Dhruv Public School

Half Yearly Examination(2025-26)

Class - X
Science (Theory)
M.M: 80
Time: 3 Hours
General Instructions:
All questions are compulsory.
Use of calculator is not permitted.
Draw neat and labelled diagrams wherever necessary.
Show complete working for all numerical problems.

Section A (1 × 20 =
20 marks)

Q1. Which of the following is both an oxidation and reduction reaction?

(a) Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu
(b) 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
(c) CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂
(d) 2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl

Q2. Which metal is stored under kerosene and why?

(a) Sodium – reacts vigorously with water and oxygen
(b) Copper – gets tarnished in air
(c) Aluminium – forms amphoteric oxide
(d) Magnesium – burns with dazzling flame

Q3. Which of the following combinations forms a displacement reaction?

(a) Cu + FeSO₄ → CuSO₄ + Fe
(b) Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu
(c) Ag + CuSO₄ → AgSO₄ + Cu
(d) Pb + ZnSO₄ → PbSO₄ + Zn

Q4. Which process in human excretion is NOT correctly matched?

(a) Ultrafiltration – Glomerulus
(b) Selective reabsorption – Tubules of nephron
(c) Urine storage – Ureter
(d) Concentration of urine – Collecting duct

Q5. Which part of the human brain controls voluntary actions like writing?
(a) Cerebellum (b) Medulla (c) Cerebrum (d) Pons

Q6. The refractive index of water is 1.33 and that of glass is 1.52. What does this mean?
(a) Light travels faster in glass than water
(b) Light slows down more in glass than water
(c) Glass is optically rarer than water
(d) Both have same optical density

Q7. In photosynthesis, the dark reaction (Calvin cycle) occurs in:

(a) Stroma of chloroplast (b) Grana of chloroplast
(c) Cytoplasm of cell (d) Thylakoid membrane

Q8. Which is correct regarding electric power?

(a) P = VI = I²R = V²/R (b) P = VI = V/I (c) P = I/R = V/I² (d) P
= V²R

Q9. Which statement about homologous series is correct?

(a) Same molecular formula, different structural formula
(b) Same functional group, successive members differ by –CH₂–
(c) Same physical properties, different chemical properties
(d) Same number of carbon atoms in each member

Q10. Which of the following shows maximum trophic efficiency in a food chain?
(a) Producers (b) Primary consumers (c) Secondary consumers (d) Tertiary cons
umers

Q11. Which ray diagram is correct for a concave mirror forming a real, inverted image?
(a) Object beyond C → Image between C and F (smaller)
(b) Object at F → Image at infinity (enlarged)
(c) Object between F and C → Image beyond C (magnified)
(d) All of the above

Q12. Which gas is produced when acids react with carbonates?

(a) O₂ (b) H₂ (c) CO₂ (d) SO₂

Q13. Which of the following combinations is correct for baking soda?

(a) Na₂CO₃·10H₂O → Washing soda
(b) NaHCO₃ → Used in antacids
(c) NaCl + H₂O + CO₂ + NH₃ → Baking soda
(d) Both (b) and (c)

Q14. The unit of electric charge “Coulomb” is defined as:

(a) Current × Voltage (b) Current × Time (c) Voltage × Resistance (d) En
ergy × Time

Q15. Which of the following explains why alloys are preferred for heating elements?
(a) Low resistivity, high melting point
(b) High resistivity, high melting point
(c) High resistivity, low melting point
(d) Low resistivity, low melting point

Q16. Which environmental problem is caused by excessive use of phosphate fertilizers?

(a) Greenhouse effect (b) Eutrophication (c) Ozone depletion (d) Aci
d rain

Assertion–Reason Questions (Q17–Q20)

Q17. Assertion (A): Concave mirrors are used by dentists to view enlarged images of tee
th.
Reason (R): Concave mirrors always form real and inverted images.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Q18. Assertion (A): The decomposition of CaCO₃ on heating is an example of endotherm

ic reaction.
Reason (R): Heat is absorbed during the reaction.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Q19. Assertion (A): Energy transfer in a food chain is unidirectional.

