -

💡at 465°C
Venus has THICK CO₂ atmosphere → Greenhouse Effect → traps all heat → stays

💡 KEY LESSON: Distance from Sun ≠ temperature. Atmosphere is the real controller!
always.

🧠 Tip: Closest to Sun ≠ Hottest! Venus wins because of its CO₂ blanket (Greenhouse Effect).
Q9. Rainwater is the 'purest natural water'. But is it 100% pure?
(a) Yes, 100% pure — nature distils it perfectly
(b) No — it picks up CO₂ and dust as it falls through air
(c) No — it contains sea salt
✔
(d) Yes — it only contaminates when it hits the ground
 💡 Answer: (b) NOT 100% pure — picks up CO₂ and dust from air as it falls!
💡 When water evaporates: all dissolved salts LEFT BEHIND → vapour is very pure.
💡pollen.
But as rain falls: it dissolves CO₂ → makes it slightly acidic. Also picks up dust,

💡 In industrial areas: rain picks up SO₂ → forms ACID RAIN.

💡chemically
Rainwater = purest NATURAL water (no minerals/salts) — but NOT 100%
pure.
🧠 Tip: Rainwater = purest NATURAL water. But not same as lab-pure water. Distilled water is
purer.

Q10. Which of these is a sure sign of a LIVING organism?

(a) Fire (burns and gives energy)
(b) Crystal (grows bigger over time)
(c) A seed (germinates when given water, air, warmth)
(d) River (flows and changes direction)
✔
💡 Answer: (c) A seed is LIVING.
💡 Fire: burns, gives energy but has no cells, no reproduction → NON-LIVING.
💡LIVING.
Crystal: grows by adding same molecules externally — not by cell division → NON-

💡 Seed: has cells, germinates (growth), reproduces (makes new plants) → LIVING.
💡 River: flows but no cells, no reproduction → NON-LIVING.
💡reproduction.
KEY: Something is LIVING only if it has cells AND all life characteristics including

🧠 Tip: Fire, rivers, crystals SEEM alive but have no CELLS and no REPRODUCTION. Only seed
= truly living!
Q11 to Q14: Tricky Assertion & Reasoning — these contain exam traps!

Q11. Assertion (A): The geographic North Pole of Earth is a magnetic SOUTH pole.
Reason (R): The North-seeking end of a compass points to the geographic North Pole.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

💡 Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
💡 LOGICAL EXPLANATION (step by step):
💡geographic
Step 1: The North-seeking pole (N pole) of a compass points toward Earth's

💡 Step 2: Like poles repel. Unlike poles ATTRACT.

North.

💡 Step 3: The compass N pole is ATTRACTED to geographic North.

💡attract).
Step 4: Therefore, geographic North must be magnetic SOUTH (opposite poles

💡correctly.
Conclusion: Geographic North Pole = Magnetic South Pole. A is true. R explains it

🧠 Tip: Compass N → attracted to geographic North → opposite poles attract → geographic

North = magnetic SOUTH!

📝whatMind-bending fact! The compass 'North' end is named after where it points — not
it IS magnetically.

Q12. Assertion (A): Evaporation is a surface phenomenon.

 Reason (R): Boiling occurs throughout the liquid only at the boiling point temperature.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

💡 Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
💡 A is TRUE: Evaporation happens ONLY at the liquid surface, at any temperature.
💡 R is TRUE: Boiling does happen throughout the liquid, only at the boiling point.
💡evaporation
BUT: R describes BOILING — a different process. R does NOT explain WHY

💡escape
is surface-only.
The real explanation of A: Only molecules at the surface have enough energy to

💡 R is true but NOT the explanation of A. Answer = (b).

into air.

📝talksVery subtle trap: both statements are true — but R explains the WRONG thing. R
about boiling, not evaporation!

Q13. Assertion (A): All living organisms show movement.

Reason (R): All living organisms can move from one place to another.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

💡 Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.

💡 A is TRUE: ALL living organisms show movement — including plants.
💡location.
R is FALSE: NOT all can move from place to place. Plants cannot walk or change

💡 Plants show movement in their PARTS:

💡 → Roots grow downward (toward gravity) = Geotropism.
💡 → Shoots grow upward toward light = Phototropism.
💡ANIMALS
MOVEMENT (parts moving) ≠ LOCOMOTION (whole body traveling). Only
show locomotion!
🧠 Tip: MOVEMENT = all living things. LOCOMOTION (whole body travel) = animals only. Plants
MOVE but don't WALK!

Q14. Assertion (A): Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water — draining stagnant water reduces
mosquito population.
Reason (R): Mosquito larvae (wrigglers) live in stagnant water and breathe at the water surface.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

💡 Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
💡sitesA →is TRUE: Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water → draining it removes breeding

💡tubeRatis theTRUE:
fewer mosquitoes.
Mosquito larvae (wrigglers) live in stagnant water and breathe through a

💡thatRwater
surface.
EXPLAINS A: Because larvae NEED stagnant water to live and breathe, removing

💡 This is why 'drain all stagnant water' is given as anti-malaria and anti-dengue advice!
kills the larvae.
 📝practical
This question connects biology (life cycle) to public health (disease prevention). Very
knowledge!

