SCIENCE MODEL TEST PAPER — CLASS 6

Chapters: Fun with Magnets | States of Water | Separation of Substances | Living Organisms | Treasures of Nature | The
Universe

TIME: 3 hrs All Questions Compulsory Total Marks: 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read the paper thoroughly.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. This paper has sections carrying following marks:
SECTION A: 10 Multiple Choice questions and 4 Assertion and Reasoning carrying one mark (14).
SECTION B: 7 Short answer type questions (I) each carrying 2 marks (14).
SECTION C: 9 Short answer type questions (II) carrying 3 marks (27).
SECTION D: 3 Long answers type questions carrying 5 marks (15).
SECTION E: 2 Competency based questions each carrying 5 marks (10).

SECTION A — MCQ (Q1–Q10) + Assertion & Reasoning (Q11–Q14) [14 × 1 = 14

Marks]
Section A carries 1 mark each. For MCQ choose the best option. For Assertion-Reasoning, use the
options given.

Q1. The ends of a magnet where the magnetic strength is maximum are called:
(a) Faces
(b) Poles ✔
(c) Edges
(d) Centre
✔ (b) Poles — Magnetic strength is maximum at both poles.
🧠 Quick Tip: Poles = Points of Maximum Power!

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a magnetic material?

(a) Iron
(b) Nickel
(c) Cobalt
(d) Aluminium ✔
✔ (d) Aluminium — Only iron, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic materials.
🧠 Quick Tip: Remember the Magic 3: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt → magnetic. All others → non-
magnetic.

Q3. The process by which liquid changes to gas is called:

(a) Condensation
(b) Freezing
(c) Evaporation ✔
(d) Melting
✔ (c) Evaporation — Heat causes liquid to change into gas/vapour.

Q4. Which of the following is a pure substance?

(a) Sea water
(b) Air
(c) Milk
 (d) Distilled water ✔
✔ (d) Distilled water — It contains only H₂O molecules; no dissolved salts or gases.

Q5. The galaxy in which our Solar System is located is called:

(a) Andromeda
(b) Milky Way (Akash Ganga) ✔
(c) Sombrero
(d) Triangulum
✔ (b) Milky Way — Our Solar System is at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy.

Q6. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?

(a) Venus
(b) Jupiter
(c) Mars ✔
(d) Saturn
✔ (c) Mars — It appears red due to iron oxide (rust) on its surface.
🧠 Quick Tip: Mars = Mangal = Red God of War = Red Planet!

Q7. Filtration is used to separate:

(a) Salt from water
(b) Miscible liquids
(c) Insoluble solids from a liquid ✔
(d) Lighter and heavier grains
✔ (c) Insoluble solids from a liquid — Filter paper allows liquid to pass but holds solid
back.

Q8. A freely suspended magnet always aligns in the:

(a) East-West direction
(b) North-South direction ✔
(c) South-East direction
(d) Any random direction
✔ (b) North-South direction — This is the directive property of a magnet.

Q9. The study of the universe is called:

(a) Astrology
(b) Geology
(c) Astronomy ✔
(d) Meteorology
✔ (c) Astronomy — Scientists who study it are called astronomers.

Q10. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?

(a) Growth
(b) Respiration
(c) Reproduction
(d) Rusting ✔
✔ (d) Rusting — Rusting is a chemical process in non-living metals, not a life process.
🧠 Quick Tip: MRS GREN = Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction,
Excretion, Nutrition — ALL life processes.
Q11 to Q14 — Assertion & Reasoning: Choose correct option (a), (b), (c), or (d).

Q11. Assertion (A): A freely suspended magnet always points in the North-South direction.
Reason (R): The Earth behaves like a big bar magnet with its magnetic south pole near the
geographic north.
Options: (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.
✔ (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
✔ The Earth's magnetic field causes the magnet to align North-South — the directive
property.

Q12. Assertion (A): Venus is the hottest planet even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
Reason (R): Venus has a thick atmosphere rich in CO₂ which traps heat — the greenhouse
effect.
Options: (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.
✔ (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
✔ The greenhouse effect on Venus makes it hotter than Mercury despite being farther
from the Sun.
🧠 Quick Tip: Closer to Sun ≠ Hotter. Blanket of CO₂ makes Venus hotter!

Q13. Assertion (A): Rainwater is considered the purest natural form of water.
Reason (R): When water evaporates, it leaves behind all dissolved salts and impurities.
Options: (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.
✔ (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
✔ Evaporation purifies water naturally. The vapour rises, condenses, and falls as rain —
free of dissolved solids.

Q14. Assertion (A): Repulsion is considered the sure test for a magnet.
Reason (R): Both a magnet and a magnetic material can attract each other.
Options: (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.
✔ (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
✔ Iron is attracted to both poles of a magnet. But ONLY a magnet can repel another
magnet — so repulsion confirms it is a magnet, not just iron.

SECTION B — Short Answer Type I (Q15–Q21) [7 × 2 = 14 Marks]

Answer in 2–3 sentences. Each question carries 2 marks.

Q15. What is the directive property of a magnet? How is it useful? [2 Marks]

 ✔ A freely suspended magnet always aligns itself in the North-South direction. This
property is called the directive property.
✔ Use: It is the principle behind a magnetic compass, which helps sailors and travellers
find directions.

Q16. State any four methods that cause demagnetisation of a magnet. [2 Marks]

✔ A magnet can be demagnetised by:

✔ (i) Heating to a high temperature.
✔ (ii) Hammering or hitting repeatedly.
✔ (iii) Dropping from a height repeatedly.
✔ (iv) Keeping near electronic devices like TVs, computers, and mobiles.
🧠 Quick Tip: HHDD = Heat, Hammer, Drop, Devices → all destroy a magnet's strength!

Q17. Define evaporation. List three factors that affect the rate of evaporation. [2 Marks]

✔ Evaporation: The process by which a liquid changes into its gaseous state.
✔ Factors affecting rate of evaporation:
✔ (i) Temperature — Higher temperature → faster evaporation.
✔ (ii) Surface area — Larger surface area → faster evaporation.
✔ (iii) Wind blowing — Stronger wind → faster evaporation.

Q18. What is a mixture? Differentiate between a pure substance and a mixture with one example
each. [2 Marks]

✔ Mixture: Any substance made up of two or more pure substances mixed in any ratio.
✔ Pure substance: Has only one kind of particle. Example: Distilled water.
✔ Mixture: Has two or more kinds of particles. Example: Sea water (water + salt).

Q19. Explain winnowing and sieving with one example each. [2 Marks]

✔ Winnowing: Separating heavier and lighter components of a mixture using

wind/blowing air. Example: Separating husk (light) from grain (heavy) after threshing.
✔ Sieving: Separating components of different particle sizes using a sieve. Example:
Separating bran from flour.

