Grade 8 NSW Science Stage 4 Half Yearly Exam Answer Key
Term 2
Section 1: Multiple Choice (18 marks)
1. c) Lungs
2. b) Break down dead matter
3. b) Tsunami
4. b) Chemical
5. b) Carbohydrates
6. c) Lactobacillus
7. b) Transport nutrients and oxygen
8. b) Kidney
9. a) Muscular
10. b) Exchange gases
11. b) Mantle
12. b) Water
13. b) Inhalers
14. b) Testis
15. b) Food spoilage
16. a) Predicting weather
17. c) Dehydration
18. b) Balances populations
Section 2: Written Response (27 marks)
1. Living Systems (6 marks)
a) Example: Grass (producer) → Grasshopper (primary consumer) → Frog (sec-
ondary consumer) → Fungi (decomposer). (3 marks: 1 for each correct organism
and role, 1 for correct sequence)
b) Removal of a predator (e.g., frog) could cause an increase in the primary con-
sumer population (e.g., grasshopper), leading to overgrazing of the producer (e.g.,
grass). This may reduce food availability and disrupt the ecosystem balance. (3
marks: 1 for effect on primary consumer, 1 for effect on producer, 1 for ecosystem
impact)
2. Impact of Natural Events (4 marks)
Bushfires destroy vegetation, kill animals, and disrupt food chains. They can cause
soil erosion and loss of habitat. A technological solution is the use of satellite
1
monitoring to detect fire outbreaks early, allowing for faster response to control
fires. (4 marks: 2 for describing impacts, 2 for technological solution)
3. Food Groups and Tests (3 marks)
Two food groups: Carbohydrates and Proteins. To test for starch (a carbohydrate),
use iodine solution; a blue-black color indicates starch presence. (3 marks: 1 for
each food group, 1 for test description)
4. Digestive and Circulatory Systems (6 marks)
a) Stomach: Breaks down food using enzymes and acid. Small intestine: Absorbs
nutrients into the bloodstream. (3 marks: 1 for each organ, 1 for roles)
b) A pacemaker regulates heart rhythm by sending electrical impulses to the heart,
helping treat irregular heartbeats and prevent heart failure. (3 marks: 1 for func-
tion, 1 for treatment, 1 for explanation)
5. Skeletal/Muscular and Respiratory Systems (5 marks)
a) The skeletal system provides structure and support, while the muscular system
contracts to move bones at joints, enabling movement. (3 marks: 1 for skeletal
role, 1 for muscular role, 1 for movement)
b) Modern inhalers deliver precise doses of medication to open airways, improving
asthma control and reducing side effects. (2 marks: 1 for function, 1 for improve-
ment)
6. Earth’s Crust (3 marks)
Physical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces without chemical change, e.g.,
freeze-thaw action. Chemical weathering alters rock composition, e.g., acid rain
dissolving limestone. (3 marks: 1 for each definition, 1 for examples)