BASIC SCIENCE

Themed Study Notes & Past Questions

Placement into Junior Secondary Schools / Primary School Leaving Certificate
Examination Years: 2013/2014 · 2014/2015
Time Allowed: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

This study guide is organized into 10 major themes. Each theme contains:
• 📖 Clear study notes explaining key concepts
• ❓ Past examination questions under the topic
• ✔ Answers clearly marked for self-assessment

📌 Study one theme per day. After reading the notes, attempt the questions before checking
answers.

Basic Science Study Guide | Page 1

 THEME 1: SIMPLE MACHINES & FORCES

Study Notes
What is a Simple Machine?
A simple machine is an instrument that makes work EASIER AND FASTER. It reduces the effort
needed to do work.

Common examples of simple machines:

• Lever (has three parts: FULCRUM, EFFORT, LOAD)
• Pulley
• Inclined plane
• Wheel and axle
• Wheel barrow — used mostly for lifting heavy objects

Forces
Force is a push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change direction.

• EFFORT — the force applied to a machine

• LOAD — the weight being moved
• FULCRUM — the pivot point of a lever

📌 The THREE components of a lever are: FULCRUM, EFFORT, LOAD

Friction & Lubrication

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.
• Grease and oil can be used to REDUCE FRICTION
• Fire can also reduce grease — but grease/oil is the best lubricant

Gravity
The Law of Gravity states that anything that goes up must COME DOWN.

Past Questions — Simple Machines & Forces

1. A simple machine is an instrument that makes work ______.
(a) tough and difficult (b) difficult and hard (c) difficult and stressful (d) painful and stressful (e) easier
and faster
✔ Answer: (e)
2. The three components of a lever are ______.
(a) fulcrum, effort, load (b) fulcrum, fishing, load (c) fulcrum, effort, land (d) fulcrum, load, effort (e)
effort, fulcrum, load
✔ Answer: (a)
3. ______ are used mostly for lifting heavy objects.
(a) Lever (b) Pulley (c) Inclined plane (d) Wheel barrow (e) Pile
✔ Answer: (b)
4. Grease and oil can be used to reduce ______.
(a) fire (b) friction (c) force (d) fracture (e) work done
✔ Answer: (b)
5. The force applied to a machine is called ______.
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 (a) fulcrum (b) load (c) effort (d) machine (e) support
✔ Answer: (c)
6. The law of gravity states that anything that goes up must ______.
(a) stand (b) fly away (c) come down (d) stay there (e) hand up
✔ Answer: (c)

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 THEME 2: ENERGY

Study Notes
Definition of Energy
Energy is defined as the ABILITY TO DO WORK.

Forms of Energy
• Heat energy
• Solar energy (another name for sun energy)
• Mechanical energy
• Light energy
• Friction energy

📌 The MAJOR SOURCE of energy on earth is the SUN.

When work is done, ENERGY is used.

Past Questions — Energy

7. Energy is defined as ______.
(a) ability to work (b) ability to eat food (c) ability to sleep well (d) ability to hear sound (e) ability to
sing
✔ Answer: (a)
8. Another name for sun energy is ______.
(a) heat energy (b) solar energy (c) light energy (d) friction energy (e) mechanical energy
✔ Answer: (b)
9. The major source of energy on earth is ______.
(a) Sun (b) Iron (c) Petrol (d) Moon (e) Electricity
✔ Answer: (a)
10. When work is done, ______ is used.
(a) air (b) energy (c) heat (d) food (e) effort
✔ Answer: (b)

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 THEME 3: MATTER & STATES OF MATTER

Study Notes
Three States of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. There are THREE states of matter:
• SOLID — has a fixed shape and volume
• LIQUID — has a fixed volume but no fixed shape
• GAS — has no fixed shape or volume

📌 The three states of matter are: SOLID, LIQUID, and GAS

Soil and Water

Different types of soil allow water to pass through at different rates:
• SAND — water passes most easily through sand
• Clay — very slow water percolation
• Loam — moderate
• Humus — moderate
• Silt — moderate

An EMPTY bottle contains AIR.

