Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q951.
Which of these is a non-covalent interaction that helps stabilize protein structure?
A
Covalent bond
B
Ionic bond
C
Hydrogen bond
D
Metallic bond
Correct Answer: C
Hydrogen bonds contribute to secondary and tertiary protein structures.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q952.
In the context of geology, what does the term "tectonic plates" refer to?
A
Layers of the atmosphere
B
Large sections of the Earth's crust that move over time
C
Ice sheets
D
Ocean currents
Correct Answer: B
Tectonic plates are massive slabs of lithosphere that drift and cause earthquakes.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q953.
What is the main component of plant cell walls?
A
Cellulose
B
Starch
C
Glycogen
D
DNA
Correct Answer: A
Cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q954.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a base?
A
Turns red litmus paper blue
B
Turns blue litmus paper red
C
Has a pH less than 7
D
Reacts with metals to form salts
Correct Answer: A
Bases turn red litmus paper blue and have pH greater than 7.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q955.
In the human body, the large intestine is primarily responsible for:
A
Absorption of water and electrolytes
B
Production of insulin
C
Filtering blood
D
Circulating oxygen
Correct Answer: A
The large intestine reabsorbs water and salts from indigestible food matter.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q956.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
A
Ability to grow and develop
B
Ability to remain unchanged over time
C
Ability to respond to stimuli
D
Ability to reproduce
Correct Answer: B
Living organisms are capable of growth, response to stimuli, and reproduction; they do not remain unchanged over time.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q957.
In the process of photosynthesis, which gas is absorbed by plants?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Hydrogen
Correct Answer: C
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q958.
A simple machine that uses a lever to lift heavy objects is called a?
A
Pulley
B
Inclined plane
C
Lever
D
Wheel and axle
Correct Answer: C
A lever uses a pivot point to amplify force and lift heavy loads.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q959.
Which part of the human body stores bile produced by the liver?
A
Stomach
B
Small intestine
C
Gall bladder
D
Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
The gall bladder stores bile until it is needed for digestion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q960.
The unit of electric current is called?
A
Volt
B
Watt
C
Ohm
D
Ampere
Correct Answer: D
Current is measured in amperes.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q961.
What is the main function of chlorophyll in a plant cell?
A
Store nutrients
B
Capture light energy for photosynthesis
C
Provide structural support
D
Regulate water loss
Correct Answer: B
Chlorophyll captures light energy to convert CO₂ and water into glucose.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q962.
Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
A
Solar energy
B
Wind energy
C
Coal
D
Hydropower
Correct Answer: C
Coal is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished on a human timescale.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q963.
In a chemical reaction, the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of?
A
Products
B
Energy released
C
Heat absorbed
D
None of the above
Correct Answer: A
According to the law of conservation of mass, mass is neither created nor destroyed.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q964.
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?
A
Venus
B
Mars
C
Jupiter
D
Saturn
Correct Answer: B
Mars is called the Red Planet due to its iron oxide-rich surface.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q965.
The process by which water changes from liquid to gas is called?
A
Condensation
B
Sublimation
C
Evaporation
D
Deposition
Correct Answer: C
Evaporation is the transition of water from liquid to vapor.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q966.
Which organ in the human body is responsible for filtering blood?
A
Heart
B
Liver
C
Kidney
D
Lungs
Correct Answer: C
Kidneys filter waste products from the blood and produce urine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q967.
What is the main component of Earth's atmosphere?
A
Oxygen
B
Nitrogen
C
Carbon dioxide
D
Argon
Correct Answer: B
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q968.
The force that keeps an object moving in a straight line at constant speed is known as?
A
Friction
B
Inertia
C
Gravity
D
Tension
Correct Answer: B
Inertia is the tendency of an object to maintain its state of motion.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q969.
Which of the following is a simple chemical equation for the reaction of sodium with chlorine?
A
Na + Cl₂ → NaCl
B
NaCl → Na + Cl₂
C
2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl
D
Na₂ + Cl₂ → NaCl
Correct Answer: C
Two atoms of sodium react with one molecule of chlorine gas to form two sodium chloride molecules.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q970.
Which layer of the Earth is the thinnest?
A
Crust
B
Mantle
C
Outer core
D
Inner core
Correct Answer: A
The Earth's crust is the outermost and thinnest layer.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q971.
The process by which living organisms break down food to release energy is called?
A
Respiration
B
Photosynthesis
C
Fermentation
D
Digestion
Correct Answer: A
Cellular respiration converts food into usable energy for the body.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q972.
Which of the following is NOT a type of muscle tissue?
A
Skeletal
B
Cardiac
C
Smooth
D
Fibrous
Correct Answer: D
Fibrous tissue is a type of connective tissue, not muscle.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q973.
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth's weather systems?
A
Solar radiation
B
Tidal forces
C
Earth's core heat
D
Volcanic activity
Correct Answer: A
Solar energy drives atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q974.
Which of the following best describes the function of the respiratory system?
A
Transporting nutrients to cells
B
Removing waste products from the body
C
Exchanging gases between air and blood
D
Producing hormones
Correct Answer: C
The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q975.
Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering blood in the human body?
