SMSA YEAR 7 SCIENCE QUESTION BOOKLET

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING SCIENCE Page1

TOPIC 1.1: LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

1. The diagram shows Osman getting ready to carry out an experiment on mixing an acid with an alkali.
Which safety precaution did Osman forget?
(SPE/2009/Q1)

A. He should wear gloves.
B. He should wear a laboratory coat.
C. He should wear safety goggles.
D. He should wear a mask.

2. What is the correct procedure for students to follow if a chemical is spilled in the laboratory?
(SPE/2010/Q1)

A. Ask to go to the toilet.
B. Run out of the room quickly.
C. Splash large amount of water onto the spill.
D. Stand back and inform the teacher of the spill immediately.

3. When you finish working with chemicals, biological specimens, and other laboratory
substances, always __________.
(SPE/2011/Q4)

A. treat your hands with skin lotion.
B. wash your hands with soap and water.
C. wipe your hands on a towel.
D. wipe your hands on your clothes.

4. Which of the following is the correct safety rule in the laboratory?
(SPE/2013/Q2)

A. Dispose corrosive liquids and solid into the sink.
B. Point the mouth of test tube away from your friend.
C. Pour the used solutions back into the bottle.
D. Tamper with electrical sockets.

5. Which of the following is the most appropriate step to take following an accident in
the laboratory?
(SPE/2014/Q1)

A. Report to the teacher immediately.
B. Run to your friends and ask for help.
C. Run out of the laboratory.
D. Sit silently and pretend nothing happened.

6. Below are some hazard symbols with its description. Which symbol matches its
description?
(SPE/2013/Q1)

Symbol Description

A. Biohazardous substance.

B. Corrosive substances.

C. Harmful in small doses.

D. Irritating substances.

7. A bottle containing kerosene shown in figure below is labeled with a hazard symbol.
What does this symbol represent?
(SPE/2015/Q1)

A. Biohazard.
B. Explosive.
C. Flammable.
D. Radioactive.

8. Most car batteries contain acids which are corrosive. Which of the following symbol should be shown on
car batteries?
(SPE/2016/Q1)

TOPIC 1.2: HANDLING COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS Page2

1. A conical flask can measure volume of liquids accurately. TRUE / FALSE
(SPE/2011/Q42a) TRUE / FALSE

2. A non-luminous flame is yellow in colour.
(SPE/2009/Section B/Q2a)

3. Which of the following is an incorrect sectional drawing of laboratory apparatus?
(SPE/2011/Q1)

A. B. C. D.

4. Figure below shows some of the apparatus used in the laboratory. Which apparatus is
most suitable for storing chemical solutions like acids and alkalis in the laboratory?
(SPE/2012/Q1)

A. B. C. D.

5. Figure below shows a Labo gas burner with a yellow flame. What should be done to change it into a blue
flame?
(SPE/2010/Q2)

A. Close the air hole.
B. Open the air hole.
C. Shake the Labo gas to mix the gases.
D. Turn on the gas knob.

6. Figure below shows a Labo gas burner. The air hole of the Labo gas burner is kept
closed when not heating anything. What is the reason for this?
(SPE/2012/Q2)

A. The burner will not get overheated.
B. The flame can be easily seen.
C. To get more heat from the flame.
D. To save the amount of gas used.

Page3

7. Which sequence of action is correct for lighting up a Bunsen burner?
(SPE/2009/Q2)

A. Open the air hole → Light up the match → Turn on the gas knob.
B. Close the air hole → Light up the match → Turn on the gas knob.
C. Light up the match → Turn on the gas knob → Close the air hole.
D. Turn on the gas knob → Light up the match → Open the air hole.

8. Figure below shows steps on how to light a Bunsen burner.

T – Close the air hole U – Turn on the gas of the burner V – Light the match
hole

W – Hold the match X – Open the air hole

above the chimney to obtain a blue

hole flame
Which of the following sequences is correct for lighting up the Bunsen burner?

(SPE/2013/Q3)

A. T →X →W →U →V
→X
B. T →V →W →U →T
→T
C. U →W →X →V

D. W → U → V → X

Page4

TOPIC 1.3: MEASUREMENTS

1. Which of the following instruments shown in figure below is used to measure mass accurately?
(SPE/2012/Q4)

A. B. C. D.

2. Nurhafizah is using a weighing balance to weigh flour for baking cake. Figure below show the reading
before and after the flour is placed on the weighing balance. Calculate the mass of the flour?
(SPE/2013/Q5)

A. 128 g
B. 134 g
C. 144 g
D. 158 g

Before After

3. A stopwatch is used to measure the time for hydrogen gas given off in a reaction as show in Figure
below.

Figure below shows the stopwatch at the start and at the end of the reaction.

