General Test Instructions
2001
SCHOOL
CERTIFICATE
TEST
•
Reading time: 10 minutes
•
Working time: 1–12 hours
•
The supervisor will tell you when to begin the test
•
This test has TWO sections
•
Attempt ALL questions
•
Complete your answers in blue or black pen
•
Write your Centre Number and Student Number at the
top of the two separate answer sheets and pages 33, 37 and
41.
Directions for Section 1
SPECIMEN
SCIENCE
SECTION 1
S13
•
This section consists of Questions 1–50 (50 marks)
•
Complete your answers to Section 1 on the separate Section
1 answer sheet
•
Complete your answers in blue or black pen
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Instructions for answering questions in Section 1
• Complete your answers in either blue or black pen.
• Multiple choice
Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question. Fill in the
response oval completely.
Sample 1:
2+4=
(A) 2
(B)
A
B
6
(C) 8
C
(D) 9
D
If you think you have made a mistake, put a cross through the incorrect
answer and fill in the new answer.
A
B
C
D
If you change your mind and have crossed out what you consider to be the
correct answer, then indicate the correct answer by writing the word correct and
drawing an arrow as follows.
correct
A
B
–2–
C
D
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
SECTION 1
Total Marks (50)
Complete your answers to Questions 1–50 on the Section 1 Answer Sheet.
1
Which statement about scientific models is correct?
(A) A commonly accepted model can never be changed.
(B)
Measurements which vary from a model are wrong.
(C) A model is rarely based on observations and knowledge.
(D) A model can be used to make predictions.
2
The table shows some information about four people.
Person
Mass
(kg)
Shoe area in contact
with ground
(cm2)
A
40
150
B
40
200
C
60
150
D
60
200
The formula given can be used to calculate the pressure exerted on the ground.
Pressure =
9.8 × Mass
Shoe Area
Which person would exert the greatest pressure on the ground when standing still?
(A) A
(B)
B
(C) C
(D) D
–3–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the diagram to answer Questions 3 and 4.
The diagram shows a penguin diving to feed.
Depth
(m)
iceberg
0
100
krill
stones
penguin
squid
200
antarctic
silverfish
300
scaly
rock cod
octopus
400
500
sand
3
Which of these features of the penguin’s environment is abiotic?
(A) Antarctic silverfish
(B)
Iceberg
(C) Octopus
(D) Squid
–4–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
4
A stomach sample from a penguin contained krill, squid, antarctic silverfish and
stones.
What is the minimum depth to which this penguin could have dived?
(A) 110 m
(B)
270 m
(C) 480 m
(D) More than 500 m
5
Where do convection currents that contribute to volcanic activity occur?
(A) In the asthenosphere
(B)
In the atmosphere
(C) In the hydrosphere
(D) In the lithosphere
6
Which question could be resolved by undertaking a simple scientific
investigation?
(A) Should a river in Tasmania be dammed?
(B)
Did birds evolve from reptiles?
(C) What colour light assists growth of broad beans?
(D) Should the money for cancer research be increased?
7
Scientists often perform many different experiments to test hypotheses. What
conclusion is valid if all observations fit a hypothesis?
(A) The hypothesis is supported by the evidence.
(B)
The hypothesis is not correct.
(C) No other hypotheses are possible.
(D) Further experiments are unnecessary.
–5–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the diagram to answer Questions 8 and 9.
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers of cliffs, as seen from a lookout.
8
Rock layers of the same age have the same fossils in them.
Which is the youngest fossil?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
9
Under what conditions would the horizontal layers have formed?
(A) During volcanic eruptions that kill many animals
(B)
During earthquakes causing the layers to be different levels
(C) At plate boundaries where one plate moves under another
(D) When sediments were compacted underwater
–6–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the following information to answer Questions 10 and 11.
A science class investigated how people learn new skills. They decided to learn to
juggle four tennis balls. Each week they recorded the maximum number of balls each
student could juggle. The results are shown in the graph.
MAXIMUM BALLS JUGGLED
70
3 balls
Percentage of class
60
50
40
30
2 balls
20
4 balls
1 ball
10
0
0
10
1
2
Week
3
At the start of their investigation, what percentage of the class could juggle more
than one ball?
(A) 10%
(B)
20%
(C) 30%
(D) 70%
11
From the results, which statement is justified?
(A) Most students learnt to juggle more balls.
(B)
With practice, students will learn to juggle four balls.
(C) To juggle four balls, you must first learn how to juggle three balls.
(D) Those who practised most learnt how to juggle four balls.
