1
Version 1.1
An e-book by Kenneth Ng
SMK KOLOMBONG
KOTA KINABALU
2008
2
Disclaimer:
This e-book is meant to be used as a guide to help teachers
prepare their students to sit for the SPM exams. It is provided
free of charge on a ‘best intention’ basis. The author shall not
be held responsible for any inaccuracies contain therein or
any outcome arising from the use of this e-book.
Condition of use:
This e-book may be distributed in its original form free of
charge. It is not to be sold for any profit.
Kenneth Ng
3
BIOLOGY 1
1. Read the entire question and all the answer choices
before deciding on the answer.
2. Mark your answer clearly on the Objective Answer
Sheet.
3. If you cannot answer a question, go on to the next
question. Remember to come back to this question
later. This will prevent you from wasting precious
time.
4. Go through your answers after you have finished.
You might want to change some of your answers.
BIOLOGY 2 - STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
1. Write neatly and clearly.
2. Be brief and to the point – it is not necessary to
repeat the question.
3. Show your working for any calculation work. (Write
down the formula, substitute the values into the
formula, complete the calculation)
4. Use a pencil to draw diagrams or graphs.
5. Label diagram and graphs clearly.
6. Use the marks allocated to determine how much you
should write. One mark is allocated for one point.
7. Use the instruction guide to answer the questions.
4
BIOLOGY 2 - ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Read all the questions before choosing those that
you want to answer.
2. Re-read the chosen questions carefully to make sure
you are interpreting them correctly.
3. You may explain your answer using appropriate
diagrams (be sure to label all diagrams), equations,
graphs, tables or any other suitable methods.
4. Give your answers according to the key instruction
words. Use the INSTRUCTION GUIDE below.
5. You may give your answer in point form. Check the
number of points in your answer with the number of
marks allocated for the question. (One point is
usually allocated one mark). If possible give one or
two more points than the maximum marks allocated.
5
INSTRUCTION GUIDE AND RESPONSE
Key instruction word Answer
What is …? Give the actual name. Spelling for
scientific terms and names must be
accurate.
How many Give the quantity, no need for
calculation
calculate Show the workings of your
calculation and the final answer
Name Give the correct name, scientific
names must be underlined
State Just give the fact. No explanations or
descriptions needed.
List State the facts in point form.
Define Define the term clearly and
completely.
Why Give the reasons
How Explain step by step how it takes
place
Compare Give the similarities and differences
explicitly. Use a table.
What are the differences Give the differences explicitly. Use a
6
table.
Describe Tell the story, an account of, state
the main points of the topic. No
elaborate explanation of why and
how is necessary
Discuss Give your opinion from different
aspects, viewpoints or arguments.
Contrast / Distinguish Give the differences only.
Evaluate Give the positive and negative
aspects.
Explain Clarify what, how or why. State the
fact followed by a few sentences to
elaborate it.
Illustrate Explain or clarify by using diagrams,
drawings or figures.
Outline Briefly give the important points.
Summarize Present concisely all main points.
Tick (�) in the box Tick (�) in the box, DO NOT use a
cross (�).
7
Example for Describe and Explain
Describe the graph
As the temperature increase from 0 oC to 40
oC , the rate of
enzyme activity also increases. The rate of enzyme activity is
maximum at 40 oC . As the temperature increases above 40
oC , the rate of enzyme activity decreases.
Explain the graph
As the temperature increase from 0 oC to 40
oC , the rate of
enzyme activity also increases . At these temperatures, the
enzyme is more active as the temperature increases because
8
the rate of collision between the enzymes and the substrate
molecules increases with the increase of temperature. The
rate of enzyme activity is maximum at 40 oC because this
temperature is optimum for the enzyme to function. As the
temperature increases above 40 oC, the rate of enzyme
activity decreases because the enzymes begin to denature
due to the high temperature.
9
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1
The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:
1. OBSERVATION
QUESTION : State two observations….
ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do
any analysis, comparison or conclusion. For most
experiments, the observation can be written in the form:
The ….(responding variable) ….. at …..(manipulated
variable)… is (state reading of measuring instrument)
( Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of
the responding variable.)
Example:
The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at
5 oC
is 45 minutes.
The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at
40 oC is 5 minutes.
2. INFERENCE
State one inference which corresponds to each observation.
An inference is a brief explanation of the observation, based
on scientific knowledge which you already know.
Example:
10
The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC
is 45 minutes because the low temperature causes the
enzymes to react slowly with the substrate.
The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC
is 5 minutes because the higher temperature causes the
enzymes to react quickly with the substrate.
3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS
Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, ruler etc.
from the given diagram.
4. COMMUNICATING
Construct the table with the manipulated variable as the first
column and the responding variable as the second column.
Data derived or calculated from the second column can be
added to the third column. Show the calculations in the third
column itself. Units of measurements should be written
together with table titles, not with readings.