SECTION B — Tough 2-in-1 Short Answer Questions (Q15–Q21) [ 7 × 2 = 14 Marks ]

Each question has TWO parts. Answer BOTH for full 2 marks. Simple clear answers needed.

Q15. (a) When you cut a magnet into 2 pieces — what happens to its POLES and its STRENGTH?
(b) Where is a bar magnet's force the maximum and the minimum? [2 Marks]

💡poles.(a) Poles
POLES: Each piece becomes a complete magnet with BOTH North and South

💡domainsSTRENGTH:
CANNOT be separated.
Each smaller piece is WEAKER than the original. Fewer aligned

💡 So: cutting creates more magnets, but WEAKER ones.

= weaker pull.

💡
💡 (b) Maximum force: At the two POLES (North and South ends).
💡 Minimum force: At the CENTRE (middle) of the magnet — almost zero force here.
🧠 Tip: Poles = maximum pull. Centre = almost no pull. Cut = 2 weaker but complete magnets!
📝(complete
'Poles AND strength' is a 2-in-1 within Part (a)! Answer BOTH — poles stay
magnets) and strength decreases.

Q16. (a) Sugar dissolves faster in hot water. WHY? (b) Does gas dissolve MORE or LESS in warm
water compared to cold? [2 Marks]

💡 (a) Sugar dissolves faster in hot water because:

💡 → Hot water molecules move FASTER (more kinetic energy).
💡 → Faster molecules break apart the sugar crystal structure more quickly.
💡 → Solubility of most SOLIDS increases with temperature.
💡
💡 (b) GASES dissolve LESS in warm water (opposite of solids!).
💡 Warm water holds LESS dissolved oxygen than cold water.
💡 This is why: Fish struggle to breathe in warm water (less dissolved O₂).
💡 And why: Warm soda goes flat faster — CO₂ escapes from warm liquid.
💡LESS!RULE: Solid in water: heat → dissolves MORE. Gas in water: heat → dissolves
🧠 Tip: SOLID: heat → MORE dissolved. GAS: heat → LESS dissolved. They are OPPOSITE!
📝heated!
Most counterintuitive chemistry fact — gases do the opposite of solids when water is

Q17. (a) Why do farmers SPREAD grain in the sun to dry — instead of piling it up? (b) Why do
clothes dry faster on a windy day than a calm day? [2 Marks]

💡 (a) Farmers SPREAD grain because:

💡 → More surface area is exposed to sunlight and air.
💡evaporation.
→ Rate of evaporation depends on SURFACE AREA — larger area = faster

💡 → In a pile, only outer grain is exposed. Inner grain cannot dry.

 💡
💡 (b) Clothes dry faster on a WINDY day because:
💡humidity→ When clothes evaporate, water vapour accumulates around them (local

💡 → Wind BLOWS AWAY the accumulated vapour around the cloth.

rises).

💡 → Fresh, drier air replaces it → evaporation continues faster.

💡 → More wind = constantly removes vapour = faster drying.
🧠 Tip: SPREAD = more surface area = faster drying. WIND = blows away vapour = faster drying!
Q18. (a) Can a clay pot keep water COOLER than a steel bottle? WHY? (b) What would happen if
you paint the clay pot? [2 Marks]

💡 (a) YES! Clay pot keeps water cooler because:

💡 → Clay has thousands of tiny PORES (microscopic holes).
💡 → Water seeps through pores to the pot's outer surface.
💡 → This thin water film EVAPORATES from the outer surface.
💡 → Evaporation absorbs HEAT from the water inside the pot.
💡 → Heat is continuously removed → water inside stays cool!
💡 Steel has NO pores → no seeping → no evaporation → no cooling.
💡
💡 (b) If you PAINT the clay pot:
💡 → Paint BLOCKS all the tiny pores.
💡 → No water can seep through → no evaporation from outside.
💡 → No cooling effect at all! The painted clay pot works just like a steel vessel.
🧠 Tip: Clay pot = tiny pores → seeping → evaporation → absorbs heat → cooling! Block pores =
no cooling!

📝electricity
Traditional Indian matka (clay pot) = a natural refrigerator! Pure physics, no
needed.

Q19. (a) A comet's tail always points away from the Sun. When comet moves AWAY from the Sun —
does the tail lead or trail? (b) What happens to the tail as the comet gets farther from the Sun? [2
Marks]

💡the (a)comet).
When moving TOWARD the Sun: tail TRAILS behind (away from Sun = behind

💡 When moving AWAY from the Sun: tail LEADS in FRONT of the comet!
💡 Why: Solar wind always blows OUTWARD from the Sun in all directions.
💡 The tail is pushed away from the Sun regardless of which way the comet moves.
💡FORWARD So when comet moves away from Sun → tail points AWAY from Sun =

💡
= in front of comet.

