COMMON MISTAKES IN SCIENCE PART III

1. Nicholas mixed salt in water and stirred. Why did salt disappear completely in
water?
Wrong response
 Salt dissolves in water
Correct response
 Salt is soluble in water
COMMENT
 The question requires one to mention the reason why salt dissolves in water, this
make the first response wrong.

2. Which element of weather causes flooding in an area?

Wrong response
 Rain
Correct response
 Rainfall
COMMENT
 The question requires one to give the element of weather therefore the marking
point should be correct name of weather element which is rainfall not rain as
most learners always write.

3. Name the part of the human ear with a similar function as the optic nerve of
the eye.
Wrong response
 Auditory canal
Correct response
 Auditory nerve
COMMENT
 The first response is wrong because the question requires one to mention the
part of the ear that transmits sound impulses to the brain.

4. Give the meaning of digestion.

Wrong response
 Digestion is the breakdown of food into small particles in the body.
Correct response
 Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into simple soluble
particles that can be absorbed by the body.
COMMENT
  It should be noted that food particles must become soluble but not only small in
that, they are able to dissolve for absorption in the blood stream.

5. How does a centipede protect itself from its enemies?

Wrong response
 By producing bad smell
Correct response
 By poisoning the enemy through bites.
COMMENT
 Centipede`s front legs are modified to form poison claws therefore are used to
poison its enemy through bites. Producing bad smell is common in millipedes not
centipedes.

6. Apart from wings, name any other part of an insect attached to the thorax.
Wrong response
 Abdomen
Correct response
 Legs  Halterers
COMMENT
 This question requires one to write an external part of an insect that is attached
to the thorax. We should use a real harmless insect to revise parts of an insect
with the learners.

7. Why does a clay made charcoal stove uses less charcoal than a metallic one?
Wrong response
 Clay absorbs heat for a long while metals emit heat.
Correct response
 Clay made charcoal stove retains heat than a metallic one.
COMMENT
 The question requires one to give a response in terms of heat retention not
absorption as seen in the first response. Therefore the first response is not
proper for this item.

8. What change is controlled by painting and galvanization?

Wrong response
 Chemical change
Correct response
 Rusting
COMMENT
  The marking point in the above question is painting and galvanization, this makes
the response to be rusting. You should also note that the question has not asked
for the type of change.

9. Name one cause of soil erosion

Wrong response
 Fast flowing water  Wind

Correct response
 Deforestation
 Overgrazing  Bush burning
COMMENT
 The first answers are agents of soil erosion not causes of soil erosion. One
should be careful not to get confused of the two terms ie Agents and causes.

10. How do feathers keep a bird warm when it is cold?

Wrong response
 Feathers provide warmth to a bird
Correct response
 Feathers prevent heat loss from the body of the bird.
COMMENT
 The question requires one to identify how feathers keep birds warm, this makes
the first response to be wrong.

11. Name the method of plant training in which a stick is tied onto a plant to
support it.
Wrong response
 Propping
Correct response
 Stalking
COMMENT
 A stick can’t be used in propping since it is used to provide support to plants with
heavy bunches. We should guide learners to know the definition of the two
words.

12. What part of a maize plant grows into a new plant?

Wrong response
 Plumule  Radicle
Correct response
 Embryo
 COMMENT
 The plant is made up of root system and shoot system this means the plumule
develops into shoot and radicle develops into root system. The two parts are
called embryo.

13. Identify one primary sex characteristics that is common to both boys and girls
during adolescence.
Wrong response
 Sweat glands become more active.
Correct response
 Gonads start releasing gametes
 Development of genital organs
COMMENT
 One should differentiate between primary and secondary sex characteristics. The
first response is for secondary sex characteristic which is not required by the
question.

14. How does breast feeding improve the immunity of a baby?

Wrong response
 Breast feeding provides a balanced diet to a baby
Correct response
 Breast milk contains antibodies
COMMENT
 Breast milk boosts the baby’s immunity simply because it is rich in antibodies
which is needed for proper growth of a baby.

15. What type of germ causes heart water disease in farm animals?
Wrong response
 Protozoa
Correct response
 Bacteria
COMMENT
 Protozoa diseases in cattle are red water and East Coast Fever. Heart water is
caused by a bacterium not protozoa, therefore we should guide learners to know
that not all tick-borne diseases are caused by protozoa.