–7–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the diagrams to answer Questions 12–15.
The diagrams show geological periods and the evolution of plants and animals.
PLANTS
Period
Millions of
years ago
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Angiosperms
Conifers
Cycads
Ferns
Horsetails
Club mosses
Algae
Tertiary
Mosses and liverworts
Quarternary
2
65
135
195
225
Triassic
Permian
280
Carboniferous
345
Devonian
395
Silurian
430
Ordovician
500
Cambrian
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Quarternary
Fish
Period
Invertebrates
ANIMALS
Millions of
years ago
2
Tertiary
65
Cretaceous
135
Jurassic
195
225
Triassic
Permian
280
Carboniferous
345
Devonian
395
Silurian
430
Ordovician
500
Cambrian
12
Which of the following lists the periods from most recent to oldest?
(A) Cretaceous, Triassic, Carboniferous, Silurian
(B)
Jurassic, Devonian, Silurian, Cretaceous
(C) Ordovician, Devonian, Permian, Tertiary
(D) Tertiary, Cambrian, Permian, Jurassic
–8–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
13
A rock layer contains fossils of mosses, cycads, invertebrates and amphibians?
In which of the following periods could this rock layer have formed?
(A) Cambrian
(B)
Cretaceous
(C) Devonian
(D) Silurian
14
Which statement about the evolution of animals is supported by the diagram?
(A) Birds evolved from mammals.
(B)
Birds and mammals have common ancestors that were reptiles.
(C) Amphibians have nothing in common with fish.
(D) Only invertebrates lived in the oceans over 430 million years ago.
15
Which comparison best demonstrates that the variety of living things has
changed over time?
(A) Comparison between present-day plants and animals and fossil plants and
animals
(B)
Comparison between fossil plants and animals
(C) Comparison between present-day plants and animals
(D) Comparison between invertebrates and algae
16
Some students were asked to investigate whether hot, soapy water washes
grease stains out of clothes better than cold, soapy water.
Which of the following would be essential in the investigation?
(A) Filter paper, grease-stained clothing, washing machine
(B)
Cold water, grease-stained clothing, soap
(C) Cold water, hot water, filter paper
(D) Hot water, soap, washing machine
17
Which of the following are least likely to be used by astronomers to investigate
galaxies?
(A) Light waves
(B)
Radio waves
(C) Sound waves
(D) X-rays
–9–
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the information provided to answer Questions 18–20.
Parts of an atom
Mass
0.001 units
1.007 units
+
1.009 units
A PARTICLE OF FLUORINE (F2)
+
+
18
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
What is the name given to this particle of fluorine?
(A) Atom
(B)
Compound
(C) Mixture
(D) Molecule
19
What is the approximate mass of this fluorine particle?
(A) 18 units
(B)
20 units
(C) 38 units
(D) 56 units
– 10 –
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
20
One of the parts of the atom with a relative mass of 0.001 units is removed from
the fluorine particle shown in the diagram. What will be the charge on the
remaining fluorine particle?
(A) Neutral
(B)
Negative
(C) Positive
(D) Zero
21
What is the general name given to chemicals that change colour in acids or
bases?
(A) Bromothymol blue
(B)
Indicator
(C) Litmus
(D) Universal indicator
22
A scientist reported a new discovery. This discovery did not agree with the
existing scientific theory, and caused controversy. What would be the best for the
scientific community to do?
(A) Ignore the discovery that has been reported
(B)
Reject the existing scientific theory
(C) Have other scientists repeat the scientist’s experiments
(D) Survey other people about the discovery
23
The formation of a star includes the following sequence:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
A dense region of gas clouds collapses.
The beginning star forms a large, cool mass of gas.
The gas contracts and the temperature rises.
What is the most likely next step in this sequence?
(A) Atomic nuclei combine and release large amounts of energy.
(B)
Molecules of gas collapse to form large molecules.
(C) The gas explodes due to the extra heat.
– 11 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
(D) The gas changes colour and explodes.
Use the information provided to answer Questions 24–26.
The diagram shows an experiment in which crushed coal is heated in a test tube.
steel wool
gases
coal
some gases
burn
cold water
tar
The flowchart represents what happens in this experiment.
24
P
Heat breaks down coal
Q
Gases form from coal
R
Gases travel to second
test tube
S
Gases are cooled
T
Some gases burn
Some gases form tar
U
Tar collects in test tube
V
At what stage of the process are new compounds formed?
(A) R
(B)
T
(C) U
(D) V
25
What is the chemical reaction occurring at P?
