LITTLE ANGELS SCHOOL

Unit Test – 1 (July) — Set B

Subject: Science Class: X Max. Marks: 40
Time: 1½ Hours Name: ______________ Roll No.: _______

General Instructions:
1. This question paper is divided into 3 Sections – A (Biology), B (Chemistry) and C (Physics).
2. All questions are compulsory. Draw neat diagrams wherever required.
3. Marks for each question are indicated against it.
4. This is Set B — a higher-difficulty practice paper covering the same syllabus as Set A.

SECTION A — BIOLOGY (13 Marks)

(Life Processes: Nutrition and Respiration)

Multiple Choice Questions [3 × 1 = 3 Marks]

1. Bile juice, though it contains no enzyme, plays a crucial role in digestion because it: [1]
(a) Breaks down proteins into amino acids
(b) Emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for lipase action
(c) Converts starch into simple sugars
(d) Neutralises the alkaline medium of the small intestine
2. Read the following statements about respiration in plants and choose the correct one: [1]
(a) Plants respire only during the night
(b) Different parts of a plant use different structures for the exchange of gases
(c) Roots absorb CO₂ directly from the soil for photosynthesis
(d) Stomata are the only site of gas exchange in the entire plant
3. The exchange of gases between alveoli and blood capillaries occurs efficiently mainly because: [1]
(a) Alveoli have thick, muscular walls
(b) Alveolar walls are one cell thick and richly supplied with blood vessels, giving a large surface area for diffusion
(c) Alveoli actively pump oxygen into the blood
(d) Alveoli contain haemoglobin themselves

Assertion–Reason [1 × 1 = 1 Mark]
4. Directions: In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Mark the
correct choice: [1]
Assertion (A): Herbivorous animals generally have a much longer small intestine than carnivorous animals.
Reason (R): Cellulose, present in the plant-based diet of herbivores, is harder to digest and requires a longer time and
greater surface area for digestion.
(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.

Very Short Answer Type Question [1 × 2 = 2 Marks]

5. Why does the stomach not digest its own inner lining even though it produces a strong acid and a protein-digesting
enzyme? [2]

Short Answer Type Question [1 × 3 = 3 Marks]

6. Explain the role of (i) hydrochloric acid, (ii) pepsin, and (iii) mucus in the stomach during digestion of food. [3]
7. Case Based Question [4]
A cellular respiration experiment compared the energy released when one molecule of glucose is broken down completely
in the presence of oxygen versus when it is broken down partially in the absence of oxygen. The complete breakdown
occurs inside a specific cell organelle and yields a much larger number of energy-currency molecules, whereas the partial
breakdown occurs in the cytoplasm itself and yields only a small number of such molecules, along with an acid or an
alcohol as a by-product.
(i) Name the cell organelle where the complete (aerobic) breakdown of glucose occurs. [1]
(ii) Name the energy-currency molecule referred to in the passage. [1]
(iii) Explain why anaerobic breakdown yields far less energy than aerobic breakdown, in terms of how completely
glucose is broken down. [1]
(iv) State one situation in the human body where cells temporarily switch to anaerobic respiration. [1]

SECTION B — CHEMISTRY (13 Marks)

(Chemical Reactions and Equations — Complete Chapter)

Multiple Choice Questions [2 × 1 = 2 Marks]

8. On passing the gas evolved on adding dilute HCl to a solid, X, through freshly prepared lime water, the lime water turns
milky and, on passing excess gas, the milkiness disappears. Solid X could be: [1]
(a) Sodium chloride
(b) Sodium carbonate
(c) Zinc granules
(d) Copper oxide
9. Given the reactivity order Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag, which pair of reactants will show a displacement reaction? [1]
(a) Silver metal + copper sulphate solution
(b) Zinc metal + iron sulphate solution
(c) Copper metal + zinc sulphate solution
(d) Silver metal + zinc sulphate solution

Assertion–Reason [1 × 1 = 1 Mark]
10. Directions: In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Mark the
correct choice: [1]
Assertion (A): Every precipitation reaction is a type of double displacement reaction.
Reason (R): In a precipitation reaction, two soluble salts in solution exchange their ions to form an insoluble product
that separates out.
(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.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [3 × 2 = 6 Marks]

11. A shiny reddish-brown metal X, on strong heating in air, turns into a black-coloured compound. Identify X and the
black compound, and write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. [2]
12. Why must a magnesium ribbon be cleaned with sandpaper before burning it in air? Write the balanced equation for the
reaction that occurs on burning. [2]
13. Identify the type of chemical reaction in each of the following and justify in one line: (i) AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl +
NaNO₃ (ii) CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ (iii) Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂ [2]
14. Case Based Question [4]
Decomposition reactions can be brought about in three different ways depending on the form of energy supplied to break
down a single compound into two or more simpler substances. When heat is supplied, the reaction is called thermal
decomposition; when electricity is passed through a compound, it is called electrolytic decomposition; and when light
energy causes the breakdown, it is called photolytic (or photochemical) decomposition. A common example of photolytic
decomposition is the reaction used in black-and-white photographic film, where a silver-containing compound breaks
down on exposure to sunlight.
(i) Name the type of decomposition reaction in which CaCO₃ breaks down into CaO and CO₂ on strong heating, and
write its balanced equation. [1]
(ii) Name the type of decomposition reaction that occurs when water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen gas.
[1]
 (iii) Name the silver compound referred to in the passage that undergoes photolytic decomposition, and write the
equation for its decomposition. [1]
(iv) State one general observation (in terms of energy) that is common to all decomposition reactions as compared to
combination reactions. [1]

SECTION C — PHYSICS (14 Marks)