16. What is a Skeleton?

Wrong response
 Skeleton is a frame work of bones in the body.
Correct response
  A skeleton is a frame work of the body.
OR: A skeleton is a supportive structure of the body of an organism.
COMMENT
 Not all skeletons are made of bones. Some are filled with fluid under pressure
that supports the body e.g an earthworm. One should differentiate between a
skeleton and a human skeleton.

17. Why do pinhole cameras form inverted images?

Wrong response
 Light is passing through a narrow hole called a pin hole.
Correct response
 Due to the fact that light travels in a straight line.
COMMENT
 The size of the hole affects the size and brightness of the image not the shape.
Images are formed after intersection of light rays.

18. What do we call the provision of support to plants with heavy bunches?
Wrong response
 Stalking
Correct response
 Propping
COMMENT
 Stalking is not applied to plants with heavy bunches, it is only used to support
plants with weak stem. We should guide learners on all methods of plants
training and how they work.

19. Mention any one factor considered when classifying animals

Wrong response
 Group of animals
Correct response
 Mode of fertilization
 Mode of movement etc
COMMENT
 The first response is wrong because classifying is the same as grouping. We
should always explain to learners why their answers are wrong then we give
them the correct ones to avoid repeating the same mistake.

20. How is chlorophyll important to plants during photosynthesis?

Wrong response
 Chlorophyll help plants to make their own food.
 Correct response
 Chlorophyll trap sunlight energy for the plant (leaf)
COMMENT
 The question requires one to specify the role of chlorophyll during
photosynthesis. Making food is not a primary role of chlorophyll in plants.

21. Why does sound travel fastest in solids?

Wrong response
 Solids have compact molecules
Correct response
 Solids have compact molecules that produce rapid vibrations.
COMMENT
 The first response gives the characteristic of solids in reference to the
arrangement of molecules but not answering the question so it’s incomplete.
Let’s emphasize learners to give meaningful responses.

22. How is the sun important to plants during photosynthesis?

Wrong response
 Splits up water molecules in plants to separate hydrogen from oxygen.
Correct response
 Provides sun light energy which splits up water molecules in plants to separate
hydrogen from water.
COMMENT
 It is not the sun to split up water molecules BUT the sunlight energy got from the
sun. We should therefore teach learners the primary role of raw materials and
conditions necessary for photosynthesis.

23. What do we call plants that eat insects?

Wrong response
 Pitcher plant  Sundew plant
Correct response
 Insectivorous plants
COMMENT
 The first responses are for the examples of insectivorous plants which is not
required in the question. The question needed one to write a single word for the
sentence given. This question is advanced for primary level but it is good for
students to widen their knowledge.

24. Apart from hookworms and tapeworms. Name one other example of worms
that attack intestines in human beings.
 Wrong response
 Ringworms
Correct response
 Roundworms
COMMENT
 The first answer is an infection of the skin and it should be written as ringworm
not ringworms. One should also note that ringworm and earthworms are not
intestinal parasites.

25. Give a reason why heat is able to travel through a vacuum

Wrong response
 There is a medium to conduct heat in a vacuum.
Correct response
 Heat does not need any medium for transmission.
COMMENT
 A vacuum is a space without matter so it has no medium but heat passes
through a vacuum by radiation which does not require any medium of heat
transfer.

26. Mention the main cause of short circuits.

Wrong response
 Overloading the circuit
 Poor wiring during electrical installation
Correct response
 When the two uninsulated wires carrying current touch each other.
COMMENT
 The first answers are causes / conditions which may lead to short circuits yet the
question requires one to give the main cause of short circuits. It is not a common
item but when set very many learners may end up failing.

27. Why are most electric wires and equipments made of copper?
Wrong response
 Copper is the best conductor of electricity
Correct response
 Copper is cheap
COMMENT
 One should note that the best conductor of electricity is sliver.The reason as to
why silver is not commonly used to make electric equipments is because it is
expensive and that is the reason as to why copper and aluminum are commonly
used since they are cheaper.
28. Name the disease of the kidney that affects people between the age of 45 and
60 years
Wrong response
 Kidney stones
Correct response
 Cancer of the kidney
COMMENT
 The first response is not correct because kidney stones and kidney failure has no
specific age it affects people, it is only cancer of the kidney that commonly affect
people between the age of 45 and 60 years.

