NARENDRA EDU VALLEY

Science (086)
Pre-Board Examination (2025-26)
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. CLASS-X Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. This Question paper consists of 39 questions in 3 sections. Section A is Biology, Section B is Chemistry
and Section C is Physics.
2. All the questions are compulsory. However, an internal choice is provided in some questions. A student
is expected to attempt only one of those questions.
SECTION A – Biology
1. Some wastes stay in the environment for a longer duration because: [1]
A. they are non-biodegradable materials and decomposers cannot decompose them.
B. they are biodegradable materials but decomposers do not act on these materials.
C. these play roles in maintaining ecological balance.
D. these are recyclable.
2. In which of the following groups of materials, the food material is broken down [1]
outside the body and absorbed?
A. Mushroom, green plants, amoeba
B. Yeast, mushroom, bread mould
C. Paramecium, amoeba, cuscuta
D. Cuscuta, lice, tapeworm
3. In spirogyra, asexual reproduction takes place by: [1]
A. breaking up filaments into smaller bits.
B. division of a cell two into cells.
C. division of cell into many cells.
D. formation of young cells from older cells.
4. Dominant alleles are expressed exclusively in a heterozygote, while recessive traits [1]
are expressed only if the organism is ______ the recessive allele.
A. Homozygous B. Normal
C. Heterozygous D. None of these
5. Sapna suffers from a condition due to which her average blood sugar level is 174 [1]
mg/dl. The average blood sugar level in a healthy adult is <140mg/dl. Due to which
the following could be the cause of Sapna’s condition?
A. Insufficient production of thyroxine in her body.
B. Insufficient production of insulin in her body.
C. Excess production of thyroxine in her body.
D. Excess production of insulin in her body.
6. Offspring formed by the asexual method of reproduction have greater similarity [1]
among themselves because:
(i) Asexual reproduction involves only one parent.
(ii) Asexual reproduction does not involve gametes.
(iii) Asexual reproduction occurs before sexual reproduction.
 (iv) Asexual reproduction occurs after sexual reproduction.
A. (i) and (ii) B. (ii) and (iv)
C. (i) and (iii) D. (iii) and (iv)
7. Refrigerators have led to an environment imbalance and destroyed ecosystems. How? [1]
A. Refrigerators emit CFCs that are harmful to only plant species.
B. Storing food in refrigerators makes them environmentally unhealthy.
C. Refrigerators use CFCs that are harmful to the ozone layer which forms a blanket
around the earth.
D. Refrigerators emit greenhouse gases.
Important directions:
In Q. no. 8 and Q. no. 9, two statements are given as Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Read the statements and choose the correct option given below.
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.
8. Assertion (A): - XX chromosome gives rise to a female child whereas XY gives rise to [1]
the male child.
Reason (R): - The Y chromosome in males is smaller than X chromosome.
9. Assertion (A): - Green plants of the ecosystem are the transducers. [1]
Reason (R): - Producers trap the radiant energy of the sun and change it into
chemical energy.
10. Why are the hormones secreted by pancreas are antagonists in action. Justify the [2]
statement.
11. Attempt either option A or B. [2]
A. Given below is a reaction which occurs in the stratosphere.
O3 ⇌ O2 + [O]
(i) Name the two reactions which are in equilibrium thereby maintaining the steady
concentration of ozone in the ozonosphere.
(ii) What is being absorbed by the ozone for the occurrence of the above two reactions?
Or
B. Why does vegetarian habit help us in getting more energy? In terms of energy who
is at an advantageous position (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) and why?
12. Mendel studied how traits are passed from parents to offspring using pea plants with [2]
different characteristics. How did Mendel’s experiments show that traits are inherited
independently, explain with examples.
13. Draw and explain the process of breathing in human beings. [3]
14. Hema brought some unripe tomatoes and left half of them in a brown paper bag and [3]
the other half in an open tray. After two she noticed that the tomatoes in the paper
 bag had ripened, but the ones in the open tray had not.
(i) What hormone facilitated the ripening of tomatoes?
(ii) Why did the tomatoes in the paper bag ripen faster?
15. While cooking, Renu accidentally touched a hot utensil and immediately pulled her [4]
hand back even before she could feel the pain. Her elder sister explained that this was
a quick protective action of the body that does not involve the brain but is controlled
by the spinal cord.
(a) What happens at the synapse between two neurons during transmission of
nerve impulse?
(b) Name the system which facilitates communication between central nervous
System and the others parts of the body. Mention two types of nerves it consists
of along with their organs of origin.
(c) The diagram given below represents a reflex arc. Identify and label the parts
marked (a) to (e).