Start End Page5
How long does it take for all the gas to be given off during the reaction?
(SPE/2013/Q4)

A. 50 s
B. 51 s
C. 52 s
D. 53 s

TOPIC 1.4: LENGTH, AREA AND VOLUME

1. Figure below shows the internal diameter of a test tube being measured. What is the internal diameter
of the test tube in mm?
(SPE/2011/Q3)

Internal diameter of test tube/mm
A. 20
B. 19
C. 18
D. 17

2. Study figure below carefully. What is the diameter of the spherical steel ball?
(SPE/2012/Q5)

A. 1.0 cm
B. 2.6 cm
C. 4.2 cm
D. 5.2 cm

Spherical steel ball

3. Kartini is trying to measure the area of a leaf clip using the method shown in figure below. What is the
estimated area of the leaf in cm2?
(SPE/2011/Q5)

A. 9
B. 10
C. 12
D. 14

4. Aminuddin is measuring the area of the shell as shown in figure below. What is the estimated area of the
shell?
(SPE/2015/Q3)

A. 20 cm2
B. 21 cm2
C. 22 cm2
D. 23 cm2

Page6

5. Study figure below carefully. Hazirah needs 9 cards to cover the area of the paper in the figure above.
What is the area of the paper?
(SPE/2016/Q2)

A. 205 cm2
B. 215 cm2
C. 225 cm2
D. 235 cm2

6. Figure below shows different types of laboratory apparatus. Which one could be used to measure
accurately the volume of 50 cm3 of water?
(SPE/2010/Q3)

A. B. C. D.

7. Which is the correct sequence to find the volume of a piece of stone?
(SPE/2010/Q4)

A. Put the stone into a measuring cylinder and poor some water into it.
B. Pour some water into the measuring cylinder and put the stone into it.
C. Put the stone on a balance and then put the stone into a measuring cylinder.
D. Put the stone into a measuring cylinder and then on a balance.

8. Figure below shows a 100 cm3 beaker containing some coloured liquid. All the liquid is then poured into
the 50 cm3 measuring cylinder. Which level will the coloured liquid reach in the measuring cylinder?
(SPE/2015/Q2)

Page7

9. Figure below shows a method to determine the volume of an irregular stone. What is the volume of the
stone?
(SPE/2016/Q3)
A. 20 cm3
B. 30 cm3
C. 40 cm3
D. 50 cm3

10. Zahid was asked by his teacher to find the surface area of one of the petals of hibiscus. He used the
method as shown in figure below.

Calculate the surface area of the petal. Show how you arrive at your answer. (SPE/2013/Q43bi)
______________________________________ cm2
11. Figure below shows a 25 N block acting on the box.
(SPE/2010/Q44a)
a) Calculate the volume of the brick.

b) Calculate the area of the brick in contact with the floor.

Page8

TOPIC 1.5: Density

1. Figure below shows a cube of wood. The length on each side is 3 cm and the mass of the cube is 16.2 g.
Calculate the density of the cube?
(SPE/2009/Q3)

A. 0.6 g/cm3
B. 1.7 g/cm3
C. 1.8 g/cm3
D. 25.2 g/cm3

2. Figure below shows the steps taken to measure the volume of a stone with a density of
3.5 g/cm3. What is the mass of the stone?
(SPE/2011/Q8)

A. 280 g
B. 28 g
C. 23 g
D. 0.04 g

3. Figure below shows substances of various densities. Which substance, labeled A, B, C
and D has the highest density?
(SPE/2012/Q6)

4. Figure below shows the steps taken to find the density of an iron ball. Which calculation is suitable to
find its density?
(SPE/2013/Q6)

A. Density = 150 g / 40 cm3
B. Density = (150 – 100) g / 40 cm3
C. Density = 150 g / (40 – 20) cm3
D. Density = (150 – 100) g / (40 – 20) cm3

Page9

5. The beakers in Figure below contain three different liquids. Which statement about the
densities of the liquids is correct?
(SPE/2015/Q4)

A. Liquid 1 is denser than Liquid 2.
B. Liquid 2 is denser than Liquid 3.
C. Liquid 3 is denser than Liquid 1.
D. Liquid 2 and 3 have the same density.

6. Study the diagram in the figure below.

Which of the following correctly describes the mass, volume and density of objects P and Q?
(SPE/2016/Q4)

Mass of objects P Volume of objects P Density of objects P
and Q and Q and Q
Same
A. Different Same Different
B. Different Same
C. Same Different
D. Same Different Different
Same

7. Figure below shows the steps taken to find the density of an iron ball.
(SPE/2010/Q43b)

Page10

Fill in the table below using the figure above.
Volume of iron ball
Mass of iron ball
Density of iron ball

8. a) Faiz poured 40 cm3 of water into a measuring cylinder. She then put a steel ball with
a mass of 150 g into the measuring cylinder as shown below.
(SPE/2014/Q43)

i) Name the instrument used to measure the mass of the steel ball.
_________________________________________________________________________________
ii) Calculate the volume of the steel ball. Show your working.

iii) Calculate the density of the steel ball. Show your working.

Page11

b) Faiz poured two liquids of different densities into a beaker. Figure below shows the two
layers of liquids.