29. Name the class of food that is digested in the mouth.

Wrong response
 Cooked starch
Correct response
 Carbohydrates
COMMENT
 The question requires one to name the “class” of food this makes the first
response wrong because cooked starch is not a class of food. Learners should
always identify the key words in the question.

30. Why is it not advisable to breathe through the mouth?

Wrong response
 May lead to choking
 Mouth is not an organ for breathing
Correct response
 Mouth has no cilia to trap dust and germs
 May lead to chilling of the lungs
COMMENT
 Since there is no cilia in the mouth, it makes air not to be filtered and warmed
which may chill or make the lungs very cold.

31. Name any two types of common sickness in a home.

Wrong response
 Malaria  Flu
Correct response
 Communicable diseases  Sexually transmitted diseases etc
COMMENT
  The first answers are wrong because the question requires one to write types of
common sickness not examples of common sickness at home.

32. What is population?

Wrong response
 Population is the number of people living in an area.
Correct response
 Population is the number of organisms of the same kind living together in an
area.
COMMENT
 In integrated science, population does not deal only with people but with all
organisms therefore the first response is vague and should not be used in
science.

33. Name any two examples of water contact diseases

Wrong response
 Trachoma  Scabies
 Conjuctivitis
Correct response
 Bilharziasis  Swimmer’s itch
COMMENT
 The first answers are for water cleaned diseases yet the question requires us to
write water contact diseases. We need to guide learners well on all examples of
water associated diseases.

34. Apart from plants losing water to the atmosphere and condensation, identify
one other physical process which is useful in the rain formation
Wrong response
 Transpiration
Correct response
 Evaporation
COMMENT
 Transpiration is already given in the question. Processes involved in rain
formation other than transpiration and condensation is the one needed.

35. Give the meaning of the term energy resources.

Wrong response
 Any component of the environment that man uses to produce useful energy
Correct response
  Energy resources are materials in the environment that provide people with
useful energy.
COMMENT
 We should discourage the use of the word “man” in definitions and encourage
the use of the word “people” since the word man does not mean woman
therefore it is good to use people as a general word.

36. Name the device that controls the amount of current in a circuit.
Wrong response
 Fuse  Ammeter
Correct response
 Resistor
COMMENT
 Fuse breaks the circuit but does not control the amount of current, ammeter
measures the amount of current but does not control. Therefore we should teach
learners all circuit devices and their role.

37. Why are people advised to insulate electric wires?

Wrong response
 To prevent electric shocks
Correct response
 To prevent touching live wires
COMMENT
 Electric shocks cannot happen when one has not touched a live wire. Remember
one can still touch on live wires using insulators like hand gloves, rubber shoes
and he is not shocked by electricity.

38. Why do people who install electricity put on shoes with rubber soles?
Wrong response
 To prevent electric shocks
Correct response
 Rubber soles cut the flow of current into the earth
COMMENT
 The question requires one to explain how rubber soles prevent electric shock.
We should always identify and interpret the question stem very well.

39. How is photosynthesis similar to germination?

Wrong response
 Both are biological changes
Correct response
  Both occur in plants
COMMENT
 Most learners are fond of writing photosynthesis and transpiration under
examples of biological change which is not right. Learners should be guided to
know that photosynthesis is a chemical change.

40. Why are woolen clothes preferred to cotton on cold days?

Wrong response
 To make people warm.
Correct response
 Woolen clothes retains heat than cotton clothes.
COMMENT
 Wool alone does not have any warmth but maintains the body warmth. So when
put on, it will prevent heat loss from the body.

41. Name the force that enables a person to suck soda from the bottle using a
straw.
Wrong response
 Capillary attraction  Capillarity
Correct response
 Suction force
COMMENT
 The question requires one to write the force not the process therefore we should
know it clearly that capillarity is a process not a force, the correct response here
is suction force.

42. What is a fracture?

Wrong response
 A fracture is a broken bone.
Correct response
 A fracture is a broken or cracked bone in the body.
COMMENT
 The first response is incomplete and it does not bring out the complete meaning
of the word “fracture”.

43. Why would you advise a mother to give her baby with severe diarrhea ORS?
Wrong response
 To replace the lost water
Correct response
 To prevent dehydration
 COMMENT
 One should know that ORS is a uniform mixture of different solutes and water as
a solvent, each solute has a role it plays in the body. This makes the first
response having inadequate meaning to the reason for giving ORS. Secondly the
first answer gives the role for water only leaving out salt and sugar in the mixture.
44. How is an echo formed?
Wrong response
 Reflection of sound waves when hits a barrier
Correct response
 Due to obstruction of sound waves / when sound waves are obstructed
COMMENT
 The first response is a repetition to the question, pupils should know that an echo
is a reflected sound therefore a reflected sound can’t be formed by reflection.