💡 (b) As comet gets farther from the Sun:

💡 → Less solar energy reaches the comet.
💡 → Less ice evaporates → less gas and dust released → weaker solar wind effect.
💡 → The tail gets SHORTER and eventually DISAPPEARS completely.
🧠 Tip: Moving toward Sun: tail behind. Moving AWAY: tail in FRONT! Solar wind controls tail
direction!

📝speed.
The tail can be IN FRONT of the comet! Solar wind pushes it — not the comet's
Q20. (a) Earth has very few craters but Moon is covered in craters. WHY? (b) Name ONE crater in
India. [2 Marks]

💡 (a) Earth has few craters for TWO reasons:

💡 Reason 1 — Earth has thick ATMOSPHERE:
💡(shooting
Most meteors burn up due to friction with air before reaching Earth's surface

💡 Reason 2 — Earth has WEATHERING (rain, wind, plant growth, tectonic activity):
stars).

💡[Link] if a crater forms, rain and wind gradually erode it away over thousands of
💡
💡 Moon has NO atmosphere and NO weathering:
💡 Every meteor hits the surface at full speed → forms a crater.
💡 No rain, no wind, no plants → craters last billions of years unchanged.
💡
💡 (b) Famous crater in India: LONAR CRATER, Maharashtra.
💡insideFormed
it today.
by a meteorite impact about 50,000 years ago. Has a saltwater lake

🧠 Tip: Earth: atmosphere burns meteors + weathering erases craters. Moon: neither = covered
in craters!

Q21. (a) Why is the Greenhouse Effect NEEDED on Earth? (b) What is the DIFFERENCE between
natural and enhanced Greenhouse Effect? [2 Marks]

💡 (a) The Greenhouse Effect is NEEDED because without it:

💡 → Earth's average temperature would be -18°C (currently it is +15°C).
💡 → Earth would be completely frozen.
💡 → No liquid water, no life as we know it would be possible.
💡 The natural GHE acts as Earth's blanket — keeping it warm enough for life.
💡
💡 (b) Natural vs Enhanced Greenhouse Effect:
💡 NATURAL: Caused by naturally occurring CO₂, water vapour, methane.
💡[Link] enough to keep Earth at +15°C. Essential for life. Has existed for billions of
💡
💡released.
ENHANCED (Man-made): Caused by humans burning fossil fuels → EXTRA CO₂

💡[Link] much CO₂ → too much heat trapped → global temperatures rise → climate
💡 This is the HARMFUL version we need to reduce.
🧠 Tip: Natural GHE = good (life-saving blanket). Enhanced GHE = bad (too thick = overheating)!
SECTION C — Tough Short Answer II + Differentiate Questions (Q22–Q30) [ 9 × 3 =
27 Marks ]
Answer in detail. Differentiate questions need neat tables. 3 marks each.

Q22. (a) Differentiate between the DIRECTIVE property and ATTRACTIVE property of magnets. (b)
Give one real-life example of each. [3 Marks]
Directive Property Attractive Property
A free magnet always aligns North-South A magnet pulls magnetic materials toward
 it
Caused by Earth's magnetic field Caused by the magnet's own magnetic field
Needs the magnet to be free/suspended Works even if magnet is fixed
Both poles involved in alignment Maximum attraction at the poles

💡 (b) Directive Property use: Magnetic COMPASS — compass needle always aligns

💡
N-S, showing travellers the North direction.
Attractive Property use: CRANE with electromagnet — picks up heavy iron scrap

💡 Also: MRI machines in hospitals use magnets to scan inside the human body.
in junkyards.

🧠 Tip: DIRECTIVE = tells you DIRECTION (compass). ATTRACTIVE = pulls things (crane, MRI,
speaker)!

Q23. (a) Venus and Uranus both rotate anti-clockwise. Differentiate between their other
characteristics. (b) What does 'retrograde rotation' mean? [3 Marks]
Venus Uranus
2nd planet from Sun 7th planet from Sun
Hottest planet (~465°C) — Greenhouse Coldest planet (~-224°C) — no internal
Effect heat
Rotates very slowly: 1 Venus day = 243 Tilted 98°: rotates on its SIDE
Earth days
No moons 28 moons

💡 (b) Retrograde rotation = rotating in the OPPOSITE direction to most planets.

💡 Most planets (including Earth) rotate West to East.
💡 Venus and Uranus rotate East to West (backwards).
💡 This means on Venus and Uranus, the Sun rises in the WEST and sets in the

💡
EAST.
AMAZING FACT: Venus rotates so slowly that one day on Venus is LONGER
than one Venus year!
🧠 Tip: Venus and Uranus = REBEL PLANETS spinning backwards! One Venus day > one
Venus year!

📝the Venus day (243 Earth days) > Venus year (225 Earth days). The day is longer than
year! Mind-blowing!

Q24. (a) What is geotropism and phototropism? (b) Give a real example of each and explain WHY
the plant behaves that way. [3 Marks]

💡 (a) Geotropism: Movement of a plant part in response to GRAVITY.

