2007 Ordinary Level Paper Q&A

Biology
Question 1

(a)
The picture shows a piece of laboratory equipment.
(i) Name the piece of equipment.
(ii) Give one use of this piece of equipment.
Answer
(i) Microscope
(ii)Examining cells

(b)
Protein and carbohydrate form part of a balanced diet.
(i) In the table on the right write the letter P beside a good source of protein.
(ii) Write the letter C beside a good source of carbohydrate.
Answer
(i) P: Cheese / fish
(ii) C: Potato / carrot

(c)
Two teeth are labelled T in the diagram.
(i) In the table on the right write the letter T beside the type of tooth labelled T.
(ii) Write the letter F beside the function of that type of tooth.
Answer
(i) T: Molar
(ii)F: Chewing

(d)
(i) In the table below place the letter S beside the name of an organ protected by the skull. Brain
(ii) Write the letter R beside the name of an organ protected by the ribs. Heart
Answer Stomach
(i) S: Brain Kidney
(ii) R: Heart

(e)
The diagram shows the male reproductive system.
(i) In the table on the right write the letter A beside the name of the part labelled A.
(ii) Write the letter B beside the name of a substance produced by B.
Answer
(i) A: Penis
(ii) B: Sperm

(f)
Choose one vertebrate and one invertebrate from the list of animals on the right.
Invertebrate __________________________ Snail
Vertebrate __________________________ Mouse
Answer Fox
(i) Snail / earthworm Earthworm
(ii)Mouse / fox

(g)
Name the parts labelled A and B in the diagram of the flower.
Name of part A _____________________
Name of part B _____________________
Answer
(i) A: Petal / corolla
(ii)B: Stamen / anther / pollen
(h)
The diagram shows the human heart. Blood moves through vessels called arteries and veins.
(i) In the table on the right write the letter A beside the name of the blood vessels that carry
blood away from the heart.
(ii) Write the letter T beside the name of the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart.
(iii) Why is the wall of the left side of the heart thicker than the wall on the right side?
Answer Arteries
(i) A: Arteries Veins
(ii)T: Veins
(iii) Pumps blood to / around the body / pumps blood further / right side pumps to the lungs

Question 2

(a)
In each case, choose the correct part of the human body from the list on the right to complete the
following sentences. Eye
(i) The _________________ detects light. Joint
(ii) The _________________ is a human organ of excretion. Kidney
(iii) The structure formed where two bones meet is called a ________________. Muscle
(iv) The tissue that causes movement of joined bones is called ______________.
Answer
(i) Eye
(ii) Kidney
(iii) Joint
(iv) Muscle

(b)
The diagram below shows the human digestive system.
Examine the diagram and answer the questions that follow.
(i) In the table write the letter A beside the name of the part labelled A.
(ii) Write the letter B beside the name of the part labelled B.
(iii) Write the letter F beside the function of the part labelled B.
(iv) The large intestine is labelled C in the diagram.
State one function of the large intestine.
(v) Fibre is a carbohydrate and it is an important part of a balanced diet.
What is the function of fibre as part of a balanced diet?
Answer
(i) A: Oesophagus
(ii)B: Stomach
(iii) F: Digestion
(iv) Reabsorbs water / produces vitamins (K&B) / forms (stores / egests) faeces (waste) / egestion.
(v) Prevents constipation / aids peristalsis / moves food along gut / prevents cancer / provides bulk / absorbs water /
helps egestion / prevents diverticulitis

(c)
In an investigation to compare the amount of carbon dioxide in inhaled and exhaled air a student set up the apparatus
drawn below.
Limewater was placed in test tube A and in test tube B.
The student inhaled (breathed in) air through part A of test tube A so that the air was passed through the limewater.
The student then exhaled (breathed out) through part B of test tube B
so that the exhaled air was passed through limewater.
(i) What effect has carbon dioxide on limewater?
(ii) The student inhaled through test tube A and exhaled through test
tube B twenty times.
The student saw no change in the appearance of the limewater in test tube A.
The appearance of the limewater in test tube B had changed.
What change would you expect the student to have seen in the limewater in test tube B?
(iii) What conclusion should the student have drawn from what he/she saw?
Answer
(i) Turns milky / cloudy / chalky / white
(ii) Turned milky / cloudy / chalky / white
(iii) (More) carbon dioxide in exhaled air / no (less) carbon dioxide in inhaled air
Question 3