45. How is measles vaccine administered to young children?

Wrong response
 Through injection
Correct response
 Through injection on the left upper arm
COMMENT
 The first response is incomplete and it does not tell exactly where the vaccine is
administered remember different vaccines have different sites for administering
them. Not all injections made to administer measles vaccine.

46. Name the type of family where you find father, mother and adopted children.
Wrong response
 Nuclear family
Correct response
 Foster family
COMMENT
 Nuclear family consists of father, mother and their biological children not adopted
children. We should guide learner on the definition of different types of family.

47. Why is tepid sponging an important first aid to a person with high fever?
Wrong response
 Tepid sponging treats fever
Correct response
 Tepid sponging cools down the body temperature
COMMENT
  Tepid sponging does not treats fever because fever is not a disease but just a
sign of an illness in the body.

48. Name the ear defects that causes failure to differentiate between sounds
produced.
Wrong response
 Partial deafness
Correct response
 Sensory deafness
COMMENT
 Partial deafness is a condition when one is unable to hear properly but remember
the question requires failure to differentiate between sounds. This means the first
response is wrong.

49. Name the force that enables water droplets to attach to the walls of a plastic
cup.
Wrong response
 Cohesion force
Correct response
 Adhesion force
COMMENT
 The first response is wrong because cohesion deals with molecules of the same
kind / substances yet the question is talking about water and plastic cup.

50. Why does the left hand side of the heart have thick walls?
Wrong response
 It pumps blood with great pressure
Correct response
 Pumps blood to a longer distance which requires greater pressure
COMMENT
 The first response is incomplete and therefore it does not bring out the full
meaning as required by the question.
One should note that the left hand side pumps oxygenated blood which moves to
different parts of the body.

51. Why are we advised to wash our hands with soap after visiting a latrine?
Wrong response
 To remove germs
Correct response
 To kill germs on our hands
 COMMENT
 The question requires one to give the role played by soap while washing hands.
Soap has chemicals that kills germs. We should train pupils to identify the subject
matter in the question before attempting.

52. Name the blood cell that is destroyed by the plasmodia germ.
Wrong response
 White blood cells
Correct response
 Red blood cell
COMMENT
 It is not true that malaria parasites destroys the while blood cells in the body.
Many learners think since white blood cells are responsible for fighting the
disease causing germs therefore it should be the response for the above
question which is wrong

53. Identify the germ that causes COVID -19.

Wrong response
 Virus
Correct response
 Corona virus
COMMENT
 The question requires one to give a particular name of the germ not the type of
germ. The name of the germ is corona and the type of germ is a virus.

54. Name the device that detect the flow of charges in the circuit.
Wrong response
 Voltmeter
Correct response
 Galvanometer
COMMENT
 Pupils should know that the role of voltmeter is to measure the voltage not to
detect the flow of charges as required in the question.

55. Apart from Toggenburg, name any other type of goat kept for milk production.
Wrong response
 Sannen goat
Correct response
 Saanen goat
COMMENT
  Most learners are always confused with the right spelling of the word Saanen
which makes them write it wrongly as seen in the first response. Spelling
exercises should be given a priority.

56. Name the element of PHC that is promoted by brushing teeth regularly.
Wrong response
 Personal hygiene
Correct response
 Oral and dental health care
COMMENT
 One should know that we have an element of PHC which is specific for
addressing dental problems. Personal hygiene is a general body concern and
things used on the body.

57. Give a reason why a pit latrine should be built 30 metres away from a water
source?
Wrong response
 To avoid water borne diseases
Correct response
 To prevent contamination of water by faeces from the pit latrine
COMMENT
 The main reason for leaving the above distance is to prevent water
contamination, it is the contamination that brings in the issue of water borne
diseases.

58. Mention any one method of harvesting honey.

Wrong response
 Floating wax method  Pressing honey method
Correct response
 Traditional method  Modern method
COMMENT
 We only have two methods of harvesting honey; the first two responses are
methods / ways of extracting honey from honey combs.

