2018 PISA READING

FRAMEWORK (ELEMENT
OF ASSESSMENT)

TEXT FORMAT
Continuous texts ( refers to prose organised
in sentences and paragraphs and includes
descriptions, narrations
and argumentations amongst others)
Non-continuous texts. ( texts include lists,
maps, graphs and diagrams. PISA
assesses three types of reading processes)

READING PROCESS
(a) Retrieving information
 (b) Interpreting texts and forming a broad
general understanding of the text

(c) Reflecting and evaluating its contents,

form and features.

CONTEXT/ SITUATION OF
THE TEXT
Personal use
Public use
Occupational use
Educational use.
 MATATAG CURRICULUM SUBDOMAIN
Phonological Awareness (oracy for literacy)

See Reading Example - Reading Unit 13: Warranty (Grade

7) -Its more skills based reading
Example Text is a warranty label

QUESTION 13.2 How long does Sarah have, to return the

warranty card?
QUESTION 13.3 What else did Sarah buy while she was in
the store?

QUESTION 13.4 The words “Thank you for your business”

are printed on the bottom of the receipt. One possible
reason for this is simply to be polite. What is another
possible reason?

Personal Use. Question 13.2 and 13.3

Occupational Use. Question 13.4

ICULUM SUBDOMAIN
Phonics and Word Study

See Reading Example - Reading Unit 17: Bees (Grade 9) But

7th or 8th grade Anglo-American - the reading does work to
introduce new vocabulary words

QUESTION 17.3
What is the main difference between nectar and honey?
A. The proportion of water in the substance.
B. The proportion of sugar to minerals in the substance.
C. The type of plant from which the substance is gathered.
D. The type of bee which processes the substance.
QUESTION 17.2
Write down three of the main sources of nectar.

QUESTION 17.4 In the dance, what does the bee do to show

how far the food is from the hive?
Educational Use. Question 17. 2 , 17.3, 17.4
Vocabulary and Word Knowledge Book and Print Knowledge

Err:522
See Reading Example - Reading Unit 9: Amanda and The See Reading Example - Reading Unit 3: Graffiti
Duchess (Grade 9/10) Anglo-American or World Literature (Grade 9) Reading level is for Grade 7- Anglo-
American

Text 2 is a list of theatrical terms/occupations (Vocabulary) -

Some questions offer a visual diagram for match certain terms
listed

QUESTION 9.3 QUESTION 3.2

The table below lists theatre technicians involved in staging Why does Sophia refer to advertising?
this extract from Léocadia. Complete the table
by indicating one stage direction from Text 1 which would
require the involvement of each technician.
The first one has been done for you.
QUESTION 9.2 QUESTION 3.1
A. In the script of the play, in addition to the words to be The purpose of each of these letters is to
spoken by the actors, there are directions for the actors and A. explain what graffiti is.
theatre technicians to follow. B. present an opinion about graffiti.
B. How can these directions be recognised in the script? C. demonstrate the popularity of graffiti.
D. tell people how much is spent removing
graffiti.

QUESTION 9.4 QUESTION 3.3

The director positions the actors on the stage. On a diagram, Which of the two letter writers do you agree
the director represents Amanda with the with? Explain your answer by using your own
letter A and the Duchess with the letter D. words to
Put an A and a D on the following diagram of the set to show refer to what is said in one or both of the letters.
approximately where Amanda and the
Duchess are when the Prince arrives.

Occupational Use.
Educational Use. Educational Use. Question 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Comprehending and Analyzing Texts

See Reading Example - Reading Unit 1: Lake Chad (Grade 10)

but Grade 8-World Literature reading level

Figure 1: Line Graph Depicting Lake Depth Levels Figure 2: Bar

Graph Depicting Rock Art and changing patterns of wildlife

QUESTION 1.1
What is the depth of Lake Chad today?
A. About two metres.
B. About fifteen metres.
C. About fifty metres.
D. It has disappeared completely.
E. The information is not provided.
QUESTION 1.5
For this question you need to draw together information from
Figure 1 and Figure 2.
The disappearance of the rhinoceros, hippopotamus and
aurochs from Saharan rock art happened
A. at the beginning of the most recent Ice Age.
B. in the middle of the period when Lake Chad was at its highest
level.
C. after the level of Lake Chad had been falling for over a
thousand years.
D. at the beginning of an uninterrupted dry period.