Q20. What is germination of a seed? What conditions are necessary for germination? [2 Marks]

✔ Germination is the development of a seed into a seedling or young plant.

✔ Conditions required: (i) Water (ii) Air/Oxygen (iii) Warmth/Sunlight.
✔ The seed germinates only when all three conditions are present simultaneously — as
shown in Jar D in the textbook.
🧠 Quick Tip: WAW = Water, Air, Warmth → What a seed needs to WAKE UP!

Q21. What is a light year? Why is it used instead of kilometres to measure distances in space? [2
Marks]

✔ A light year is the distance travelled by light in one year.

✔ 1 light year = 3×10⁵ km/s × 365×24×60×60 s = 9.46 × 10¹² km (approx.)
✔ It is used because distances between celestial bodies are so enormous that using
kilometres would give unmanageably large numbers. Light year makes these distances
easier to express.
🧠 Quick Tip: TRICK: Light year = DISTANCE, not time! Don't get fooled!
 SECTION C — Short Answer Type II (Q22–Q30) [9 × 3 = 27 Marks]
Answer in 4–6 sentences. Each question carries 3 marks.

Q22. Describe the poles of a magnet. What are the properties of magnetic poles? [3 Marks]

✔ The poles of a magnet are the two ends where magnetic strength is maximum. Every
magnet has two poles — a North (N) pole and a South (S) pole.
✔ Properties:
✔ (i) Like poles repel each other (N-N or S-S).
✔ (ii) Unlike poles attract each other (N-S).
✔ (iii) Poles always exist in pairs — a single pole cannot be isolated even if the magnet
is cut.
✔ (iv) Repulsion is the sure test for a magnet.

Q23. Explain the three states of water with their properties. [3 Marks]

✔ Water exists in three states:

✔ 1. Solid (Ice): Fixed shape and volume. Does not flow. Example: Ice cubes, glaciers.
✔ 2. Liquid (Water): Fixed volume but takes the shape of its container. Can flow.
Example: Water in a glass.
✔ 3. Gas (Water Vapour): No fixed shape or volume. Spreads to fill the entire space
available. Example: Steam from hot water, humidity in air.
🧠 Quick Tip: SLG = Solid (set), Liquid (flows), Gas (spreads everywhere)!

Q24. Describe filtration and sedimentation-decantation. When is each used? [3 Marks]

✔ Filtration: Process of separating insoluble particles from a liquid using a filter (filter
paper, muslin cloth). The liquid passes through as filtrate; solid remains as residue.
Used for: Separating tea leaves from tea, purifying water.
✔ Sedimentation & Decantation: Sedimentation = heavy insoluble particles settle at the
bottom. Decantation = carefully pouring the clear liquid without disturbing the sediment.
Used for: Separating mud from water. NOTE: Filtration is more effective than
decantation as some sand passes during decantation.

Q25. Describe any three characteristics of living organisms with suitable examples. [3 Marks]

✔ 1. Need for Food: All living organisms need food for energy. Plants make food by
photosynthesis (autotrophs). Animals eat plants/other animals (heterotrophs).
✔ 2. Respiration: Living organisms take in oxygen and release CO₂ to obtain energy.
Earthworms breathe through skin; fish through gills; humans through lungs.
✔ 3. Reproduction: Living organisms produce young ones of their own kind to continue
their species. Birds lay eggs; cats give birth to kittens; plants produce seeds.

Q26. Explain the Water Cycle. Name all processes involved. [3 Marks]

✔ The Water Cycle is the continuous circulation of water between the earth's surface
and the atmosphere.
✔ Processes:
✔ 1. Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, rivers converts to water vapour due to solar
heat.
✔ 2. Transpiration: Plants also release water vapour through stomata.
✔ 3. Condensation: Water vapour rises, cools, and condenses to form tiny water
droplets → clouds.
✔ 4. Precipitation: When clouds become heavy, water falls as rain, snow, or hail.
✔ 5. Collection: Water flows into rivers, lakes, oceans or seeps into ground as
 groundwater — cycle repeats.
🧠 Quick Tip: Every Cup Carries Precipitation = Evaporation → Condensation → Cloud →
Precipitation!

Q27. Describe the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. Mention one key feature of each. [3 Marks]

✔ Jupiter (Brahaspati): Largest planet in the Solar System. Has 95 moons (as of 2024).
Composed mainly of methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide gases. Can be seen with
naked eye.
✔ Saturn (Shani): Second largest planet. Characterised by beautiful rings made mainly
of ice and rocks. Has the maximum number of moons — 146. Light enough to float in
water (if there were an ocean large enough).
✔ Uranus (Indra): Third largest planet. Takes 84 years to complete one revolution
around the Sun. Rotates anti-clockwise (east to west) like Venus. Has 28 moons.
Composed of hydrogen, methane, and helium.

Q28. Differentiate between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. [3 Marks]

Type Description & Examples
Igneous Rocks Formed by cooling of magma/lava.
Example: Granite (used in buildings),
Pumice (floats on water). No fossils.
Sedimentary Rocks Formed by deposition and cementation of
sediments in layers. Example: Sandstone,
Limestone. Contain fossils.
Metamorphic Rocks Formed when igneous/sedimentary rocks
change form due to heat and pressure.
Example: Marble (from limestone), Slate
(from shale). Generally no fossils.

Q29. What is deforestation? Describe any three harmful effects of deforestation. [3 Marks]

✔ Deforestation: Large-scale cutting of trees for wood, agriculture, housing, or industry.

✔ Harmful effects:
✔ 1. Changes in physical properties of soil: Trees bind soil. Removing them causes soil
erosion, loss of soil fertility, and eventually desertification.
✔ 2. Reduced rainfall: Plants release water vapour through transpiration. Fewer plants =
less water vapour = less rainfall, disrupting the water cycle.
✔ 3. Imbalance of atmospheric gases: Plants absorb CO₂ and release O₂. Cutting trees
increases CO₂ concentration, leading to global warming and greenhouse effect.

Q30. Explain the life cycle of a mosquito. What is metamorphosis? [3 Marks]

✔ Metamorphosis: The complete change in form or structure of an animal during its

development from egg to adult.
✔ Life Cycle of Mosquito (4 stages):
✔ 1. Egg: Female mosquito lays eggs on the surface of stagnant water.
✔ 2. Larva (wriggler): Eggs hatch into larvae that feed in water and breathe from water
surface.
✔ 3. Pupa (tumbler): Larva changes into pupa. Does not feed but moves. Also called
tumbler.
✔ 4. Adult: Adult mosquito breaks out of pupa and flies away. Lifespan: 10–15 days.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water — so draining stagnant water helps control
 mosquito population.
🧠 Quick Tip: ELPA = Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult (Mosquito). Both mosquito AND frog have 4
stages!