59. Write down any two types of vaccines used for immunization
Wrong response
 Polio vaccine  Measles vaccine
Correct response
 Attenuated living vaccines  Toxoid vaccines
 Dead organism vaccines (killed vaccines)
 COMMENT
 The first two answers are wrong because those are examples of vaccines not
types as required by the question. One should differentiate between types and
examples of vaccines.

60. Why do many people in Uganda do not have solar electricity in their homes?
Wrong response
 Solar electricity is expensive
Correct response
 Solar equipments are expensive
COMMENT
 We do not buy solar electricity, but solar equipments. This makes the first
response vague. One should note that no shop sells solar electricity, they instead
sell solar equipments like solar panel, cells and batteries.

61. What is the importance of sunshine recorder in a weather station?

Wrong response
 To measure the amount of sunshine
Correct response
 To determine the length of time it has shone in a day.
COMMENT
 The first answer is wrong because a sunshine recorder does not measure the
amount of sunshine but it determines the length of the time it has shone.

62. Name one non-cast practice of controlling pests in the garden

Wrong response
 Use of pesticides  Using scare crows
Correct response
 Crop rotation  Use of pest predators
COMMENT
 One is required to give a practice that does not need any cost. The first answers
require some costs therefore they should be considered wrong.

63. Why are people advised to put lighting arrestors on tall buildings?
Wrong response
 To prevent lightening
Correct response
 To protect the building from lightening
COMMENT
 The first answer is wrong because it is not specific to the question stem. Putting
lightening arrestor on one building does not prevent lightening in the whole village.

64. Which vaccine is given to women to protect them against cervical cancer?
Wrong response
 Cancer vaccine
Correct response
Human Papillimavirus Vaccine (HPV)
COMMENT
 Learners should be guided on different vaccines and the diseases they prevent
baring in mind that questions from this topic are very common in examinations.

65. Why do we advise people to use non renewable resources sparingly?

Wrong response
 They cannot be replaced naturally
Correct response
 To prevent them from getting used up.
 To preserve them for future use.
COMMENT
 The first response is for the different question. One has totally failed to interpret
the question and therefore the answer should be marked wrong.

66. Name any two farm animals that are castrated.

Wrong response
 Cattle  Goat  Sheep
Correct response
 Bulls  Ram
 Billies  Boars
COMMENT
 Note that castration is the removal of testes from a male animal on a farm. So
you have to give the response for the above question in reference to the context
in the definition.

67. Inwhich two ways is friction useful in our daily life?

Wrong response
 It is used for writing  It is used for climbing
Correct response
 Friction helps in writing  Friction helps in climbing
 Friction helps in sharpening cutting tools
COMMENT
  The first answers refer to friction as a tangible object which is scientifically wrong.
Friction just like wind, electricity, heat etc helps in doing certain activities not
used for. We use tangible objects for doing certain activities e.g a pen for writing.

68. How is oxygen useful in the body?

Wrong response
 For breathing in
Correct response
 For respiration
COMMENT
 The question requires one to mention the use of oxygen in the body, breathing in
is an act of taking in air in the body. Therefore the first response is not required
by the question stem.

69. Name two types of sound

Wrong response
 Music  Noise
Correct response
 Audible sound  Inaudible sound
COMMENT
 The first two answers are forms of audible sound, which is the type of sound that
can be detected by our ears. This is because it has normal hearing frequency
range of 28 kilohertz.

70. Why should utensils be washed immediately after using them?

Wrong response
 To prepare them for the next meal
Correct response
 To remove the remaining food particles that may attract germs.
COMMENT
 The first response is wrong because it has no scientific concept in it. One is
expected to interpret the question well before attempting it.

71. Mention any one modern method of preserving beef.

Wrong response
 Canning / tinning
Correct response
 Refrigeration
COMMENT
  Beef is canned or tined when it is already preserved, you cannot park fresh beef
in tins. Canning helps in proper storage and transportation of beef (food).

72. What is a disease vector?

Wrong response
 A vector is a living organism that spread diseases.
Correct response
 A vector is an organism that spread germs.
COMMENT
 Vectors are germ carriers and germs are disease causers. Therefore, two
definitions are different. One should also note that no dead organisms cause
diseases, no need to write living organisms.

73. Name any one STD that has no cure.

Wrong response
 HIV / AIDS
Correct response
 AIDS  Cervical cancer
COMMENT
 The question requires a learner to write the disease not a germ and a disease at
the same time. HIV is a germ that causes AIDS. Therefore, the STD is AIDS not
HIV / AIDS as some people write it.