16. Attempt either option A or B. [5]

A. Riya was reading about how two kidneys filter blood in our body. She came across
the term nephron and learned that it plays a key role in the formation of urine.
(i) Describe the function of a nephron.
(ii) How the amount of urine produced regulated?
Or
B. While observing his garden in the morning, Aarav noticed water droplets inside a
plastic bag tied around a plant’s leaves. Later she also wondered how the food made
in leaves reaches the roots.
(i) What is the process though which plants lose excess water from their leaves? Name
the structures involved in this process and explain how the appearance of water
droplets on the plastic sheet demonstrates this phenomenon.
 (ii) What is translocation? Why is it essential for plants? Mention where to the substances
in plants reach as a result of translocation.

SECTION B – Chemistry
17. Identify the reducing agent in equation 1 and 2. [1]
Equation 1: 4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO + 6H2O
Equation 2: Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
A. H2O, Fe B. NH3, CO C. NO, CO D. O2, Fe2O3

18. Sodium hydrogen carbonate when added to acetic acid evolves a gas. Which of the [1]
following statements are true about the gas evolved?
(i) It turns lime water milky.
(ii) It extinguishes a burning splinter.
(iii) It dissolves in a solution of sodium hydroxide.
(iv) It has a pungent smell.
A. (i) and (ii) B. (i), (ii) and (iv)
C. (ii), (iii) and (iv) D. (i) and (iv)
19. A student studying the chemical properties of metals and finds incomplete chemical [1]
reactions in his book, as shown: MgO + HNO3
Which option completes the reaction?
A. MgO + HNO3 → Mg3N2 + 4H2O
B. MgO + HNO3 → Mg + NO2 + O2
C. MgO + HNO3 → Mg(OH)2 + NO2
D. MgO + HNO3 → Mg(NO3)2 + H2O

20. Two salts ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are dissolved in water separately. When phenolphthalein is [1]
added to these solutions, the solution ‘X’ turns pink and the solution ‘Y’ does not
show any change in colour, therefore ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are

Option X Y
A Na2CO3 NH4Cl
B Na2SO4 NaHCO3
C NH4Cl Na2SO4
D NaNO3 Na2SO4

21. A sample paper of soil is mixed with water and allowed to settle. The clear supernatant [1]
solution turns the pH paper yellowish-orange. Which of the following would change
the colour of this pH paper to greenish blue?
A. Lemon juice B. Common salt
C. Vinegar D. Baking soda
22. If a few drops of a concentrated acid accidentally spill over the hand of a student, [1]
 what should be done?
A. Wash the hand with saline solution.
B. Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water and apply a paste of sodium
hydrogen carbonate.
C. After washing with plenty of water apply solution of sodium hydroxide on the
hand.
D. Neutralize the acid with a strong alkali.

23. Which one of the following precipitates are formed when the carbon dioxide gas [1]
is passed through lime water?
A. Ca(OH)2 B. CaCO3 C. Ca(OH)4 D. CaCO2

24. Assertion (A): - Melting point and boiling point of ethanol are lower than that of [1]
sodium chloride.
Reason (R): - The force of attraction between the molecules of ionic compounds
are very strong.
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.

25. The following activity is set up in the science lab by teacher. [1]
In this process, impure copper is used as the anode and a thin strip of pure copper
is used as the cathode. The electrolyte is used in acidic solution of copper sulphate.

A. How is copper extracted from its sulphide ore? Explain the various steps supported
by chemical equation?
B. What happens to copper ions in the copper sulphate solution during electrolytic
refining? Explain how pure copper gets deposited on the cathode.
26. Attempt either option A or B. [3]
 A. A carbon compound ‘A’ on heating with excess concentrated H2SO4 forms a
compound ‘B’ which on addition of one mole of hydrogen gas in the presence of
nickel catalyst forms a compound ‘C’. ‘C’ on combustion in air forms 2 moles of
carbon dioxide and 3 moles of water.
(i) Identify ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ and write their structures.
(ii) State the role of concentrated sulphuric acid in the formation of ‘B’ from ‘A’.
Or
B. A carbon compound ‘A’ is widely used as a preservative in pickles and has a
molecular formula C2H4O2. This compound reacts with ethanol to form a sweet-
smelling compound ‘B’.
(i) Write the chemical equation for the reaction of ‘A’ with ethanol to form compound
‘B’. State the role of presence of an acid in the reaction.
(ii) How can you get compound ‘A’ back from ‘B’?
(iii) Name the gas produced when compound ‘A’ reacts with washing soda.

27. Ritu performed an activity to understand how metals and non-metals form compounds. [3]
She took sodium metal and chlorine and observed that they react to form a white
crystalline solid called sodium chloride. Later, her teacher showed a model of electron
transfer, where sodium (Na) atom donates one electron to chlorine (Cl) atom.