SECTION D — Long Answer Questions (Q31–Q33) [3 × 5 = 15 Marks]

Answer in detail with diagrams where required. Each question carries 5 marks.

Q31. (a) What are magnetic and non-magnetic materials? Give two examples of each. (b) How is
a magnet made using the single touch method? (c) List four uses of magnets in daily life. [5 Marks]

✔ (a) Magnetic Materials: Materials that are attracted towards a magnet.

✔ Examples: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.
✔ Non-Magnetic Materials: Materials that are NOT attracted towards a magnet.
✔ Examples: Wood, Plastic, Rubber, Aluminium.
✔
✔ (b) Single Touch Method of Making a Magnet:
✔ • Place a strip of iron on a table.
✔ • Touch one end (say North pole) of the bar magnet to one end of the iron strip.
✔ • Move it firmly to the other end without lifting — this is one stroke.
✔ • Repeat this 30–35 times in the SAME direction.
✔ • The iron strip becomes magnetised. The end where the stroke starts becomes
opposite to the pole used.
✔
✔ (c) Uses of Magnets:
✔ 1. Used in toys, door catchers, paper clip holders, pencil boxes.
✔ 2. Used in audio and video tapes, cassettes, computer drives (data storage).
✔ 3. Used in electric motors, generators, telephones, door bells, speakers.
✔ 4. MRI scan in the medical field uses magnets.
✔ 5. Used in cranes to sort magnetic scrap from junkyards.

Q32. (a) Explain five methods of separation of substances with examples. (b) What is loading?
How does rain act as a natural loading agent? [5 Marks]

✔ (a) Five Methods of Separation:

✔ 1. Hand Picking: Manually removing visible impurities — stones from rice or pulses.
✔ 2. Threshing: Beating stalks on ground to separate grain from stalks — used after
harvesting wheat.
✔ 3. Winnowing: Using wind to separate light husk from heavy grains — farmers use
this after threshing.
✔ 4. Sieving: Using a sieve to separate components of different particle sizes —
separating bran from flour.
✔ 5. Filtration: Using filter paper to separate insoluble solids from liquids — separating
tea leaves from tea.
✔ Bonus: Magnetic Separation — using magnet to separate iron from sand/flower
petals.
✔
✔ (b) Loading: The process of adding alum (phitkari) to muddy water to make fine
insoluble particles heavy so they settle to the bottom faster — called early
sedimentation.
✔ Rain as natural loading agent: Raindrops fall from the sky and attach themselves to
fine dust particles suspended in the air. This makes dust particles heavy. They fall to the
ground with rain, leaving the air clean and clear. This is why the air smells fresh after
 rain!
🧠 Quick Tip: After rain = clean air. Why? Raindrops CARRY dust down = natural loading!

Q33. (a) Describe the Solar System. Name all 8 planets in order from the Sun with one key feature
each. (b) What are asteroids, comets, and meteorites? Mention one difference. [5 Marks]

✔ (a) The Solar System: The Sun and its family of 8 planets, comets, asteroids,
satellites, and other celestial bodies. The Sun is at the centre; all other bodies revolve
around it.
✔
✔ Planets in order (closest to farthest from Sun):
✔ 1. Mercury (Budha): Smallest planet, nearest to Sun, no moon.
✔ 2. Venus (Shukra): Hottest planet (greenhouse effect), no moon, anti-clockwise
rotation, called Evening Star.
✔ 3. Earth (Prithvi): Only planet with life, 1 moon, surrounded by oxygen, appears blue.
✔ 4. Mars (Mangal): Red Planet (iron oxide), 2 moons, closest outer planet to Earth.
✔ 5. Jupiter (Brahaspati): Largest planet, 95 moons.
✔ 6. Saturn (Shani): Rings of ice and rock, 146 moons (most moons), second largest.
✔ 7. Uranus (Indra): Anti-clockwise rotation, 28 moons, 84 years to orbit Sun.
✔ 8. Neptune (Varun): Farthest planet, 16 moons, 165 years to orbit Sun, invisible to
naked eye.
✔
✔ Memory tip: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles!
✔
✔ (b) Asteroids: Very small broken pieces of rock and metal revolving around the Sun
mainly between Mars and Jupiter. Part of the asteroid belt.
✔ Comets: Heavenly bodies of ice, dust, and gaseous particles with a long tail that
always points away from the Sun. Example: Halley's Comet (period = 76 years).
✔ Meteors/Meteorites: Rocky remains of planets that enter Earth's atmosphere. They
burn up in the atmosphere (called meteors/shooting stars). If they land on Earth's
surface, they are called meteorites.
✔ Key difference: Asteroids orbit the Sun; Meteorites land on Earth's surface.

SECTION E — Competency Based Questions (Q34–Q35) [2 × 5 = 10 Marks]

Read the passage/situation carefully and answer ALL sub-parts. Each question carries 5 marks.

Q34.

📖 Read the following carefully:

Ria's family went on a trip to a hill station. She noticed that her wet clothes, when spread
out in the open in sunlight with a breeze, dried very quickly. However, when she put the
same type of clothes in a closed room with no sunlight and no fan, they took much
longer to dry. Her younger brother asked her: 'Where did the water in the clothes go?'
Ria explained the concept she had learnt in school. Later, she saw water droplets
forming on the outside of her cold water bottle. That evening, dark clouds gathered and
it rained heavily.

Q34a. Name the process by which water from the wet clothes disappeared. [1 Mark]

✔ Evaporation — water from wet clothes changes into water vapour (gas) and mixes
with air due to heat and wind.

Q34b. Why did clothes dry faster outdoors (sunlight + breeze) than in a closed room? [1 Mark]
 ✔ Outdoors: Both temperature (sunlight) and wind speed were high → faster
evaporation.
✔ Indoor: No sunlight (low temperature) and no wind → slower evaporation.
✔ Rate of evaporation depends on temperature, surface area, and wind speed.

Q34c. What process caused water droplets to form on the outside of the cold bottle? Explain. [1 Mark]

✔ Condensation — water vapour present in the surrounding warm air came in contact
with the cold surface of the bottle, cooled down, and changed into liquid water droplets
on the outside of the bottle.

Q34d. What process caused the clouds to form and why did it rain? [1 Mark]

✔ Cloud formation = Condensation. Water vapour in the atmosphere rose upward,

cooled at higher altitudes, and condensed into tiny water droplets around dust particles
to form clouds.
✔ Rain = Precipitation. When clouds became heavy (water droplets combined into larger
drops), they fell to Earth as rain.

