Answering

Science Questions Workshop for P6 Parents

7 February 2015

2008 Primary Science Syllabus Level Life Science Physical Science

P3 • Diversity of living and non-living

things

• Cycles in plants and animals

• Diversity of materials

• Interaction of forces (Magnets)

P4 • Plant system (Plant parts and

functions)

• Human system (Digestive system)

• Cycles in matter

• Energy forms and uses (Light)

• Energy forms and uses (Heat)

P5 • Cycles in plants and animals

(Reproduction)

• Plant system (Respiratory and

circulatory systems)

• Human system (Respiratory and

circulatory systems)

• Cell system

• Cycles in water

• Electrical system

P6 • Interaction within the environment

• Energy forms and uses

(Photosynthesis)

• Interaction of forces (Frictional

force, gravitational force, force

in springs)

• Energy conversion

Skills

Observing

Comparing

Classifying

Using Apparatus &

Equipment

Communicating

(Verbal, Pictorial,

Tabular, Graphical)

Inferring

Predicting

Analysing

Generating

Possibilities

Evaluating

Formulating

Hypothesis

Students’ Weaknesses

Lack ability to apply concepts learned

Lack answering skills

Incomplete answers

Careless misinterpretation

Misconceptions

Types of Science Questions

Multiple Choice

Structured/ Open-Ended

Science Questions

Given a scenario/ diagram/ graph/ table …

- Name the process …

- What happens …

- What is the difference …

- What is the relationship between …

- Give a reason why …

- Suggest two benefits/ advantages …

- Explain your answer.

Science Questions

Given an experimental design … (with results)

- Which substance… Give a reason …

- Explain your answer

- Explain why/ how

- What is the aim…

- What could be concluded …

- Suggest two ways to improve on …

- If …, suggest what might be observed …

Answering MCQs - RULED

Read the question carefully

Underline key words & understand the question

Look at ALL options*

Eliminate the least possible answers

Decide on the answer

*Note:

Even if you think that option (1) is the answer, continue to read the

rest of the options to be sure that (1) is the best possible answer.

When you are unsure if an option is correct or not, move on & read the

next option until you have eliminated all the least possible answers.

Answering Structured Questions

Read the question carefully

Underline key words

Analyse data/ information in tables/ graphs

(be systematic)

Understand what the question is asking

Recall: Which topic? What concept?

List concept words. What key concept words?

Write answer statement.

Check (S.A.R). Is your answer Specific, Accurate,

Relevant/in the Right context?

Let’s Try Question 1

Devi conducted an experiment using two identical air-tight

containers, A and B, as shown. Container A had a black

surface while container B had a white surface. She placed

the containers under the sun. At first, the thermometers

showed the same reading.

heat observing,

comparing

Question 1 … continue

After a few hours, she observed that the temperature

in container A was higher than that in container B.

(a) What could Devi conclude from this observation? [1]

Topic:

Heat

Key words:

gain heat/

absorb heat

Suggested answer:

Black surface gained/absorbed more heat than white surface.

Concept:

The change in temperature of

an object is due to the gain or

loss of heat by the object.

Other acceptable answer:

Black surface gained/ absorbed heat faster than white surface.

Question 1 … continue

Bird P lives in a very cold environment.

(b) Bird P usually stands with its back facing the sun.

Suggest a reason for such a behaviour. [1]

Topics:

Heat/ Adaptation

Key words:

absorb heat/

warm

Suggested answer:

The back of Bird P is black so it absorbs more heat to keep itself

warm.

inferring

Let’s Try Question 2 Dora used a straw to drink water. As she sucked the straw,

the water went up the straw and into her mouth.

observing;

inferring;

applying

Question 2 … continue

(a) How was the water able to travel up the straw as

Dora sucked the straw?

Key phrase:

occupy space

Topic:

Matter

Concept:

Matter occupies

space.

Suggested answer:

As the air entered Dora’s mouth, the water travelled up and

occupied the space.