(a)
The diagram shows a plant that was left in sunlight for a few days.
A test was carried out in the laboratory on a part of the plant to see if it had
made food (starch).
Answer the following questions using the table.
(i) Write the letter F beside the name of the process by which plants make
food.
(ii) Write the letter P beside the name of the part of the plant where most of
the food (starch) is made.
(iii) Write the letter C beside the name of the substance which gives plants
their green colour.
(iv) Write the letter S beside the name of the chemical that produced a blue-
black colour when it is used to test for starch.
Answer
(i) F: Photosynthesis
(ii) P: Leaf
(iiii) C: Chlorophyll
(iv) S: Iodine

(b)
A number of cress seeds were set up as shown
in the diagram and left for a few days at a
suitable temperature to investigate one of the
conditions necessary for germination.
The seeds in test tube B germinated.
Study the diagram and answer the questions
below using the table.
(i) Write the letter X in the table beside the
condition present in B but not present in A which allowed the seeds in B to germinate.
(ii) At which temperature, 1 °C or 15 °C, would the seeds be most likely to germinate?
Write the letter T in the table beside your choice.
Answer
(i) X: Water
(ii) T: 15°C

(c)
Phototropism is the name given to a plant’s response to light.
(i) How do plants respond to light?
(ii) Describe, with the help of a labelled diagram, how you could set up an investigation to show how plants respond
to light.
Use the headings below.
Equipment:
Procedure:
Result:
Labelled diagram
Answer
(i) Plant bends towards light / grow towards light
(ii)
Equipment: Container of seedlings / plant
Procedure: Place container of seedlings (leafy plant) near a window / light source
Leave for a time
Result: seedling (plant) grows towards window (light source)
 Chemistry
Question 4

(a)
What is the name the piece of equipment shown on the right.
Give one use of this piece of equipment.
Answer
(i) Graduated cylinder
(ii)To find volume of liquids / measure (amount of) liquids

(b)
Two pieces of laboratory glassware are drawn on the right.
In the table write the letter P under the drawing of a pipette.
Write the letter B under the drawing of a burette.
Answer
(i) P: Pipette
(ii) B: Burette

(c)
The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.
The diagram shows the arrangement of particles in the three states of matter.
In the table write the letter S beside the arrangement of particles in a solid.
Write the letter G beside the arrangement of particles in a gas.
Answer
(i) S: Solid (top)
(ii) G: Gas (lower)

Aluminium
(d)
Brass
In the table on the right write the letter A beside the name of each of the two alloys listed.
Diamond
Answer
A: Brass // solder Iron
solder

(e)
In the table on the right write the letter W beside the name of each of the two elements present in Carbon
water. Hydrogen
Answer Nitrogen
W: Hydrogen // Oxygen Oxygen

(f) Alcohol
Plastics are widely used to make bottles, lunchboxes etc. Crude oil
From which material listed on the right are most plastics manufactured? Water
Give one reason why plastics are suitable for the uses above.
Answer
Crude oil
Flexible / mouldable / durable (strong) /hygienic / reusable /recyclable / safer than glass / light / waterproof / doesn’t
rot / easier to dye / cheap

(g) Atoms
Complete the following sentence below inserting the correct words from the list on the right. Elements
All the known _________________ are listed in the ______________________________. Compounds
Answer Periodic table
Elements
Periodic table

(h)
The diagram shows three experiments which were set up to investigate rusting.
Study the diagram and answer the questions below.
(i) In which test tube, A, B or C, will the nails rust?
(ii) Why is the water in test-tube B boiled and cooled and then covered with a layer of oil?