Q34e. Name the complete natural phenomenon described in this passage and list all processes
involved. [1 Mark]

✔ The Water Cycle (Hydrological Cycle).

✔ Processes involved in order:
✔ 1. Evaporation — water from clothes/water bodies → water vapour.
✔ 2. Transpiration — water released by plants into air.
✔ 3. Condensation — water vapour → water droplets → clouds.
✔ 4. Precipitation — rain/snow/hail falls back to Earth.
✔ 5. Collection — water collects in rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater — cycle
continues.
🧠 Quick Tip: The Water Cycle: Sun heats water → Evaporation → Condensation → Rain →
Back to start!

Q35.

📖 Read the following carefully:

Ajay found a box of game pieces. Some pieces were tightly sticking to each other, while
others were pushing away from each other. When he sorted them, he found that the
pieces pulling together had unlike markings, and the ones pushing apart had like
markings. He also noticed that when he placed certain small metal pieces near one of
the game pieces, they got attracted. But a plastic piece placed nearby showed no
response. He then accidentally dropped one game piece on a hard floor multiple times
and noticed it lost its ability to attract the metal pieces after that. His science teacher
later demonstrated making a similar device using a battery and wire coiled around an
iron nail.

Q35a. What are the game pieces described? How do you know? [1 Mark]

✔ The game pieces are magnets. We know because:

✔ • Unlike pieces attract each other and like pieces repel each other (property of
magnets).
✔ • They attract small metal pieces — attractive property of magnets.
✔ • Repulsion confirms they are magnets (repulsion is the sure test for a magnet).
Q35b. Why did unlike pieces attract and like pieces repel each other? [1 Mark]

✔ Unlike poles (N-S) of magnets attract each other.

✔ Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other.
✔ This is a fundamental property of magnets: unlike poles attract, like poles repel.

Q35c. Why did the plastic piece show no response near the magnet? [1 Mark]

✔ Plastic is a non-magnetic material — it is not attracted to magnets. Only magnetic

materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt are attracted to magnets. Plastic, wood, and rubber
are all non-magnetic materials.

Q35d. Why did the game piece lose its magnetic property after being dropped repeatedly? [1 Mark]

✔ This is called Demagnetisation. When a magnet is dropped repeatedly from a height,

the shock disturbs the internal arrangement of its magnetic domains (tiny groups of
atoms aligned together), causing the magnet to lose its magnetic properties. This is one
of four causes of demagnetisation (along with heating, hammering, and keeping near
electronic devices).

Q35e. What device was the science teacher making? Explain how it works. [1 Mark]

✔ The science teacher was making an Electromagnet.

✔ How it works: When an electric current passes through a wire coiled around an iron
nail (or core), it creates a magnetic field around the nail, turning it into a temporary
magnet. The nail attracts magnetic materials like iron pins while the current flows.
✔ When the current is switched off, the electromagnet loses its magnetism.
✔ Use of electromagnet: Used in cranes to lift heavy scrap iron, in electric bells, electric
motors, MRI machines, etc.
🧠 Quick Tip: Electromagnet = temporary magnet made using electricity. Battery OFF → no
magnetism!

— END OF MAIN TEST PAPER —

 ⚡ TRICKY CHALLENGE TEST PAPER — SCIENCE CLASS 6
Same Format | Surprising Questions | Quick-Learn Answers | Brain Boosters!

TIME: 3 hrs ⚠ Think carefully before Total Marks: 80

answering!

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (Same as Main Paper)

SECTION A: 10 MCQ + 4 Assertion-Reasoning = 14 marks | SECTION B: 7 × 2 = 14 marks
SECTION C: 9 × 3 = 27 marks | SECTION D: 3 × 5 = 15 marks | SECTION E: 2 × 5 = 10 marks

SECTION A — Tricky MCQ (Q1–Q10) + Assertion-Reasoning (Q11–Q14) [14 × 1 =

14 Marks]
⚠ These look simple — but read VERY carefully. Common misconceptions tested here!

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

(a) Time
(b) Speed
(c) Distance ✔
(d) Energy
💡 (c) Distance! MOST COMMON MISTAKE — students say 'time' because of the word
'year'. A light year is the DISTANCE light travels in one year = 9.46 × 10¹² km.
🧠 Quick Tip: Light YEAR = how FAR light travels in a year, NOT how long it takes!

Q2. Which pole of a compass needle points toward geographic North?

(a) South pole of needle
(b) North pole of needle ✔
(c) Both poles
(d) Neither pole
💡 (b) North pole of needle points to geographic North. BUT the tricky science behind it:
Earth's geographic North behaves as a magnetic SOUTH (opposite poles attract). So
the magnet's North pole is attracted to Earth's geographic North (which is magnetically
South). The end that 'seeks north' is called the North pole.
🧠 Quick Tip: The compass N pole points geographically North — but Earth's geographic North is
magnetically SOUTH!

Q3. If you break a bar magnet into two pieces, what do you get?
(a) One piece with N pole, one with S pole
(b) Two complete magnets each with N and S poles ✔
(c) Both pieces lose magnetism
(d) One piece becomes stronger
💡 (b) EACH piece becomes a complete magnet with BOTH N and S poles! Poles can
NEVER be isolated. No matter how many times you cut a magnet, each piece will have
both poles.
🧠 Quick Tip: Cut magnet in 2 → 2 magnets! Cut again → 4 magnets! You can NEVER get a
single pole!

Q4. Water is used as a coolant in vehicles because:

(a) It is cheap
(b) It is colourless
(c) It is a poor absorber and radiator of heat ✔
 (d) It is transparent
💡 (c) Water is a POOR absorber and radiator of heat — this means it heats up slowly
and cools slowly, making it ideal for stable cooling systems in vehicles and industries.

Q5. Saturn is light enough to float on water. This means its density is:
(a) Greater than water
(b) Equal to water
(c) Less than water ✔
(d) Zero
💡 (c) Less than water — density of Saturn is less than 1 g/cm³ (density of water). If there
were an ocean large enough, Saturn would actually float!
🧠 Quick Tip: Less dense than water = floats. Saturn = the floating planet!

Q6. Plants release oxygen only during the day. Why NOT at night?
(a) Plants sleep at night
(b) Photosynthesis requires sunlight which is absent at night ✔
(c) Plants have no stomata at night
(d) Oxygen is stored in leaves at night
💡 (b) Photosynthesis (which produces O₂) requires sunlight. At night, there is no
sunlight so photosynthesis stops. Plants only perform respiration at night, releasing
CO₂.
🧠 Quick Tip: Day: Photosynthesis (O₂ out) + Respiration (CO₂ out) → Net O₂ released. Night:
Only Respiration → CO₂ released.