Reason (R): Energy lost as heat at each trophic level can be recycled back by plants.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Q20. Assertion (A): Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
Reason (R): Strong electrostatic forces of attraction exist between oppositely charged io
ns.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Section B (2 × 6 =
12 marks)

Q21. Balance: Fe + H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + H₂. Explain why rusting of iron is a more complex pr
ocess than this simple reaction.
Q22. Why is the human heart called a double circulation system? Draw a schematic diag
ram of circulation.
Q23. A convex lens of focal length 20 cm forms an image at 40 cm. Find object distance.
Also state whether the image is magnified/reduced.

Q24. Baking soda is used in antacids. Write its chemical name, explain the reaction invo
lved, and give one industrial use.

Q25. State two functions of guard cells. Draw a diagram of stomata showing guard cells
and explain their role in photosynthesis.

Q26. Why are household appliances connected in parallel and not in series? Illustrate w
ith a circuit diagram and justify using Ohm’s law.

Section C (3 × 7 =
21 marks)

Q27. Explain decomposition reactions in:

(a) Extraction of metals
(b) Fire extinguishers
(c) Safety airbags in cars

Q28. (a) Name the endocrine gland that regulates growth.

(b) What happens if this gland is overactive in children?
(c) Name one hormone secreted by pancreas.
(d) Explain how deficiency of insulin affects glucose metabolism.

Q29. A 5 Ω and 10 Ω resistor are connected in parallel with a 12 V battery.

(a) Find equivalent resistance.
(b) Find total current.
(c) Find current in each resistor.
(d) Comment which resistor gets more current and why.

Q30. (a) Define dispersion of light.

(b) Explain why white light splits into 7 colours.
(c) Draw a neat diagram of dispersion and explain applications (rainbow/ prism).

Q31. A student tested pH of W (3), X (6), Y (7), Z (9).

(a) Classify acidic/neutral/basic.
(b) Which has highest [H⁺]?
(c) Which turns phenolphthalein pink?
(d) Arrange in increasing order of hydroxide ion concentration.
Q32. Explain three ways in which energy is lost in a food chain. Give an example of a fo
od chain with four trophic levels to support your answer.

Q33. Draw human excretory system. Explain nephron structure and role of each part in
urine formation

Section D (5 × 3 = 15
marks)

Q34. (a) Draw labelled diagram of human brain.

(b) Differentiate between reflex and voluntary actions with examples.
(c) Explain how spinal cord coordinates reflex action.

Q35. (a) Explain with balanced equations how acids and bases react with:
(i) Metals
(ii) Metal carbonates
(iii) Metal oxides.
(b) Why is HCl a strong acid and CH₃COOH weak? Explain with ionization concept.

Q36. (a) Derive expression for equivalent resistance in series.

(b) A 60 W bulb and 100 W bulb are connected in parallel to 220 V. Find current in each,
and explain which bulb glows brighter.

Section E (4 × 3 = 12
marks)

Q37. A factory disposes chemical waste into a pond. Fishes start dying.
(a) Identify the type of pollution.
(b) Which life process in fishes is disturbed?
(c) Suggest one biological and one technological method to reduce pollution.
(d) Name the phenomenon responsible for algal bloom.
Or
(e) Explain why algal bloom reduces oxygen.

Q38. An electric kettle of 2 kW is used for 2 hours daily. Cost = ₹6 per unit.
(a) Find units consumed in 30 days.
(b) Find bill amount.
(c) Why are heating devices made of alloys?
(d) Name one renewable source of electricity.
Or
(e) Suggest how to reduce power consumption at home.
Q39. A student adds dilute HCl to three metals X, Y, Z. Observes: X gives gas with pop s
ound. Y no reaction. Z gives colourless gas turning lime water milky.
(a) Identify X, Y, Z.
(b) Write chemical equations.
(c) Arrange them in decreasing reactivity order.
(d) Which metal is safest to store in open