Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q801.
What is the function of the human stomach?
A
To filter waste from blood
B
To digest food using acids and enzymes
C
To produce insulin
D
To store oxygen
Correct Answer: B
The stomach secretes gastric juices that help break down food into a semi-liquid state for further digestion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q802.
Which of these is a non-covalent bond that stabilises protein structure?
A
Ionic
B
Hydrogen
C
Covalent
D
Metallic
Correct Answer: B
Hydrogen bonds between amino acid side chains help maintain the folded shape of proteins.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q803.
Which of the following is a form of natural disaster that can cause flooding?
A
Volcanic eruption
B
Earthquake
C
Tsunami
D
Tornado
Correct Answer: C
A tsunami, a large sea wave, can inundate coastal areas and cause flooding.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q804.
What is the main component of the Earth’s core?
A
Iron
B
Oxygen
C
Silicon
D
Carbon
Correct Answer: A
The core is largely composed of iron, with some nickel, giving Earth its magnetic field.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q805.
Which of the following best describes a balanced chemical equation?
A
The number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides
B
The total mass is greater on the reactant side
C
Energy is lost during the reaction
D
The equation contains only one element
Correct Answer: A
Law of conservation of mass requires that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q806.
What is the term for a change in the shape of a plant when it bends toward a light source?
A
Phototropism
B
Gravitropism
C
Hydrotropism
D
Thermotropism
Correct Answer: A
Phototropism is the growth of plants in response to light, allowing them to maximize photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q807.
Which of the following is a non-living component of an ecosystem?
A
Bird
B
Tree
C
Soil
D
Fish
Correct Answer: C
Soil is a non-living part of the environment that provides nutrients and a medium for organisms.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q808.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a mammal?
A
Lays eggs
B
Has scales
C
Produces milk for its young
D
Has a backbone made of cartilage
Correct Answer: C
All mammals nurse their young with milk produced by mammary glands.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q809.
What type of wave is a seismic wave that travels through the Earth’s interior?
A
Electromagnetic
B
Sound
C
Longitudinal
D
Transverse
Correct Answer: C
Primary (P) waves are longitudinal seismic waves that compress and expand the material they travel through.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q810.
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
A
Melting ice
B
Boiling water
C
Rusting iron
D
Condensing steam
Correct Answer: C
Rusting iron involves oxidation, forming iron oxide—a new substance with different properties.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q811.
Which organ of the human body stores bile produced by the liver?
A
Stomach
B
Pancreas
C
Gallbladder
D
Spleen
Correct Answer: C
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine to aid digestion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q812.
In a simple electrical circuit, what component limits the flow of current?
A
Battery
B
Resistor
C
Conductor
D
Switch
Correct Answer: B
A resistor provides resistance, controlling the amount of current that flows through the circuit.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q813.
What is the main source of energy for the Earth’s weather systems?
A
Solar radiation
B
Earth’s core heat
C
Moon’s gravity
D
Fossil fuels
Correct Answer: A
Solar energy drives atmospheric circulation, temperature changes, and weather patterns.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q814.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a living organism?
A
Ability to photosynthesize
B
Ability to move on its own
C
Ability to grow and develop
D
Ability to produce electricity
Correct Answer: C
Growth and development are key features distinguishing living organisms, though not all can photosynthesize or move.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q815.
What is the main function of the human kidneys?
A
To filter waste from blood
B
To produce insulin
C
To produce red blood cells
D
To store calcium
Correct Answer: A
Kidneys filter blood, remove metabolic waste, and regulate water and electrolyte balance.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q816.
Which of the following best describes the “law of conservation of mass”?
A
Mass can be created during a chemical reaction
B
Mass is always lost during a chemical reaction
C
The total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products
D
Mass is irrelevant in chemical reactions
Correct Answer: C
The law states that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a closed system during a chemical reaction.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q817.
Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable resource?
A
Wind energy
B
Fossil fuels
C
Biomass
D
Geothermal energy
Correct Answer: B
Fossil fuels are finite and take millions of years to form, making them non-renewable.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q818.
Which part of a plant conducts water and minerals from the roots to the leaves?
A
Stomata
B
Phloem
C
Xylem
D
Cambium
Correct Answer: C
Xylem vessels transport water and minerals upward through the plant, while phloem transports sugars.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q819.
In the human body, what is the primary role of the skeletal system?
A
To produce hormones
B
To provide structure and protect organs
C
To filter waste from blood
D
To regulate body temperature
Correct Answer: B
The skeleton gives shape, supports tissues, protects vital organs, and facilitates movement through joints.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q820.
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
A
To circulate blood
B
To digest food
C
To supply oxygen to the body
D
To produce hormones
Correct Answer: C
The respiratory system brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q821.
Which of the following is a non‑renewable source of energy?
A
Solar power
B
Wind power
C
Coal
D
Hydro power
Correct Answer: C
Coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished on a human timescale.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q822.
In a plant, the process of converting sunlight into chemical energy is called:
A
Respiration
B
Photosynthesis
C
Transpiration
D
Germination
Correct Answer: B
Photosynthesis uses light energy to produce glucose and oxygen.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q823.
Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering waste from the blood?