Q7. Solubility of sugar DECREASES in water when temperature:

(a) Increases
(b) Decreases ✔
(c) Stays same
(d) Doubles
💡 (b) Decreases. When temperature FALLS, less sugar can be dissolved — solubility
decreases. Sugar dissolves far better in hot tea than in cold water.
🧠 Quick Tip: HOT water = more sugar dissolves. COLD water = less sugar dissolves. Simple!

Q8. Which of the following is the HOTTEST planet in the Solar System?
(a) Mercury (closest to Sun)
(b) Venus ✔
(c) Earth
(d) Mars
💡 (b) Venus! NOT Mercury, even though Mercury is closest to the Sun! Venus has a
thick CO₂ atmosphere that traps heat (greenhouse effect), making it hotter than
Mercury.

Q9. Which of these is a sure test to identify a magnet?

(a) Attraction
(b) Repulsion ✔
(c) Picking up iron pins
(d) Aligning North-South
💡 (b) Repulsion! Attraction alone cannot prove a magnet — a simple iron piece can also
be attracted to a magnet. But ONLY a magnet can REPEL another magnet. Repulsion =
sure test for magnet.
 🧠 Quick Tip: Iron attracts to both poles. Only a magnet repels. Repulsion = proof!

Q10. Fossils are ONLY found in which type of rock?

(a) Igneous
(b) Metamorphic
(c) Sedimentary ✔
(d) Volcanic
💡 (c) Sedimentary rocks ONLY. Igneous rocks form from lava (too hot for fossils to
survive). Metamorphic rocks form under intense heat/pressure (fossils destroyed). Only
sedimentary layers trap and preserve fossils of organisms.
🧠 Quick Tip: SED-imentary = where dead things SETTLED and were PRESERVED as fossils!
Q11–Q14: Tricky Assertion & Reasoning — common exam traps!

Q11. Assertion (A): Rainwater is the purest natural form of water.

Reason (R): Rainwater contains dissolved gases and dust particles.
Options: (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.
💡 (b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
💡 A is true: Rainwater IS the purest natural water (no dissolved salts/minerals from
ground).
💡 R is also true: Rainwater does pick up dust and dissolved gases from air.
💡 But R does NOT explain why A is true — it actually adds impurities! The reason A is
true is that evaporation left behind all dissolved salts and minerals, making it purer than
ground/sea water.

Q12. Assertion (A): A magnet stored near a computer becomes weaker over time.
Reason (R): Computers generate heat which demagnetises the magnet.
Options: (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.
💡 (c) A is true but R is false.
💡 A is true: Magnets stored near electronic devices do weaken over time.
💡 R is false: It is NOT the heat but the MAGNETIC FIELD generated by electronic
devices that interferes with and weakens the magnet. The device's own magnetic field
disrupts the magnet's field alignment.
🧠 Quick Tip: Computer ≠ heating the magnet. Computer's own magnetic field = disrupts the
magnet!

Q13. Assertion (A): Poles of a magnet always exist in pairs.

Reason (R): When a magnet is cut, each piece becomes a complete magnet with two poles.
Options: (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.
💡 (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
💡 Magnetic poles can never be isolated — cutting simply creates two smaller complete
magnets. This is because magnetism exists at the atomic level throughout the material.
Q14. Assertion (A): Distilled water is used in laboratories instead of tap water.
Reason (R): Tap water contains dissolved salts and minerals which can interfere with
experiments.
Options: (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.
💡 (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
💡 Distilled water is pure (no dissolved substances) so it does not interfere with chemical
experiments. Tap water has minerals and salts that could alter results.

SECTION B — Tricky Short Answer I (Q15–Q21) [7 × 2 = 14 Marks]

These look simple — answers are short but must be precise. 2 marks each.

Q15. If evaporation causes cooling, why do we feel hot when we sweat? [2 Marks]

💡 We feel hot BEFORE we sweat — that is why the body starts sweating.
💡 Once sweat evaporates from our skin, it TAKES HEAT from our body — this cools us
down.
💡 So actually: Sweating = body's cooling mechanism!
💡 Evaporation of sweat takes away heat energy from the body, lowering body
temperature. This is the cooling effect of evaporation.
🧠 Quick Tip: Sweat = body's built-in AC! Evaporation of sweat cools you down.

Q16. Water is called the 'universal solvent'. But can ALL substances dissolve in water? [2 Marks]

💡 No, NOT all substances dissolve in water.

💡 Water is called a universal solvent because it dissolves MORE substances than any
other solvent.
💡 Substances that dissolve: Sugar, salt, glucose, common acids.
💡 Substances that do NOT dissolve: Sand, chalk powder, oil, wax.
💡 Water is the best natural solvent — not a perfect or 'dissolves everything' solvent.

Q17. A magnet attracts iron. Does it also attract copper, silver, or gold? [2 Marks]

💡 No! A magnet does NOT attract copper, silver, or gold.

💡 Magnets attract only MAGNETIC materials: iron, nickel, and cobalt.
💡 Copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminium are all NON-MAGNETIC materials — they are
not attracted to magnets even though they are metals.
💡 Common mistake: Thinking all metals are magnetic. WRONG! Only the 'magic 3' (Fe,
Ni, Co) are magnetic.
🧠 Quick Tip: All magnetic materials are metals — but NOT all metals are magnetic!

Q18. Can we separate oxygen from air by filtration? If not, what method is used? [2 Marks]

💡 No! Filtration CANNOT separate gases.

💡 Filtration separates insoluble solids from liquids — not gases from gas mixtures.
💡 To separate oxygen from air, we use Fractional Distillation.
💡 Air is cooled to very low temperature until it liquefies. Then it is slowly warmed —
different gases evaporate at different temperatures (boiling points), allowing separation.
💡 Note: This is NOT in Class 6 syllabus but good to know!
Q19. Venus rotates anti-clockwise. Which other planet also rotates anti-clockwise? [2 Marks]

💡 Uranus also rotates anti-clockwise (from east to west, retrograde rotation).

💡 All other planets rotate clockwise (west to east) — the same direction as Earth.
💡 Another trick fact: Venus rotates very slowly — one day on Venus is longer than one
year on Venus!
🧠 Quick Tip: Venus and Uranus are the REBEL planets — they spin backwards!

Q20. A frog can breathe both on land AND in water. How? [2 Marks]

💡 Frogs have a dual breathing system:

💡 • In water: Frogs breathe through their moist skin (skin absorbs dissolved oxygen from
water).
💡 • On land: Frogs breathe using their lungs.
💡 Froglets (early stage) also breathe through gills like fish. Later, lungs develop.
💡 This dual system is what allows frogs to be amphibians — living both in water and on
land.
🧠 Quick Tip: Frog = amphibian. Amphi = both. Frog breathes BOTH on land (lungs) and water
(moist skin)!