Explain why the gasoline is on top of the water.

______________________________________________________________________________

c) Table below shows the densities of three different solid blocks.

Solid block Density (g/cm3)
Plastic 1.14
Ice cube 0.92
Wood 0.35

Faiz put one of the solid blocks in the table above into the liquids in figure below. The
position of the block is labelled X in figure below.

i) Is solid block X, plastic, ice cube or wood? Explain why. Page12

____________________________________________________________________________

ii) The steel ball in question 3a) is now added to the beaker in figure above.
Draw the position of the steel ball in figure above.

TOPIC 1.6: MEASURING TEMPERATURE

1. What is the main disadvantage of an alcohol thermometer?
(SPE/2009/Q4)

A. It cannot measure low temperatures.
B. It cannot measure high temperature.
C. It is very cheap.
D. It is poisonous.

2. Figure below shows a mercury thermometer. What is the temperature shown and state
one limitation of this type of thermometer.
(SPE/2011/Q2)

Temperature Limitation of Thermometer

A. 10oC Thermometer scale is difficult to read.

B. 10oC Cannot measure very high temperatures.

C. 20oC Mercury vaporises easily and wet glass.

D. 20oC Cannot measure very low temperatures.

3. Figure shows four different positions of an observer reading the mercury level in a
thermometer. Which position is the correct way to read the mercury in the thermometer?
(SPE/2012/Q3)

4. Figure below shows the level of mercury in a thermometer. What is the reading? Page13
(SPE/2016/Q5)
A. 52 oC
B. 54 oC
C. 56 oC
D. 58 oC

5. Figure below shows a mercury thermometer.
(SPE/2010/Q43a)

I. What is the temperature shown by the thermometer above?
______________________________________________________________________________

II. State TWO advantages and ONE disadvantage of using a mercury thermometer when compared
to an alcohol thermometer.
Advantages:
1) ____________________________________________________________________________
2) ____________________________________________________________________________
Disadvantage:
______________________________________________________________________________

TOPIC 1.7: STRAIGHT LINE GRAPH
1. Rosli was infected with H1N1 virus and his body temperature rose up to 40oC in a few hours. Which of

the following graphs represents this?
(SPE/2010/Q7)

2. Figure below shows graphically the extension of a spring when different loads were
attached to it. What is the load if the length of the spring is 4 cm?
(SPE/2011/Q11)
A. 20 N
B. 10 N
C. 5 N
D. 4 N

Page14

3. Hot water was poured into the tin can and left to cool to room temperature as shown
in figure below. The results were plotted in a graph shown in figure below.

From the graph, find the room temperature at which the experiment was carried out.
(SPE/2011/Q21)

A. 100oC
B. 50oC
C. 30oC
D. 20oC

4. The table below shows the intake of oxygen by some germinating seeds over a period of time.
(SPE/2009/Section B/ Q8)

Time / hour Oxygen intake / milligrams per hour
5 0.10
10 0.15
15 0.21
20 0.23
25 0.25
30 0.27
35 0.29
40 0.30

a) Plot a graph of the oxygen intake/milligrams per hour against time taken/hours. Give a

title for your graph.

b) What is the shape of the graph?

_________________________________________________________________________________

c) From the graph what is the difference between the oxygen intake at 10 hours and

oxygen intake at 40 hours?

_________________________________________________________________________________ Page15

d) From the graph what can you conclude about the relationship between the oxygen
intake and the time taken during the germination of the seeds?
_________________________________________________________________________________

e) Mark the letter X on the graph to show the oxygen intake at 0 hours.

TITLE: ______________________________________________________________

Page16

5. Ahmad dropped a ping-pong ball from a tall building. He then recorded the speed of the ball at various
times. His results are shown in the table.

Time (s) Speed (m/s)
1 9
2 16
3 21
4 26
5 30
6 32
8 33

a) Plot a graph of speed (y-axis) against time.

b) What is the shape of the graph?

_________________________________________________________________________________
c) From the graph, determine the speed of the ping-pong ball at the time equal to 4.5 s.

_________________________________________________________________________________
d) Study the graph and predict the speed of the ping-pong ball after 10 s.

_________________________________________________________________________________
e) Explain how you arrived at your answer in part (d).

_________________________________________________________________________________

Page17

Title: ___________________________________________________________________

Page18

6. Ahmad carries out an experiment to find out what will happen to the temperature of water if different
masses of salts are added to it. He takes the following steps shown in Figure below.
(SPE/2015/Q48)

Page19

a) i) State two variables that are kept the same in the experiment.
_________________________________________________________________________________
ii) State one variable that is not kept the same in this experiment.
_________________________________________________________________________________

b) Table below shows the temperature at which different masses of salt dissolved in boiling water.

Mass of salt/g 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Boiling point/0C 100 101.5
106 107.5 109.0

The two temperature readings for 20 g and 30 g masses of salt are shown in Figure below.
Read the thermometer in Figure below and record the temperature in the above table.