💡 Positive geotropism: roots grow DOWNWARD (toward gravity).
💡 Negative geotropism: shoots grow UPWARD (away from gravity).
💡
💡 Phototropism: Movement of a plant part in response to LIGHT.
💡 Positive phototropism: shoots grow TOWARD light.
💡 Negative phototropism: roots grow AWAY from light.
💡
💡 (b) Geotropism example: Plant a seed upside down in soil.
 💡 The root will STILL grow downward, curving to follow gravity.
💡 The shoot will STILL curve upward.
💡find water.
WHY: Gravity is sensed by special cells in the root tip. Growing down helps roots

💡
💡[Link] example: A houseplant near a window curves TOWARD the
💡FASTER,
WHY: Light is detected by cells in the shoot tip. The side away from light grows

💡more food.
causing the plant to curve toward the light. More light = more photosynthesis =

🧠 Tip: GEO = Earth/gravity (roots go DOWN). PHOTO = light (shoots go TOWARD light). Both
help plant survive!

Q25. Differentiate between the following pairs: (a) Meteor and Meteorite. (b) Asteroid and Comet. [3
Marks]

Meteor Meteorite
Burns up completely in Earth's atmosphere Survives and lands on Earth's surface
Seen as a bright streak — 'shooting star' Forms a crater on impact with Earth
Nothing reaches Earth's surface Can be collected and studied
Asteroid Comet
Made of rock and metal Made of ice, dust, and gas
Found mainly in the asteroid belt (Mars- Come from outer Solar System — very
Jupiter) long orbits
No tail Develops a bright tail near the Sun
Example: Large rocks in the asteroid belt Example: Halley's Comet (period = 76
years)
🧠 Tip: METEORite = METEOR that hits the EARTH. Comet = icy tail. Asteroid = rocky belt
between Mars-Jupiter.

Q26. (a) Differentiate between filtration and distillation. (b) Give one situation where ONLY distillation
works — not filtration. [3 Marks]
Filtration Distillation
Separates INSOLUBLE solids from liquids Separates MISCIBLE liquids by boiling
points
Uses filter paper or cloth Uses heating → evaporation →
condensation → cooling
Dissolved things PASS THROUGH filter Dissolved things STAY BEHIND — pure
liquid collected
Cannot separate salt from salt water CAN separate salt from salt water

💡 (b) Only distillation works for: ALCOHOL + WATER mixture.

💡 Alcohol and water mix completely (miscible) — no separate layers.
💡 Filtration: both liquids pass through filter paper → nothing separated.
💡 Distillation: alcohol boils at 78°C, water at 100°C.
💡 Heat to 78°C → only alcohol evaporates → collect and cool → pure alcohol.
 💡 Then heat more → water evaporates → collect pure water.

Q27. (a) Differentiate between life cycles of a frog and a butterfly. (b) Which undergoes complete
metamorphosis? [3 Marks]
Frog Life Cycle Butterfly Life Cycle
4 stages: Egg → Tadpole → Froglet → 4 stages: Egg → Larva (Caterpillar) →
Adult Frog Pupa (Chrysalis) → Adult
Tadpole: lives in WATER, breathes through Caterpillar: lives on LAND, eats leaves
GILLS
Froglet: grows legs, tail disappears, uses Pupa: does not feed — completely
lungs transforms inside
Adult: AMPHIBIAN — lives on both land Adult: lives on land and air — can fly,
and water drinks nectar

💡 (b) BOTH frog and butterfly undergo COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS.

💡 Complete metamorphosis = 4 COMPLETELY different-looking stages.
💡 Tadpole looks NOTHING like a frog. Caterpillar looks NOTHING like a butterfly.
💡 Incomplete metamorphosis (3 stages): young looks like smaller adult — e.g.,
grasshopper, cockroach.
🧠 Tip: Both frog + butterfly = 4 stages = COMPLETE metamorphosis. Grasshopper = 3 stages =
INCOMPLETE!

Q28. (a) Why do fish die in HOT water even though they are surrounded by water? (b) Connect to:
gas solubility + thermal pollution. [3 Marks]

💡 (a) Fish need DISSOLVED OXYGEN in water to breathe through their gills.
💡 HOT water holds MUCH LESS dissolved oxygen than COLD water.
💡 (Gas solubility DECREASES with temperature — opposite of solids!)
💡suffocate.
In hot water: very little dissolved O₂ → fish cannot get enough to breathe →

💡OXYGEN! Fish die NOT because of lack of water, but because of lack of DISSOLVED

💡
💡 (b) Connection to gas solubility:
💡die. Cold water: high dissolved O₂ → fish thrive. Hot water: low dissolved O₂ → fish
💡water).This is the OPPOSITE of how SOLIDS behave (solids dissolve MORE in hot
💡
💡 Connection to thermal pollution:
💡 Factories sometimes release HOT wastewater into rivers.
💡 Hot water → less dissolved O₂ → fish and aquatic life die en masse.
💡 This environmental problem is called THERMAL POLLUTION.
🧠 Tip: Hot water = less O₂ dissolved = fish can't breathe. Thermal pollution = heating rivers =
killing fish!