Q21. Is the Pole Star (Dhruva Tara) the brightest star in the night sky? [2 Marks]

💡 No! This is a very common misconception.

💡 The Pole Star is NOT the brightest star — Sirius (part of the Canis Major constellation,
found with help of Orion's Belt) is the brightest star in the night sky.
💡 The Pole Star is special because it appears STATIONARY in the sky (located near
Earth's axis of rotation in the Northern Hemisphere), making it useful for navigation —
not because of its brightness.
🧠 Quick Tip: Pole Star = Stationary, useful for navigation. Sirius = Brightest star in the sky!

SECTION C — Tricky Short Answer II (Q22–Q30) [9 × 3 = 27 Marks]

Detailed answers required. 3 marks each. These test deep understanding!

Q22. Why is repulsion called the 'sure test' for a magnet but attraction is not? Explain with reasoning.
[3 Marks]

💡 Attraction alone CANNOT prove something is a magnet.

💡 Reason: A piece of iron (non-magnet) is attracted to BOTH poles of a magnet. So if
we see attraction, we cannot be sure the object is a magnet or just a magnetic material.
💡 Repulsion can ONLY happen between two magnets.
💡 Reason: When two magnets' like poles (N-N or S-S) are brought together, they push
apart. A non-magnetic piece of iron would NOT repel any pole of a magnet — it would
always be attracted.
💡 Conclusion: If an object REPELS a magnet, it must itself be a magnet. So repulsion =
sure test for magnet.
🧠 Quick Tip: Iron: always attracted. Magnet: can repel OR attract. So REPULSION = proof of
magnet!

Q23. Clay pots keep water cooler than steel vessels. Explain the science behind this. [3 Marks]

💡 Clay pots have tiny pores (microscopic holes) in them.

💡 Water seeps slowly through these tiny pores to the outer surface of the pot.
💡 This water then evaporates from the outer surface.
 💡 Evaporation requires heat energy — it takes this heat from the pot and the water
inside it.
💡 This continuous evaporation from the surface cools the water inside the pot.
💡 Steel vessels have no pores — no water seeps out — no evaporation — water stays
at room temperature or heats up.
💡 Conclusion: Clay pot uses the cooling effect of evaporation to keep water cool
naturally!
🧠 Quick Tip: Clay pot = natural refrigerator! Tiny pores + evaporation = cooling effect.

Q24. Why does a wet towel spread out on a clothesline dry faster than one folded and kept on a
surface? [3 Marks]

💡 Rate of evaporation depends on surface area exposed.

💡 When the towel is SPREAD OUT on the clothesline:
💡 • Maximum surface area of the wet towel is exposed to air and sunlight.
💡 • More water molecules can escape into the air at the same time.
💡 • Wind also increases the rate of evaporation.
💡 When the towel is FOLDED:
💡 • Only a small outer surface area is exposed.
💡 • Less evaporation happens per unit time.
💡 • Water inside the folds cannot evaporate easily.
💡 Conclusion: Larger surface area = faster evaporation = towel dries faster when spread
out.

Q25. Mercury is closest to the Sun — but Venus is hotter. Explain fully. [3 Marks]

💡 Mercury is closest to the Sun but has NO atmosphere.

💡 This means:
💡 • Heat from the Sun reaches Mercury but is NOT trapped — it radiates back into
space.
💡 • Mercury's temperature swings between +430°C (day) and -180°C (night).
💡 Venus has a THICK atmosphere of mainly carbon dioxide (CO₂).
💡 CO₂ is a greenhouse gas — it traps solar radiation and prevents heat from escaping.
💡 This is the Greenhouse Effect — the heat is trapped like in a glass greenhouse.
💡 Venus stays at a constant ~465°C — hotter than Mercury's daytime temperature!
💡 Conclusion: Distance from Sun alone doesn't determine temperature. Atmosphere is
key!
🧠 Quick Tip: Closeness ≠ Hotness. Atmosphere = the real heater! Venus's CO₂ blanket makes it
scorching hot.

Q26. Earthworms come out of the soil after rain. Why? Link it to their respiratory system. [3 Marks]

💡 Earthworms breathe through their MOIST SKIN.

💡 The skin must be moist at all times for gas exchange (O₂ in, CO₂ out) to occur.
💡 Normally, earthworms live underground where there is moisture in the soil.
💡 After heavy rain:
💡 • Rainwater fills the air spaces in the soil completely.
💡 • There is very little oxygen left in the flooded soil.
💡 • The waterlogged soil suffocates the earthworm.
💡 • Earthworms are forced to come to the surface to breathe.
💡 Conclusion: Earthworms surface after rain to avoid drowning/suffocation — they need
air (O₂) and can breathe through their moist skin only when on the surface.
 🧠 Quick Tip: Earthworm = breathes through moist skin. Flooded soil = no air = earthworm
surfaces!

Q27. Can a magnet attract ALL metals? Give a reasoned answer with examples. [3 Marks]

💡 No! A magnet CANNOT attract all metals.

💡 Magnets attract only MAGNETIC METALS: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt.
💡 These are called magnetic materials.
💡 The following metals are NOT attracted to magnets:
💡 • Aluminium — non-magnetic (used in kitchen foil, aircraft)
💡 • Copper — non-magnetic (used in wires, coins)
💡 • Gold and Silver — non-magnetic (used in jewellery)
💡 • Zinc — non-magnetic
💡 • Brass (copper + zinc alloy) — non-magnetic
💡 Reason: Only iron, nickel, and cobalt have a special atomic structure that creates
magnetic domains, allowing them to be magnetised.
💡 Conclusion: 'All metals are magnetic' is a MYTH. Only the Magic 3 (Fe, Ni, Co) are
magnetic.
🧠 Quick Tip: Trick: 'All metals are magnetic' = FALSE! Only Iron, Nickel, Cobalt = magnetic.

Q28. Saturn has rings but other planets also have ring systems. Why is Saturn's ring system special?
[3 Marks]

💡 Several planets have ring systems: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune all have rings.
💡 However, Saturn's rings are special because:
💡 1. They are by far the LARGEST and BRIGHTEST — visible even with a small
telescope.
💡 2. Saturn's rings are made mainly of ice particles, rocky debris, and dust.
💡 3. The rings extend up to 282,000 km from Saturn's centre — enormous compared to
other planets.
💡 4. Saturn's rings are complex, with thousands of ringlets and gaps.
💡 5. Saturn has the most VISIBLE and STUDIED ring system.
💡 Note: In Class 6, Saturn is described as being characterised by rings — other planets'
rings are too faint to observe easily.

