STAGE 8 SCIENCE EXAM
TIME: 3 HOURS
TOTAL: 120 MARKS
NAME: ______________________________________
DATE: ______________________________________
1. Define the following terms:
a) Photosynthesis (2)
b) Respiration (2)
c) Ecosystem (2)
d) Microorganism (2)
2. Complete the table. (8)
Description Scientific Term
Organism that makes its own food __________________
Organism that feeds on producers __________________
Breakdown of food into smaller molecules __________________
Green pigment in leaves __________________
Tiny living organism seen only with a microscope __________________
Horizontal row in the Periodic Table __________________
Vertical column in the Periodic Table __________________
Process that releases energy from food __________________
3. A learner investigated the effect of light intensity on photosynthesis.
Distance of Lamp from Plant (cm) Oxygen Bubbles per Minute
10 42
20 31
30 19
40 11
3.1 State the independent variable. (2)
3.2 State the dependent variable. (2)
3.3 Describe the trend shown by the results. (2)
3.4 Explain why the results occurred. (3)
3.5 State two variables that should have been controlled. (2)
4. Arrange the following digestive organs in the correct order that food travels through
them. (5)
Small intestine
Stomach
Mouth
Large intestine
Oesophagus
5. Study the food web below.
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Grass → Mouse → Owl
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
5.1 Name two producers. (2)
5.2 Name two primary consumers. (2)
5.3 Name one secondary consumer. (1)
5.4 What would happen to the fox population if all rabbits disappeared? Explain. (3)
5.5 Explain the role of decomposers in this ecosystem. (2)
6. Match the nutrient to its function. (6)
Nutrient Letter
Protein ______
Fat ______
Fibre ______
Water ______
Vitamins ______
Carbohydrates ______
A. Prevents constipation
B. Growth and repair
C. Energy source
D. Helps chemical reactions occur normally
E. Transport of substances
F. Energy storage and insulation
7. A student tested four foods using iodine solution.
Food Observation
Potato Blue-black
Cheese Brown
Fish Brown
Bread Blue-black
7.1 What nutrient was being tested? (1)
7.2 Which foods tested positive? (2)
7.3 What colour indicates a positive result? (1)
7.4 Why is it important to test foods using the same amount of iodine solution? (2)
8. Explain three differences between photosynthesis and respiration. (6)
9. Study the data below.
Surface Number of Bacterial Colonies
Classroom Desk 95
Cell Phone Screen 132
Washed Hands 14
9.1 Which surface had the most bacteria? (1)
9.2 Which surface had the fewest bacteria? (1)
9.3 Suggest one reason for the difference between the results. (2)
9.4 Give two ways to reduce the spread of harmful microorganisms. (2)
10. Complete the word equation for photosynthesis. (4)
________________ + __________________
→ __________________ + __________________
11. State whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. (10)
a) Chlorophyll absorbs light energy. ______
b) Viruses can reproduce independently. ______
c) The liver produces bile. ______
d) All microorganisms are harmful. ______
e) Noble gases are very reactive. ______
f) Producers obtain energy from the Sun. ______
g) Digestion begins in the mouth. ______
h) Respiration only occurs at night. ______
i) Fungi can act as decomposers. ______
j) Chlorine is a halogen. ______
12. A learner investigated the effect of temperature on enzyme activity.
Temperature (°C) Time Taken to Digest Food
10 45 min
20 25 min
30 12 min
40 8 min
12.1 At which temperature was digestion fastest? (1)
12.2 Explain the relationship between temperature and digestion in this investigation. (3)
12.3 State one variable that should have remained constant. (1)
12.4 Suggest why enzymes are important in the digestive system. (2)
13. Name the following groups of elements.
a) Group 1: __________________________ (1)
b) Group 7: __________________________ (1)
c) Group 8/0: ________________________ (1)
14. Study the table.
Element Metal or Non-metal
Oxygen ______
Element Metal or Non-metal
Sodium ______
Magnesium ______
Sulfur ______
Chlorine ______
(5)
15. A student placed three metals into acid.
Metal Observation
Magnesium Lots of bubbles
Zinc Some bubbles
Copper No bubbles
15.1 Which metal is the most reactive? (1)
15.2 Which metal is the least reactive? (1)
15.3 What gas is produced when reactive metals react with acid? (1)
15.4 Arrange the metals from most reactive to least reactive. (2)
16. Explain how each adaptation helps survival.
a) Thick fur in polar bears (2)
b) Large ears in desert foxes (2)
c) Camouflage in insects (2)
17. A learner covered part of a leaf with black paper and left the plant in sunlight for two
days. The leaf was then tested for starch.
17.1 Why was the leaf placed in sunlight? (2)
17.2 Which part of the leaf would contain starch? (2)
17.3 What does this investigation show about photosynthesis? (3)
18. Name four beneficial uses of microorganisms. (4)
19. Explain why biodiversity is important in ecosystems. (4)
20. Write a paragraph of approximately 80–100 words explaining how plants, animals,
decomposers, photosynthesis, and respiration are connected within an ecosystem. (10)
TOTAL: 120 MARKS