Answer
(i) A
(ii) To remove oxygen (air) / exclude (keep out) oxygen (air)
Question 5

(a)
Separation techniques are very important in chemistry.
The apparatus in the diagram was used to separate sea-
water.
Study the diagram.
(i) Complete the table correctly matching the labels A – F
in the diagram with words/phrases in the table.
(ii) What is the name given to the separation technique
shown in the diagram above?
Answer:
(i)
A: Thermometer
B: Water out to sink
C: Condenser
D: Cold water in
E: Tripod stand
F: Bunsen
(ii) Distillation

(b)
(i) What is the name given to the separation technique shown in diagram?
(ii) Name two substances which could be separated using this technique.
Answer:
(i) Filtration / filtering
(ii) Soil (sand) and water (any insoluble solid and liquid)

(c)
The diagram shows an arrangement of apparatus suitable for the preparation of carbon dioxide gas
in a school laboratory.
(i) Name suitable substances X and Y from which carbon dioxide can be made.
(ii) The diagram shows a gas jar of carbon dioxide gas being poured onto a lighting candle.
The candle quenches (goes out).
This test demonstrates two properties of carbon dioxide gas.
State these two properties.
Answer:
(i)
X: Hydrochloric acid
Y: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) / limestone / marble chips / chalk / bread soda / washing soda
(ii) Doesn’t support combustion (accept: “acts as a fire extinguisher”) // denser than air / heavier than air
Question 6
(a) Covalent
The sentences below have words omitted. Electrons
Complete the table on the right correctly matching the numbers 1 – 5 with the words in the table. Ionic
Neutrons and ____1_____ are located in the nucleus of atoms. Neutrons
The ____2_____ move around outside the nucleus of atoms. Protons
The ____3_____ have no electric charge.
In ____4_____ bonding pairs of electrons are shared.
In ____5_____ bonding positive ions are attracted to negative ions.
Answer:
1: Protons
2: Electrons
3: Neutrons
4: Covalent
5: Ionic

(b)
Fossil fuels are sources of hydrocarbons. Helium
(i) Name one element found in all hydrocarbons. Hydrogen
(ii) The burning of fossil fuels can give rise to acid rain. Methane
Give one harmful effect of acid rain. Oxygen
(iii) Natural gas is mainly composed of one particular hydrocarbon.
In the table below place the letter N beside the name of this gas.
Answer:
(i) Carbon // hydrogen
(ii)Damage to buildings / statues / metals / lakes / trees (plants) / fish life / leaches minerals from soil
(iii) N: Methane

(c)
Describe, with the help of a labelled diagram, how you could investigate simple household substances to see if they
were acidic, basic or neutral.
Use the headings below.
Equipment and chemicals:
Procedure:
Result:
Labelled diagram
Answer:
Equipment and chemicals: Litmus paper / universal indicator / pH paper (meter)
Procedure: Drop a spot of universal indicator onto each substance and note the colour change.
Result: Universal indicator: pH less than 7 in an acid and greater than 7 in a base
 Physics
Question 7

(a)
Metre
Different units are used to measure different physical quantities.
(i) In the table on the right write the letter L beside the unit of length. Newton
(ii) Write the letter W beside the unit of weight. Joule
Answer:
(i) L: Metre
(ii) W: Newton

(b)
The diagram shows a three-pin plug with the back removed.
(i) In the table below write the letter X beside the name of the wire
labelled X in the diagram.
(ii) Write the letter C beside the colour of the insulating on the wire
labelled Y.
Answer:
(i) X: Neutral
(ii) C: (Y) Brown

(c) 3m
The speed of a car is 15 m s–1. 75 m
(i) In the table write the letter D beside the distance the car will travel in 5 seconds.
Acceleration
(ii) Write the letter F beside the word that describes what happens when the speed of a car
Force
increases.
Answer:
(i) D: 75 m
(ii) F: Acceleration

(d)
(i) Identify device labelled A on the right.
(ii) Complete the circuit inserting the symbol for the device A so that the buzzer would
sound if the switch were closed.
Answer:
(i) A: Diode
(ii) Drop the diode into the circuit as it is (without turning it around).

(e)
The diagram shows a magnet freely suspended from a wooden stand.
Complete the statements below using the correct word from the list on the right in each case.
(i) When the north pole of another magnet is brought close to the north pole of the hanging magnet
they will ___________ each other.
(ii) When the south pole of another magnet is brought close to the north pole of the hanging magnet
they would _____________ each other.
Answer: Repel
(i) Repel Attract
(ii) Attract

(f)
Nuclear energy could be used to solve Ireland’s energy shortage.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of nuclear energy.
Answer:
Advantage: Efficient energy release / non polluting emissions / doesn’t produce greenhouse gases / doesn’t cause
global warming / can be used to produce electricity
Disadvantages: Waste is harmful (dangerous, radioactive, lasts for a very long time) / risk of accident

(g)
The diagram shows a ray of light shining onto a plane mirror in a periscope.
Complete the path taken by the ray in the diagram.
Answer:
The ray goes down and then out.