Past Questions — Matter

11. The three states of matter are ______.
(a) water, vapour and block (b) solid, liquid and gas (c) water, oil and gas (d) water, air and liquid (e)
air, gas and block
✔ Answer: (b)
12. Water can pass most easily through ______.
(a) clay (b) sand (c) loam (d) humus (e) silt
✔ Answer: (b)
13. An empty bottle contains ______.
(a) water (b) vapor (c) hole (d) air (e) sand
✔ Answer: (d)

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 THEME 4: THE HUMAN BODY

Study Notes
Digestion
Digestion is the process of breaking down food into simple substances the body can absorb.
• Digestion STARTS FROM THE MOUTH
• Order: Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Intestine → Anus
• The liquid in the mouth that aids digestion is SALIVA

Blood & Circulation

The heart pumps blood through the body.
• Blood is pumped to all parts of the body through THE HEART
• The AORTA is the largest artery through which blood leaves the heart
• The special liquid that flows round the body carrying food, oxygen, enzymes, and excretory
products is BLOOD

Excretion
Excretion is the removal of waste materials from the body.
Major excretory organs: KIDNEYS, LUNGS, LIVER, and SKIN
Organs of excretion: skin, lungs, kidney, tongue — NOTE: tongue is a SENSE ORGAN not mainly
excretory

Skeleton & Bones

• Where two bones meet is called a JOINT
• The bone that protects the brain is called the SKULL
• For proper development of bones, children's diet must be rich in CALCIUM

Sense Organs
• Tongue — a sense organ (taste)
• Eye — sight
• Ear — hearing
• Nose — smell
• Skin — touch

Other Body Facts

• The organ that produces saliva is the SALIVARY GLANDS
• RAINBOW colours are written as ROYGBIV
• The degree of coldness or hotness is called TEMPERATURE

Past Questions — Human Body

14. The digestion of food starts from the ______.
(a) mouth (b) oesophagus (c) stomach (d) intestine (e) anus
✔ Answer: (a)
15. ______ is the largest artery through which blood leaves the heart.
(a) Aorta (b) Vein (c) Capillary (d) Values (e) Heart
✔ Answer: (a)

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16. ______ is the removal of waste materials from the body.
(a) Waste (b) Excretion (c) Carbon dioxide (d) Oxygen (e) Water
✔ Answer: (b)
17. The major excretory organs of the body are: kidneys, lungs, liver and ______.
(a) mouth (b) skin (c) teeth (d) ear (e) eye
✔ Answer: (b)
18. Where two bones meet in the body is called ______.
(a) joint (b) vertebrate (c) corner (d) ligament (e) patella
✔ Answer: (a)
19. Blood is pumped to all parts of the body through ______.
(a) the finger (b) the nose (c) the heart (d) the lungs (e) the liver
✔ Answer: (c)
20. Which of these is a sense organ?
(a) blood (b) liver (c) tongue (d) skull (e) rectum
✔ Answer: (c)
21. The liquid in the mouth which aids digestion is ______.
(a) saliva (b) bile (c) ducts (d) enzyme (e) pancreatic juice
✔ Answer: (a)
22. The organ that produces saliva is ______.
(a) stomach (b) anus (c) salivary glands (d) bile (e) bladder
✔ Answer: (c)
23. The bone that protects the brain is called ______.
(a) skull (b) cervical vertebrae (c) spinal cord (d) hummerus (e) scapular
✔ Answer: (a)
24. For proper development of bones, children's diet must be rich in ______.
(a) iodine (b) rice (c) vegetable (d) calcium (e) beans
✔ Answer: (d)

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 THEME 5: PLANTS & AGRICULTURE

Study Notes
Parts of a Plant
• CHLOROPHYLL — the green pigment in plants (found in leaves)
• The part of the flower that develops into fruit is the OVARY
• Plants use energy from the SUN to prepare their food

Photosynthesis & Respiration

Plants release OXYGEN into the air during photosynthesis.
The process of producing young ones is called REPRODUCTION.

