JMSS Science Reasoning Test - Set 4

Instructions
• Do not open this booklet until told to do so by your teacher.

• Use only a B or 2B pencil.

• Answers must be recorded on the answer sheet provided. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer.

• Calculators may be used.

• Diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale.

• Time: 50 minutes

• 40 Questions. All questions have equal marks.

 JMSS Science Reasoning Test - Set 4

Instructions
• Do not open this booklet until told to do so by your teacher.

• Use only a B or 2B pencil.

• Answers must be recorded on the answer sheet provided. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer.

• Calculators may be used.

• Diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale.

• Time: 50 minutes

• 40 Questions. All questions have equal marks.

Informational Section 1: Heat Transfer and Insulation

Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves from a warmer object to a cooler object.
Insulation is the process that minimizes heat transfer. Materials with high thermal conductivity (like
metals) transfer heat readily, while materials with low thermal conductivity (like air or foam) are good
insulators. The rate of heat transfer depends on the temperature difference and the thermal properties
of the materials.

1. A metal pot and a plastic pot are filled with hot water at the same temperature and left for 20
minutes. Based on the information provided, which pot will likely have the water at a cooler
temperature?
a) The metal pot
b) The plastic pot
c) The temperature will be the same.
d) It is impossible to know.
2. A vacuum flask is designed to keep hot drinks hot. Based on the information given in the text
which of the following is the key to how this works?
a) It allows heat to move readily through it.
b) It contains an element which is at a very high temperature.
c) It minimizes the transfer of heat to the surroundings.
d) It contains a liquid.
3. A house has been designed with walls containing a thick layer of foam. Based on the information
provided why would this material be chosen over other materials?
a) Foam is a very good conductor.
b) Foam has a high thermal conductivity.
c) Foam is a very good insulator.
d) It is very dense.

Informational Section 2: Simple Harmonic Motion

Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where an object moves back and forth along
a central point. A key property of SHM is that the restoring force is directly proportional to the
displacement from the equilibrium. The period of oscillation (the time to complete one full cycle)
depends on the properties of the system. The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the object
from the equilibrium position.

4. According to the information provided a pendulum is an example of simple harmonic motion. If a

pendulum is pulled away from its central position and then released, where will it be moving the
fastest?

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 a) At its furthest point.
b) Half way from its furthest point.
c) At its central point.
d) It will be travelling at a constant speed throughout its motion.

5. According to the information given in the text what is the relationship between the restoring force
and the displacement from equilibrium?
a) They are inversely proportional.
b) They are directly proportional.
c) They are not related
d) One causes the other to stop moving.
6. Based on the text, if a pendulum is moved further away from the central point and then released
how will the period of oscillation be affected?
a) The period will be increased.
b) The period will be decreased
c) The period will be the same.
d) The information provided is insufficient to answer this.

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Informational Section 3: Acids, Bases, and Titration
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+ ) in solution, while bases release hydroxide ions
(OH− ). The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 (strongly acidic)
to 14 (strongly basic). A neutral solution has a pH of 7. Titration is a technique used to determine
the concentration of a substance in solution. This is done by reacting it with a substance of known
concentration until a neutralisation point is reached, this can be indicated by an appropriate indicator.
7. According to the text, if a solution has a PH of 2 what does this mean about the solution?
a) It is a neutral solution.
b) It is a basic solution.
c) It is a strongly acidic solution
d) It is a weakly acidic solution.
8. According to the information what ions are released into solution by bases?
a) Hydrogen ions (H+ )
b) Hydroxide ions (OH− )
c) Sodium ions (Na+ )
d) Chloride ions (Cl− )
9. Based on the text, if a titration reaction has reached the neutralization point, what pH would be
expected?
a) pH 0
b) pH 7
c) pH 14
d) pH 12