Page20

c) Using the information in the above table, plot the points of boiling point of water against the mass of
salt added. The first one has been done for you.

Graph of boiling point against mass of salt added

Page21

d) Use the graph
I. to find the boiling point at which 25 g of salt is added to 100 cm3 of water.
______________________________________________________________________________
II. to find the mass of salt added to water when the boiling point is 108oC.
______________________________________________________________________________
III. What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
______________________________________________________________________________

TOPIC 1.8: SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS TRUE / FALSE

1. Basic science process skills required in carrying out experiments
are: observing, recording, measuring and communicating.
(SPE/2011/Q42b)

2. Lydia did a scientific investigation on diffusion in solids. Figure below shows the steps she took to carry
out her investigation. The steps are not in order.

The correct sequence for scientific investigation is
(SPE/2016/Q8)

A. i → ii → iii → iv →v Page22
→ ii
B. i → iii → v → iv → ii
→ ii
C. i → iii → iv → v

D. i → iv → iii → v

3. Murni and her friends carried out an experiment on food test. They placed an unknown food substance
on a tile and added a few drops of iodine solution shown in Figure below.

After that, they wrote down what they have observed in the experiment in Table below.

Murni The unknown food becomes wet
Nazmi The yellow solution turns blue balck
Aliyah A reaction occurs in the test tube
Amirah The unknown food looks darker

Who wrote the best observation?
(SPE/2015/Q5)

A. Aliyah
B. Amirah
C. Nazmi
D. Murni

4. Shahrul suggested that the solubility of salt is affected by the temperature of water. He
decided to investigate this further by conducting a scientific investigation.

He wrote down the variable that should be kept constant and the variable that was not kept constant in
his note.

Which descriptions written by Shahrul are correct?
(SPE/2013/Q7)

Variable kept constant Variable not kept constant
A. Amount of salt Temperature of water
B. Amount of water Amount of salt
C. Temperature of water Amount of salt
D. Temperature of water Amount of water

Page23

5. Saiful set up an experiment in figure below to find out if Material A (paper towel) absorb more water
than Material B (cloth towel).

He listed all the variables that will affect his experiment below.

Which of the following is a correct choice to ensure his experiment is a fair test?
(SPE/2016/Q7)

Variable changed Variables kept constant
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
A. (i) (i), (iii), (iv), (v)
B. (ii) (i), (ii), (iv), (v)
C. (iii) (i), (ii), (iii), (v)
D. (iv)

Page24

CHAPTER 2: CLASSIFICATION
TOPIC 2.1: CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS
1. Figure below shows a Mimosa plant. The Mimosa plant closes its leaves when touched. This is an

example of a characteristic of living things.

Which of the following characteristics is correct for the above example?
(SPE/2015/Q6)
A. Living things excrete waste.
B. Living things grow and develop.
C. Living things respires all the time.
D. Living things responds to stimuli.
2. Study the diagram in figure below.

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of the living things shown in figure above?
(SPE/2016/Q6)
A. Living things can move.
B. Living things reproduce.
C. Living things grow from young to adult stage.
D. Living things need water to stay alive.

Page25

TOPIC 2.2: DIVERSITY AND CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISM

1. Bacteria and viruses are classified as plants. TRUE / FALSE
(SPE/2012/Q42b) (SPE/2016/Q42c)

2. Which of the following features cannot be used for classifying animals? (SPE/2011/Q15)

A. The body temperature of the animal.
B. The nature of the animal’s skin.
C. The eating habits of the animal.
D. The number of animals in the group.

3. Figure below shows a plant.

Use the chart to identify the plant.
(SPE/2014/Q4)

4. Study the leaves in figure below.

Which of the following leaves can be classified under the same group?

(SPE/2016/Q10)

Group A Group B

A. (i) and (ii) (v) and (vii)

B. (i) and (vii) (ii) and (iv) Page26

C. (ii) and (iv) (vi) and (vii)

D. (iii) and (v) (iv) and (vii)

5. Diagram below shows three types of extinct animals. Which of the animals could have been warm- Page27
blooded?
(SPE/2009/Q5)
A. Dodo only.
B. Mammoth only.
C. Dodo and mammoth.
D. Mammoth and dinosaur.

6. A group of animals are shown in Figure below.

Which animals are mammals?
A. Q, T and U.
B. R, T and W.
C. R, S and V.
D. S and V only.

7. A newly discovered animal, Tipirex, has scales on its body and uses ONLY its lungs to
breathe. What is Tipirex most likely to be classified as?
(SPE/2012/Q9)
A. An amphibian.
B. A fish.
C. A mammal.
D. A reptile.

8. Figure below shows four vertebrate animals.

Which two vertebrate belong to the same group of animal classification?
(SPE/2014/Q3)
A. P and Q.
B. P and S.
C. Q and R.
D. Q and S.