QUESTION 1.4
Figure 2 is based on the assumption that
A. the animals in the rock art were present in the area at the time
they were drawn.
B. the artists who drew the animals were highly skilled.
C. the artists who drew the animals were able to travel widely.
D. there was no attempt to domesticate the animals which were
depicted in the rock art.

Occupational Use
Educational Use
Creating and Composing Texts (discourse)

See Reading Example - Reading Unit 8: Gift (Grade 10) But reading
level is for Grade 8-World Literature

QUESTION 8.5
Here are some of the early references to the panther in the story.
“the cry awoke her, a sound so anguished…” (line 32)
“The answer was a repeated cry, but less shrill, tired sounding…”
(line 44)
“She had…heard their cries, like suffering, in the distance.” (lines 51–
52)
Considering what happens in the rest of the story, why do you think
the writer chooses to introduce
the panther with these descriptions?
QUESTION 8.3
Do you think that the last sentence of “The Gift” is an appropriate
ending?
Explain your answer, demonstrating your understanding of how the
last sentence relates to the story’s meaning.

QUESTION 8.7
Here is part of a conversation between two people who read “The
Gift”:

Give evidence from the story to show how each of these speakers
could justify their point of view.
Educational Use Question 8.3, 8.5, 8.7
 MA
PATTERNS AND ALGEBRA (sequences, series,
polynomials, polynomial equations, and polynomial
functions)

2022 PISA
FRAMEWORK
(EXPECTED STUDENTS
ACTIONS)

REASONING
** Draw a simple conclusion QUESTION 50.2 Jan wants to send two items,
weighing 40 grams and 80 grams respectively, to a
friend. According to the postal charges in Zedland,
decide whether it is cheaper to send the two items
as one parcel, or send the items as two separate
parcels. Show your calculations of the cost in each
case. (Grade 7)
** Select an appropriate QUESTION 40.1 ( Grade 7)
justification Circle Correct or Incorrect for each of the following
statements

QUESTION 10.1 Circle either “Yes” or “No” for each

design to indicate whether the garden bed can be
made with 32
metres of timber. (Grade 7)

** Explain why a
mathematical result or
conclusion does, or does
not, make sense given the
context of a problem
Represent a problem in a
different way, including
organising it according to
mathematical concepts and
making appropriate
assumptions
Utilise definitions, rules and
formal systems as well as
employing algorithms and
computational thinking
Explain and defend a
justification for the identified
or devised representation of
a real-world situation

Explain or defend a
justification for the processes
and procedures or
simulations used to
determine a mathematical
result or solution

Identify the limits of the

model used to solve a
problem
Understand definitions, rules
and formal systems as well
as employing algorithms and
computational reasoning
Provide a justification for the QUESTION 6.2 Explain how the graph shows that
identified or devised on average the growth rate for girls slows down after
representation of a real- 12 years of age (Grade 7)
world situation

QUESTION 29.1 Which pizza is better value for

money? Show your reasoning. (Grade 8)
 Provide a justification for the QUESTION 30.1 Which of the figures has the
processes and procedures largest area? Explain your reasoning (Grade 7)
used to determine a
mathematical result or
solution

Reflect on mathematical
arguments, explaining and
justifying the mathematical
result
Critique the limits of the
model used to solve a
problem
Interpret a mathematical
result back into the real-
world context in order to
explain the meaning of the
results
Explain the relationships
between the context-specific QUESTION 46.2 The formula recommended
language of a problem and maximum heart rate = 208 – (0.7 x age) is also used
the symbolic and formal to determine when physical training is most
language needed to effective. Research has shown that physical training
represent it is most effective when the heartbeat is at 80% of the
recommended maximum heart rate. Write down a
formula for calculating the heart rate for most
effective physical training, expressed in terms of age
(Grade 8)
mathematically
Reflect on mathematical
arguments, explaining and
justifying the mathematical
result
Reflect on mathematical
solutions and create
explanations and arguments
that support, refute or qualify
a mathematical solution to a

contextualised problem
Analyse similarities and
differences between a
computational model and the
mathematical problem that it
is modelling
Explain how a simple
algorithm works and to
detect and correct errors in
algorithms and programme

FORMULATING
* Select a mathematical
description or a
representation that describes
a problem
** Identify the key variables
in a model
 QUESTION 7.4 Here are pictures of five tracks:
Along which one of these tracks was the car driven
to produce the speed graph shown earlier?(Grade
8)