Incorrect answer:

She sucked up the water. [0]

Question 2 … continue

Dora’s friend, Winnie, complained that she had difficulty

sucking up the drink with a straw. She lifted the straw and

noticed a tiny cut in it. The diagram below shows a close-

up of the cut in the straw.

observing;

inferring;

applying

Question 2 … continue

(b) Explain why the cut in the straw did not allow Winnie

to suck up the drink properly. [1]

Key phrase:

occupy space

Topic:

Matter

Concept:

Matter occupies

space.

Suggested answer:

Air (from outside) entered the straw through the cut and

occupied the space instead of the drink.

Incorrect answer:

The drink escaped through the hole. [0]

Let’s Try Question 3 Rosa conducted an experiment to compare the rates of

evaporation of liquids X, Y and Z. She poured 10 cm3 of each

liquid into three similar glass beakers.

She placed the three beakers next to an open window in the

Science Room, and measured the time taken for each liquid to

evaporate completely. Her results are shown below.

Liquid X Y Z

Time (h) 3 5 2

analysing;

interpreting

Topic:

Water

What do the

numbers

mean?

Question 3 … continue

(a) Complete the table below with X, Y and Z. [1]

Y X Z

Concept:

The liquid that took the least time to

evaporate completely has the fastest

rate of evaporation. (vice versa)

Question 3 … continue

(b) Give a reason how each of the following actions

helps to make her experiment a fair test. [2]

(i) using similar beakers

(ii) placing all three beakers at the same place

Concept:

Only one variable is

changed in a fair

test.

Concept:

Factors affecting

rate of evaporation

Suggested answer:

It ensures that all beakers have the same exposed surface area.

It ensures that all beakers are exposed to the same temperature/

amount of heat/ wind in the surrounding.

Incorrect answer:

To ensure same environmental conditions. [0]

Incorrect answer:

To ensure all beakers are of the same size. [0]

Let’s Try Question 4 Mr Tang grows plant A in his farm.

He is happy to see butterflies during the flowering

season.

(a) How could the butterflies help in the reproduction of

plant A? [1]

Plant A

Topic:

Reproduction in

Flowering Plants

Concept:

Butterflies are

pollinators.

Key word:

pollinate/

pollination

Suggested answer:

They help to pollinate the flowers/plants.

Other acceptable answer:

They help to carry pollen grains to the stigma.

Question 4 … continue

The diagram below shows stage X of the butterfly’s

life cycle.

(b) At stage X of its life cycle, Mr Tang said that the

insect is a pest. Give a reason why this is so. [1]

Topic:

Life cycle of

butterfly

Concept:

Butterflies consume a large

amount of leaves in its larva

stage.

Suggested answer:

It eats the leaves of plant A.

Larva /

caterpillars

Incorrect answer:

It kills plant A. [0]

Question 4 … continue

Mr Tang decided to use pesticides to get rid of the

butterflies at stage X.

(c) Explain how this may reduce the number of fruits

produced by plant A in the farm. [1]

larva /

caterpillars

Concept:

Butterflies help in

pollination.

Concept:

Caterpillars will develop

into butterflies.

Suggested answer:

Caterpillars will become butterflies. [½]

There will be fewer butterflies to pollinate the flowers. [½]

Let’s Try Question 5 Edmund conducted an experiment using four different

materials of similar thickness. He used a hammer and hit a

strong pin once into the materials and measured the depth

of the hole formed after each hit.

Concept:

Experimental

design

Topic:

Materials

Question 5 … continue

(a) What property of material was Edmund testing? [1]

(b) What was the aim of Edmund’s experiment? [1]

Suggested answer:

Hardness

Suggested answer:

To find out if the type of material affects the depth of the

hole made.

Incorrect answer:

Strength. [0]

variable that is

changed

measured

Question 5 … continue

(c) Edmund used the same pin and hammer for the

experiment and yet it was not a fair test. Give a reason

why this is so. [1]

Concept:

Only one variable is

changed in a fair test.

Suggested answer:

The amount of force landing on the pin is not the same

at any time.

THANK YOU