NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, JALAHALLI

BENGALURU - 15
PRACTICE PAPER (2025-2026)
SCIENCE (086)

Grade: 10 Max. Marks: 80

Date: 28/12/2025 Time: 3 hours
General Instructions:
(i) This question paper consists of 39 questions in 3 sections.
Section A is Biology, Section B is Chemistry and Section C is Physics.
(ii) All questions are compulsory.

SECTION – A
1. Plants need to get rid of waste products just like animals. Through which of the following structures
do plants excrete gaseous waste products like oxygen? 1
(a) Stomata and Lenticels
(b) Xylem and Phloem
(c) Roots and Bark
(d) Flowers and Fruits

2. The rapid folding of the leaves of a ‘touch-me-not’ plant (Mimosa pudica) upon being touched is an
example of which type of plant movement? 1
(a) Phototropism
(b) Geotropism
(c) Nastic movement
(d) Chemotropism

3. In the human female reproductive system, the process of fertilization, where the sperm fuses with
the ovum, typically takes place in which specific location? 1
(a) Uterus
(b) Vagina
(c) Ovary
(d) Oviduct (Fallopian tube)

4. In the study of genetics, the term used to describe the observable physical traits of an organism, such
as its height, eye colour, or hair texture, is its: 1
(a) Genotype
(b) Phenotype
(c) Allele
(d) Chromosome

5. An ecosystem is composed of both living and non-living components. Which of the following lists
contains only the abiotic components of an ecosystem? 1
(a) Sunlight, Soil, Bacteria, Water
(b) Temperature, Fungi, Air, Soil
(c) Water, Air, Sunlight, Temperature
(d) Plants, Air, Water, Animals

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6. Consider the following statements regarding the process of human digestion:
(i) The digestion of starch begins in the mouth by the action of salivary amylase.
(ii) Pepsin is the primary enzyme in the stomach that digests proteins in an acidic medium.
(iii) Bile juice, produced by the liver, contains powerful enzymes for digesting fats.
(iv) Trypsin, found in the small intestine, acts on proteins and breaks them down.
Which of the above statements are correct? 1
(a) (i) and (iii) only (b) (i), (ii), and (iv) (c) (ii) and (iv) only (d) All are correct.

7. The regulation of blood sugar levels is a classic example of a hormonal feedback mechanism. Which
hormones are responsible for lowering and raising blood sugar levels, respectively? 1
(a) Glucagon and Insulin
(b) Insulin and Glucagon
(c) Adrenaline and Thyroxine
(d) Thyroxine and Adrenaline

The following two questions consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these
questions by selecting the appropriate 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, and 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): Decomposers play a critical role in every ecosystem. 1
Reason (R): They are responsible for breaking down dead organic matter and returning essential
nutrients to the soil, which are then used by producers.
9. Assertion (A): A plant grown from a cutting will be genetically identical to the parent plant. 1
Reason (R): This method of reproduction, known as vegetative propagation, involves the fusion
of gametes from two different parents.

10. “The release of energy in aerobic respiration is much larger than in anaerobic respiration.” Provide
two reasons to justify this statement. 2

11. Student to attempt either option A or B.

A. Differentiate between arteries and veins based on the thickness of their walls and the type of blood
they generally carry. 2
OR
B. Explain the role of kidneys in osmoregulation in the human body.
12. The overuse of fertilizers in agricultural fields often leads to the enrichment of nearby water bodies
with chemicals, a process called eutrophication. How does this process affect the aquatic life in the
water body? 2

13. Draw a neat diagram of the human brain and label the following parts:
(i) Cerebrum (ii) Cerebellum (iii) Medulla 3

14. A pea plant with round yellow seeds (RRYY) was crossed with a plant having wrinkled green
seeds (rryy).
(i) Write the genotype and phenotype of the F1 generation plants.
(ii) If the F1 plants are allowed to self-pollinate, list the four different types of gametes that would be
produced.
(iii) What is this type of cross known as? 3

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15. Observe the given diagram showing a part of the human excretory system. Answer the questions
that follow. 4

A. Identify the structural and functional unit of the part labelled ‘Kidney’. Draw its neat labelled
diagram.
OR
B. Describe the process of urine formation in a human kidney, focusing on ultrafiltration and selective
reabsorption.
C. What happens to the glucose that enters the nephron along with the filtrate? What does the presence
of glucose in urine indicate?

16. Attempt either option A or B. 5

A. (i) Name the type of fission carried out by Leishmania. How is it different from the fission in
Amoeba?
(ii) What is regeneration? Give an example of an organism that shows this ability. Can regeneration
be considered a mode of reproduction? Why?
OR
B. (i) Identify the male and female reproductive parts of a flower. State the function of each.
(ii) What is pollination? Differentiate between self-pollination and cross-pollination.
(iii) Mention one agent of cross-pollination.