(Light: Reflection — up to Reflection only)

Multiple Choice Questions [2 × 1 = 2 Marks]

15. A concave mirror of focal length 15 cm forms a real image three times the size of the object. The distance of the object
from the mirror is: [1]
(a) 10 cm
(b) 20 cm
(c) 30 cm
(d) 60 cm
16. Which of the following statements about a convex mirror is correct? [1]
(a) It can form a real image if the object is placed beyond its centre of curvature
(b) It always forms a virtual, erect and diminished image, regardless of the object's position
(c) Its magnification is always greater than 1
(d) Its focal length is taken as positive in the New Cartesian Sign Convention only for a concave mirror

Assertion–Reason [1 × 1 = 1 Mark]
17. Directions: In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Mark the
correct choice: [1]
Assertion (A): A concave mirror can form either a real image or a virtual image, depending on the position of the
object.
Reason (R): A concave mirror is a converging mirror, and the nature of the image depends on whether the object lies
beyond, at, or within the principal focus.
(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.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [3 × 2 = 6 Marks]

18. An object is placed 15 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 10 cm. Using the mirror formula, calculate the
image distance and the magnification produced. [2]
19. Define linear magnification produced by a spherical mirror. Write its expression in terms of object distance (u) and
image distance (v), and state what a negative value of magnification indicates. [2]
20. A virtual image cannot be obtained on a screen. Explain this statement with reference to the image formed by a plane
mirror. [2]
21. (a) An object 4 cm high is placed at a distance of 20 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 15 cm. Using the
mirror formula, find the position, nature and size of the image formed. [5]
(b) Draw a labelled ray diagram showing the formation of this image, marking the pole (P), principal focus (F), centre of
curvature (C), the object and the image.

— End of Question Paper —

 ANSWER KEY / MARKING SCHEME — SET B

Section A — Biology
1. (b) Emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for lipase action
2. (b) Different parts of a plant use different structures for the exchange of gases
3. (b) Alveolar walls are one cell thick and richly supplied with blood vessels, giving a large surface area for diffusion
4. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
5. The stomach's inner lining is protected by a continuous layer of mucus that prevents the hydrochloric acid and pepsin
from digesting or corroding the stomach wall itself.
6. (i) HCl provides the acidic medium needed for pepsin to act and kills many ingested bacteria. (ii) Pepsin digests proteins
into smaller peptides in an acidic medium. (iii) Mucus coats and protects the stomach's inner wall from the corrosive action
of HCl and pepsin.
7. (i) Mitochondria. (ii) ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). (iii) In anaerobic respiration, glucose is only partially broken
down into ethanol/lactic acid and CO₂, so most of the chemical energy remains locked in these end products, unlike
aerobic respiration where glucose is completely oxidised to CO₂ and H₂O. (iv) During vigorous exercise/sprinting, when
oxygen supply to muscle cells is insufficient.

Section B — Chemistry
8. (b) Sodium carbonate (reacts with HCl to give CO₂, which turns lime water milky and turns it clear on excess passage
due to formation of soluble calcium bicarbonate)
9. (b) Zinc metal + iron sulphate solution (Zn is more reactive than Fe, so it displaces it)
10. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
11. X is copper; the black compound is copper(II) oxide (CuO). Equation: 2Cu + O₂ → 2CuO
12. Magnesium ribbon is coated with a layer of magnesium oxide (MgO) formed on exposure to air, which must be
removed for the metal to burn properly. Equation: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
13. (i) Double displacement reaction — two compounds exchange ions to form a precipitate (AgCl). (ii) Combination
reaction — two substances (CaO and H₂O) combine to form a single product. (iii) Displacement reaction — Zn displaces
hydrogen from H₂SO₄.
14. (i) Thermal decomposition: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂. (ii) Electrolytic decomposition. (iii) Silver chloride (AgCl); 2AgCl
→ 2Ag + Cl₂ (in sunlight). (iv) Decomposition reactions are generally endothermic (require energy input), while
combination reactions are generally exothermic (release energy).

Section C — Physics
15. (b) 20 cm [Using 1/f = 1/v + 1/u with f = −15 cm and m = −v/u = −3 gives u = −20 cm]
16. (b) It always forms a virtual, erect and diminished image, regardless of the object's position
17. (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
18. Using 1/f = 1/v + 1/u with f = −10 cm, u = −15 cm: 1/v = −1/10 + 1/15 = −1/30, so v = −30 cm. Magnification m =
−v/u = −2 (real, inverted image, twice the size of the object, formed 30 cm in front of the mirror).
19. Linear magnification (m) is the ratio of the height of the image to the height of the object; m = −v/u = h′/h. A negative
value of m indicates that the image is real and inverted; a positive value indicates the image is virtual and erect.
20. A plane mirror forms a virtual image because the reflected rays only appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror
and do not actually meet there; since a screen can capture an image only where light rays actually converge, a virtual image
(where rays only appear to meet) cannot be obtained on a screen.
21. (a) f = −15 cm, u = −20 cm. Using 1/f = 1/v + 1/u: 1/v = 1/(−15) − 1/(−20) = −1/60, so v = −60 cm (image is 60 cm in
front of the mirror, i.e., real). Magnification m = −v/u = −3, so image height = 4 × 3 = 12 cm. The image is real, inverted
and magnified (3 times), formed beyond the centre of curvature.
(b) Ray diagram: since the object lies between F and C, one ray parallel to the principal axis reflects through F, and a
second ray passing through C retraces its path (or a ray through F reflects parallel to the axis); the reflected rays actually
intersect beyond C, forming a real, inverted, magnified image there — matching the calculation above.