📝answers!
This connects biology + chemistry + environmental science. Perfect for high-scoring
Q29. (a) Differentiate between weather and climate. (b) How does cutting forests change the local
climate of a region? [3 Marks]
Weather Climate
Day-to-day changes in atmosphere of a Average pattern of weather over 30+ years
place
Changes daily or even hourly Changes only over decades or centuries
Example: Today is hot and cloudy in Delhi Example: Delhi has very hot summers and
cold winters

💡 (b) How deforestation changes local climate:

💡 Trees release water vapour through transpiration.
💡 → Less trees = less transpiration = less water vapour = less cloud formation = LESS

💡 → The region gradually becomes DRIER (lower rainfall every year).

RAINFALL.

💡
💡 Trees absorb CO₂.
💡 → Less trees = more CO₂ in air = Greenhouse Effect = LOCAL TEMPERATURE

💡
RISES.

💡 Trees provide shade and cool the ground.

💡 → Less trees = direct sunlight hits ground = ground becomes hotter = EXTREME

💡
TEMPERATURES.

💡 Over time: a once-green forested area becomes hot, dry, and may turn into a desert-
like region.

Q30. (a) What is a constellation? How do you find the Pole Star using Ursa Major? (b) Name 3
constellations visible from India. [3 Marks]

💡seen(a)from Constellation = A group of stars that appear to form a recognisable pattern when

💡groupedStarstogether.
Earth.
in a constellation are NOT actually close in space — they only APPEAR

💡
💡 HOW TO FIND THE POLE STAR using Ursa Major (Saptarishi):
💡 Step 1: Find Ursa Major — 7 bright stars in a 'ladle' or 'plough' shape.
💡 Step 2: Look at the two stars that form the outer edge of the ladle's bowl.
💡[Link] 3: Draw an imaginary straight line through those 2 stars and extend it
💡direction!
Step 4: That line points DIRECTLY at the Pole Star (Dhruva Tara) = North

💡
💡 (b) Three constellations visible from India:
💡[Link] (Saptarishi / Big Dipper): 7 stars in a ladle shape. Visible year-

💡row). Visible
India.
2. Orion (Mrigashira / The Hunter): 8 bright stars. Has Orion's Belt (3 stars in a

💡 3. Scorpius (Vrischika): S-shaped like a scorpion. Visible in summer months.

in winter.

🧠 Tip: Ursa Major → 2 outer stars of the ladle → extend the line → POLE STAR = NORTH.
Ancient GPS!
 SECTION D — Difficult Long Answer Questions (Q31–Q33) [ 3 × 5 = 15 Marks ]
These need detailed answers. Use diagrams/tables where helpful. 5 marks each.

Q31. (a) Explain the SCIENTIFIC REASON why repulsion is the sure test for a magnet — step by
step. (b) Describe the Single Touch method of making a magnet. (c) How do you store two bar
magnets correctly using keepers? [5 Marks]

💡 (a) WHY REPULSION = 100% SURE TEST:

💡
💡 Test 1: Use attraction as a test.
💡 → Bring unknown object near known magnet's N pole → object is ATTRACTED.
💡 → This could be: (i) another magnet's S pole, OR (ii) a plain iron piece.
💡test.→ Both attract to the N pole. We CANNOT tell which it is. Attraction = NOT a sure
💡
💡 Test 2: Use repulsion as a test.
💡 → Bring unknown object near known magnet's N pole → REPULSION happens.
💡 → This can ONLY happen if unknown object also has a N pole (like poles repel).
💡 → A plain iron piece has NO poles. It can NEVER repel any pole of a magnet.
💡 → ONLY a magnet has poles. ONLY a magnet can repel another magnet.
💡 → Conclusion: Seeing repulsion = 100% confirmed = the object IS a magnet.
💡
💡 (b) SINGLE TOUCH METHOD:
💡 Step 1: Place an iron strip flat on a table.
💡 Step 2: Touch one pole (say N pole) of a bar magnet to one end of the iron strip.
💡direction.
Step 3: Slide the magnet firmly along the iron strip to the OTHER end in ONE

💡 Step 4: Lift the magnet AWAY from the iron strip completely.
💡 Step 5: Return to start and repeat the stroke.
💡 Step 6: Repeat 30–40 times, always in the SAME direction — never back and forth.
💡 Result: The iron strip is now magnetised.
💡used.) (The end where strokes BEGAN becomes the OPPOSITE pole to the pole that was

💡
💡 (c) STORING TWO BAR MAGNETS with keepers:
💡facingStepS).1: Place both magnets side by side with UNLIKE poles facing each other (N
💡magnetStep 2: Place small pieces of soft iron (KEEPERS) across BOTH ends of the

💡magnets
pair.
Step 3: This creates a CLOSED MAGNETIC CIRCUIT — field flows through

💡demagnetisation.
+ keepers.
Step 4: The closed circuit stabilises domain alignment → prevents self-

💡openForpoles.
HORSESHOE MAGNET: Only ONE keeper is needed, placed across the two

🧠 Tip: Single Touch: one direction only, 30-40 strokes. Keepers: close the magnetic circuit to
prevent weakening!

