Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q701.
The main function of the skeletal system is to:
A
Produce hormones
B
Circulate blood
C
Support the body and protect organs
D
Digest food
Correct Answer: C
Bones provide structure, support, and protect vital organs.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q702.
Which of the following is NOT a type of soil erosion?
A
Water erosion
B
Wind erosion
C
Chemical erosion
D
Physical erosion
Correct Answer: C
Chemical erosion involves chemical weathering; it is not a type of erosion like water or wind.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q703.
In a plant, the green pigment responsible for absorbing light is:
A
Chlorophyll
B
Carotene
C
Anthocyanin
D
Melanin
Correct Answer: A
Chlorophyll captures light energy for photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q704.
Which of the following best describes a bacterium?
A
A multicellular animal
B
A single‑celled organism without a nucleus
C
A type of plant
D
A fungus
Correct Answer: B
Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes lacking a true nucleus.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q705.
The process by which animals convert food into energy is called:
A
Photosynthesis
B
Respiration
C
Fermentation
D
Digestion
Correct Answer: B
Cellular respiration breaks down glucose to produce ATP, the energy currency of cells.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q706.
Which of the following is a non-living thing that can change its shape when it is heated?
A
A metal spoon
B
A rubber ball
C
A piece of wood
D
A glass of water
Correct Answer: A
When heated, metal expands and can change shape, whereas the other options do not change shape significantly when heated.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q707.
What is the main source of energy for the human body?
A
Water
B
Oxygen
C
Food
D
Light
Correct Answer: C
Food contains chemical energy that the body converts into usable energy.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q708.
Which of the following is a natural resource?
A
Plastic
B
Coal
C
Steel
D
Rubber
Correct Answer: B
Coal is a naturally occurring mineral that can be used as a resource.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q709.
What does the word "photosynthesis" mean?
A
Making food with light
B
Turning light into heat
C
Producing oxygen from water
D
Eating light
Correct Answer: A
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use light to produce food.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q710.
Which of these is an example of a renewable resource?
A
Petroleum
B
Solar energy
C
Coal
D
Natural gas
Correct Answer: B
Solar energy can be replenished each day, unlike fossil fuels.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q711.
Which organ in the human body is responsible for pumping blood?
A
Brain
B
Liver
C
Heart
D
Stomach
Correct Answer: C
The heart circulates blood throughout the body.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q712.
Which of the following is a characteristic of living things?
A
They can move.
B
They can change colour.
C
They have cells.
D
They can grow.
Correct Answer: C
All living things are made of cells, whereas movement, colour change, and growth are not universal.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q713.
What is the function of the roots of a plant?
A
To produce flowers
B
To absorb water and minerals
C
To provide oxygen
D
To store food
Correct Answer: B
Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q714.
Which of the following is a type of simple machine?
A
Lever
B
Computer
C
Car
D
Telephone
Correct Answer: A
A lever is a simple machine that helps move objects.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q715.
Which gas do we breathe in that is essential for respiration?
A
Nitrogen
B
Oxygen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: B
Oxygen is required for the body's cells to produce energy.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q716.
What is the main function of the skin?
A
To digest food
B
To protect the body
C
To produce blood
D
To sense taste
Correct Answer: B
The skin acts as a protective barrier against the environment.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q717.
Which of the following is a non-renewable energy source?
A
Wind
B
Solar
C
Coal
D
Hydroelectric
Correct Answer: C
Coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished quickly.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q718.
In the process of plant growth, what is the role of sunlight?
A
It provides water
B
It provides nutrients
C
It provides energy for photosynthesis
D
It provides minerals
Correct Answer: C
Sunlight gives energy for photosynthesis, allowing plants to make food.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q719.
Which part of the plant contains the seeds?
A
Stem
B
Leaves
C
Roots
D
Fruit
Correct Answer: D
Fruits enclose and protect seeds.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q720.
What type of change occurs when water turns into ice?
A
Physical change
B
Chemical change
C
Biological change
D
Nuclear change
Correct Answer: A
Freezing water is a reversible physical change.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q721.
Which of the following is a good conductor of electricity?
A
Rubber
B
Wood
C
Copper
D
Plastic
Correct Answer: C
Copper conducts electricity well, unlike the other materials listed.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q722.
Which organ is part of the digestive system?
A
Kidney
B
Stomach
C
Heart
D
Lungs
Correct Answer: B
The stomach breaks down food as part of digestion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q723.
What is the main component of the Earth's atmosphere?
A
Oxygen
B
Hydrogen
C
Nitrogen
D
Carbon dioxide
Correct Answer: C
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q724.
Which of the following is a type of fossil fuel?
A
Natural gas
B
Solar panels
C
Wind turbines
D
Biofuel
Correct Answer: A
Natural gas is a fossil fuel derived from ancient organic matter.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q725.
What does the term "ecosystem" refer to?
A
A group of living organisms and their physical environment
B
A single species of plant
C
A laboratory experiment
D
A type of machine
Correct Answer: A
An ecosystem includes all living and non-living components of a particular area.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q726.