(A) Combustion
(B)
Corrosion
(C) Decomposition
– 12 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
26
(D) Precipitation
Which of the following is a method of reducing risk in this experiment?
(A) Crushing the coal so it quickly breaks down
(B)
Clamping the test-tube to be heated
(C) Placing the bunsen burner on a retort stand
(D) Collecting the tar in a test tube
27
28
Which of the following circuits has light globes arranged in parallel?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
In a car, there is an electric circuit for the inside cabin light. The inside cabin light
will turn on when one or both of the front doors is opened.
Which of the following circuit diagrams shows an electrical circuit that will allow
this to happen?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
– 13 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the diagram to answer Questions 29–31.
The diagram shows the steps involved in processing raw sewage.
raw
sewage
liquid
grid screen
traps
secondary
biological treatment
primary
settling-tank
mixed liquid
and solids
solids
secondary
settling-tank
solids
liquid
disinfection
digestor
coagulation and
sedimentation
(alum or lime added)
solids
liquid
carbon absorption
sludge
dryingbeds
ion exchange
Sludge
Effluent
clean liquid to
natural waters,
lagoons, irrigation
used for fuel
landfill, soil
conditioning
29
Which of the following traces a possible path of sewage in this process?
1
2
3
4
primary
settling-tank
disinfection
coagulation
and
sedimentation
digestor
disinfection
secondary
settling-tank
digestor
sludge dryingbeds
(C)
secondary
settling-tank
digestor
sludge drying- grit screen
beds
traps
(D)
secondary
biological
treatment
secondary
settling-tank
disinfection
(A)
(B)
– 14 –
digestor
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
30
Why does the sewage undergo further treatment after disinfection?
(A) Microbes in the liquid have been killed.
(B)
Gases need to be removed.
(C) The liquid contains sludge.
(D) There are solids in the liquid.
31
Which of the following is one reason to encourage the use of sludge as a fuel?
(A) Sludge is a renewable energy source.
(B)
Sludge damages soil.
(C) Sludge provides recycled minerals for plants.
(D) Sludge increases the need for soil conditioning.
32
Scientists are working to find ways of reducing the use of fossil fuels. What is the
most important reason for this research?
(A) Transport systems run better on electricity.
(B)
Solar energy is cheaper and easier to obtain.
(C) Excessive use of fossil fuels is a concern in cities.
(D) Fossil fuels contribute to the greenhouse effect.
33
Water is one of the products of neutralisation. What is the general name for the
other product?
(A) Acid
(B)
Gas
(C) Metal
(D) Salt
34
What is the general name for the chemicals produced by endocrine glands?
(A) Antibodies
(B)
Hormones
(C) Perspiration
(D) Pus
– 15 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the information to answer Questions 35 and 36.
Energy Production for Selected Countries, 1994
Australia
Canada
Japan
USA
units
174.0
337.7
89.3
1651.3
Solids (coal, etc)
%
71.4
11.7
4.3
32.4
Oil
%
14.9
32.1
0.9
23.9
Natural gas
%
12.9
36.7
2.2
26.6
Nuclear
%
0.0
8.3
78.5
10.7
Hydro and wind
%
0.9
8.4
6.5
1.4
Other
%
0.0
2.8
7.5
5.0
Primary energy
production
35
energy
The primary energy production for one country is shown in the sector graph
below. Which country?
KEY
Solids
Nuclear
Oil
Hydro and wind
Natural gas
Other
(A) Australia
(B)
Canada
(C) Japan
(D) USA
36
What percentage of Australia’s primary energy production was from renewable
energy sources in 1994?
(A) 0.9
(B)
27.8
(C) 71.4
– 16 –
(D) 99.1
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the information to answer Questions 37 and 38.
37
Fact 1
The dinosaurs died out about 65 million years ago.
Fact 2
There is evidence of a period of long and widespread
volcanic activity about 65 million years ago.
Fact 3
In 1991, a volcano, Mt Pinatubo erupted.
Fact 4
For two years after the Mt Pinatubo eruption, sunsets
in the area were red from dust in the atmosphere.
Which of the following was a result of the eruption of Mt Pinatubo?
(A) Dinosaurs died out
(B)
Dust in the atmosphere
(C) Long periods of volcanic activity
(D) Widespread volcanic activity
38
What is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from the given facts?
(A) Red sunsets occurred 65 million years ago.
(B)
Most dinosaurs were buried in lava.
(C) Mt Pinatubo erupted 65 million years ago.