Q32. (a) Describe the COMPLETE water purification process — all 6 steps. (b) Differentiate between
sedimentation, decantation, and filtration. (c) Why is drinking UNBOILED tap water dangerous? [5
Marks]

💡 (a) City Water Purification — 6 Steps:

💡
 💡 Step 1 — SEDIMENTATION: Raw water stored in large tanks for 1–2 days.
💡 Heavy mud, sand, clay particles sink to the bottom. Clear water rises to the top.
💡
💡 Step 2 — LOADING: Alum (phitkari) added to water.
💡 Alum coagulates fine particles, making them heavy. They sink much faster.
💡
💡[Link] 3 — DECANTATION: Clear upper layer transferred to next tank. Sediment left

💡
💡fineStep 4 — FILTRATION: Water passes through layers of gravel → coarse sand →

💡 Removes all remaining suspended particles and odours.

sand → activated charcoal.

💡
💡CO₂Step 5 — AERATION: Water exposed to fresh air — removes dissolved gases like

💡 Improves the taste and freshness of the water.

and H₂S.

💡
💡 Step 6 — CHLORINATION: Chlorine added in measured amounts.
💡[Link] ALL harmful bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms. Makes water safe to
💡 Water is then pumped through underground pipes to homes.
💡
Sedimentation Decantation Filtration
Heavy particles settle to Clear liquid poured off from Filter paper holds solid;
bottom by gravity top liquid passes through
Happens on its own — just Done AFTER sedimentation Done when liquid has fine
wait is complete insoluble particles
Example: Mud settles in still Example: Pouring clear Example: Sand from water,
muddy water water off settled mud tea leaves from tea

💡 (c) Unboiled tap water contains:

💡 → Harmful bacteria (like [Link], cholera bacteria).
💡 → Viruses (typhoid, hepatitis A).
💡 → Fine chemical impurities.
💡hepatitis.
Drinking unboiled tap water can cause: Cholera, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhoea,

💡 These diseases can be life-threatening, especially for children.

💡 Boiling kills all microorganisms. Safe: boil at rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
Q33. (a) Explain the complete life cycle of a frog with all 4 stages. (b) Differentiate: complete vs
incomplete metamorphosis. (c) What is geotropism? Give 2 examples — one positive and one
negative. [5 Marks]

💡 (a) Life Cycle of a Frog — 4 Stages:

💡
💡 Stage 1 — EGGS (Spawn):
💡LaidAdult frog lays hundreds of eggs in pond/lake water. Eggs covered in protective jelly.

💡
in clusters = spawn.

💡 Stage 2 — TADPOLE (Larva):

💡 Eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles have: tail, external gills (to breathe in water), no
 💡
legs.

💡
They live entirely in water. Eat algae. Tadpoles look like tiny fish at this stage.

💡 Stage 3 — FROGLET:
💡 Hind legs appear first, then front legs develop.
💡 Tail gradually SHRINKS and disappears.
💡developing
Gills disappear; LUNGS develop. Can now breathe through moist skin AND

💡
lungs.

💡 Stage 4 — ADULT FROG:

💡 Fully formed. No tail. Four legs.
💡through
AMPHIBIAN — lives on BOTH land (breathes through lungs) and in water (breathes

💡 Feeds on insects. Adult frog reproduces — lays eggs — cycle begins again.
moist skin).

💡
Complete Metamorphosis Incomplete Metamorphosis
4 stages: Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult 3 stages: Egg → Nymph → Adult
Young (larva) looks COMPLETELY Young (nymph) looks SIMILAR to adult —
DIFFERENT from adult just smaller
Pupa stage: complete transformation inside No pupa stage — nymph gradually grows
— does not feed into adult
Examples: Frog, Mosquito, Butterfly, House Examples: Grasshopper, Cockroach,
fly Dragonfly

💡 (c) Geotropism = Growth of a plant part in response to the force of GRAVITY.

💡
💡 POSITIVE GEOTROPISM (grows TOWARD gravity = downward):
💡or sideways.
Example: ROOTS always grow downward, even if you plant the seed upside down

💡minerals
Why: Root tips sense gravity. Growing downward helps roots find water and

💡 Also: roots provide anchorage (hold the plant firmly in soil).

in soil.

💡
💡 NEGATIVE GEOTROPISM (grows AWAY from gravity = upward):
💡 Example: SHOOTS (stems) always grow upward, away from gravity, toward the sky.
💡 Why: Growing upward places leaves in sunlight for photosynthesis.
💡 The more sunlight leaves receive, the more food the plant can make.
💡
💡(go Simple
up).
rule: Roots = positive geotropism (go down). Shoots = negative geotropism

🧠 Tip: GEO = gravity. Roots DOWN = positive. Shoots UP = negative. Both help the plant get
what it needs!

