GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
LIFE SCIENCES
MARCH TEST 2024
QUESTION PAPER
GRADE : 10
TIME : 1 HOUR
MARKS : 50
NUMBER OF PAGES : 7
EXAMINER: MR L VUSANI
MODERATOR: MR V YENIKA
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write ALL the answers in your ANSWER BOOK.
3. Start the answers to each question at the top of a NEW page.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.
5. Present your answers according to the instructions of each question.
6. ALL drawings should be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink.
7. Draw diagrams or flow charts only when asked to do so.
8. The diagrams in this question paper are NOT necessarily drawn to scale.
9. Do NOT use graph paper.
10. You must use a non-programmable calculator, protractor and a compass.
11. Write neatly and legibly.
SECTION A [30]
QUESTION 1 (30)
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to E) next to the
question number (1.1.1 to 1.1.5) in your ANSWER BOOK, for example
1.1.3 D.
1.1.1 The part of the biosphere which consists of land is known as the ...
A terasphere.
B atmosphere.
C hydrosphere.
D lithosphere.
1.1.2 A sea can be regarded as a(an) … biome.
A aquatic
B terrestrial
C freshwater
D desert
1.1.3 Which of the following combinations of soil types shows an increase in
water holding capacity from lowest to highest?
Lowest Highest water
water holding holding
capacity capacity
A sand clay loam
B clay sand loam
C sand loam clay
D clay loam sand
Sun’s radiation
QUESTION1.1.4 refer to the diagram below
.
1.1.4 Which physiographic factor is illustrated in the diagram
above? (2)
A Aspect
B Altitude
C Radiation
D Slope
1.1. 5 This Is the process in which ammonia is converted into nitrates
A Denitrification
B Nitrification
C Nitrogen Fixation
D Deamination
( 5×2) = (10)
1.2 Give the correct BIOLOGICAL TERM for each of the following descriptions. Write only the
term next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.8) in the ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 Abiotic factors related to the soil.
1.2.2 A well-defined area in which there is close interaction between plants, animals and the environmen
1.2.3 Organisms responsible for decay and found at all trophic levels except the first
1.2.4 Different feeding levels in the in the food chain.
1.2.5 An organism that lacks a true nucleus
(1×5)= (5)
1.3 Indicate whether each of the statements in COLUMN I applies to
A ONLY, B ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in
COLUMN II. Write A only, B only, both A and B, or none next to the
question number (1.3.1 to 1.3.4) in the ANSWER BOOK.
COLUMN I COLUMN II
1.3.1 A.Homo
The genus name for Homo B.sapiens
sapiens
1.3.1 Living resources of the A.Biotic
ecosystem. B.Abiotic
1.3.3 The gas that is released in the A.Oxygen
atmosphere as the by-productB. B. Carbon dioxide
of photosynthesis
1.3.4 The five-kingdom classification A.Linnaeus
system. B. B. Whittaker
(4x 2) (8)
1.4 Study the diagram below
1.4.1 Mention the processes shown by A and B by which nitrogen is
(4)
converted to nitrates.
1.4.2 Name two types of organisms represented by C which produce
(2)
ammonia from dead organisms.
1.4.3 Explain how some soil nitrates are converted back into
(1)
atmospheric
nitrogen.
(7)
SECTION B [30]
QUESTION 2 (13)
2.1 The diagram below represents a food chain in a garden
2.1.1 Name the organism above that represents a:
2.1.2 (a) Carnivore (1)
(b) Producer (1)
2.1.3 A rose bush contains 1000kJ/m2/year of energy and only 10% of
this energy is passed on at each trophic level of the food chain.
How much energy will be passed on to the greenfly?
Show ALL calculations. (4)
2.1.4 If only the above food chain exists in an ecosystem, explain the
effect of the death of the greenfly in that ecosystem. (4)
(10)
2.2 Study the diagram of an ecosystem and answer the questions.
2.2.1 Write ONE abiotic factor and TWO biotic factors you see in the (3)
diagram.
QUESTION 3 (18)
3.1 The graph below shows the results of an investigation carried out to determine the water holding capac
different soil samples
3.1.1 For this investigation identify the:
(1)
(a) Dependent variable
(1)
(b)Independent variable
3.1. What is the water holding capacity of silt loam? (1)
2
3..1.3 Which soil has the lowest water-retaining ability? (1)
3.1. State TWO ways in which the reliability of the
4 investigation can be increased
(2)
3.1. Explain the consequences to plant roots if the soil (3)
5 became waterlogged.
3.1.6 Identify TWO factors which should be kept (2)
constant this investigation. (11)
3.2. According to the five –kingdom system of classification, each of the organisms shown below belongs
to a different kingdom. Complete the table by writing only answers e.g 2.3…1. Eukaryote
(7)
GRAND TOTAL: [50]
