MSTA
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
LIFE SCIENCES
EVOLUTION PRE-TEST
MARKS: 50
TIME: 60 MINUTES
This question paper consists of 8 pages.
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 2 2019
NSC
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL the answers in the ANSWER BOOK.
3. Start the answers to EACH question at the top of a NEW page.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.
5. Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.
6. Do ALL drawings in pencil and label them in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams or flow charts only when asked to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
9. Do NOT use graph paper.
10. You must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass,
where necessary.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 3 2019
NSC
QUESTION 1
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.6) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.7 D.
1.1.1 A scientific idea that still has to be tested is referred to as a …
A theory.
B hypothesis.
C fact.
D belief.
1.1.2 The study of fossils is called ...
A anthropology.
B ecology.
C palaeontology.
D geology.
1.1.3 Darwin's theory of evolution is based on …
A use and disuse.
B natural selection.
C a tendency towards perfection in organisms.
D the passing on of acquired characteristics to offspring.
1.1.4 Which ONE of the statements below relates to biological evolution?
A Artificial selection is essential for the evolution of species
B Humans have now progressed from a technological age into
an information age
C Modern species evolved from ancestral species
D Genetic mutations generally cause species to die
1.1.5 Which ONE of the following can be used as evidence to support
common ancestry?
A Different DNA sequencing in different species
B Geographic distribution of different phyla
C Homologous structures of a whale's flipper and a bird's wing
D Analogous structures of a bird's wing and an insect's wing
(5 x 2) (10)
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 4 2019
NSC
1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number (1.2.1 to 1.2.10) in the ANSWER
BOOK.
1.2.1 Organisms that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
1.2.2 Reproduction between closely-related individuals of the same
Species
1.2.3 A diagrammatic representation of possible ancestral relationships
between species
1.2.4 The process which results in all the individuals of a particular
species dying out
1.2.5 A group of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat
at the same time
(5 x 1) (5)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements in COLUMN I applies to A only,
B only, both A and B or none of the items in COLUMN II. Write A only,
B only, both A and B, or none next to the question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.4) in
the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 Reduce(s) variation in offspring A inbreeding
B outbreeding
1.3.2 Evidence for evolution A Comparative anatomy
B Fossil records
1.3.3 Organisms have an inherent/internal A Lamarck
drive to change B Darwin
1.3.4 Structures that have a similar basic A Homologous
construction, which indicates a B Analogous
common ancestor
1.3.5 The selection and breeding of A Natural selection
organisms with desirable B Artificial selection
characteristics by humans
(5 x 2) (10)
TOTAL SECTION A: 25
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 5 2019
NSC
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow
2.1.1 State the TWO similarities between the three different limbs (2)
2.1.2 Do all the three limbs perform the same function? (1)
2.1.3 Explain your answer to question 2.1.2 (2)
2.1.4 What can you conclude about evolutionary history of these three
vertebrates (1)
(6)
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 6 2019
NSC
2.2 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow
2.2.1 Name the:
(a) Common ancestor of all horses (1)
(b) Genus most closely related to Megahippus (1)
2.2.2 When did Paleotherium become extinct? (2)
2.2.3 How long did it take for the modern horse to evolve from
Hyracotherium? (2)
(6)
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 7 2019
NSC
2.3 Study the following diagrams based on two theories of evolution and answer
the questions that follow.
THOERY A
Original short- Keep stretching their Long-neck trait is
necked necks to reach leaves acquired and passed on
ancestors to descendants
THEORY B
Original ancestors More long necked giraffes Long-neck giraffes
had both long and survived to breed and the were better
short necks long neck trait was passed adapted and
on to the offspring survived
2.3.1 Based on your knowledge of genetics, which theory is more (2)
plausible to explain the evolution of giraffe’s
2.3.2 Provide an argument to explain your choice for question 2.1.2 (6)
(8)
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Life Sciences/ Grade 12 8 2019
NSC
2.4 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow
Provide an answer to the question asked in the above diagram and
an explanation to your answer with reasons (5)
TOTAL SECTION B: 25
GRAND TOTAL: 50
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