9. Table below describes the physical features of four different animals.

Animal Legs Fur Feathers
(/ ) (/ ) (/ )
P
Q
R
S

Which of the following charts best represent the animals in Table above?
(SPE/2016/Q9)

10. Figure below shows an invertebrate.

Identify the invertebrate in figure below by using the classification key below.
(SPE/2012/Q10)

Page28

11. Which of the following consists of invertebrates only?
(SPE/2014/Q2)

12. Aida observed organisms X, Y and Y found in her garden. She recorded her observations in table below.

Organism Observation
X
• 6 legs
Y • Body has 3 parts
• 1 pair of antennae
Z
• 8 legs
• Body has 2 parts
• No antennae

• Many legs
• Body has many segmented parts
• 1 pair of antennae

Which of the following is the correct classification group for organisms X, Y and Z?
(SPE/2016/Q11)

X Y Z
A. Annelid Insect Molluscs
B. Arachnid Insect Myriapod
C. Insect Arachnid Myriapod
D. Insect Arachnid Annelid

Page29

13. Figure below shows organisms collected in a forest.

The organisms are grouped according to the same common characteristics listed in Table below.

Organisms Characteristics
Group P
- has a muscular foot
Group Q - 1 pair of antennae
- body covered by shell
Group R
- 6 legs
Group S - 1 pair of antennae
- Has 3 parts (head, thorax, abdomen)

- 8 legs
- no antennae
- has segmented body

- more than 8 legs
- 1 pair of antennae
- has segmented body

Which of the following organisms are classified in Group S?
(SPE/2015/Q7)

A. (i), (iv)
B. (iii), (v)
C. (vii), (ix)
D. (ii), (vi), (vii)

Page30

14. Figure below shows a list of plants and animals.

Lizard Eagle Mango Dolphin Crocodile Monkey
Shark Ferns Sperm Whale Papaya Hibiscus

Create the key for the classification of plants and animals listed in figure below.
(SPE/2013/Q43a)

15. Figure below shows two types of fruits X and Y. Page31

Fruits X and Y are both simple fruits and can be classified using Figure below.

Use figure above to identify:
(SPE/2015/Q47d)

i. Fruit X:
__________________________________________________________________________

ii. Fruit Y:
__________________________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 3: MATTER
TOPIC 3.1: MATTER AROUND US
1. a) Figure below shows the apparatus that can be found in a science laboratory.

(SPE/2016/Q43)

i. The apparatus in figure above can be used to find the properties of substance R and S in figure
below.

State one property of substance R and S which is similar.
______________________________________________________________________________
ii. Use the apparatus in figure above to describe briefly how you would confirm that the property

you stated in part a) is similar.
Substance R
_____________________________________________________________________________
Substance S
______________________________________________________________________________

Page32

b) A group of students investigate the properties of compounds and mixtures by carrying
out two experiment, Experiment l and ll in figure below

i. Describe a laboratory safety precaution that should be taken by the students at Step 4?
______________________________________________________________________________

ii. Give the word equation for the reaction in Experiment ll.
______________________________________________________________________________

iii. Give two observations in the experiment which shows that the properties of compounds are
different from mixtures.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Page33

TOPIC 3.2: STATES OF MATTER

1. Which of the following sets of properties of matter belongs to gases? (SPE/2009/Q7)

A. No fixed volume, no fixed shape and move in all directions.
B. No fixed volume, fixed shape and move in all directions.
C. Have fixed volume, no fixed shape and do not move.
D. Have fixed volume, fixed shape and do not move.

2. Which of the following best describes solids? (SPE/2010/Q6)

A. Have fixed volume, fixed shape and do not flow.
B. Have fixed volume, no fixed shape and do not flow.
C. No fixed volume, fixed shape and flow in all directions.
D. No fixed volume, no fixed shape and flow in all directions.

3. The closed flask shown in figure below contains a compound Q in the solid, liquid and
gaseous states.
Which statement is correct? (SPE/2012/Q24)

A. Gaseous Q particles move freely in all directions.
B. Gaseous Q particles vibrate at fixed positions.
C. Liquid Q particles move freely in all directions.
D. Solid Q particles can move freely in the flask.

4. A student poured all the liquid in a bottle into a measuring cylinder, as shown in figure
below.

When compared with the liquid in the bottle in figure above, the liquid in the measuring cylinder has
__________.
(SPE/2013/Q8)

A. a different shape and different volume.
B. a different shape but same volume.
C. the same shape but different volume.
D. the same shape and same volume.

Page34

5. Which of the following correctly states the arrangement and movement of gas particles? (SPE/2014/Q5)

Arrangement Movement
A. Far apart from each other. Move freely in any direction.
B. Far apart from each other. Move by vibrating in fixed position.
C. Packed very close together. Move freely in any direction.
D. Packed very close together. Move by vibrating in fixed position.