74. Name the organ in the body that controls the amount of sugar.
Correct response
 Liver
Wrong response
 Pancreas
COMMENT
 The pancreas producers two hormones ie insulin which reduces the level of
sugar in blood and glucagon which increases the level of sugar in blood.
Pancreas also has beta cells which monitors the blood sugar level by releasing
insulin into the blood stream.

75. Why does a boat float on water?

Wrong response
 A boat displaces water equal to its volume.
Correct response
 A boat is less dense than water
 A boat displaces water equal to its weight
 COMMENT
 The question requires one to give the characteristics of floating objects. The first
response is not a characteristic of floating objects.

76. Name the two types of brooder

Wrong response
 Infra red brooder  Kerosene brooder
Correct response
 Natural brooder  Artificial brooder
COMMENT
 The first answers are either types or examples of artificial brooders, then the
mother hen is an example of a natural brooder. Teachers should therefore guide
the learners very well on the above concept.

77. Mention the disease caused due to lack of vitamin B2 in the body.
Wrong response
 Pellagra
Correct response
 Riboflavin or Ariboflavinosis
COMMENT
 One should note that Pellagra is caused due to lack of vitamin B3 not B2 as
many people think.

78. Why is breast milk considered a complete food for the baby?
Wrong response
 It contains almost all food values accept iron.
Correct response
 Contains all the nutrients needed for proper growth of the baby.
COMMENT
 Iron is not a food value but a component of mineral salts, However, one should
also note that breast milk contains iron though very little.

79. Identify any one cause of dehydration among people.

Wrong response
 Severe sweating
Correct response
 Severe vomiting  Severe diarrhea
COMMENT
 Severe sweating is questionable because sweating is very necessary to the
body, the more the body sweats the more it cools itself.
80. Which body organ does a dog use for regulating body temperature during hot
days?
Wrong response
 The skin
Correct response
 The tongue
COMMENT
 Dogs don’t sweat during sunny weather but pant which is done using the tongue.
Many candidates think that temperature regulation is done only through sweating
yet there are other ways of doing so.

81. State the law of magnetism.

Wrong response
 Like poles of a magnet repel each other while unlike poles attract each other.
Correct response
 Like poles of two magnets repel each other while unlike poles attract each other.
COMMENT
 Poles of one magnet can hardly repel or attract one another because they are
attached to one magnet. Therefore, repulsion or attraction can easily occur when
two magnets are used thus disqualifying the first response.

82. Which part of the skin is responsible for removing out sweat?
Wrong response
 Sweat duct
Correct response
 Sweat pores
COMMENT
 The above two parts of the skin tends to confuse learners in terms of their
function. One should note that sweat dust transports sweat to the skin surface
and it is therefore the role of the sweat pores to let out sweat.

83. Why should you advise your elder sister not to bleach her skin?
Wrong response
 To avoid cancer / It causes skin cancer
Correct response
 Chemicals for bleaching increase chances of getting skin cancer
COMMENT
  It is not bleaching that causes skins cancer BUT the chemicals used in bleaching
one’s skin. You should also note that not all types of cancer can be caused by
bleaching the skin.

84. Apart from owls, name two other examples of birds of prey.
Wrong response
 Crows  Marabou stock  Vultures
Correct response
 Kites  Hawks  Eagles
COMMENT
 Vultures, crows and marabou stocks are scavengers not birds of prey. One
should differentiate between scavengers and birds of prey.

85. Why are plants referred to as the primary source of food to animals in the
environment?
Wrong response
 Plants act as food for animals
Correct response
 Plants are capable of making their own food.
COMMENT
 One is required to explain why plants are called primary source of food not giving
the importance of plants to animals as seen in the first response.

86. Apart from ferns and liverworts, mention one other example of spore bearing
plants
Wrong response
 Algae
Correct response
 Mosses  Horsetails
COMMENT
 People should note that algae is an independent group of plants which reproduce
mainly by fragmentation and conjugation though same few species reproduce by
means of spores.

87. Mention any one natural factor that makes people lack water in a community.
Wrong response
 Deforestation
Correct response
 Prolonged drought
COMMENT
  Question requires one to give natural factors. Deforestation is not a natural cause
of water scarcity. Always read the whole question at least three times before
writing the answer.