Q29. What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite? Why do meteors produce light? [3
Marks]

💡 Meteor (Shooting Star): A rocky body from space that enters Earth's atmosphere.
💡 When it enters, it experiences intense friction with air molecules at very high speed.
💡 This friction heats the rock to extreme temperatures, causing it to burn up and glow.
💡 This produces the brief streak of light in the sky = shooting star.
💡 If the meteor burns up COMPLETELY in the atmosphere = it is called a METEOR.
💡 Meteorite: If the rocky body does NOT burn up completely and lands on Earth's
surface, it is called a METEORITE.
💡 Meteorites form large craters on impact. They contain sand, minerals, and rocks.
💡 Conclusion: Meteor = burns in sky | Meteorite = reaches Earth's surface.
🧠 Quick Tip: METEORite = METEOR that hits EARTH (add 'ite' because it becomes a
rock/mineral on Earth!)

Q30. How is rainwater harvesting a solution to water scarcity? Describe two methods. [3 Marks]

💡 Water scarcity problem: Rainwater falls on concrete surfaces (roads, rooftops) and
flows away into drains. It cannot seep into the ground → groundwater level drops.
💡 Rainwater Harvesting: A technique to collect and direct rainwater into the ground to
 increase groundwater level.
💡 Two Methods:
💡 1. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater collected from rooftops → directed
through pipes → stored in a tank OR sent into a deep pit in the ground. Water in the pit
seeps into the ground → increases groundwater level. Stored tank water is used for
daily use.
💡 2. Rainwater Harvesting Through Drains: Roadside drains collect rainwater →
directed into the ground through pipes → adds to groundwater level. Example: Delhi Jal
Board has special Rainwater Harvesting Cell to assist this.
🧠 Quick Tip: Rainwater harvesting = catch rain before it runs away! Store it → refill groundwater
→ solve water crisis!

SECTION D — Tricky Long Answer Questions (Q31–Q33) [3 × 5 = 15 Marks]

These long answers test depth of knowledge and ability to connect concepts. 5 marks each.

Q31. (a) List and explain all 8 characteristics of living organisms. (b) A fire burns, a river flows, a
crystal grows — yet none is living. Why? [5 Marks]

💡 (a) 8 Characteristics of Living Organisms:

💡 1. Cellular Structure: All living organisms are made of cells (basic unit of life).
Unicellular: Amoeba, Paramecium. Multicellular: Humans, Trees.
💡 2. Need for Food: All organisms need food for energy. Plants make their own
(autotrophs/photosynthesis). Animals eat others (heterotrophs).
💡 3. Growth: All organisms grow and increase in size. Plants grow throughout life;
animals grow to a certain age. All start from a single cell.
💡 4. Respiration: Intake of O₂ to produce energy, releasing CO₂. Mechanisms differ:
earthworm (skin), fish (gills), humans (lungs), frogs (skin + lungs).
💡 5. Response to Stimulus: Organisms react to changes in environment. Example:
touching mimosa plant (leaves fold); cockroach runs from light; human pulls hand from
heat.
💡 6. Excretion: Removal of harmful waste products from the body. Humans excrete
urine, sweat, CO₂, faeces. Plants excrete gum, resin, latex.
💡 7. Movement: All living organisms show movement. Animals move from place to
place; plants show movement toward light, gravity (geotropism, phototropism).
💡 8. Reproduction: Organisms produce their own kind. Essential to prevent extinction.
Plants by seeds/stem cuttings; animals by eggs or live birth.
💡
💡 (b) Fire burns but is NOT living because:
💡 • It does not have cells.
💡 • It does not grow in a controlled biological way.
💡 • It does not reproduce on its own.
💡 • It has no metabolism or need for food.
💡 A river flows but is NOT living because it has no cells, no reproduction, no
metabolism.
💡 A crystal grows but is NOT living because it has no cells, no reproduction, no
metabolism — it grows only by adding same molecules from outside.
🧠 Quick Tip: Living = must show ALL life characteristics. Fire has energy but no cells, no
reproduction = non-living!

Q32. (a) Describe the complete Water Cycle with diagram description. (b) Explain any five factors
that affect evaporation with examples. (c) What is the cooling effect of evaporation? Give two
examples. [5 Marks]
 💡 (a) Water Cycle:
💡 Draw: Sun → heats ocean/lake → Evaporation (upward arrows) → Water vapour rises
→ Transpiration (arrows from trees) → Condensation (clouds form) → Precipitation
(rain/snow falls on mountains) → rivers form → water flows back to ocean → cycle
repeats.
💡 Label: Sun, Water body, Evaporation, Transpiration, Water vapour, Condensation,
Clouds, Rain/Precipitation, River, Groundwater (water seeping into ground).
💡
💡 (b) Factors affecting rate of evaporation:
💡 1. Temperature: Higher temperature → faster evaporation. Wet clothes dry faster in
afternoon sun than in morning.
💡 2. Surface Area: Larger exposed area → faster evaporation. Wet towel spread out
dries faster than folded one.
💡 3. Wind Speed: Stronger wind → faster evaporation (blows away saturated air).
Clothes on clothesline dry faster on windy day.
💡 4. Humidity: Lower humidity → faster evaporation. Clothes dry faster on dry days than
humid/rainy days.
💡 5. Nature of liquid: Volatile liquids (petrol, spirit) evaporate faster than water at same
temperature.
💡
💡 (c) Cooling Effect of Evaporation:
💡 Evaporation needs heat energy — it takes this heat from surroundings, cooling them.
💡 Example 1: Sweating. Body releases sweat. When sweat evaporates, it takes heat
from body skin → body cools down. This is why we feel cool after sweating.
💡 Example 2: Clay pots. Water seeps through tiny pores of clay pot, evaporates from
outer surface, taking heat from the water inside → water stays cool.