Weeds & Crops

• A plant that grows in an unwanted place is called a WEED
• Plants that grow where they are not wanted are also called WEEDS
• Cash crops include: Cocoa, Rice, Maize, Yam, Mango

Soil Fertility
• Soil fertility can be improved by applying COMPOST MANURE
• The best type of soil for gardening is LOAMY soil
• Irrigation is usually done in the DRY season

Seed Dispersal & Planting

• Seeds can be dispersed by: soil, WIND, stone, rain
• Cassava can be planted by its STEM
• Garden crops that require staking: tomato, okro, pepper

Green Manure
Plants that can be used as green manure: Mucuna, Bahama grass, Elephant grass.

Past Questions — Plants & Agriculture

25. A plant that grows in an unwanted place is called ______.
(a) flower (b) weed (c) grass (d) fruit (e) leaf
✔ Answer: (b)
26. The part of the flower which develops into fruit is called ______.
(a) ovary (b) stigma (c) anther (d) style (e) root
✔ Answer: (a)
27. The fertility of the soil can be improved by applying ______.
(a) water (b) ash (c) engine oil (d) compost manure (e) soda soap
✔ Answer: (d)
28. The green pigment in plants is called ______.
(a) sulphur (b) iodine (c) chlorophyll (d) sugar (e) salt
✔ Answer: (c)
29. ______ soil is the best type of soil for gardening.
(a) Clay (b) Gravel (c) Stone (d) Loamy (e) Sand
✔ Answer: (d)

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30. Plants used the energy from the ______ to prepare their food.
(a) water (b) sun (c) sky (d) soil (e) moon
✔ Answer: (b)
31. Cassava can be planted by its ______.
(a) stem (b) seeds (c) leaves (d) root (e) tubers
✔ Answer: (a)
32. Irrigation is usually done in the ______ season.
(a) wet (b) rainy (c) dry (d) harvesting (e) school
✔ Answer: (c)
33. Seeds can be dispersed by ______.
(a) soil (b) wind (c) stone (d) rain (e) plate
✔ Answer: (b)

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 THEME 6: ANIMALS & ECOLOGY

Study Notes
Animal Classification by Diet
• CARNIVORES — animals that feed on flesh (meat)
• HERBIVORES — animals that feed on plants only
• OMNIVORES — animals that feed on both plants and animals

📌 Animals that feed on flesh are called CARNIVORES.

Food Chain / Food Web

A food chain shows how energy passes from one organism to another.
Example: A cat eats a rat; the rat eats grain — this is an example of a FOOD CHAIN.

Insect Life Cycle

Some insects go through complete metamorphosis:
• Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
This cycle is seen in: MOSQUITO, butterfly, housefly
A true insect has 6 LEGS.

Types of Animals
• BROILER — a type of chicken
• Animals that feed on flesh: carnivores, flesh eaters

Past Questions — Animals & Ecology

34. Animals that feed on flesh are called ______.
(a) carnivorous (b) herbivorous (c) omnivorous (d) flesh eater (e) voracious
✔ Answer: (a)
35. Egg, larva, pupa, and adult are stages in the cycle of a ______.
(a) bird (b) fish (c) mosquito (d) wallgecko (e) locust
✔ Answer: (c)
36. A true insect has ______ legs.
(a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) 7 (e) 10
✔ Answer: (c)
37. A cat eats a rat; the rat eats grain. This is an example of a food ______.
(a) balance (b) chain (c) item (d) train (e) health
✔ Answer: (b)
38. Broiler is a type of ______.
(a) chicken (b) rabbit (c) cattle (d) goat (e) sheep
✔ Answer: (a)

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 THEME 7: WEATHER, ENVIRONMENT & EARTH SCIENCE

Study Notes
Weather Elements
Weather elements are the things we measure to describe weather:
• Rain, Cloud, Wind, Sunshine, Temperature, Humidity
NOTE: SOIL is NOT a weather element.

Weather Instruments
• ANEMOMETER — measures wind speed
• HYGROMETER — measures humidity
• RAIN GAUGE — measures the amount of rainfall
• WIND VANE — measures direction of wind
• THERMOMETER — measures temperature

Erosion & the Earth

• The wearing away of soil is called EROSION
• Soil erosion can be checked by: compost, cross bars, furrow, leaves, corner pegs
• The earth rotates on its AXIS

Rocks & Minerals

• Rocks can be classified into 3 forms
• Granite is a type of ROCK
• Solid minerals examples: gold, diamond, coal, tin — NOTE: crude oil is NOT solid
• In the manufacture of cement, we use LIMESTONE

Directions
North is to South as East is to WEST.

