SCIENCE (PISA-Style)
Questions 18–40
Question 18 – Chemistry (Real-life Change)
A student leaves a wet iron gate outdoors for several weeks. Over time, the
gate develops a reddish-brown coating. Why is this change considered
chemical rather than physical?
A. The shape of the iron changes
B. The iron reacts with oxygen and water
C. The iron becomes wet
D. The color change is temporary
Answer: B
Rationalization: Rusting involves a chemical reaction between iron,
oxygen, and water that forms a new substance (iron oxide). This change
cannot be easily reversed, which distinguishes chemical changes from
physical ones.
Question 19 – Physics (Energy Use at Home)
A household replaces incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. Why does this
reduce electricity consumption?
A. LEDs produce less light
B. LEDs convert more electrical energy into light
C. LEDs increase resistance in circuits
D. LEDs use chemical reactions
Answer: B
Rationalization: LEDs are more energy-efficient because they convert a
greater proportion of electrical energy into useful light rather than heat.
Question 20 – Biology (Food Chains)
In a rice field ecosystem, rats eat rice plants, and snakes eat rats. What will
most likely happen if the rat population suddenly increases?
A. Rice production will increase
B. Snake population may increase
C. Rice plants will grow faster
D. Snakes will decrease
Answer: B
Rationalization: An increase in rats provides more food for snakes, which
may lead to an increase in the snake population. This reflects
interdependence in ecosystems.
Question 21 – Earth Science (Water Resources)
During long dry seasons, some communities experience water shortages
even though it rains heavily during certain months. What is the best
explanation?
A. Rainwater cannot be used
B. Water evaporates instantly
C. Lack of water storage and management
D. Rivers permanently dry up
Answer: C
Rationalization: Without proper storage systems such as reservoirs,
rainwater cannot be saved for later use, leading to shortages despite heavy
rainfall.
Question 22 – Chemistry (Household Acids & Bases)
A person accidentally spills vinegar on baking soda while cleaning. The
mixture produces bubbles. What causes this reaction?
A. Physical mixing only
B. Heat from the air
C. Reaction between an acid and a base
D. Evaporation of water
Answer: C
Rationalization: Vinegar (acid) reacts with baking soda (base) to produce
carbon dioxide gas, which appears as bubbles.
Question 23 – Physics (Transportation Safety)
Seatbelts reduce injuries during sudden stops because they:
A. Increase speed
B. Reduce inertia
C. Prevent the body from continuing forward motion
D. Increase friction in engines
Answer: C
Rationalization: Due to inertia, a moving body tends to continue moving.
Seatbelts apply force to stop the body safely when the car suddenly stops.
Question 24 – Biology (Human Health)
Why do doctors recommend vaccines?
A. They cure diseases instantly
B. They kill all bacteria in the body
C. They stimulate the immune system to recognize pathogens
D. They replace white blood cells
Answer: C
Rationalization: Vaccines expose the immune system to harmless forms of
pathogens, helping the body develop immunity without causing disease.
Question 25 – Environmental Science (Climate Change)
Which action most directly helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A. Using air conditioners more often
B. Burning waste openly
C. Using public transportation
D. Cutting down forests
Answer: C
Rationalization: Public transportation reduces the number of vehicles on
the road, lowering fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Question 26 – Physics (Sound & Materials)
Why do people hear trains sooner when rails vibrate than through air?
A. Sound moves slower in solids
B. Solids absorb sound
C. Sound travels faster in solids
D. Air blocks sound
Answer: C
Rationalization: Particles in solids are tightly packed, allowing sound waves
to travel faster than in gases like air.
Question 27 – Biology (Body Regulation)
Why is sweating effective in cooling the body?
A. Sweat absorbs sunlight
B. Sweat removes toxins
C. Evaporation removes heat from the skin
D. Sweat increases blood flow
Answer: C
Rationalization: Evaporation requires heat energy, which is taken from the
skin, lowering body temperature.
Question 28 – Chemistry (Water Safety)
Why is boiling water an effective way to make it safe to drink?