6. Which of the following substances contain particles that occupy the whole space of its container?
(SPE/2015/Q8)

A. Chlorine gas.
B. Water.
C. Oil.
D. Wood.

7. Helium gas is used in party balloons as shown below. (SPE/2013/Q44cii & iii)
a) Draw what happens to the party balloon filled with helium after one day.

b) What has happened to the helium as inside the balloon after one day? Page35
_________________________________________________________________________________
8. Water can exist in three states. The state of matter of water as an ice cube has been drawn in figure
below.

Draw the arrangement of particles of water and steam in the boxes provided in figure above.
(SPE/2013/Q44ci)

TOPIC 3.3: DIFFUSION

1. Diffusion in gases is faster than diffusion in liquids. TRUE / FALSE

2. Study figure below carefully. It shows a conical flask filled with water and a crystal of potassium
permanganate dropped carefully in it. After a few days, the water in the beaker turned purple. What is
the process which causes this observation?
(SPE/2009/Q26)

A. Osmosis.
B. Diffusion.
C. Melting.
D. Evaporation.

3. In the experiment shown in figure below, state what is observed when the cover is
removed and explain why this happened.
(SPE/2011/Q34)

Observation Explanation

A. Reddish brown vapour remains at the bottom Bromine gas molecules are heavy and so

gas jar. remain at the bottom gas jar.

B. Reddish brown vapour takes a long time to Bromine gas molecules are heavy and
spread throughout both gas jars. move slower and so take a longer time to
move upwards.

C. Reddish brown vapour spreads throughout Bromine gas molecules move at high
both gas jars very quickly. speed and are in constant random
motion.

D. More reddish brown vapour remains at the The air molecules occupy the top gas jar
bottom gas jar. and force the bromine gas molecules to
remains at the bottom gas jar.

4. Walid carried out an experiment as shown in figure below.

Page36

Name the process shown in this experiment. (SPE/2012/Q26)
A. Condensation.
B. Diffusion.
C. Evaporation.
D. Sublimation.
5. A few drops of food colouring was placed at the bottom of a glass mug containing water.
Which diagram shows the appearance of the glass mug after one day?
(SPE/2014/Q6)

6. Study the experiment in Figure below.

Based on the results observed, which of the following conclusions drawn from the two
experiments is correct? (SPE/2015/Q9)
A. Copper (ll) sulfate particles diffused faster in solid than in liquid.
B. Copper (ll) sulfate particles diffused faster in liquid than in solid.
C. Copper (ll) sulfate particles diffused slower in gas than in liquid.
D. Copper (ll) sulfate particles diffused slower in gas than in solid.

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TOPIC 3.4: ELEMENTS, COMPOUNDS AND MIXTURES

1. Complete the following passage using words provided below. Each word may be used once, or not at all.
(SPE/2011/Q41)

mixture boiling evaporation atmosphere

atoms molecules elements solids

air oxygen condensation sublimation

Matter can exist in the form of ____________________, compounds or mixtures. Matter can exist in
three states: ____________________, liquids and gases. The earth is surrounded by
____________________ that consists of a mixture of gases. The gas particle consists of atoms or
____________________ which are far apart and move very past in random motion. Water vapour in the
air when cooled changes into a liquid by a process called ____________________.

2. The Periodic Table is very important in scientific studies. What is shown by the symbols in the Periodic
Table? (SPE/2010/Q10)

A. Compounds.
B. Elements.
C. Mixtures.
D. Molecules.

3. What do the chemical symbols in the Periodic Table represent? (SPE/2014/Q7)

A. Compound.
B. Elements.
C. Metals only.
D. Non metals only.

4. Study the diagrams of gas particles below. Which diagram represents a compound? (SPE/2009/Q19)

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5. Which of the following compounds contains three elements? (SPE/2011/Q13)

A. Calcium carbonate.
B. Nitrogen dioxide.
C. Sodium chloride.
D. Water.

6. Which of the following is a correct property of compound? (SPE/2013/Q11)

A. They are formed by chemical reactions.
B. They can be broken down by physical methods.
C. The constituents are presents in variable amounts.
D. No new products are formed from their reactions.

7. Suryati carried out an investigation to find out whether substances M, N, P and Q are element,
compound or mixture.

She recorded the following observations:
• Substances M and P cannot be broken down into anything simpler.
• Substance N consists of substances M and Q but is not chemically combined together.
• Substance Q breaks down into substances M and P using chemical methods.

Deduce which of the substances is a compound. (SPE/2014/Q8)

A. M
B. N
C. P
D. Q

8. Which of the following diagrams shows a mixture of two elements? (SPE/2011/30)

Which is a mixture of compounds ONLY? (SPE/2012/Q25)

A. Air.
B. Bronze.
C. Seawater.
D. Water.

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9. What happens when elements combine to form mixtures?
(SPE/2015/Q11)

A. A new substance is formed.
B. Chemical reaction occurs.
C. Heat energy is produced.
D. No chemical reaction occurs.

10. Study figure below.

Identify the above substances. W X
(SPE/2013/Q10) Element Mixture
Mixture Element
V Compound Mixture
Element Compound
A. Compound

B. Compound
C. Element

D. Mixture

11. One of the components separated by fractional distillation of crude oil is kerosene. When kerosene
burns, carbon dioxide and water is produced.