Past Questions — Weather & Environment

39. Which of the following is NOT a weather element?
(a) rain (b) cloud (c) wind (d) soil (e) sunshine
✔ Answer: (d)
40. The instrument used to measure the amount of rainfall is known as ______.
(a) anemometer (b) hygrometer (c) windvane (d) sundial (e) rain gauge
✔ Answer: (e)
41. The wearing away of the soil is called ______.
(a) weather (b) weathering (c) rock (d) soil (e) erosion
✔ Answer: (e)
42. The earth rotates on its ______.
(a) axis (b) leg (c) bottom (d) hand (e) sun
✔ Answer: (a)
43. Granite is a type of ______.
(a) soil (b) rock (c) particle (d) plant (e) sugar
✔ Answer: (b)
44. In the manufacture of cement we make use of ______.
(a) limestone (b) soda water (c) zinc salt (d) washing soda (e) gravel

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 ✔ Answer: (a)
45. North is to South as East is to ______.
(a) center (b) west (c) Newton (d) up (e) down
✔ Answer: (b)
46. These are examples of solid minerals EXCEPT ______.
(a) gold (b) diamond (c) coat (d) tin (e) crude oil
✔ Answer: (e)

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 THEME 8: MAGNETISM & ELECTRICITY

Study Notes
Magnetism
A magnet is an object that attracts magnetic materials such as iron and steel.
• A substance that a magnet CANNOT attract is called a NON-MAGNETIC MATERIAL (e.g.,
wood)
• LIKE poles REPEL; UNLIKE poles ATTRACT
• Magnets are of different SHAPES

Rusting
Rusting is the corrosion of iron.
Rusting of iron is caused by AIR AND WATER.

Past Questions — Magnetism

47. A substance which a magnet cannot attract is known as ______.
(a) wooden materials (b) non-magnetic material (c) magnetic material (d) hard material (e) soft
material
✔ Answer: (b)
48. Like poles rebel, unlike poles ______.
(a) repel (b) allow (c) condemn (d) attract (e) distract
✔ Answer: (d)
49. Rusting of iron is caused by ______.
(a) water and kerosene (b) oil and salt (c) palm oil and water (d) air and wind (e) air and water
✔ Answer: (e)
50. Magnet is of different ______.
(a) shapes (b) water (c) air (d) sand (e) faces
✔ Answer: (a)

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 THEME 9: REPRODUCTION, HEALTH & SCIENCE IN SOCIETY

Study Notes
Reproduction
• The union of an ovum and a sperm is called FERTILIZATION (also: zygote formation)
• A zygote is formed when ovum and sperm fuse
• The process of producing young ones is called REPRODUCTION

Drugs & Health

• Drugs produced by the activity of man in the laboratory are called SYNTHETIC drugs
• A person trained to prepare and administer drugs is called a PHARMACIST
• Any eye problem should be taken to an OPTICIAN

Sewage & Pollution

• The most modern method of sewage disposal is WATER FLUSHING SYSTEM
• ______ is the release of harmful materials into the environment — POLLUTION
• Harmful effects of pollution affect the activities of man

Science Defined
Science is the study of NATURE.
A RESEARCHER is a person who engages in fact-finding on a particular thing.