SECTION – B
17. Analyse the following chemical equations and identify the correct values for ‘p’ and ‘q’. 1
Equation 1:
Equation 2:

(a) p = 1, q = 1
(b) p = 2, q = 4
(c) p = 1, q = 2
(d) p = 2, q = 2

18. When dissolved in water, which of the following oxides is most likely to form a solution with a pH
value greater than 7? 1
(a) SO2 (Sulphur dioxide)
(b) CO2 (Carbon dioxide)

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(c) K2O (Potassium oxide)
(d) N2O5 (Dinitrogen pentoxide)

19. A student places a clean strip of magnesium metal into a test tube containing a blue solution of
copper(II) sulphate. What is the expected observation after some time? 1
(a) The solution remains blue, and a greyish layer deposits on the strip.
(b) A colourless, odourless gas is evolved, and the strip dissolves completely.
(c) The blue colour of the solution fades, and a reddish-brown solid is deposited on the strip.
(d) No reaction occurs, and the appearance of the solution and the strip remains unchanged.

20. A few drops of phenolphthalein indicator are added separately to a solution of vinegar and a
solution of washing soda. What are the observed colours? 1

21. Arrange the following common substances in the increasing order of their pH values: 1
Lemon Juice, Toothpaste, Sodium Hydroxide Solution, Distilled Water.
(a) Lemon Juice < Toothpaste < Distilled Water < Sodium Hydroxide Solution
(b) Distilled Water < Lemon Juice < Toothpaste < Sodium Hydroxide Solution
(c) Lemon Juice < Distilled Water < Toothpaste < Sodium Hydroxide Solution
(d) Sodium Hydroxide Solution < Toothpaste < Distilled Water < Lemon Juice

22. Dilute sulphuric acid is added to sodium hydrogen carbonate. The gas evolved is then passed
through freshly prepared lime water. What is the final observation? 1
(a) A reddish-brown gas is seen, which turns lime water orange.
(b) No gas is evolved.
(c) Brisk effervescence occurs, and the gas turns lime water milky.
(d) The solution becomes hot, and the lime water remains clear.

23. Consider the reaction:

This reaction can be classified as: 1

(i) Combination reaction
(ii) Exothermic reaction
(iii) Decomposition reaction
(iv) Endothermic reaction
(a) (iii) and (iv)
(b) (i) and (ii)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iii)

The following question consists of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the
question by selecting the appropriate 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, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true.
24. Assertion (A): Synthetic detergents can be used for washing clothes even in hard water.
Reason (R): The charged ends of detergent molecules form soluble salts with the calcium and
magnesium ions present in hard water. 1
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25. Answer the following based on the properties of metals: 2
(a) The electrical wiring in homes is typically made of copper or aluminium. Which property of these
metals makes them suitable for this purpose?
(b) Gold can be drawn into extremely thin wires, some just a few micrometers thick. Name the
property responsible for this characteristic.

26. Attempt either option A or B. 3

(A) The chief ore of a metal ‘M’ is Cinnabar (HgS). This metal is placed low in the reactivity series.
(i) Identify the metal ‘M’.
(ii) Name the process used to convert the sulphide ore into its oxide and write the balanced chemical
equation for the reaction.
(iii) How is metal ‘M’ subsequently extracted from its oxide? Write the equation.
OR
(B) Alloys are prepared to enhance the properties of metals.
(i) Name the constituent elements of the alloy Brass.
(ii) State two reasons why stainless steel, an alloy of iron, is preferred over pure iron for making
cooking utensils.
(iii) What is an alloy containing mercury as one of its constituents called? Give an example.

27. A student performs an experiment to test the electrical conductivity of a dilute acid solution using a
beaker, two graphite rods, a battery, and a bulb. 3

(a) When a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is taken in the beaker and the switch is turned
on, what will the student observe? Give a reason for this observation.
(b) If the HCl solution is replaced with an aqueous solution of glucose (C6H12O6 ), will the observation
change? Explain why.
(c) Name a common base which, if used instead of HCl, would produce a similar observation as seen
in part (a).

