Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021

TECHNOLOGY
GRADE 8

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH DISTRICT

COMMON CLUSTER TEST

NOVEMBER TEST

MARKS : 80

TIME : 60 MINUTES

SPECIFIC AIMS

TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND SKILLS 50%

TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING 30%

TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 20%

This question paper consists of 10 pages.

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021

LEARNER SIGNATURE: __________________________ DATE: ______________

POSSIBLE MARKS MODERATED

QUESTIONS + CONTENT
MARKS OBTAINED MARK
1 SYSTEMS AND CONTROL-MECHANICAL 10
2 LEVERS 5
3 SYSTEMS AND CONTROL- ELECTRICAL 9
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY AND BIAS IN
4 16
TECHNOLOGY
5 DESIGN PROCESS 40
TOTAL 80

SIGNATURE OF TEACHER: ____________________ DATE: _____________

SIGNATURE OF HOD: _____________________DATE: _______________

INSTRUCTIONS TO LEARNERS:

• This paper consists of THREE sections: Sections A, B and C.

• Read all instructions carefully.
• Answer all Sections from section A to C unless otherwise specified.
• Write neatly and answer all the questions in the spaces provided in this question paper.
• Please use a pencil for all drawings.
• Where required to calculate show all working out.
• Write your name in the space provided above.
• Use scale 1:1 if the scale is not stated.
• For drawings all construction lines and projections must be shown.
• Check spelling and sentence construction carefully

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
SECTION A: TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

QUESTION 1: MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

1.1 Gears

1.1.1 Explain what you understand by the term “Mechanical advantage “. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

1.1.2 Mention two changes to force that a gear train can bring about. (2)

a)_____________________________________________________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________________________________________________

1.1.3 Calculate the mechanical advantage obtained in a gear train of equal spur gears that has a driver gear
with 50 teeth and a driven gear with 25 teeth. Show calculations in space proved.
(2)

1.1.4 What will you do in order to achieve the same direction of rotation in two spur gears? (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

1.2

1.2.1 State one condition for force multiplication (MA) to be achieved in a gear train. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

1.2.2 Explain in your own words how mechanisms make our lives easy. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

1.2.3 List two uses of a wedge. (1)

a)_____________________________________________________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________________________________________________

1.2.4 Explain in your own words the difference between an eccentric wheel and a snail cam. (1)
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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

[10]

QUESTION 2: LEVERS

2.1

2.1.1 State two ways that levers give advantage. (2/2=1)

a)_____________________________________________________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________________________________________________

2.1.2 Name and draw labelled diagrams/ sketches of any two classes of a lever system. Indicating
where the effort, load and fulcrum are on the picture. (4)

Assessment:
Name of class

Drawing/sketch
Labels
Correct placement of labels
4/2= 2 each

Name:

Drawing:

Name:

Drawing:

[5]

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
QUESTION 3: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND CONTROL

3.1

3.1.1 Draw the symbol for each of these electronic devices and explain the function of each: (4/2=2)

Drawing Symbol Function

LED

Buzzer

3.1.2 List one example of an output device and explain the energy conversion that takes place. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

3.1.3 Show by a drawing how you would connect two cells to increase the overall current. Use electrical
symbols when drawing. (2)

3.1.4 Explain what needs to be done to the voltage before transmission over great distances. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

3.1.5 Name two applications where logic gates are used. (2/2=1)

a)____________________________________________

b)____________________________________________

3.1.6 With reference to the AND logic gate, complete the output on the truth table. (2)

A B X

0 0

0 1

1 0

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
1 1

[9]

SECTION B: VALUES AND ATTITUDES

QUESTION 4

4.1 IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY

4.1.1 List one positive and one negative impact of the following products of technology.
a) Cell phones (2)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

b) Cars (2)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

4.1.2 State two environmental challenges that acid mine drainage creates. (2)

a)_____________________________________________________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________________________________________________

4.1.3 Mention two hazards of mine dust pollution. (2)

a)_____________________________________________________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________________________________________________

4.1.4 What were the two methods of mining used by indigenous miners? (2)

a)_________________________________________________________________

b)_________________________________________________________________

4.2 BIAS IN TECHNOLOGY

Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.

Title: The equality or inequality of job opportunities in mining for women and men

Discrimination against women has been an ongoing struggle across the globe for centuries. Women
were, and in some countries are still, mostly seen as second class citizens under the control of their
fathers, husbands or other male members of their family. Women were expected to stay at home,
clean and cook for the family, and raise the children, often without any help from men. Very few
women received a proper education or were allowed to work for money. Those who did work, mostly
did only part-time jobs and for little money. They often got married and/or had children at a young
age, before they could study to qualify for higher paying jobs.