A
Heart
B
Liver
C
Kidneys
D
Lungs
Correct Answer: C
The kidneys remove waste products and excess water from the bloodstream.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q824.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a solid?
A
It has a definite shape and volume
B
It has a definite shape but no definite volume
C
It has no definite shape or volume
D
It has a definite volume but no definite shape
Correct Answer: A
Solids maintain both shape and volume.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q825.
What is the unit of electric current?
A
Volt
B
Ohm
C
Watt
D
Ampere
Correct Answer: D
Current is measured in amperes (A).
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q826.
Which of these is a type of renewable energy?
A
Natural gas
B
Petroleum
C
Biomass
D
Uranium
Correct Answer: C
Biomass comes from living or recently living organisms and can be replenished.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q827.
The process of a solid turning directly into a gas is called:
A
Melting
B
Sublimation
C
Condensation
D
Evaporation
Correct Answer: B
Sublimation skips the liquid phase.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q828.
Which of the following is not a part of the human digestive system?
A
Stomach
B
Liver
C
Pancreas
D
Spleen
Correct Answer: D
The spleen is part of the immune system, not digestion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q829.
A mixture where one substance is dissolved in another is called a:
A
Suspension
B
Colloid
C
Solution
D
Emulsion
Correct Answer: C
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q830.
Which gas is most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: B
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q831.
The part of the plant that absorbs water and minerals from the soil is the:
A
Leaf
B
Stem
C
Root
D
Flower
Correct Answer: C
Roots take up water and nutrients.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q832.
Which of the following is a physical change?
A
Rusting of iron
B
Burning of wood
C
Melting of ice
D
Fermentation of sugar
Correct Answer: C
Melting changes state but not chemical composition.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q833.
Which organ in the human body is responsible for pumping blood?
A
Brain
B
Heart
C
Kidney
D
Liver
Correct Answer: B
The heart circulates blood throughout the body.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q834.
A force that tends to bring two objects together is called a:
A
Tension
B
Friction
C
Gravitational attraction
D
Repulsion
Correct Answer: C
Gravity pulls masses toward each other.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q835.
In the water cycle, the process by which water vapor turns into liquid water is called:
A
Evaporation
B
Condensation
C
Precipitation
D
Sublimation
Correct Answer: B
Condensation forms clouds and rain.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q836.
Which of the following is an example of a chemical reaction?
A
Freezing of water
B
Burning of wood
C
Melting of ice
D
Cooling of a hot metal
Correct Answer: B
Burning involves a chemical change producing new substances.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q837.
Which layer of the Earth is the thinnest?
A
Crust
B
Mantle
C
Outer core
D
Inner core
Correct Answer: A
The crust is the Earth's outermost thin layer.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q838.
The part of a plant that performs photosynthesis is the:
A
Root
B
Stem
C
Leaf
D
Flower
Correct Answer: C
Leaves contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q839.
Which of the following is an example of a simple machine?
A
Bicycle
B
Lever
C
Engine
D
Computer
Correct Answer: B
A lever is a basic mechanical device.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q840.
Which of the following is not a renewable resource?
A
Solar energy
B
Wind energy
C
Fossil fuels
D
Geothermal energy
Correct Answer: C
Fossil fuels are finite and non-renewable.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q841.
What is the main gas involved in the greenhouse effect?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Helium
Correct Answer: C
CO₂ traps heat in the atmosphere.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q842.
The process of a liquid turning into a gas is called:
A
Sublimation
B
Condensation
C
Evaporation
D
Deposition
Correct Answer: C
Evaporation is the liquid-to-gas transition.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q843.
Which organ is responsible for producing insulin?
A
Liver
B
Pancreas
C
Stomach
D
Intestine
Correct Answer: B
The pancreas secretes insulin to regulate blood glucose.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q844.
The study of living organisms is called:
A
Physics
B
Chemistry
C
Biology
D
Geology
Correct Answer: C
Biology is the science of life.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q845.
Which of the following is a non‑metal?
A
Iron
B
Copper
C
Oxygen
D
Gold
Correct Answer: C
Oxygen is a non‑metal element.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q846.
The unit of measurement for frequency is the:
A
Joule
B
Watt
C
Hertz
D
Newton
Correct Answer: C
Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz).
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q847.
Which of the following is a type of natural disaster caused by movement of the Earth's tectonic plates?
A
Tornado
B
Earthquake
C
Flood
D
Volcanic eruption
Correct Answer: B
Earthquakes result from plate movements.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q848.
The process by which plants lose water vapor through small pores in their leaves is called:
A
Respiration
B
Transpiration
C
Photosynthesis
D
Germination
Correct Answer: B
Transpiration is the evaporation of water from leaves.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q849.
What is the main function of the chloroplast in plant cells?
A
To produce energy for the cell
B
To store genetic information
C
To carry out photosynthesis
D
To transport water to the roots
Correct Answer: C
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q850.
Which of the following is NOT a type of muscle tissue found in the human body?
A
Cardiac
B
Smooth
C
Skeletal
D
Fibrous
Correct Answer: D
The three muscle types are cardiac, smooth, and skeletal; fibrous tissue is connective tissue.