** Select a representation
appropriate to the problem
context

Read, decode and make

sense of statements,
questions, tasks, objects or
images to create a model of
the situation
Recognise mathematical
structure (including QUESTION 43.2 For how many seconds does the
regularities, relationships, lighthouse send out light flashes in 1 minute?
and patterns) in problems or (Grade7)
situations
Identify and describe the
mathematical aspects of a
real-world problem situation
including identifying the
significant variables
Simplify or decompose a
situation or problem in order
to make it amenable to
mathematical analysis
Recognise aspects of a
problem that correspond with
known problems or
mathematical concepts, facts
or procedures
 QUESTION 25.2 The manufacturer of car “Ca”
thought the rule for the total score was unfair. Write
down a rule for calculating the total score so that
Car “Ca” will be the winner. Your rule should include
all four of the variables, and you should write down
Translate a problem into a your rule by filling in positive numbers in the four
standard mathematical spaces in the equation below. Total score = ………x
representation or algorithm S + ……… x F + ……… x E + ……… x T. (Grade 8)

Use mathematical tools QUESTION 30.2 Describe a method for estimating

(using appropriate variables, the area of figure C.
symbols, diagrams) to (Grade 7)
describe the mathematical
structures and/or QUESTION 30.3 Describe a method for estimating
relationships in a problem the perimeter of figure C (Grade 7)
QUESTION 43.3 In the diagram below, make a
graph of a possible pattern of light flashes of a
Apply mathematical tools lighthouse that sends out light flashes for 30
and computing tool to portray seconds per minute. The period of this pattern must
mathematical relationships be equal to 6 seconds. (Grade 7)
Identify the constraints,
assumptions simplifications
in a mathematical model

EMPLOYING
** Perform a simple QUESTION 2.1 If the formula applies to Heiko’s
calculation walking and Heiko takes 70 steps per minute, what
is Heiko’s pacelength? Show your work. (Grade 7)

QUESTION 6.1 Since 1980 the average height of

20-year-old females has increased by 2.3 cm, to
170.6 cm. What was the average height of a 20-
year-old female in 1980? (Grade 7)

QUESTION 15.1 (Grade 7)

In Mei Lin’s school, her science teacher gives tests
that are marked out of 100. Mei Lin has an average
of 60 marks on her first four Science tests. On the
fifth test she got 80 marks.
What is the average of Mei Lin’s marks in Science
after all five tests?

QUESTION 22.1 The diagram above illustrates a

staircase with 14 steps and a total height of 252 cm:
What is the height of each of the 14 steps? (Grade
7)
Height: cm.

QUESTION 31.1
If a vehicle is travelling at 110 kph, what distance
does the vehicle travel during the driver’s reaction
time? (Grade 8)

** Select an appropriate
strategy from a list
** Implement a given
strategy to determine a
mathematical solution
** Make mathematical
diagrams, graphs,
constructions or computing
artifacts

Understand and utilise

constructs based on
definitions, rules and formal
systems including employing
familiar algorithms
Develop mathematical
diagrams, graphs,
constructions or computing
artifacts and extracting
mathematical information
from them
Manipulate numbers,
graphical and statistical data
and information, algebraic
expressions and equations,
and geometric
representations
 Articulate a solution, showing
and/or summarising and
presenting intermediate
mathematical results
Use mathematical tools,
including technology,
simulations and
computational thinking, to
help find exact or
approximate solutions
Make sense of, relate and
use a variety of
representations when
interacting with a problem
Switch between different
representations in the
process of finding solutions
Use a multi-step procedure
leading to a mathematical
solution, conclusion or
generalisation

(Grade 7-8)
Mei-Ling from Singapore was preparing to go to
South Africa for 3 months as an exchange student.
She
needed to change some Singapore dollars (SGD)
into South African rand (ZAR).
QUESTION 12.1
Mei-Ling found out that the exchange rate between
Use an understanding of the Singapore dollars and South African rand was:
context to guide or expedite 1 SGD = 4.2 ZAR
the mathematical solving Mei-Ling changed 3000 Singapore dollars into
process, e.g. working to a South African rand at this exchange rate.
context-appropriate level of How much money in South African rand did Mei-
accuracy Ling get?
Make generalisations based
on the results of applying
mathematical procedures to
find solutions