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
So, when you think of people working in mines deep underground, what picture comes to mind?
You probably see a man, physically strong and holding a drill in a dark hot tunnel. Why do you not
see a woman holding a big drill, deep in a hot dark tunnel? Until the early 1990s, women in South
Africa were prohibited from working in underground mines. As we said earlier, since 1994 there
have been numerous changes to the laws in South Africa to reduce and remove gender and racial
inequalities within different industries. The mining sector was one of them, but statistics show that
gender equality is not happening as quickly as it should be.

But what is gender bias in work situations? It is when one gender is perceived to be superior to
another, and this gender is given more or better employment opportunities as a result. During the
twentieth century, a lot of research was done on the physical and mental abilities of men and women,
and it was proven that men and women are equally capable of doing most jobs. There have been
changes in laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, and as a result the number of
women in the workplace has increased rapidly.

Apart from wage discrimination, there are many reasons why women are still not working in the
formal mining sector to the same extent as men.

For example:

- low levels of training amongst women, specifically a lack of technical training,

- unsupportive work cultures in the mining sector, despite changes in law,
- a lack of mentorship and facilities,
- the physical nature of mining, and
- historical bias against women in the mining industry.

For women to gain better access to careers in the mining industry, the perceptions that men and
women have about this situation needs to change. Women have already proved that they are
capable of doing the same work as their male counterparts, and therefore they should not only be
allowed to do so, but they should also be rewarded and promoted by the same standards.

4.2.1 What is gender bias? (2)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4.2.2 What has been done to change and get rid of gender bias in the mines of South Africa? (2)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4.2.3 What else can be done to reduce gender bias in mining and other areas in the workplace?(2)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

[16]

SECTION C: DESIGN PROCESS SKILLS

QUESTION 5
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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
The scenario:

Mr Abdullahi has set up a shop. The customers are happy with his low prices. He sells food and
clothing cheaply because he co-operates with other shopkeepers in the area. They work together
to negotiate with the big suppliers of clothing and food to get cheaper prices. Sometimes Mr
Abdullahi is alone in the shop. If he has to work in the office at the back of the shop, he closes the
two front doors of the shop, but the doors are not locked. He will only know if someone comes in at
one of the doors if he sees them or if they call him. Can you make him an alarm system that will tell
him when a door opens? Sometimes Mr Abdullahi has an assistant in the shop, and then he does
not need an alarm, so he wants a switch to turn the alarm system on and off.
5.1

5.1.1 Read the scenario carefully and write down the problem? (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5.1.2 Write a design brief for the scenario above. (2)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5.1.3 List 2 real life specifications with regards to the above scenario. (2)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5.1.4 Write down two constraints. Remember that the constraints are the tools, materials, and time
that you have available. (2)

5.1.5 Should the alarm system use AND-control or OR-control? Explain. (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5.1.6 Give two safety precautions that you should consider during the making stage of your circuit.
(2)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5.2
5.2.1 In the space provided below generate a design of Mr A Mr Abdullahi’s shop (building) clearly
indicating the position of the two doors in a bid to solve the problem in the scenario. This idea must
be a free hand sketch done in (3-D) isometric projection. Make use of labels and dimensions to
communicate your idea. (10)

Assessment criteria for freehand sketch

Level 7 Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Outstanding Meritorious Substantial Adequate Moderate Elementary Not achieved

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021
Mark (10) Mark (9) Mark (8) Mark (6-7) Marks (4-5) Marks (2-3) Marks (0-1)

Idea Idea good Idea fair Idea fair Idea and Vague idea Vague or no
excellent and sketch and sketch and sketch sketch not idea
and neatly well fairly clear not clear clear
sketched presented

5.2.2 In the space provided below produce a plan (circuit diagram) in 3D “assembly “drawing
(exploded view) showing how the electric/electronic components fit together. Make use of labels
and dimensions to communicate your idea. Give names for the different switches and show them
as labels on your circuit diagram. (10)
Assessment criteria

Description Possible Marks

mark obtained

The circuit is drawn in 3-D exploded view 2

Master switch and the two door switches are clearly 2

indicated

Are the switches connected in parallel 2

The correct symbols for the different components 2

The circuit diagram is excellent and neatly drawn 2

TOTAL 10

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Technology (GET) Grade 8 November school based test: 2021

5.2.3 The following truth table can assist in evaluating the possible solution to solve Mr Abdullahi’s
problem. Complete the truth table for your design to test whether your alarm system fulfils all the
specifications. (8)

Master switch Switch 1 Switch 2 Output

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1

0 0 0

0 0 1

0 1 0

0 1 1

5.3 Make a list of at least two components to be used in the making of your alarm system. Explain
the function of each component. (4/2=2)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
[40]

GRAND TOTAL: 80
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