28. While playing in a garden, Anjali was stung by a honeybee, which caused her immense pain and a
burning sensation. Her friend immediately advised her to rub the affected area with some toothpaste.
Later that evening, after having a spicy meal, her father complained of acidity. Anjali suggested he
take a solution of baking soda. 4
(a) Bee stings are acidic in nature. How does rubbing toothpaste on the sting provide relief?
(b) Why did Anjali suggest baking soda for her father’s acidity?
(c) Name the acid injected by the bee sting.
OR
A laboratory has three unlabelled beakers containing different liquids:
(A) Rainwater with a pH of 5.2,
(B) Tap water with a pH of 7.1, and
(C) Drain cleaner with a pH of 13.5.
(a) Classify each liquid as a weak acid, a weak base, or a strong base.
(b) What is acid rain? Explain why liquid (A) is an example of acid rain.
(c) Which of the three liquids will have the highest concentration of hydrogen (H+) ions?

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29. a. State any two reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form
compounds - 5
i. mainly by covalent bonding?
ii. having low melting and boiling points?
b. With the help of balanced chemical equations, explain what happens when
i. a piece of sodium is added to ethanol?
ii. ethanol burns in the presence of oxygen?
OR
i. It is observed that covalent compounds are bad conductors of electricity. Give reason.
ii. Carbon can neither form C4+ cation nor C4- anion. Why?
iii. Draw electron dot structure of Ethanol.
iv. Identify hetero atom(s) in the following compounds:

SECTION – C

30. A student is analyzing the behavior of light rays and makes the following observations:
I. A ray of light passing through the center of curvature of a concave mirror retraces its path.
II. A ray of light parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror, after reflection appears to diverge
from the principal focus.
III. A ray of light incident obliquely at the pole of a concave mirror is reflected obliquely, making an
equal angle with the principal axis.
Choose from the following the correct option that lists the correct statements. 1
(a) I and II
(b) I and III
(c) I, II and III
(d) II and III

31. When a beam of white light passes through a glass prism, the light separates into its constituent
colors. Choose the correct option that explains this phenomenon. 1
(a) The different colors of light travel at the same speed inside the prism.
(b) The different colors of light are refracted at different angles due to their different speeds inside the
prism.
(c) The prism itself produces the colors and this effect is due to the scattering of light by the prism
material.
(d) The angle of incidence is different for each color of light, leading to the separation of colors.

The following question consists of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the
question by selecting the appropriate 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, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true.
32. Assertion (A): A convex lens of focal length 20 cm is placed in front of an object at 10 cm. The
image formed will be virtual and erect. 1
Reason (R): For a convex lens, when the object is placed between the optical center and the
principal focus, it forms a virtual and erect image.

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33.

The above image shows the formation of an image with an optical instrument. 2
A. Which type of the lens is used in the above diagram?
B. What type image is formed in the above case?
C. What is the focal length of the lens

34. Attempt either option A or B. 2

A. The current flowing through a resistor connected in an electrical circuit and the potential difference
developed across its ends are shown in the given ammeter and voltmeter. Find the least count of the
voltmeter and ammeter. What is the voltage and the current across the given resistor?

OR
B. In the given circuit diagram suppose the resistors R1, R2 and R3 have the values 5Ω, respectively,
which have been connected to a battery of 12 volt. Calculate
(a) The current through each resistor, and (b) The total current in the circuit.

35. Study the diagram below and answer the following questions: 3
(i) Name the defect of vision depicted in the diagram.
(ii) List two causes of the above defect.
(iii) Draw a ray diagram for the correction of the above defect using an appropriate lens.

36. (a) What is the total resistance of n resistors each of resistance R connected in: 3
(i) Series, (ii) Parallel.
(b) Calculate the resultant resistance of 3 resistors 3 Ω, 4 Ω and 12 Ω connected in parallel.

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37. What is a compass needle? What happens when a compass needle is placed 3
(a) in a region having no magnetic field, (b) near a bar magnet?

38. Every car today is fitted with rear-view mirrors for safety purposes. The outside rear-view mirror is
specially designed to give a wider field of view so that the driver can see vehicles coming from
behind. These mirrors are made slightly curved outward and provide an image that looks smaller
than the actual object, but helps cover a larger portion of the road. That is why the message
“Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” is written on such mirrors. This practical
application is based on the principle of image formation by spherical mirrors. 4

A. Which type of spherical mirror is used here—concave or convex?

B. State two characteristics of the image formed in such a mirror for distant objects.
Attempt either subpart C or D.

39. Attempt either option A or B. A. A student named Riya is conducting an experiment using a coil
wound around a long, hollow cardboard tube connected to a battery to demonstrate the concept of
electromagnetism. Copy the diagram. 5

(i) Show the polarity acquired by each face of the solenoid.

(ii) Draw the magnetic field lines of force inside the coil and also show their direction.
(iii) Mention two methods to increase the strength of the magnetic field inside the coil.

OR

B. State the factors on which the resistance of a cylindrical conductor depends. How will resistance of
a conductor change if it is stretched so that its length is doubled?

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