INTERPRETING
**Interpret a mathematical
result back into the real
world context

** Identify whether a
mathematical result or QUESTION 9.1 A TV reporter showed this graph
conclusion does, or does and said: “The graph shows that there is a huge
not, make sense given the increase in the number of robberies from 1998 to
context of a problem 1999.”
Do you consider the reporter’s statement to be a
reasonable interpretation of the graph? Give an
explanation to support your answer. (Grade 7)
** Identify the limits of the
model used to solve a
problem
Use mathematical tools or
computer simulations to
ascertain the
reasonableness of a
mathematical solution and
any limits and constraints on
that solution, given the
context of the problem

Interpret mathematical
outcomes in a variety of
formats in relation to a
situation or use; compare or
evaluate two or more
representations in relation to
a situation
Use knowledge of how the
real world impacts the
outcomes and calculations of
a mathematical procedure or
model in order to make
contextual judgements about
how the results should be
adjusted or applied

Construct and communicate

explanations and arguments QUESTION 35.2 To date, no humans have been
in the context of the problem able to react to a starter’s gun in less than 0.110
second. If the recorded reaction time for a runner is
less than 0.110 second, then a false start is
considered to have occurred because the runner
must have left before hearing the gun. If the Bronze
medallist had a faster reaction time, would he have
had a chance to win the Silver medal? Give an
explanation to support your answer. (Grade 8)
Recognise [demonstrate,
interpret, explain] the extent
and limits of mathematical
concepts and mathematical
solutions
Understand the relationship
between the context of the
problem and representation
of the mathematical solution.
Use this understanding to
help interpret the solution in
context and gauge the
feasibility and possible
limitations of the solution
 MATATAG CURRICULUM
GEOMETRY (circles and coordinate geometry) STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
(combinatorics and probability, and measures of
position) as applied - using appropriate
technology - in critical thinking, problem solving,
reasoning, communicating, making connections,
representations, and decisions in real life.

QUESTION 6.3 According to this graph, on

average, during which period in their life are
females taller than males of the same age?
(Grade 7)
QUESTION 8.1 QUESTION 18.1 A documentary was broadcast
Circle the one figure below that fits the following about earthquakes and how often earthquakes
description. occur. It included a discussion about the
Triangle PQR is a right triangle with right angle at predictability of earthquakes. A geologist stated:
R. The line RQ is less than the line PR. M is the “In the next twenty years, the chance that an
midpoint of the line PQ and N is the midpoint of earthquake will occur in Zed City is two out of
the line QR. S is a point inside the triangle. The three”. Which of the following best reflects the
line meaning of the geologist’s statement? (Grade 7)
MN is greater than the line MS. (Grade 10)

QUESTION 48.1 For a rock concert a rectangular

field of size 100 m by 50 m was reserved for the
audience. The concert was completely sold out
and the field was full with all the fans standing.
Which one of the following is likely to be the best
estimate of the total number of people attending
the concert? (Grade 7)
 QUESTION 17.1 A student thinks of displaying
the results in a bar graph.Give one reason why a
bar graph is unsuitable for displaying these data.
(Grade 7)

QUESTION 45.1 Estimate the total height of the QUESTION 20.1 Looking at the diagram, the
building, in metres. Explain how you found your teacher claims that Group B did better than
answer. (Grade 8) Group A in this test. The students in Group A
don’t agree with their teacher. They try to
convince the teacher that Group B may not
necessarily have done better. Give one
mathematical argument, using the graph, that
the students in Group A could use (Grade 7)
QUESTION 36.1 A water tank has shape and
dimensions as shown in the diagram. At the
beginning the tank is empty. Then it is filled with
water at the rate of one litre per second. Which of
the following graphs shows how the height of the
water surface changes over time? (Grade 8)
QUESTION 45.4 Each storey containing
apartments has a certain ‘twist’ compared to the
ground floor. The top floor (the 20th floor above
the ground floor) is at right angles to the ground
floor. Draw in this diagram the plan of the 10th
floor above the ground floor, showing how this
floor is situated compared to the ground floor.
(Grade 10)
QUESTION 1.1 Calculate the area of the attic
floor ABCD. The area of the attic floor ABCD = m²
(Grade 7)
QUESTION 1.2
Calculate the length of EF, one of the horizontal
edges of the block.
The length of EF = m (Grade 8)

