Question Bank — Exploration: Entering the World of Secondary Science

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

Q1. Which symbol in the textbook design represents careful observation of patterns that might otherwise be missed?
(a) Compass
(b) Magnifying glass
(c) Protractor
(d) Thermometer

Q2. In the example of modelling a cricket ball hit for a six, which of the following would be deliberately ignored in a simple model?
(a) Mass of the ball
(b) Speed and direction of the hit
(c) Colour of the ball
(d) None of these

Q3. Assertion (A): Science uses models by making assumptions and deliberately ignoring certain details.
Reason (R): Ignoring details allows scientists to focus only on what is most important for answering a given question.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Q4. The speed of light is denoted by the symbol ‘c’ because it originates from the Latin word:
(a) Centrum
(b) Celeritas
(c) Centrum
(d) Calculus

Q5. Assertion (A): In science, a theory is an untested idea or a guess.
Reason (R): Scientific theories are always open to improvement when new evidence becomes available.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Q6. Which of the following is an example of using mathematics as a language in science?
(a) Representing mass by the symbol ‘m’
(b) Using equations to describe rates of chemical reactions
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Q7. The airplane fuel miscalculation incident occurred because the ground crew used:
(a) SI units consistently
(b) Density in pounds per litre instead of kilograms per litre
(c) Only volume without density
(d) Local traditional units

Q8. According to the chapter, which of the following best describes a scientific law?
(a) An explanation of why patterns occur
(b) A regular pattern observed in nature, often expressed mathematically
(c) A broad idea used only in biology
(d) An untested prediction

Q9. In Example 1.3, the estimated volume of air breathed in one day is approximately:
(a) 1,000 litres
(b) 5,000 litres
(c) 10,000 litres
(d) 50,000 litres

Q10. The chapter states that real-world problems such as understanding climate change require ideas from:
(a) Only physics
(b) Only biology
(c) Multiple branches of science together
(d) Mathematics alone

Section B — Very Short Answer (6 questions, 2 marks each)

Q11. What do the magnifying glass and compass symbols on the textbook pages represent?
Q12. Why does science deliberately ignore certain details while building models? Give one example from the chapter.
Q13. Differentiate between a scientific law and a scientific theory using one example each from the chapter.
Q14. What is the importance of using standard (SI) units in science? Refer to the airplane incident mentioned.
Q15. State two quantities that are represented by symbols in science and give their symbols as mentioned in the chapter.
Q16. How does mathematics function as a language in science according to the chapter?

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

Q17. Explain with an example how a model of a falling object is constructed by making assumptions. Why are such assumptions useful?
Q18. “An equation is not just a calculation tool, it is a compact statement about how certain things are related.” Justify this statement with one example from motion.
Q19. Describe how scientific predictions are tested and what happens when predictions do not match observations.
Q20. Using the chapter’s example of breathing estimation, explain why rough estimates are considered valuable in science even if they are not exact.
Q21. How does the study of a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of science?

Section D — Long Answer (3 questions, 5 marks each)

Q22. Describe the symbols used on the textbook pages (magnifying glass and compass). Draw a labelled diagram showing both symbols and explain what each represents in the context of scientific exploration. (Diagram required)
Q23. “Science values careful reasoning perhaps much more than accurate calculations.” Explain this statement with reference to estimation skills. Using the chapter’s method, estimate the number of litres of air a person breathes in one day. Show all steps of reasoning. (Multi-step numerical)
Q24. “No scientific theory is ever final and none is beyond question.” Discuss this feature of science with examples from the chapter, including how predictions and evidence play a role.

Section E — Case/Source-Based (2 questions, 4 marks each)

Q25. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
“Varsha told her friend Meghna, ‘It will rain this afternoon because the clouds look dark’. Think of some questions Meghna could ask Varsha to make this prediction scientifically testable.”

(i) Why are simple yes/no questions usually not useful for testing a scientific prediction? (1)
(ii) Suggest two measurable quantities that Meghna could ask about to check the prediction. (1)
(iii) How does asking about past patterns help in making a prediction scientifically testable? (1)
(iv) What does this example tell us about the difference between everyday reasoning and scientific reasoning? (1)

Q26. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
“A commonly circulated claim is that, ‘Food should not be eaten during an eclipse because it becomes harmful’. Disproof comes from asking simple scientific questions. An eclipse is just a play of shadows. What physical change occurs during an eclipse? Does temperature change significantly? Does food go bad if it is left in a shadow?”

(i) Identify the claim being examined. (1)
(ii) List two scientific questions that can be asked to examine the claim. (1)
(iii) Why is an eclipse described as “just a play of shadows” in scientific terms? (1)
(iv) How does this example show that scientific thinking helps evaluate information critically? (1)