Informational Section 4: Photosynthesis and Light Wavelengths

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Different
wavelengths of light are absorbed by different pigments in plants, with chlorophyll primarily absorb-
ing light in the blue and red regions of the visible spectrum, and reflecting green light. The rate of
photosynthesis is affected by the intensity and wavelength of light available.
10. According to the information provided, which colour of light is mainly absorbed by chlorophyll?
a) Green light.
b) Yellow light.
c) Blue and red light.
d) All colours of light equally.
11. Based on the text, if you were to shine a light on a plant with only a wavelength of green, what
would likely be the result of photosynthesis?
a) It would not occur.
b) It would occur at a very high rate.
c) It would occur at a moderate rate
d) It would occur at a very slow rate
12. Based on the information provided what would be the likely cause of a plant being unable to
photosynthesise?
a) A lack of oxygen.
b) A lack of carbon dioxide.
c) A lack of water.
d) A lack of light energy.

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Standalone Questions
13. What is the name given to the positively charged particles in an atom?
a) Electrons
b) Neutrons
c) Protons
d) Ions
14. In a closed system what is said to occur to the amount of energy?

a) Energy is destroyed.
b) Energy is created.
c) Energy is increased.
d) Energy is conserved
15. A ball is thrown upwards, and then falls back to earth. What force is primarily responsible for it
falling back to earth?
a) Air resistance
b) Friction
c) Applied force.
d) Gravity

16. What is the main function of chlorophyll in plants?

a) To absorb water.
b) To absorb carbon dioxide
c) To absorb light energy
d) To facilitate respiration.
17. Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for carbon dioxide?
a) CO
b) H2 O
c) CO2
d) O2
18. What force is mainly responsible for tides on earth?
a) The gravitational pull of the moon
b) The magnetic force of the sun
c) Solar flares from the sun
d) The rotation of the earth
19. A car is travelling at a constant speed along a straight road. What is true of the resultant force
on the car?

a) The resultant force must be large.

b) The resultant force must be small.
c) The resultant force must be zero.
d) The resultant force must be acting in the opposite direction to the car’s motion.
20. What is the main function of the ribosomes in a cell?

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 a) To provide structural support.
b) To generate energy.
c) To synthesize proteins
d) To transport materials.

21. A rock has a mass of 150g and a density of 3g/cm3 , What is its volume?
a) 50cm3
b) 450cm3
c) 147cm3
d) 0.02cm3
22. Which of these is the correct description of transverse waves?
a) Waves where the disturbance moves parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
b) Waves where the disturbance moves perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
c) Waves that travel through a vacuum.
d) Waves that travel through solids.

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Experimental Based Questions
23. A student wants to test the effect of different coloured lights on the growth of algae. They grow
five identical samples of algae under different coloured lights, and then measure their growth after
one week. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

a) The type of algae used.

b) The length of time the algae is grown for.
c) The colour of the light.
d) The amount of algae that grows.

24. A student wants to test how the temperature of water affects the time it takes for sugar to dissolve.
They measure out the same amount of water into 5 beakers and then heat them to 5 different
temperatures. What is the most important next step for the student to take in order to gather
accurate data?
a) Measure the amount of water in each beaker.
b) Add the same amount of sugar to each beaker.
c) Measure the temperature of the water in each beaker again.
d) Measure how long they have been heating for.
25. A student conducts an experiment to see the effect of different soil types on the height of pea plants.
They measure the height of 5 identical plants after one week of growth, in three different soil types
(sand, clay, and compost). What factor would be considered to be a control in this experiment?
a) The type of soil.
b) The time they are left to grow for.
c) The amount of water the plants get.
d) The type of plant being grown.

26. A student wants to investigate how the angle of a ramp affects how far a ball travels from the
bottom. They set up a ramp and release a ball down the ramp and then measure how far it travels
from the bottom on a flat surface. They repeat this with four different angles and then measure the
distance travelled each time. What is the most important thing that needs to remain a constant
variable in this experiment?

a) The size of the ramp

b) The type of ball being used
c) The surface the ball is rolling on
d) All of the above