A
Heart
B
Liver
C
Kidney
D
Lungs
Correct Answer: C
The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and produce urine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q976.
In a simple circuit, what component limits the flow of electric current?
A
Conductor
B
Switch
C
Resistor
D
Capacitor
Correct Answer: C
A resistor resists the flow of current, controlling its magnitude.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q977.
Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?
A
Coal
B
Natural gas
C
Solar power
D
Petroleum
Correct Answer: C
Solar power comes from the sun and is replenished continuously.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q978.
What type of bond is formed when electrons are shared between two atoms?
A
Ionic bond
B
Covalent bond
C
Metallic bond
D
Hydrogen bond
Correct Answer: B
Covalent bonds involve sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q979.
The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy is called?
A
Respiration
B
Fermentation
C
Photosynthesis
D
Transpiration
Correct Answer: C
Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert CO₂ and water into glucose and oxygen.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q980.
Which part of the plant conducts water and minerals from roots to leaves?
A
Xylem
B
Phloem
C
Stomata
D
Chloroplast
Correct Answer: A
Xylem vessels transport water and dissolved minerals upward.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q981.
A body part that has no nerve endings and therefore cannot feel pain is called?
A
Skin
B
Muscle
C
Bone
D
Cartilage
Correct Answer: D
Cartilage lacks nerve endings, so it cannot sense pain.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q982.
What is the unit of electrical resistance?
A
Volt
B
Ampere
C
Ohm
D
Watt
Correct Answer: C
Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q983.
Which of the following is a non‑metallic element?
A
Iron
B
Copper
C
Oxygen
D
Gold
Correct Answer: C
Oxygen is a non‑metallic element, while the others are metals.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q984.
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
Q985.
The process by which a solid changes directly to a gas is called?
A
Melting
B
Sublimation
C
Condensation
D
Vaporisation
Correct Answer: B
Sublimation is the transition from solid to gas without passing through liquid.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q986.
Which organ stores bile produced by the liver?
A
Stomach
B
Spleen
C
Gall bladder
D
Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile before it enters the intestine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q987.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a simple muscle?
A
It has two nuclei per cell
B
It is under voluntary control
C
It contains striations
D
It is found in the heart
Correct Answer: C
Simple muscle (skeletal) cells are multinucleated and have striations.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q988.
What is the main function of the alveoli in the lungs?
A
To transport blood
B
To filter air
C
To exchange gases
D
To produce mucus
Correct Answer: C
Alveoli are tiny sacs where oxygen enters and CO₂ leaves the blood.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q989.
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
A
Freezing water into ice
B
Burning wood
C
Melting ice
D
Dissolving sugar in water
Correct Answer: B
Burning wood involves a chemical reaction producing new substances.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q990.
The part of a plant that absorbs water and minerals from the soil is the?
A
Stem
B
Leaf
C
Root
D
Flower
Correct Answer: C
Roots take up water and nutrients from the soil.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q991.
Which of these is an example of a simple machine?
A
Wheel and axle
B
Lever
C
Pulley
D
All of the above
Correct Answer: D
All listed are simple machines that make work easier.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q992.
What is the primary function of the heart in the circulatory system?
A
Filter waste from blood
B
Pump blood throughout the body
C
Produce insulin
D
Store oxygen
Correct Answer: B
The heart pumps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood through the circulatory system.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q993.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a chemical compound?
A
It is made of only one type of atom
B
It can be separated by physical means
C
It has a fixed ratio of elements
D
It is always a gas
Correct Answer: C
Compounds consist of atoms of two or more elements in a fixed ratio.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q994.
In the water cycle, the process where water vapor cools and turns into liquid droplets is called?
A
Evaporation
B
Condensation
C
Sublimation
D
Precipitation
Correct Answer: B
Condensation forms clouds and precipitation when droplets combine.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q995.
Which of the following is NOT a type of radiation?
A
Alpha
B
Beta
C
Gamma
D
Delta
Correct Answer: D
Alpha, beta, and gamma are forms of ionizing radiation; delta is not a recognized type.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q996.
A plant that grows without soil and obtains nutrients from the air is known as a?
A
Terrestrial
B
Aquatic
C
Epiphyte
D
Carnivorous
Correct Answer: C
Epiphytes grow on other plants and absorb nutrients from the air and debris.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q997.
Which of the following is an example of a physical change?
A
Rusting of iron
B
Burning of wood
C
Melting of ice
D
Fermentation of sugar
Correct Answer: C
Melting changes the state of matter but does not alter the chemical composition.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q998.
The process by which animals convert food into energy is called?
A
Photosynthesis
B
Respiration
C
Digestion
D
Transpiration
Correct Answer: B
Respiration is the metabolic process that releases energy from food.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q999.
What is the main component of plant cell walls that provides rigidity?
A
Cellulose
B
Cellulose
C
Hemicellulose
D
Lignin
Correct Answer: A
Cellulose is the primary structural polysaccharide in plant cell walls.
Junior Certificate Examination
Basic Science
Q1000.
Which of the following is a non‑renewable resource?
A
Wind energy
B
Solar energy
C
Fossil fuel
D
Biomass
Correct Answer: C
Fossil fuels are finite and deplete over time.