QUESTION 3.2 There are two formulae you can

use to calculate the number of apple trees and
the number of conifer trees for the pattern
described on the previous page: Number of
apple trees = n2 Number of conifer trees = 8n
where n is the number of rows of apple trees.
There is a value of n for which the number of
apple trees equals the number of conifer trees.
Find the value of n and show your method of
calculating this. (Grade 7)

QUESTION 14.1 Robert’s mother lets him pick

one candy from a bag. He can’t see the candies.
The number of candies of each colour in the bag
is shown in the following graph. What is the
probability that Robert will pick a red candy?
(Grade 7)
QUESTION 34.3 Susan realises that she used
more small cubes than she really needed to make
a block like the one shown in Diagram C. She
realises that she could have glued small cubes
together to look like Diagram C, but the block
could have been hollow on the inside. What is the
minimum number of cubes she needs to make a
block that looks like the one shown in Diagram C,
but is hollow? (Grade 9)

QUESTION 33.1 A woman in hospital receives

an injection of penicillin. Her body gradually
breaks the penicillin down so that one hour after
the injection only 60% of the penicillin will remain
active. This pattern continues: at the end of each
hour only 60% of the penicillin that was present
at the end of the previous hour remains active.
Suppose the woman is given a dose of 300
milligrams of penicillin at 8 o’clock in the
morning. Complete this table showing the
amount of penicillin that will remain active in the
woman’s blood at intervals of one hour from
0800 until 1100 hours. (Grade 7)
QUESTION 3.3 Suppose the farmer wants to
make a much larger orchard with many rows of
trees. As the farmer makes the orchard bigger,
which will increase more quickly: the number of
apple trees or the number of conifer trees?
Explain how you found your answer. (Grade 8)
QUESTION 44.3 Mandy and Niels discussed
which country (or region) had the largest
increase of CO2 emissions. Each came up with
a different conclusion based on the diagram.
Give two possible ‘correct’ answers to this
question, and explain how you can obtain each
of these answers.
(Grade 7-8)

QUESTION 44.2 Mandy analysed the diagram

and claimed she discovered a mistake in the
percentage change in emission levels: “The
percentage decrease in Germany (16%) is
bigger than the percentage decrease in the
whole European Union (EU total, 4%). This is
not possible, since Germany is part of the EU.”
Do you agree with Mandy when she says this is
not possible? Give an explanation to support
your answer. (Grade 7-8)
 Earth and Space Science
PISA COMPETENCIES 2025
Explain phenomena scientifically QUESTION 3.1 Which statement explains why daylight and darkness
occur on Earth? (Grade 7)
-Recall and apply appropriate A. The Earth rotates on its axis.
scientific knowledge B. The Sun rotates on its axis.
-Use different forms of C. The Earth’s axis is tilted.
representations and translate D. The Earth revolves around the Sun
between these forms
-Make and justify appropriate QUESTION 3.2 In the Figure light rays from the Sun are shown shining on
scientific predictions and solutions the Earth (Grade 9)
-Identify, construct, and evaluate Suppose it is the shortest day in Melbourne.Show the Earth’s axis, the
models Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere and the Equator on the
-Recognise and develop explanatory Figure. Label all parts of your answer.
hypotheses of phenomena in the
material world
-Explain the potential implications of
scientific knowledge for society

QUESTION 25.2 (Grade 9)

Toshio uses a telescope with a large diameter lens in order to observe
stars of low brightness.
Why does using a telescope with a large diameter lens make it possible to
observe stars of low
brightness?

QUESTION 7.1 ( Grade 8)

The temperature in the Grand Canyon ranges from below 0C to over 40
C. Although it is a desert
area, cracks in the rocks sometimes contain water. How do these
temperature changes and the water in
rock cracks help to speed up the breakdown of rocks?
A. Freezing water dissolves warm rocks.
Construct and evaluate designs
for scientific enquiry and QUESTION 5.1 (Grade 10)
interpret scientific data and What is it about the graphs that supports André’s conclusion?
evidence critically ( Ecosystem-Greenhouse Effect)

-Identify the question in a given

scientific study
-Propose an appropriate
experimental design
-Evaluate whether an
experimental design is best suited
to answer the question
-Interpret data presented in
different representations, draw
appropriate conclusions from data
and evaluate their relative merits

QUESTION 5.2 (Grade 10)

Another student, Jeanne, disagrees with André’s conclusion. She
compares the two graphs and says that
some parts of the graphs do not support his conclusion.
Give an example of a part of the graphs that does not support André’s
conclusion. Explain your answer.