State whether the following substances are
element, compound or mixture.
(SPE/2014/Q44d)

a) Crude oil _________________________

b) Carbon dioxide _________________________

c) Water _________________________

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CHAPTER 4: WATER

TOPIC 4.1: STATES OF WATER

1. When water evaporates, the temperature of water is 100oC. TRUE / FALSE
(SPE/2014/Q42e)

2. Diagram below shows a water cycle in nature. Name the processes that take place at X and Y.
(SPE/2009/Q6)

XY

A. Condensation Evaporation

B. Evaporation Freezing

C. Evaporation Condensation

D. Evaporation Evaporation

3. Study figure below carefully. It shows the process of distillation of salt water. What is the temperature
shown by the thermometer when the salt water is boiling? (SPE/2010/Q8)

A. 98oC
B. 99oC
C. 100oC
D. 101oC

4. Figure below shows the change in states of water. Name the process labeled B and D. (SPE/2010/Q11)

Process B Process D
A. Freezing Evaporation
B. Freezing Condensation
C. Melting Condensation
D. Melting Boiling

5. Study the experiment in figure below.

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At the start of the experiment, the beaker is empty. After 30 minutes, the beaker is filled with water.
Which of the following explains the presence of water in the beaker? (SPE/2015/Q10)

A. Water vapour is absorbed directly into the beaker from the glass bowl.
B. Water vapour condenses to water droplets on the plastic and fall into the beaker.
C. Water vapour melts into water droplets on the plastic and fall into the beaker.
D. Water vapour in the glass bowl rises up and fall directly into the beaker.

6. Which of the following is true about boiling and evaporation of water? (SPE/2012/Q7)

Evaporation Boiling
A. Takes place at all temperature Takes place at all temperature
B. Takes place at all temperature Takes place at 100oC
C. Takes place at room temperature Takes place at 100oC

only Takes place when water is heated
D. Takes place on hot days only all the time

7. Pure water changes its states at different temperatures. Which one of the following is correct?
(SPE/2013/Q9)

Melting point/oC Boiling point/oC Freezing point/oC
A. 0 0 100
B. 100 0 0
C. 0 0
D. 100 100 100
0

8. Figure below shows the three states of water represented by diagrams X, Y and Z. Which changes occur
during condensation? (SPE/2014/Q9)

A. X to Y.
B. X to Z.
C. Y to X.
D. Z to X.

9. Azizah left a bottle of water outside her house. Figure below shows what happened to the volume of
water at 7.00 am, 12.00 pm and 7.00 pm.

Why is the volume of water decreasing from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm?
(SPE/2016/Q12)

A. Water particles near the surface gain heat energy and evaporate to form water vapour.
B. Water particles near the surface gain heat energy and evaporate to form ice.
C. Water particles near the surface gain heat energy and condenses to form water vapour.
D. Water particles near the surface gain heat energy and condenses to form steam.

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TOPIC 4.2: WATER AS A SOLVENT

1. A solute is a substance that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution. TRUE / FALSE
(SPE/2011/Q42e)

2. Figure below shows how a mixture of sodium chloride and calcium carbonate in water
is separated.

Use the labelled diagrams and the helping words top complete the following passage.
Each word may be used once or not at all. (SPE/2012/Q41)

evaporation filtration distillation filtrate
residue insoluble soluble element
compound boiled melted separated

Sodium chloride solution passes through the filter paper and this solution is known as a
____________________. Calcium carbonate is left behind on the filter paper and it is
known as a ____________________. From this experiment, we can conclude that sodium
chloride is ____________________ in water and calcium carbonate is ____________________
in water. This method of separation is known as _____________________.

3. Figure below shows an experiment on dissolving salt in water. Which of the following could increase the
solubility of salt in water? (SPE/2010/Q12)

A. Decreasing the temperature of water.
B. Increasing the temperature of water.
C. Stirring the mixture fast.
D. Using a larger container.

4. Which of the following is the solute in carbonated (fizzy) drinks? (SPE/2014/Q10)

A. Carbon dioxide.
B. Oxygen.
C. Hydrogen.
D. Nitrogen.

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5. Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to make carbonated drinks. Which of the following correctly describes
water and carbon dioxide? (SPE/2016/Q13)

Carbon dioxide Water
A solvent
A. A solute A solute
B. A solvent A solution
C. A solute A solute
D. A solution

6. Ali added two spoonfuls of chalk powder to 50 cm3 of water in a beaker. After stirring, he left the
mixture to stand for 10 minutes as shown in figure below. (SPE/2011/Q43a)

a) What changes, if any, will he observe in the beaker?
_________________________________________________________________________________

b) Explain your observation in part a).
_________________________________________________________________________________

c) Suggest a way to get back the chalk powder.
_________________________________________________________________________________

TOPIC 4.3: SEPARATION TECHNIQUES

1. A mixture of inks can be separated by filtration. TRUE / FALSE
(SPE/2010/Q42a)

2. Which of the following sequences is the correct method to separate a mixture of ethanol (alcohol),
water and sand into its separate components?
(SPE/2011/Q9)

A. Evaporate the ethanol → Filter the mixture of sand and water.
B. Evaporate the water → Filter the mixture of ethanol and sand.
C. Filter the mixture → Distil the mixture of ethanol and water.
D. Filter the mixture → Evaporate the ethanol in a beaker.