Q33. (a) Why is it said that 'Repulsion is the sure test for a magnet'? Give a full scientific explanation.
(b) Explain how storing magnets in keepers helps retain their magnetic properties. (c) A student
hammers a magnet repeatedly and finds it no longer attracts iron. Explain why. [5 Marks]

💡 (a) Repulsion as sure test for magnet:

💡 Attraction CANNOT be a sure test because: Both a magnet AND a plain piece of iron
(or any magnetic material) are attracted to a magnet. If we bring an unknown object near
a magnet and it gets attracted, it could be either a magnet or just iron — we cannot tell
which.
💡 Repulsion CAN be a sure test because: Only a magnet can repel another magnet. A
plain piece of iron (magnetic material that is NOT itself a magnet) will ALWAYS be
attracted to any pole of a magnet — it can NEVER repel a magnet.
💡 Therefore: If the unknown object REPELS one pole of a magnet, it must itself be a
magnet. This is the sure test.
💡
💡 (b) Storing Magnets in Keepers:
💡 Magnets tend to lose their magnetism over time if left alone (self-demagnetisation).
💡 Magnetic keepers are soft iron pieces used to store bar magnets.
💡 Bar magnets are stored in PAIRS: Two magnets placed with unlike poles facing each
other (N opposite to S), with iron keepers placed across their ends.
💡 This creates a closed magnetic circuit — the magnetic field lines flow continuously
through the magnets and keepers.
💡 This prevents the magnets from losing their magnetic properties.
💡 Horseshoe magnets: A single piece of soft iron keeper is sufficient (placed across
both poles).
💡
💡 (c) Why hammered magnet loses magnetism:
 💡 A magnet's strength depends on the alignment of tiny groups of atoms called
magnetic domains — all pointing in the same direction creates a strong magnet.
💡 When the magnet is hammered repeatedly:
💡 • The physical shock (vibration from blows) gives energy to the atoms.
💡 • The atoms vibrate out of their aligned positions.
💡 • The magnetic domains become randomly oriented (pointing in different directions).
💡 • Random orientation means magnetic fields of different domains cancel each other
out.
💡 • Result: The magnet loses its overall magnetic strength and can no longer attract
iron.
💡 This is why hammering = demagnetisation.
🧠 Quick Tip: Magnet works when domains align. Hammer/Heat/Drop = misalign domains =
demagnetise!

SECTION E — Tricky Competency Based Questions (Q34–Q35) [2 × 5 = 10 Marks]

Apply knowledge to new situations. Read carefully. 5 marks each.

Q34.

📖 Read the following carefully:

Arjun's science teacher brought three boxes to class: Box A: Contains a mixture of iron
filings, sand, and salt dissolved in water. Box B: Contains a mixture of oil and water. Box
C: Contains a mixture of alcohol and water. The teacher said: 'Each mixture requires a
DIFFERENT method of separation. Use what you know!' Arjun must separate all three
mixtures completely and explain each step.

Q34a. How would you separate the iron filings from the sand-and-saltwater mixture in Box A? Give
step-by-step method. [2 Marks]

💡 Step 1: MAGNETIC SEPARATION — Pass a magnet over the mixture. Iron filings
(magnetic) will stick to the magnet. Remove and collect them. Now you have sand +
saltwater.
💡 Step 2: FILTRATION — Filter the remaining sand + saltwater mixture through filter
paper. Sand (insoluble solid) stays on filter paper as residue. Saltwater passes through
as filtrate.
💡 Step 3: EVAPORATION — Heat the saltwater filtrate in an evaporating dish. Water
evaporates → solid salt is left behind.
💡 Result: Iron filings, sand, and salt are all separated!

Q34b. How would you separate oil and water in Box B? Why can't you use filtration? [1 Mark]

💡 Oil and water are IMMISCIBLE liquids (they don't mix — oil floats on top).
💡 Method: DECANTATION using a Separating Funnel — the water (denser, at bottom)
is slowly drained through the tap of the separating funnel while oil (less dense, on top)
stays behind.
💡 Why NOT filtration: Filtration separates solids from liquids — NOT two liquids from
each other. Both oil and water are liquids, so they would both pass through filter paper.

Q34c. How would you separate alcohol and water in Box C? Why is this different from Box B? [2
Marks]

💡 Alcohol and water are MISCIBLE liquids (they fully mix together — you cannot see
separate layers).
 💡 Method: DISTILLATION — Heat the mixture; alcohol has a lower boiling point (~78°C)
so it evaporates first. The vapour is cooled and condensed into pure alcohol. Water
remains behind (boiling point 100°C).
💡 Why different from Box B: Box B had immiscible liquids (don't mix) → use separating
funnel/decantation. Box C has miscible liquids (fully mixed) → must use distillation
(based on different boiling points).
🧠 Quick Tip: Immiscible = separating funnel. Miscible = distillation. KEY difference in liquid
separation!

Q35.

📖 Read the following carefully:

Priya is given four jars: Jar A has dry cotton and a seed. Jar B has moist cotton and a
seed in an open jar. Jar C has moist cotton and a seed in an airtight jar. Jar D has moist
cotton and a seed placed near a window. After a week, she observes: Only Jar D shows
germination. She is confused — Jars B, C, and D all had moist cotton. Why only Jar D?
Her teacher tells her: 'Think about what each jar had OR was missing.'

Q35a. Why did the seed in Jar A NOT germinate? [1 Mark]

💡 Jar A had dry cotton — NO water/moisture.

💡 Germination requires water (to soften the seed coat and activate growth enzymes).
💡 Without water, the seed remains dormant. Water is essential for germination.

Q35b. Jar B had moist cotton in an open jar. Why did its seed NOT germinate while Jar D did? [1
Mark]

💡 Jar B had water and air (open jar) — BUT it was NOT placed near a window.
💡 Jar D had water, air, AND warmth/sunlight from the window.
💡 The key missing factor in Jar B was WARMTH/SUNLIGHT.
💡 Germination requires: Water + Air + Warmth. Jar B was missing warmth.
🧠 Quick Tip: WAW = Water + Air + Warmth = ALL THREE needed for germination!

Q35c. Jar C had moist cotton in an AIRTIGHT jar. Why did its seed NOT germinate? [1 Mark]

💡 Jar C had water and warmth — BUT it was AIRTIGHT (no fresh air/oxygen).
💡 Germination requires oxygen (air) for the seed's cellular respiration.
💡 Without air, the seed cannot produce energy needed to start growth.
💡 Missing factor in Jar C = AIR (oxygen).

Q35d. List all three conditions required for germination and explain why each is essential. [2 Marks]

💡 3 Conditions for Germination:

💡 1. WATER: Water softens and cracks the seed coat (testa), activates growth
hormones and enzymes inside the seed, and is needed for biochemical reactions that
start germination.
💡 2. AIR (Oxygen): The germinating seed needs oxygen for cellular respiration — to
produce energy that powers the growth of the embryo.
💡 3. WARMTH (Suitable Temperature): Warmth activates enzymes involved in
germination. Too cold = enzymes inactive = no germination. Sunlight also provides
warmth.
💡 Conclusion: ALL THREE must be present simultaneously. Even if two are present,
germination will NOT occur without the third — as clearly shown by Jars A, B, and C.
🧠 Quick Tip: Jar D had ALL THREE: moist cotton (Water) + open jar (Air) + window position
(Warmth) = GERMINATION!

— END OF TRICKY TEST PAPER —

Study both papers carefully. Master the Quick Tips and you'll ace any science exam! 🌟