Example
Temperature / oC
Time for starch to be
completely hydrolysed /
min
Rate of reaction
/ min -1
5 10 1/10 = 0.1
15 5 1 / 5 = 0.2
30 2 1 / 2 = 0.5
11
5. INTERPRETING DATA
Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and
responding variables as obtained from a graph of the results.
Example: As the temperature increases from 5 oC to 45
oC,
the time taken for the complete hydrolysis of starch
decreases from 45 minutes to 5 minutes.
6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Variables
State the variable
Describe how you control the variables
Use action words and name the instruments used
MANIPULATED
Temperature
Use / ….
Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of
the water bath and add ice or warm water to
maintain the temperature of the water bath. Place
the test tubes in the different water baths.
RESPONDING
Time taken for
complete
hydrolysis of starch
Record / measure using ….
Record the time taken for the enzyme substrate
mixture to lose its blue colour.
CONTROLLED
Concentration of
enzyme
Use the same…/ Maintain …
Use the same amount of enzyme ( 1 ml) in each of
the experiment.
12
7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following
criteria:
• State the manipulated variable
• State the responding variable
• Relate the manipulated variable and the responding
variable (do not use vague relationships like ‘affects’
or ‘influence’ or ‘changes with’). Commit to using
terms like: ‘increases with’ / ‘decreases with’ .
8. PREDICTING
QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated ….., predict the
observation ……
ANSWER : Give a value or relevant statement e.g. the
(responding variable) will be higher / lower than (the value in
the first experiment) followed by a the reason …
EXAMPLE: What will the rate of transpiration be at fan speed
3, if the experiment is repeated in the dark?
The transpiration rate at fan speed 3 will be less then (value
recorded) because the stomata is closed in the dark and less
water will be loss through them.
13
9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY
Give a definition based on the context of the experiment.
EXAMPLE 1: An experiment is carried out to investigate
photosynthesis and the number of bubbles released is
counted. The operational definition of photosynthesis would
then be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release
bubbles in the presence of light, carbon dioxide and water.
EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate
photosynthesis and leaves are tested with iodine solution for
the presence of starch. The operational definition of
photosynthesis would be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the
presence of light, carbon dioxide and water, produce starch
which turns iodine solution dark blue.
EXAMPLE 3: An experiment is carried out to investigate
transpiration under different fan speeds. The operational
definition of transpiration would be:
Transpiration is the process where a plant loses water to the
surrounding which is indicated by the movement of water or
air bubble in the capillary tube and is affected by speed of
the air current.
(You should include the variables in the context of the
experiment / experimental conditions and .)
14
10. CLASSIFYING
Group the materials or apparatus listed using a table with the
headings provided. Group them according to their function in
the experiment.
15
11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP
State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use
relationship words like increases with / decreases with /
remains constant with / increases proportionately with / etc.
Do not use neutral relationship terms like affects / influences
/ changes with.
16
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2
This question tests student’s ability to plan an experiment
in a given format. Students must have all of the following :
1. Problem statement
2. Aim of investigation
3. Variables
4. Hypothesis
5. List of apparatus and materials
6. Technique used
7. Experimental procedure or method
8. Presentation of data
9. Conclusion
1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Must be written in the form of a question – End with a
question mark.
Eg. Does pH affect the activity of amylase?
2. OBJECTIVE
Write down the objective as given in the question.
Eg. To investigate the effect of pH on the activity of amylase?
17
3. VARIABLES :
Write down 3 variables. (Manipulated variable, responding
variable and controlled variable. The controlled variable
must be one that will affect the outcome of the experiment if
not kept constant.)
4. HYPOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following
criteria:
• State the manipulated variable
• State the responding variable
• Relate the manipulated variable and the responding
variable
5. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS
List down all the materials and apparatus used.
6. TECHNIQUE
In a complete sentence, write down what is observed or
measured (include the instrument used). State the specific
name of the technique where applicable.
Example :
(i) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to
decolorize blue DCPIP , using a syringe.
18
(ii)Measure and record the initial and final temperature of
the water in the boiling tube using a thermometer.
7. PROCEDURE
Write down each step clearly and systematically. Your steps
should include:
Steps where you describe how apparatus and materials are
handled.
Steps where you describe how the controlled variable is
maintained
Steps where you describe how the manipulated variable is
altered
Steps where you describe how the responding variable is
measured and the instrument to be used.
Precautionary steps which ensure safety / improve accuracy
of readings.
(write the steps as a set of instructions or direct speech and
not in passive speech)
8. PRESENTATION OF DATA
Construct the table with the correct titles and units. Leave
the table blank. The experiment is not carried out yet, so the
results are not yet available.
19
9. CONCLUSION
Repeat or modify the hypothesis sentence. You may then
write whether the hypothesis is accepted or rejected.
20
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
Aristotle
Top Related