In a follow up experiment, Ritu tested the solubility and electrical conductivity of

sodium chloride. She observed that NaCl dissolves in water conducts electricity.

Answer the following questions based on the information given above:

 (a) Why does sodium lose an electron while chlorine gains one during ionic bond
Formation? Explain using their atomic number and electronic configuration.
(b) How does the rigid arrangement of ions in solid NaCl affect its electrical
conductivity? What structured change enables conduction in molten state?
(c) Name one more ionic compound formed between a metal and non-metal. Write
its formula and one physical property.

28. Arjun added a small amount of coper powder into a beaker containing silver nitrate [4]
solution. He stirred the solution and observed that the blue colour of the solution
intensified, and greyish silver particles settled at the bottom. He repeated the
experiment with different metals and recorded the following observing:

S. No. Metal added Reaction observed? Colour change in solution

1. Copper Yes Colourless → Blue
2. Iron Yes Colourless → Light green
3. Zinc Yes Colourless → Colourless

Answer the following questions based on the above information:

A. If Arjun had added gold powder instead of copper, what would be the expected
observation?
(a) Colour changes to pink (b) No visible reaction
(c) Solution becomes orange
B. In the copper and silver nitrate reaction, Arjun found that 2g of copper deposited
3.4g of silver. What is the mole ratio of the reaction based on this data?

29. When ethanol is heated with alkaline potassium permanganate solution as shown [5]
below:

(a) Identify the product X?

(b) What happens when 5% solution of alkaline potassium permanganate drop by drop
is added to this?
(c) Draw the electron dot structure of X?
(d) What will be formed when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate?
(e) Write a chemical equation for the reaction of ethanol with excess of concentrated
H2SO4 at 170°C.

SECTION C – Physics
30. Identify the correct conclusions that can be drawn based on the diagram of the concave
 mirror given below: [1]

(i) the image of the object will be inverted.

(ii) the focal length will be negative.
(iii) the image of the object will be virtual.
(iv) the reflected ray will travel along the same path as the incident ray in the opposite
direction.
A. (i) and (ii) B. (ii) and (iii) C. (iii) and (iv) D. (i), (ii) and (iv)

31. The image formed by the retina of the human eye is: [1]
A. Virtual and erect B. Virtual and inverted
C. Real and inverted D. Real and erect

32. Assertion (A): - The principle of electromagnetic induction was discovered by [1]
Michael Faraday.
Reason (R): - The principle is used only in DC generators.
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.

33. Study the diagram given below and answer the following questions. [3]

(a) Why do the iron filings arrange in such a pattern?

(b) Why does this pattern demonstrate?
(c) Why do the iron fillings near the bar magnet seem to align in the shape of closed
 curve?
34. Attempt either option A or B. [2]
A. In the given circuit A, B, C and D are four lamps connected with a battery of 60v.

Analyze the circuit to answer the following questions:-

(i) Explain with proper calculations which lamp glows the brightest?
(ii) Find out the total resistance of the circuit.
Or
B.

(i) Find the equivalent resistance of arm A.

(ii) Calculate equivalent resistance of arms B and C.
35. Observe the diagram and answer the following questions:- [2]

(i) Name the defect of vision shown in figure. What will be optical experience of the
person suffering from this defect?
(ii) Draw a labelled diagram to show how the defect is rectified by using suitable lens.
36. An electric bulb is rated as 100w, 250v. What information does it convey? Calculate, [2]
(i) the resistance of its filament while glowing, and
(ii) the current through the filament of the bulb.

37. (i) What is “dispersion of white light”? [2]

(ii) Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate the recombination of the spectrum of white
light.

38. When electromagnetic radiation, in the form of visible light, travels from one substance [4]
or medium into another, the light waves may undergo a phenomenon known as
refraction, which is manifested by a bending or change in direction of the light.
Refraction occurs as light passes from one medium to another only when there is
Difference in the index of refraction between the two materials. The effects of refraction
are responsible for a variety of familiar phenomena, such as the apparent bending of an
object that is partially submerged in water and the mirages observed on a hot, sandy
desert.
(A) A ray of light travelling in air enters obliquely into glass. Does the light ray bend
towards the normal or away from the normal? Why?
(B) State Snell’s Law of refraction.

Attempt either option C or D.

(C) In the circuit diagram given below, three resistors R 1, R2 and R3 of 5Ω, 10 Ω and
30 Ω respectively, which have been connected to a 12v battery.

Calculate:-
(i) the current through each resistor.
(ii) total current in the circuit.
(iii) the total circuit resistance.
Or
(D) The circuit diagram given below show the combination of three resistor (R 1), (R2)
and (R3).

Find:-
(i) the total resistance of the circuit.
(ii) the total current flowing in the circuit.
(iii) the total potential difference across R1.

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