88. Identify the part that allows continuous flow of air in and out of the lungs.
Wrong response
 Air sacs
Correct response
 Trachea
COMMENT
 Air sacs/ alveoli allows gaseous exchange which is not required in the question.
Continuous flow of air in and out of the lungs is supported by the trachea that is
why it is made of rings of cartilage to keep it open all the time.

89. Name the method of family planning where sex is only restricted on days
when the ovum is absent from the oviduct.
Wrong response
 Natural family planning method
Correct response
 The rhythm method / use of safe days method.
COMMENT
 The question requires one to give the method under natural family planning that
involves the study of menstrual cycle. Remember not all methods of natural
family planning involve the study of menstrual cycle.

90. List down the main groups of plants

Wrong response
 Flowering plants  Non flowering plants
Correct response
 Seed bearing plants  Algae
 Spore bearing plants
COMMENT
 Let it be understood that flowering and non flowering plants are sub groups of
seed bearing plants not independent groups of plants as many people think,
algae is a group on its own and should not be grouped under non flowering
plants or spore bearing plants.

91. Why is space left in a bottle filled with soda?

Wrong response
 To allow expansion
 Correct response
 To leave room for expansion on freezing
COMMENT
 Expansion takes place with or without space. One should emphasize on
properties of matter (liquids) when attempting the above question.

92. Give any two uses of water in the body

Wrong response
 For drinking  For bathing
Correct response
 Water eases digestion
 Water acts as a medium that supports chemical reactions in the body.
 Water lubricates bones as synovial fluids
 Water cools body cells through sweating
 Water helps in giving shape to body cells
COMMENT
 The question stem requires one to give the importance of water in the body not in
our daily life. Many candidates are fond of reading questions half way which
results into misinterpretation of questions.

93. How can one increase the pitch when playing a guitar?
Wrong response
 By loosing or tightening the strings
Correct response
 By tightening the strings
COMMENT
 One can increase the pitch by tightening and decrease it by loosing the strings.
The first answer works better if the question is asking one to mention the way of
changing the pitch of sound.

94. What do we call the substance formed when water is mixed with soap or A
detergent
Wrong response
 leather
Correct response
 lather
COMMENT
 Here most learners fail to understand the difference between the two
homophones i.e
 Leather is an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing hair and then
tanning.
Lather is the froth produced by soap or detergents when mixed with water.

95. Why is it not advisable to put out petrol fire with water?
Wrong response
 Water contains oxygen which supports burning
Correct response
 Petrol floats on water and continues to burn.
COMMENT
 It is the lower density of petrol that makes it float on water and continues burning
with the support of oxygen in the air. Oxygen in water is not responsible for the
continuation of burning since it is chemically combined.

96. How does a frog move from one place to another?

Wrong response
 By hopping
Correct response
 By leaping
COMMENT
 Most learners think frogs move by both hopping and leaping which is not the
case. It should be made clear to learners that frogs move by leaping and toads
move by hopping.

97. How are tests similar to anthers in function?

Wrong response
 Both testes and anthers produce reproductive cells
Correct response
 Both testes and anthers produce male gametes
COMMENT
 One is required to be specific on the kind of reproductive cell since we have male
and female gametes yet according to the question one is supposed to talk about
male gametes.

98. Mention any one food material that can be used to feed poultry.
Wrong response
 Maize brand  Rice brand
Correct response
 Maize bran  Rice bran
COMMENT
  The word is bran not brand as some people mispronounce it. We don’t have
brand as poultry feeds so let guide learners well.

99. What is a balanced diet?

Wrong response
 A meal that contains all food values needed by the body.
Correct response
 A diet that contains all food values needed by the body
OR: A diet that contains all food values in their right proportions
COMMENT
 There is a difference between a meal and a diet. A meal is food served and
eaten at a given time. A diet is food a person usually eats in his/her meals.
Therefore, a person may eat a meal with less or no complete diet.

100. State any two adaptations of the ileum to its function.

Wrong response
 Presence of villi
 Fairly long
 Has a dense network of blood capillaries
Correct response
 Presence of villi to increase the surface area for food absorption
 Fairly long and presents a large absorbing surface for digested food.
 Has small walls for proper diffusion of digested food.
COMMENT
 When stating adaptations of any organ or part to its function, give the feature and
how it helps that part or organ to carry out its function. So the first responses are
incomplete.
May be when the question has the function already in it e.g
State any one adaptation of the ileum to absorbing digested food.
Expected response
 Presence of villi to increase the surface area.