A. It removes salt
B. It adds oxygen
C. It kills disease-causing microorganisms
D. It increases mineral content
Answer: C
Rationalization: High temperatures destroy bacteria, viruses, and parasites
that may cause disease.
Question 29 – Physics (Electricity Use)
Why should electrical appliances not be used with wet hands?
A. Water improves conductivity
B. Electricity flows more easily through wet skin
C. Wet hands reduce resistance
D. Both B and C
Answer: D
Rationalization: Water lowers the skin’s resistance, allowing electric
current to pass more easily, increasing the risk of electric shock.
Question 30 – Biology (Photosynthesis)
Why do farmers space crops properly instead of planting them too close
together?
A. To increase soil hardness
B. To reduce sunlight exposure
C. To reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients
D. To increase pests
Answer: C
Rationalization: Overcrowding increases competition for limited resources,
reducing plant growth and yield.
Question 31 – Earth Science (Disasters)
Why are coastal communities warned earlier about tsunamis?
A. Tsunamis move slowly
B. They originate inland
C. Sensors detect underwater earthquakes
D. Tsunamis occur daily
Answer: C
Rationalization: Early-warning systems detect seismic activity and sea-
level changes, allowing authorities to issue timely warnings.
Question 32 – Chemistry (Daily Products)
Why are aluminum cans recycled instead of thrown away?
A. Aluminum decomposes quickly
B. Recycling uses less energy than producing new aluminum
C. Aluminum is radioactive
D. Cans absorb pollutants
Answer: B
Rationalization: Recycling aluminum saves energy and reduces
environmental impact compared to extracting and processing raw materials.
Question 33 – Physics (Pressure in Daily Life)
Why do snowshoes prevent a person from sinking into snow?
A. They increase body weight
B. They decrease pressure by increasing area
C. They reduce gravity
D. They melt snow
Answer: B
Rationalization: Pressure equals force divided by area. Snowshoes spread
weight over a larger area, reducing pressure on the snow.
Question 34 – Biology (Genetics & Traits)
Why do siblings often look similar but not identical?
A. They have different parents
B. They receive identical genes
C. They inherit different combinations of genes
D. Environment has no effect
Answer: C
Rationalization: Each child inherits a unique combination of genes from
their parents, leading to similarities and differences.
Question 35 – Environmental Science (Waste Management)
Why is segregating waste important?
A. It increases garbage volume
B. It slows down recycling
C. It makes recycling and disposal more efficient
D. It eliminates waste
Answer: C
Rationalization: Proper segregation allows recyclable, biodegradable, and
hazardous waste to be handled appropriately.
Question 36 – Physics (Energy Conversion)
Why do electric fans cool people even though they do not lower air
temperature?
A. They reduce room heat
B. They increase evaporation of sweat
C. They remove oxygen
D. They add moisture
Answer: B
Rationalization: Airflow increases sweat evaporation, which removes heat
from the body.
Question 37 – Chemistry (Solutions)
Why does powdered detergent dissolve faster than bar soap?
A. It has higher mass
B. It has larger surface area
C. It is heavier
D. It is insoluble
Answer: B
Rationalization: Smaller particles have greater surface area, allowing faster
interaction with water.
Question 38 – Biology (Disease Prevention)
Why is handwashing effective in preventing illness?
A. It strengthens muscles
B. It removes microorganisms
C. It increases immunity instantly
D. It cools the skin
Answer: B
Rationalization: Handwashing removes pathogens that can enter the body
through the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Question 39 – Earth Science (Climate)
Why do urban areas experience higher temperatures than nearby rural
areas?
A. Fewer people live there
B. More plants absorb heat
C. Concrete and asphalt trap heat
D. Cities receive more sunlight
Answer: C
Rationalization: Urban materials absorb and retain heat, creating the
“urban heat island” effect.
Question 40 – Physics (Waves & Communication)
Why do radio waves allow communication over long distances?
A. They require cables
B. They cannot pass obstacles
C. They travel through air and space
D. They move only in water
Answer: C
Rationalization: Radio waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel
through air and vacuum, enabling long-distance communication.
