Science: Full Practice Paper 9
Full Practice Paper 9 is a ninth complete practice paper in the style of 13+ Common Entrance Science, again mixing Biology, Chemistry and Physics questions in one timed sitting so that pupils are fully prepared for the range and pace of the real ISEB paper.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Look through the whole paper first if time allows, checking how many marks each section is worth, so you know roughly how long to spend on biology, chemistry and physics questions.
- Answer every short factual question you are confident about first, across all three subjects, before spending longer on any question you find difficult.
- When a question gives a set of data, work out the range (biggest value minus smallest value) or the mean if asked, showing your working clearly rather than only writing the final number.
- For any calculation, state the correct equation, substitute the values given with correct units, and check your final answer is a sensible size before moving on.
- When answering a question about acids and alkalis, use the correct scientific terms (acid, alkali, neutral, pH, indicator, neutralisation) rather than everyday words.
- In the final minutes, check that you have used units consistently throughout your working and that every part of every multi-part question has an answer written down.
Worked example
A pupil records the following pH readings when testing five different soil samples: 6.2, 6.8, 5.9, 7.1, 6.5. (a) Calculate the range of these pH readings. (b) State which sample is the most acidic.
- Identify the largest and smallest values in the data set: the largest is 7.1 and the smallest is 5.9.
- Use range = largest value - smallest value: range = 7.1 - 5.9.
- Subtract to find the range: 7.1 - 5.9 = 1.2.
- To find the most acidic sample, remember that a lower pH means more acidic, so compare all five values and identify the lowest one, which is 5.9.
- Final answer: (a) range = 1.2 (pH units); (b) the sample with pH 5.9 is the most acidic.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Name the layer of gases surrounding the Earth that contains the oxygen needed for respiration.Show answer
Answer: The atmosphere.
Q2State the approximate time it takes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth.Show answer
Answer: About 8 minutes.
Q3A pupil adds universal indicator to a solution and it turns red. State whether the solution is acidic, alkaline or neutral.Show answer
Answer: Acidic (a red colour with universal indicator shows a low, acidic pH).
Q4Name the process used to neutralise an acid using an alkali.Show answer
Answer: Neutralisation.
Q5State the name of the force that acts to slow down a moving object due to contact between two surfaces.Show answer
Answer: Friction.
Q6A pupil measures a mass of 3.5 kg on a set of scales. Convert this mass to grams.Show answer
Answer: 3500 g (3.5 x 1000 = 3500 g).
Q7Name the planet in our solar system that is closest to the Sun.Show answer
Answer: Mercury.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
The Earth takes approximately 365 days to orbit the Sun once, while Mercury, which is much closer to the Sun, takes approximately 88 days to complete one orbit. (a) State the general relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and the time it takes to complete one orbit. (b) Name the force that keeps a planet in orbit around the Sun. (c) Explain, in terms of this force and the distance travelled, why a planet closer to the Sun takes less time to complete one orbit than a planet further away.
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A pupil adds dilute hydrochloric acid, a drop at a time, to a flask of sodium hydroxide solution containing a few drops of universal indicator, which starts off purple. (a) State the colour change you would expect to see in the indicator as enough acid is added to exactly neutralise the alkali. (b) Name the salt formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide. (c) Write a word equation for this neutralisation reaction.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the science: full practice paper 9 worksheet pack - 21 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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