QUESTION 15.1 (Grade 10)

Use the information in Figure 1 to develop an argument in support of
reducing the emission of carbon
dioxide from the human activities mentiioned
Research, evaluate and use QUESTION 5.3 André persists in his conclusion that the average
scientific information for temperature rise of the Earth’s atmosphere is caused by the increase in
decision making and action the carbon dioxide emission. But Jeanne thinks that his conclusion is
premature. She says: “Before accepting this conclusion you must be sure
that other factors that could influence the greenhouse effect are constant”.
-Search, evaluate and
Name one of the factors that Jeanne means (Grade 10)
communicate the relative merits
of different sources of information
(scientific, social, economic and
ethical) that may have
significance or merit in arriving at
decisions on science-related The effect of acid rain on marble can be modelled by placing chips of
issues, and whether they support marble in vinegar overnight.
an argument or a solution Vinegar and acid rain have about the same acidity level. When a marble
-Distinguish among claims based chip is placed in vinegar,
bubbles of gas form. The mass of the dry marble chip can be found before
on strong scientific evidence,
and after the experiment.
expert vs. non-expert, and
opinion, and provide reasons for QUESTION 10.3
the distinction Students who did this experiment also placed marble chips in pure
-Construct an argument to (distilled) water overnight.
support an appropriate scientific Explain why the students included this step in their experiment. (Grade
conclusion from a set of data 10)
-Critique standard flaws in
science-related arguments e.g.
poor assumptions, cause vs.
correlation, faulty explanations,
generalisations from limited data
-Justify decisions using scientific
arguments, either individual or
communal, that contribute to
solving contemporary issues or
sustainable development
 QUESTION 7.2 (Grade 9)
There are many fossils of marine animals, such as clams, fish and corals,
in the Limestone A layer of the Grand Canyon. What happened millions of
years ago that explains why such fossils are found there?
A In ancient times, people brought seafood to the area from the ocean.
B Oceans were once much rougher and sea life washed inland on giant
waves.
C An ocean covered this area at that time and then receded later.
D Some sea animals once lived on land before migrating to the sea.

QUESTION 15.1 (Grade 10)

Use the information in Figure 1 to develop an argument in support of
reducing the emission of carbon
dioxide from the human activities mentioned.

* Environmental Science

-Explain physical, living, and

Earth’s systems that are relevant
to the environment and how they
interact with each other
-Research and apply knowledge
of human interactions with these
systems over time
-Apply this knowledge to explain
both negative and positive human
impacts with these systems over
time
-Explain how social, cultural, or
economic factors contribute to
these impacts
 MATATAG CURRICULUM
Force, Motion, and Energy

QUESTION 6.1
Can these claims made in the article be tested through scientific
investigation in the laboratory?
Circle either “Yes” or “No” for each. (Grade 7)

QUESTION 6.2 Which piece of laboratory equipment would be among the

equipment you would need to check that the fabric is conducting
electricity?

A. Voltmeter
B. Light box
C. Micrometer
D. Sound meter (Grade 8)

QUESTION 14.1
A bus is driving along a straight stretch of road. The bus driver, named
Ray, has a cup of water resting
on the dashboard:
Suddenly Ray has to slam on the brakes.
What is most likely to happen to the water in the cup?
A. The water will stay horizontal.
B. The water will spill over side 1.
C. The water will spill over side 2.
D. The water will spill but you cannot tell if it will spill at side 1 or side 2
(Grade 7)
QUESTION 14.2 (Grade 9)
Ray’s bus is, like most buses, powered by a petrol engine. These buses
contribute to
environmental pollution.
Some cities have trolley buses: they are powered by an electric engine.
The voltage needed for such an electric engine is provided by overhead
lines (like electric trains).
The electricity is supplied by a power station using fossil fuels. Supporters
for the use of trolley buses in a city say that these buses don’t contribute to
environmental pollution.
Are these supporters right? Explain your answer

QUESTION 34.4 Describe one specific advantage, and one specific

disadvantage, of using wind to generate electricity compared with using
fossil fuels like coal and oil. (Grade 8)
MATATAG CURRICULUM
Science of Materials

QUESTION 2.3 (Grade 8)

Lines 14 and 15 state: “Without this beneficial ozone layer, humans would be more
susceptible to certain
diseases due to the increased incidence of ultra-violet rays from the Sun.”
Name one of these specific diseases

QUESTION 8.1 (Grade 10)

Which one of these statements is a scientific description of the role of the mineral oil and
the zinc
oxide in comparing the effectiveness of the sunscreens?
A. Mineral oil and zinc oxide are both factors being tested.
B. Mineral oil is a factor being tested and zinc oxide is a reference substance.
C. Mineral oil is a reference substance and zinc oxide is a factor being tested.
D. Mineral oil and zinc oxide are both reference substances.