Which of these is an example of a physical property?
A
Flammability
B
Color
C
Reactivity
D
Toxicity
Correct Answer: B
Color can be observed without changing the substance’s identity.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q727.
What is the main purpose of the respiratory system?
A
To digest food
B
To transport blood
C
To exchange gases
D
To produce hormones
Correct Answer: C
The respiratory system brings in oxygen and expels carbon dioxide.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q728.
Which of the following is a type of non-living matter?
A
A tree
B
A rock
C
A bacteria
D
A fish
Correct Answer: B
A rock is non-living, whereas the others are living organisms.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q729.
Which of the following is a renewable resource that is produced by plants?
A
Petroleum
B
Wood
C
Coal
D
Natural gas
Correct Answer: B
Wood comes from trees and can be replenished through reforestation.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q730.
What is the main function of the blood in the human body?
A
To provide oxygen to the brain
B
To transport nutrients and oxygen
C
To digest food
D
To produce heat
Correct Answer: B
Blood carries nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q731.
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
A
Melting ice
B
Rusting iron
C
Boiling water
D
Dissolving sugar in water
Correct Answer: B
Rusting iron forms new chemical compounds (iron oxide).
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q732.
In the process of photosynthesis, what gas is released by plants?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: A
Plants release oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q733.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a simple machine?
A
It has many parts
B
It makes work harder
C
It reduces the effort needed to move an object
D
It requires electricity
Correct Answer: C
Simple machines help reduce the effort needed to move or lift objects.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q734.
Which of the following is the main function of the chlorophyll pigment in plants?
A
To absorb light energy for photosynthesis
B
To provide structural support to the plant
C
To transport water from roots to leaves
D
To protect the plant from pests
Correct Answer: A
Chlorophyll captures light energy during photosynthesis, enabling the plant to convert CO₂ and water into glucose.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q735.
What is the correct order of the layers of Earth from outermost to innermost?
A
Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
B
Crust, outer core, mantle, inner core
C
Mantle, crust, outer core, inner core
D
Crust, mantle, inner core, outer core
Correct Answer: A
The crust is the outermost layer, followed by the mantle, then the liquid outer core and the solid inner core.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q736.
In a simple circuit, which component is used to store electric charge?
A
Resistor
B
Capacitor
C
Inductor
D
Diode
Correct Answer: B
A capacitor stores charge on its plates, releasing it when the circuit is closed.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q737.
Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?
A
A single species living in a habitat
B
A community of organisms and their physical environment
C
The process of photosynthesis
D
The water cycle in a forest
Correct Answer: B
An ecosystem includes all living organisms in an area and their non‑living surroundings.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q738.
What is the main purpose of the respiratory system in humans?
A
To circulate blood
B
To digest food
C
To exchange gases with the environment
D
To produce hormones
Correct Answer: C
The respiratory system brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q739.
Which of the following is a non‑renewable source of energy?
A
Solar energy
B
Wind energy
C
Coal
D
Hydroelectric power
Correct Answer: C
Coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished on a human time scale.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q740.
In the process of photosynthesis, which gas is taken in by plants?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: C
Plants absorb CO₂ from the air and convert it into glucose and oxygen.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q741.
What type of bond is formed when two atoms share electrons?
A
Ionic bond
B
Covalent bond
C
Metallic bond
D
Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: B
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q742.
Which organ of the human body is primarily responsible for filtering blood?
A
Heart
B
Lungs
C
Liver
D
Kidneys
Correct Answer: D
The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and produce urine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q743.
Which of the following is a physical change?
A
Rusting of iron
B
Burning of wood
C
Melting of ice
D
Baking a cake
Correct Answer: C
Melting changes the state of matter but not its chemical composition.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q744.
In Nigeria, which of these is a major source of freshwater?
A
Volcanic eruptions
B
Rivers
C
Meteorites
D
Oil wells
Correct Answer: B
Rivers such as the Niger and Benue provide the bulk of freshwater resources.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q745.
What is the unit of electric current?
A
Volt
B
Ohm
C
Ampere
D
Watt
Correct Answer: C
The ampere measures the flow of electric charge per second.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q746.
Which of the following animals is a mammal?
A
Crocodile
B
Frog
C
Elephant
D
Shark
Correct Answer: C
Elephants are warm‑blooded, live‑bearing mammals.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q747.
The process by which a liquid changes to a gas is called?
A
Freezing
B
Condensation
C
Evaporation
D
Sublimation
Correct Answer: C
Evaporation is the transition from liquid to vapor.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q748.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
A
Growth
B
Reproduction
C
Inertia
D
Response to stimuli
Correct Answer: C
Inertia is a physical property, not a biological one.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q749.
What does the pH scale measure?
A
Temperature
B
Acidity or alkalinity
C
Density
D
Light intensity
Correct Answer: B
pH indicates how acidic or basic a solution is.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q750.
Which of the following is a simple machine?
A
Bicycle
B
Lever
C
Computer
D
Car
Correct Answer: B
A lever is one of the six classical simple machines.