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3. Which of the following sequences is the simplest method used to obtain pure salt from a mixture of salt,
iron filings and sand?
(SPE/2010/Q5)

A. Add mixture to water and stir → Filter the mixture → Evaporate the filtrate.
B. Add water and stir → Evaporate the mixture.
C. Add water and stir → Use a magnet to attract the iron filings → Evaporate the mixture.
D. Use a magnet to remove the iron filings → Add water to the remaining mixture and stir → Filter the

mixture → Evaporate the filtrate.

4. Daud wanted to separate a mixture of sand, salt and iron filings. He wrote down the steps shown in
figure below to separate the mixture. However, Daud’s descriptions of the steps are not in order.

The correct order should be __________.

A. Steps O →P →Q →R
B. Steps P →Q →R →S
C. Steps Q →P →R →O
D. Steps R →Q →P →O

5. Ali carried out a chromatography experiment using a coloured dye and the result is shown in below. How
many different colours are present in the coloured dye?
(SPE/2009/Q8)

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

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6. M is a mixture of substance X, Y and Z. The mixture is separated using the steps shown in figure below.

Which of the following is the correct identity of X, Y and Z?
(SPE/2015/Q12)

X Y Z
Salt Sand
A. Iron filings Sand Iron filings
B. Salt Salt Iron filings
C. Sand Iron filings Salt
D. Sand

7. Which of the following apparatus are used to separate salt from water? Page46
(SPE/2016/Q14)
A. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
B. (i), (ii), (iv), (v)
C. (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
D. (iii), (iv), (v) (vi)

8. Study figure below carefully. It shows the distillation process of muddy water.

Which one of the following processes and changes of states take place at part X and Y?
(SPE/2011/Q10)

X Y

Process Changes of state Process Changes of state
A. Boiling Liquid → Gas Condensation Gas → Liquid
B. Boiling Gas → Liquid Condensation
C. Condensation Gas → Liquid Liquid → Gas
D. Condensation Liquid → Gas Boiling Liquid → Gas
Boiling
Gas → Liquid

9. Figure below shows a chromatogram obtained form a police investigation. Which suspect A, B, C or D is
most likely to have been at the crime scene?
(SPE/2010/Q14)

10. Figure below shows a clothing factory dumping waste water containing toxic dyes into the river.

Azmi collected some water samples from the river and wanted to prove that the dyes are harmful. Which
method could he use to separate the dyes into different colours?
(SPE/2011/Q14)

A. Chromatography.
B. Crystallisation.
C. Distillation.
D. Filtration.

11. Which is the correct method to separate coloured dyes? (SPE/2012/Q8)

A. Chromatography.
B. Distillation.
C. Evaporation.
D. Filtration.

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12. A sample of ink was compared with four different dyes using chromatography. The results are shown in
figure below.

Which two dyes does this ink contain?
(SPE/2014/Q11)

A. 1 and 2.
B. 1 and 4.
C. 2 and 3.
D. 2 and 4.

13. Study figure on apparatus used for separating substances in the laboratory. (SPE/2013/Q44)

a) Which apparatus set-up in figure above is used to

i) separate a mixture of salt and sand? ________________________________

ii) obtain pure water from sea water? ________________________________

b) Name the process to

i) obtain pure water from sea water. ________________________________

ii) separate salt from salt solution. ________________________________

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14. The health department is investigating whether a factory is using food dyes which are banned by the
government. Dye Y and Z are the banned food dyes. Should the factory be found guilty of using any of
the banned dyes, the factory will be fined a sum of $5000.

The scientist carries out an experiment in figure below to find out if the factory has been using the
banned food dyes. The steps shown are not in order.
(SPE/2015/Q43)

a) Arrange the steps in the correct order.

Steps →→ →

b) Figure below shows the results of the experiment.

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What is the scientific name for describing a chromatography paper that is filled with different
coloured spots?

_________________________________________________________________________________

c) Based on the results,
i) Identify all the food dye(s) present in the sample?
_________________________________________________________________________________
ii) do you think the factory’s company will be fined $5000? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________

d) The dye in food is made from a mixture of compounds. Based on the results in figure above, which
food dye(s) is made up of more than one compound?
_________________________________________________________________________________

TOPIC 4.4: USES AND CONSERVATION OF WATER

1. Which of the following is the correct way of conserving water?
(SPE/2013/Q12)

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