(h)
A block of metal has the measurements shown on the right.
The mass of the metal block is 21 g.
Write the letter V beside the value of of the volume of the block.
Write the letter D beside the value of of the density of the block.

8 cm3
10 cm3
2.1 g cm–3
Answer: 210 g cm–3
(i) V: 10 cm3
(ii) D: 2.1 g cm-3
Question 8

(a)
Heat is transferred in different ways.
In each case use a word from the list on the right to correctly complete each sentence below.
Conduction
(i) Heat travels through solids by ___________________.
Convection
(ii) Heat travels through liquids and gases by ___________________.
Radiation
(iii) Heat travels from the Sun to the Earth by ___________________.
Answer:
(i) Conduction
(ii) Convection
(iii) Radiation

(b)
The apparatus drawn consists of a ball and ring.
When the ball and the ring are cold the ball just fits through the ring.
When the ball is heated the ball does not pass through the cold ring.
(i) What conclusion would you draw from this experiment?
(ii) What would you expect to happen if the ball was cooled down again?
Answer:
(i) Solids (metals) expand (when heated) / ball expands (when heated)
(ii) It would fit through the ring / contracts / get smaller

(c)
In an investigation to see the effect heating had on gases, a student heated a
round-bottomed flask containing air using a hairdryer as shown in the diagram.
What would you expect the student to have seen when the flask was heated?
Answer:
(i) Bubbles (of air coming from flask into water trough)
(ii) Air (gases) expand when heated

(d)
A student set up the following experiment to investigate how sound travels through air.
An electric bell was placed inside a bell-jar as shown in the diagram.
The bell rang and it could be heard clearly.
When the pump was switched on it started to pump the air out of the bell-jar and a vacuum
was created.
At that stage the bell could no longer be heard but it could still be seen ringing.
(i) What conclusion could be drawn from this investigation?
(ii) When the air was pumped out, the bell could still be seen even though it could not be
heard.What difference between light and sound does this show?
(iii) During an electric storm lightning is usually seen before thunder is heard.
What does this tell us about light and sound?
Answer:
(i) Sound will not travel through a vacuum / sound needs medium (substance) to travel
(ii) Light can travel through a vacuum / light doesn’t need a medium (substance)
(iii) Light travels faster than sound
Question 9

(a)
A student set up the circuit drawn below to investigate the relationship between the potential
difference (voltage), the current and the resistance of a wire conductor.
Gaps are left in the diagram in the places where the ammeter and voltmeter should be placed. The
symbols for these devices are given on the right.
Complete the circuit inserting the symbols for the ammeter and the voltmeter in their correct positions.
Answer:
(i) Ammeter in series
(ii) Voltmeter in parallel

(b)
The student used the variable voltage supply to apply different voltages across the
resistor. She measured the voltage across the resistor and the current passing through
it several times. She collected the following data.
Draw a graph of the voltage (y-axis) against the current (x-axis) in the grid provided
on the right.
What conclusion can you draw from the graph about the relationship between the
potential difference (voltage) and the current passing through the wire conductor?
Voltage (V) 0 2 4 6 8
Current (A) 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Answer:
(i) Straight line graph through the origin
(ii)Potential difference is proportional to current.

(c)
An electric cooker has four hot plates.
The total power rating of the four hot plates is 7 kW.
All four are used for a total of 2 hours each day.
How many units of electricity (kWh) are used in 1 week?
If electricity costs 11 cent per unit how much does this cost?
Answer:
(i) 7 × 2 × 7 = 98
(ii)98 × 11 = €10.78

(d)
Describe, with the help of a labelled diagram, how you could carry out an experiment to show that light travels in
straight lines.
Use the headings below.
Equipment:
Result:
Labelled diagram
Answer:
Equipment: Three pieces of card with holes in centre
Procedure: Set up cards with holes in straight line
Place lit lamp at one end / look through to lamp at other end
Result: Light travels straight through / light can be seen / move the card and light cannot be seen