SECTION E — Tough Case Study Questions (Q34–Q35) [ 2 × 5 = 10 Marks ]

Apply your knowledge in new situations. Always give reasons. 5 marks each.

Q34. TOUGH CASE STUDY 1 — The Separation Challenge

 📖 Read carefully:
A science teacher gave students 3 mystery mixtures:

MIXTURE A: Iron filings + sand + salt — all dry, mixed together.

MIXTURE B: Oil floating on water (two separate visible layers).

MIXTURE C: Alcohol + water (completely mixed, NO visible layers).

Task: Find the BEST separation method for each. Explain the science behind each
choice.
BONUS: For Mixture A — separate all THREE substances, one by one, in the correct
order.

(a) How would you separate Mixture A (iron filings + sand + salt)? Write STEP BY STEP in correct
order. WHY does order matter? [2 marks]

💡 STEP-BY-STEP SEPARATION:
💡
💡 Step 1 — MAGNETIC SEPARATION (do this FIRST):
💡 Pass a bar magnet through the dry mixture.
💡 Iron filings (magnetic) stick to the magnet → collect them separately.
💡 Now we have: sand + salt remaining.
💡
💡 Step 2 — ADD WATER + FILTRATION:
💡 Add water to the sand + salt mixture.
💡 Salt DISSOLVES in water. Sand does NOT dissolve.
💡 Filter the mixture through filter paper.
💡 Sand stays on filter paper. Saltwater passes through.
💡
💡 Step 3 — EVAPORATION:
💡 Heat the saltwater filtrate in an evaporating dish.
💡 Water evaporates → pure white salt crystals remain.
💡
💡separated!
RESULT: Iron (from magnet) + Sand (on filter paper) + Salt (in dish) — all 3

💡
💡 WHY ORDER MATTERS:
💡 Magnetic separation MUST come first — while the mixture is DRY.
💡 If you add water first, iron filings become wet and harder to remove with a magnet.
📝WorkMulti-step separation: always identify WHICH method removes WHICH substance.
in correct order.

(b) What type of mixture is Mixture B? What method separates it? WHY can't you use filtration? [1
mark]

💡 Mixture B is an IMMISCIBLE liquid mixture.

💡 Immiscible = two liquids that do NOT mix — they form separate visible layers.
💡
💡 Best method: DECANTATION using a SEPARATING FUNNEL.
💡 Open the tap of the separating funnel → denser water flows out from the bottom.
💡 Oil (less dense) stays in the funnel. Both separated cleanly.
 💡
💡 WHY filtration CANNOT work:
💡 Filtration separates SOLID particles from liquid — not two liquids from each other.
💡nothing
Both oil and water would flow right through filter paper together. Filtration separates
here.
🧠 Tip: Immiscible = separate layers = separating funnel. Oil always on top (less dense), water
sinks below.
(c) What makes Mixture C different from Mixture B? What method is needed? [1 mark]

💡 Mixture C is a MISCIBLE liquid mixture — alcohol and water mix COMPLETELY.

💡 There are NO separate layers — the mixture looks like one uniform clear liquid.
💡
💡 This makes it DIFFERENT from Mixture B:
💡 Mixture B = immiscible (visible layers) → use separating funnel.
💡 Mixture C = miscible (no layers) → separating funnel CANNOT work.
💡
💡 Method needed: DISTILLATION
💡 Heat the mixture → alcohol (boiling point 78°C) evaporates FIRST.
💡alcohol.
Pass vapour through a cooled condenser → alcohol vapour cools → becomes liquid

💡 Collect pure alcohol. Water (boiling point 100°C) remains behind.

🧠 Tip: Miscible = fully mixed = no layers = use DISTILLATION. Immiscible = layers = use
DECANTING!
(d) What is the cooling sensation felt when alcohol touches skin? Connect to a science concept. [1
mark]

💡 The cooling sensation is caused by EVAPORATION.

💡 Alcohol is highly volatile — it evaporates very quickly at room temperature.
💡 When alcohol evaporates from skin, it ABSORBS HEAT from the skin surface.
💡 This removal of heat makes the skin feel COLD.
💡
💡 This is the COOLING EFFECT OF EVAPORATION.
💡keepSame principle: sweating cools body (sweat evaporates, takes heat away), clay pots
water cool.
🧠 Tip: Alcohol on skin → evaporates fast → takes heat from skin → skin feels cold = COOLING
EFFECT!

Q35. TOUGH CASE STUDY 2 — Life on the Moon?

📖 Read carefully:
Scientists are planning a Moon base. Some students raised questions:

Student A: 'Why can't astronauts just breathe outside on the Moon?'

Student B: 'The Moon has rocks — can geologists find FOSSILS on the Moon?'
Student C: 'Why is the Moon's surface covered in craters but not Earth?'
Student D: 'If a tree could somehow grow on the Moon — would it grow differently?'
Student E: 'Could we theoretically grow food plants on the Moon base?'

Answer each student's question using your science knowledge.