QUESTION 10.1 (Grade 10)

Normal rain is slightly acidic because it has absorbed some carbon dioxide from the air.
Acid rain is more
acidic than normal rain because it has absorbed gases like sulfur oxides and nitrogen
oxides as well.
Where do these sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in the air come from?

QUESTION 19.3 (Grade 9)

In the fourth step of the cleaning process, chlorine is added to the water.
Why is chlorine added to the water?
QUESTION 2.1

In your explanation, use the words atoms and molecules in the way they are used in lines 5
and 6
(Grade 8)

QUESTION 2.2 In terms of the article, is the ozone that is formed during thunderstorms
“bad ozone” or “good ozone”? Choose the answer and the explanation that is supported by
the text.
Life Science

QUESTION 1.2 Semmelweis’ new idea had to do with the high percentage of
women dying in the maternity wards and the students’ behaviour. What was this
idea?
(Grade 9)

QUESTION 4.1
Which sheep is Dolly identical to? (Cell Biology- Inheritance and Variation) (Grade
10)

QUESTION 4.2 That “very small piece” is (Cell Biology- Inheritance and Variation)
(Grade 7)

QUESTION 9.1
What kinds of diseases can people be vaccinated against?
A. Inherited diseases like haemophilia.
B. Diseases that are caused by viruses, like polio.
C. Diseases from the malfunctioning of the body, like diabetes.
D. Any sort of disease that has no cure.
(Grade 8)

QUESTION 11.2
QUESTION 1.3 Semmelweis succeeded in his attempts to reduce the number of
deaths due to puerperal fever. But puerperal fever even today remains a disease
that is difficult to eliminate. Fevers that are difficult to cure are still a problem in
hospitals. Many routine measures serve to control this problem. Among those
measures are washing sheets at high temperatures. Explain why high temperature
(while washing sheets) helps to reduce the risk that patients will contract a fever.
(Grade 8)

QUESTION 4.3
In the last sentence of the article it is stated that many governments have already
decided to forbid
cloning of people by law.
Two possible reasons for this decision are mentioned below.
Are these reasons scientific reasons?
Circle either “Yes” or “No” for each.(Grade 10)

QUESTION 20.2
The following graph shows the consumption of sugar and the amount of caries in
different countries.
Each country is represented by a dot in the graph. Which one of the following
statements is supported by the data given in the graph?
A. In some countries, people brush their teeth more frequently than in other
countries.
B. The more sugar people eat, the more likely they are to get caries.
C. In recent years, the rate of caries has increased in many countries.
D. In recent years, the consumption of sugar has increased in many countries.
(Grade 10)
QUESTION 1.4 (Grade 9)
Many diseases may be cured by using antibiotics. However, the success of some
antibiotics against
puerperal fever has diminished in recent years.
What is the reason for this?
A. Once produced, antibiotics gradually lose their activity.
B. Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
C. These antibiotics only help against puerperal fever, but not against other
diseases.
D. The need for these antibiotics has been reduced because public health conditions
have improved
considerably in recent years.

QUESTION 9.3 (Grade 9)

Give one reason why it is recommended that young children and old people, in
particular, should be
vaccinated against influenza (flu).

QUESTION 13.2 (Grade 7)

Food webs A and B are in different locations. Imagine if Leaf Hoppers died out in
both locations. Which
one of these is the best prediction and explanation for the effect this would have on
the food webs?
A. The effect would be greater in food web A because the Parasitic Wasp has only
one food source in
web A.
B. The effect would be greater in food web A because the Parasitic Wasp has
several food sources in web A.
C. The effect would be greater in food web B because the Parasitic Wasp has only
one food source in
web B.
D. The effect would be greater in food web B because the Parasitic Wasp has
several food sources in web B.
QUESTION 31.2 (Grade 10)
The scientists working for the concerned citizens compared the number of people
with long-term breathing problems close to the chemical factory with those in an area
far away from the factory.
Describe one possible difference in the two areas that would make you think that the
comparison was not a valid one