(D) Volcanic activity occurred in Australia 65 million years ago.
39
Two solid balls are dropped simultaneously from the same height. One ball is
twice as heavy as the other. Which statement is correct?
(A) Both balls will hit the ground at the same time because their acceleration is
the same.
(B)
The lighter ball will hit the ground first because it accelerates faster.
(C) The heavier ball will hit the ground first because it accelerates faster.
(D) The accelerations of the balls cannot be determined until they are both
dropped.
– 17 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the information and diagrams to answer Questions 40–42.
A car engine works in this way:
• As the piston moves down, fuel is drawn into the cylinder through Valve X.
• The piston then moves up, compressing the vapour.
• A spark from the spark plug ignites the vapour. The explosion pushes the piston
down.
• As the piston moves back up, it forces the gases out through Valve Y.
These four diagrams represent this process, but are not in the correct order.
Spark plug
Valve Y
Valve X
Piston
P
40
Q
R
What is the correct order for these diagrams?
(A) P, Q, S, R
(B)
P, R, S, Q
(C) S, Q, P, R
(D) S, R, P, Q
41
What happens to the gas in Q as the piston moves up?
(A) It compresses.
(B)
It expands.
(C) It explodes.
(D) It reacts.
– 18 –
S
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
42
What scientific principle is related to Q?
(A) Levers can be used to change the magnitude of a force.
(B)
Pressure is related to the frequency of particle collisions.
(C) Energy may be released from nuclei of atoms.
(D) Electrical energy can be changed to heat and light energy.
43
Trilobites are extinct marine organisms.
A student observed the features of four types of trilobite and placed them in the
sequence shown.
L
K
M
Most
ancient
N
Most recent
The student later observed another trilobite shown below.
Based on its features, where should this trilobite be placed in the student’s
sequence?
(A) K
(B)
L
(C) M
(D) N
– 19 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
44
Some electrical meters have more than one scale. The scale to be read depends
on which positive terminal is connected.
0.4
0.2
0
2
1
0.6
3
0
0.8
1.0
4
5
negative
terminal
1V
Positive
terminals
5V
What is the reading on this meter?
(A) 0.64 V
(B)
0.68 V
(C) 3.40 V
(D) 3.80 V
45
Four students found some tadpoles in a pond.
I wonder
what sort of
frogs they
will grow
into.
Let's
call the
museum
to find out.
They are
very large
and black.
Bruce
Jenny
Adrian
Van
Which of the students is making a hypothesis?
(A) Adrian
(B)
I think
they are
cane toads.
Bruce
(C) Jenny
(D) Van
– 20 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
46
The diagram shows a pulley system being used to lift a heavy load.
Pulley system
Load
Two statements about this pulley system are:
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
The pulley system makes it easier to lift the load.
Using the pulley system, less energy needs to be used.
Which of the following is correct?
47
Statement 1
Statement 2
(A)
True
False
(B)
False
True
(C)
True
True
(D)
False
False
A sheep on the ground has the same mass as a large weather balloon 20 km
above the ground. Which statement about the force of gravity is true?
(A) The force of gravity on the sheep and weather balloon is the same because
they have the same mass.
(B)
The force of gravity is less on the sheep because it has a smaller volume.
(C) The force of gravity is greater on the sheep because it is closer to Earth than
the weather balloon.
(D) The force of gravity is greater on the weather balloon because it is floating
in the atmosphere.
– 21 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
Use the diagram showing the food web of a pond community to answer Questions 48
and 49.
Carnivorous game fish
Small carnivores
Decomposers
Plants
Mineral
nutrients
Small
herbivores
48
49
Which diagram best represents the flow of matter in this ecosystem?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
An increase in the number of carnivorous game fish in the community has been
connected with fertilising of grazing land near the pond. Which of the following
is most likely to account for this increase?
(A) Added nutrients have supplemented the normal diet of the game fish.
(B)
An increase in producers has provided an additional food source for game
fish.
(C) Fertilisers have stimulated the growth rate of the game fish.
(D) Fertilisers have enabled more energy to be taken into the community.
– 22 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
50
The diagram shows the effects of different logging methods on forest
ecosystems.
Method 1
Method 2
Method 3
Method 4
Which of these logging methods has the least impact on a natural forest
ecosystem?
(A) Method 1
(B)
Method 2
(C) Method 3
(D) Method 4
End of Section I
– 23 –
2001 SCT SPECIMEN • SCIENCE • SECTION 1
BLANK PAGE
– 24 –
© Board of Studies NSW 200