(a) Answer Student A: Why can't astronauts breathe on the Moon? Link to Moon's gravity. [1 mark]

💡 The Moon has NO ATMOSPHERE.

💡gasWhy: The Moon's gravity is only 1/6th of Earth's gravity — too WEAK to hold onto

💡intoGas
molecules.
molecules move fast enough to overcome the Moon's weak gravity and escape

💡space.
space.
Over billions of years, all gases the Moon may have had simply floated away into

💡 Result: The Moon has a near-perfect VACUUM outside.

💡spacesuit.
No O₂ molecules exist outside → astronauts would suffocate INSTANTLY without a

📝keepsGravity is the KEY reason the Moon has no atmosphere. Earth's stronger gravity
our atmosphere in place.

(b) Answer Student B: Can fossils be found on the Moon? Use rock types in your answer. [1 mark]

💡 Almost CERTAINLY NO:

💡 Moon's rocks are mainly IGNEOUS rocks (basalt, anorthosite).
💡 Formed when the Moon was covered in molten lava billions of years ago.
💡
💡 Fossils form ONLY in SEDIMENTARY rocks.
💡 Sedimentary rocks need: water to deposit sediment + organisms to fossilise.
💡 The Moon has had NO liquid water on its surface.
💡 Without water, no sediment layers form → no sedimentary rocks → no fossils.
💡
💡 AND: No life has ever existed on the Moon.
💡 Even if sedimentary rocks existed, there were no organisms to become fossils.
💡
💡 Conclusion: Moon = igneous rocks (wrong type) + no water + no life = zero fossils.
🧠 Tip: Fossils = only in SEDIMENTARY rocks + need organisms. Moon = igneous + no water +
no life = NO fossils!
(c) Answer Student C: Why is Moon covered in craters but Earth has very few? [1 mark]

💡 TWO key differences:

💡
💡 1. ATMOSPHERE:
💡nothing
Earth: thick atmosphere → meteors burn up due to friction → 'shooting stars' →

💡formMoon:
hits surface.
NO atmosphere → meteors arrive at FULL SPEED → crash into surface →

💡
craters.

💡 2. WEATHERING / EROSION:
💡thousands
Earth: rain, wind, plants, tectonic activity gradually erode craters away over

💡agoMoon:
of years.
no rain, no wind, no plants, no tectonics → craters formed billions of years

💡
look FRESH today.

💡NEITHER!
Earth has a 'shield' (atmosphere) AND an 'eraser' (weathering). Moon has

🧠 Tip: Earth = shield (atmosphere burns meteors) + eraser (weather removes craters). Moon =
neither = craters everywhere!
 (d) Answer Student D: How would a tree grow DIFFERENTLY on the Moon? Use geotropism and
phototropism. [1 mark]

💡 If a tree could grow on the Moon (assuming air, water, soil in a sealed dome):
💡
💡 GEOTROPISM would still work similarly:
💡DOWNWARD.
Moon has gravity (1/6th of Earth's). Tree's roots would still sense gravity and grow

💡 Shoots would still grow UPWARD (negative geotropism). Direction same as Earth.
💡
💡 PHOTOTROPISM would work MORE STRONGLY:
💡 On Earth: sunlight comes from above, scattered in all directions by atmosphere.
💡direction.
On Moon: NO atmosphere → sunlight is extremely harsh and direct from one

💡 The tree would bend VERY strongly toward the Sun (positive phototropism).
💡
💡 Also: Moon's 'day' = 14 Earth days of sunlight, then 14 days of total darkness.
💡 This would severely disrupt normal plant growth cycles.
🧠 Tip: Geotropism works on Moon (there IS gravity). Phototropism would be extreme (no
scattered light, harsh Sun)!
(e) Answer Student E: Could food plants grow on a Moon base? What would they need? [1 mark]

💡 YES — food plants COULD grow on a Moon base if conditions are provided:
💡
💡 Plants need (WAW + Light + Minerals):
💡 1. WATER: Scientists found ice in permanently shadowed craters at Moon's poles.
💡 This ice could be melted and purified for plant use.
💡
💡 2. AIR (CO₂ + O₂): Must be supplied in a sealed greenhouse dome.
💡to breathe!
Plants need CO₂ for photosynthesis. They produce O₂ — which astronauts need

💡partnership!)
(Plants and astronauts help EACH OTHER in a sealed system — perfect

💡
💡 3. WARMTH / LIGHT: Moon gets intense sunlight for 14 days.
💡[Link] panels or artificial grow lights can provide energy during the 14-day lunar
💡
💡 4. SOIL / NUTRIENTS: Moon's soil (regolith) has minerals but lacks organic matter.
💡 Needs to be enriched with fertilisers or compost.
💡
💡 The Moon could be a food production station for deep-space missions to Mars!
🧠 Tip: Moon plants need: Water (from ice) + CO₂ (pumped in) + Light (solar/artificial) + Enriched
soil = POSSIBLE!

— END OF TRICKY & TOUGH CHALLENGE PAPER (PAPER 2) —

Master both papers and you are ready for any exam! 🌟