Past Questions — Health & Society

51. The union of an ovum and a sperm is called ______.
(a) zygote (b) union (c) pollination (d) familization (e) fertilization
✔ Answer: (e)
52. Drugs that are produced by the activity of man in the laboratory are called ______.
(a) naturally-occurring (b) hard drug (c) synthetic (d) alcohol (e) willow tree
✔ Answer: (c)
53. A person trained to prepare and administer drugs is called ______.
(a) Doctor (b) Nurse (c) Pharmacist (d) Laboratory Technician (e) Radiologist
✔ Answer: (c)
54. The most modern method of sewage disposal is ______.
(a) water flushing system (b) burning of bushes (c) dumping of refuse (d) digging (e) spreading
disease
✔ Answer: (a)
55. ______ is the release of harmful materials into the environment.
(a) Erosion (b) Pollution (c) Soil (d) Water (e) Air
✔ Answer: (b)
56. Science is the study of ______.
(a) past event (b) my school (c) nature (d) our parents (e) our teacher
✔ Answer: (c)
57. Who is a researcher?
(a) A teacher (b) A doctor (c) A nurse (d) A person who engages in fact-finding (e) A driver
✔ Answer: (d)
58. Any eye problem should be taken to ______.
(a) Nurse (b) Chemist (c) Doctor (d) Optician (e) Native doctor
✔ Answer: (d)

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Basic Science Study Guide | Page 15
 THEME 10: TECHNOLOGY, MATERIALS & SOUND

Study Notes
Petroleum & Refining
• Crude oil is changed into petrol at a REFINERY
• Air is present EVERYWHERE

Sound
• If we speak on a hilly place, the sound we hear repeatedly is called ECHO

Materials & Products

• Animal skin is commonly used to make BAGS, CLOTHES, and other leather goods
• Products that can be made from cotton include CLOTH
• Characteristics of a living thing: excretion, reproduction, respiration, movement — NOTE:
photosynthesis is NOT a general characteristic of ALL living things

Computers & Technology

• A computer is an electronic machine that accepts, processes data and gives information
• Air is a channel for communication (radio, TV signals travel through air)

Direction of Wind
• A WIND VANE is an instrument used to measure the direction of the wind

Past Questions — Technology & Materials

59. ______ is the place where crude oil is changed into petrol.
(a) Laboratory (b) Bakery (c) School (d) Workshop (e) Refinery
✔ Answer: (e)
60. If we speak on a hilly place, the sound we hear repeatedly is called ______.
(a) music (b) tone (c) sound (d) echo (e) cry
✔ Answer: (d)
61. ______ is an electronic machine that accepts, processes data and gives information.
(a) Radio (b) Telephone (c) Computer (d) DVD player (e) Television
✔ Answer: (c)
62. Which of these is NOT a characteristic of a living thing?
(a) Excretion (b) Reproduction (c) Respiration (d) Movement (e) Photosynthesis
✔ Answer: (e)
63. Animal skin is commonly used to make ______.
(a) bag (b) clothes (c) pail (d) book (e) mattress
✔ Answer: (a)
64. ______ is an instrument used to measure the direction of the wind.
(a) Thermometer (b) Rainguage (c) Wind vane (d) Tape rule (e) Line
✔ Answer: (c)

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QUICK REFERENCE: KEY FACTS TO MEMORIZE

TOPIC KEY ANSWER

Simple machine does what? Makes work EASIER AND FASTER
Three states of matter SOLID, LIQUID, GAS
Digestion starts where? MOUTH
Largest artery from heart AORTA
Excretion means? Removal of waste from the body
Energy definition Ability to do work
Sun energy = ? SOLAR energy
Lever components (3) FULCRUM, EFFORT, LOAD
Like poles... REPEL; unlike poles ATTRACT
Non-magnetic material e.g.? Wood (non-magnetic material)
Rusting caused by? AIR AND WATER
Best soil for gardening? LOAMY soil
Green pigment in plants CHLOROPHYLL
Fertilization = ? Union of ovum and sperm
Synthetic drugs = ? Made by man in laboratory
Crude oil → petrol, done at? REFINERY
Echo = ? Sound heard repeatedly on hilly areas
A true insect has how many legs? 6 LEGS
Mosquito life cycle stages Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
Instruments: rainfall RAIN GAUGE
Instruments: wind speed ANEMOMETER
Instruments: temperature THERMOMETER
Instruments: wind direction WIND VANE
Bone protecting brain SKULL
Organ producing saliva SALIVARY GLANDS
Science is study of? NATURE
Rainbow abbreviation ROYGBIV
Earth rotates on its? AXIS
Cement made from? LIMESTONE

Best of luck in your examination! Study hard and believe in yourself.

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