📐 MATHEMATICS (PISA-Style)
Questions 41–55
(Real-life interpretation, estimation, and reasoning)
Question 41
A jeepney travels 120 km using 10 liters of fuel. How many kilometers per
liter does it travel?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 20
Answer: B
Rationalization: 120 ÷ 10 = 12 km/L.
Question 42
A student saves ₱50 daily. How much will they save in 30 days?
A. ₱1,000
B. ₱1,200
C. ₱1,500
D. ₱1,800
Answer: C
Rationalization: 50 × 30 = ₱1,500.
Question 43
A recipe for 4 people uses 2 cups of rice. How much rice is needed for 10
people?
A. 3 cups
B. 4 cups
C. 5 cups
D. 6 cups
Answer: C
Rationalization: Proportion: (10 ÷ 4) × 2 = 5 cups.
Question 44
If 25% of a class of 40 students are absent, how many are present?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 35
Answer: C
Rationalization: 25% of 40 = 10 absent → 40 − 10 = 30 present.
Question 45
A phone battery is at 60% and loses 15% per hour. How many hours before it
reaches 15%?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Answer: B
Rationalization: 60 → 45 → 30 → 15 (3 hours).
Question 46
Which graph best shows constant speed?
A. Curved distance–time graph
B. Horizontal distance–time graph
C. Straight slanted distance–time graph
D. Zigzag distance–time graph
Answer: C
Rationalization: Constant speed means equal distance in equal time,
shown by a straight slanted line.
Question 47
A box has 2 defective items out of 20. What is the probability of picking a
defective item?
A. 1/20
B. 1/10
C. 1/5
D. 2/5
Answer: B
Rationalization: 2 ÷ 20 = 1/10.
Question 48
Why is estimation useful in daily life?
A. It replaces exact answers
B. It saves time and helps decision-making
C. It increases error
D. It avoids calculations
Answer: B
Question 49
A triangular sign has a base of 10 cm and height of 8 cm. What is its area?
A. 40 cm²
B. 60 cm²
C. 80 cm²
D. 160 cm²
Answer: A
Rationalization: Area = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 8 = 40.
Question 50
Which situation best represents a linear relationship?
A. Population growth
B. Distance traveled at constant speed
C. Bacterial reproduction
D. Compound interest
Answer: B
Question 51
A worker earns ₱500 per day. How much in 6 days?
A. ₱2,500
B. ₱3,000
C. ₱3,500
D. ₱4,000
Answer: B
Question 52
Why are averages sometimes misleading?
A. They always show errors
B. Extreme values affect results
C. They ignore data
D. They eliminate variation
Answer: B
Question 53
Which number best represents the data set: 3, 4, 4, 4, 20?
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Mode
D. Range
Answer: C
Question 54
A map uses a scale of 1 cm : 5 km. How far is 6 cm on the map?
A. 10 km
B. 20 km
C. 25 km
D. 30 km
Answer: D
Question 55
Why are percentages used in statistics?
A. They remove totals
B. They allow fair comparison
C. They increase sample size
D. They reduce accuracy
Answer: B
⚙️TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Questions 56–60
Question 56
Why do engineers test prototypes before mass production?
A. To increase cost
B. To identify flaws and improve safety
C. To reduce design time
D. To finalize marketing
Answer: B
Question 57
Why are renewable energy systems important for future cities?
A. They never break
B. They reduce dependence on finite resources
C. They eliminate pollution completely
D. They are always cheap
Answer: B
Question 58
Why is automation useful in factories?
A. It increases human labor
B. It reduces consistency
C. It improves efficiency and accuracy
D. It removes quality control
Answer: C
Question 59
Why is proper system maintenance necessary?
A. To increase failures
B. To extend system lifespan
C. To stop upgrades
D. To avoid testing
Answer: B
Question 60
Why are early warning systems critical for disaster-prone areas?
A. They prevent disasters
B. They eliminate risks
C. They allow people time to prepare and evacuate
D. They stop natural processes
Answer: C