Answering Techniques Biology P2 6k50r

BIOLOGY 2 ( 4551/2) ANSWERING QUESTIONS TECHNIQUES SECTION A: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS ( 5 Compulsory Questions) 1. This section consists of five questions compulsory for students to answer. 2. Each question consists of several parts and it is based on a stimulus such as a graph, table, summary, or diagram. 3. The questions are normally structured progressively from easy to difficult. Most of the questions test knowledge, understanding and application while some require analysis and synthesis. 4. Answer should be concise and brief. The lines provided for answers and the marks allocated should determine the length of the answer. 5. For questions involving calculation, the working should be shown and the unit stated. SECTION B:

ESSAY QUESTIONS ( Choose 2 out of 4 questions)

1. Consists of the limited response essay and extended response essay. 2. Limited response essay tests the construct of understanding ,application and analysing while extended response essay tests the construct of synthesis and evaluation. 3. Marks allocated can be used to determine the number of facts and the length of the answer required for each question. 4. Pay full attention to key words used in the question in order to determine the correct approach answering the question. Example of the key words are shown in the table.

Key Words

Meaning

Examples SPM, 2008

Name

Give name and the spelling must be Name the type of twins Q. Answer: Fraternal twins correct SPM 2009

State

Give facts without any explanation

State the function of phloem. Answer: Transports organic materials

List

Write a series of items

List two factors affecting photosynthesis. Answer: Light intensity Concentration of carbon dioxide

Explain why

Give explanation on facts and state SPM 2008 A woman who is a heavy smoker become the reason pregnant. Explain why she should stop smoking. ( 2 marks) Answer F: Chemicals such as nicotine can diffuse through the placenta to the foetus. E: may cause brain damage

the

rate

of

Key Words

Meaning

Examples SPM 2006

Explain how

Give explanation on facts and state Explain how starch is digested in the duodenum. the method. Answer: F: The pancreas secrete an amylase into the duodenum E: amylase hydrolyses starch to maltose

How many

A quantity is required, no need How many population of the snails in the calculation habitat? Answer: 300 snails

Calculate

Both steps and answer needed

Calculate the population of the snails in the habitat? ( 2 marks) Answer: Number caught in the first sample ( X) = 30 Number caught in the second sample (Y) = 40 Number marked in the second sample (Z)= 10 Estimated Population = X x Y Z = 30 x 40

10 = 120 snails Correct step and correct answer with unit = 2 marks Correct step and wrong answer = 1 mark Wrong step and correct answer = 0 mark

Key Words State the differences

Meaning Give the differences without any explanation

Examples SPM 2008 State two differences between identical twins and fraternal twins. Answer: Identical twins share the same placenta whereas fraternal twins have separate placentae. Identical twins are similar in physical appearance whereas fraternal twins have different appearance.

Explain the similarities Give the similarities and differences SPM 2008 Explain the similarities and differences between facilitated and the differences with explanation diffusion and active transport in the movement of molecules across cell membrane . Answer: Similarities F1: both ways of transportation need carrier protein in the cell membrane E1: to bind with molecules F2: both transport specific molecules E2: because carrier protein have specific site. Differences Facilitated Diffusion Active transport F1 E1

Down the concentration Against the gradient concentration gradient Molecules moves fromMolecules moves from higher concentration tolower concentration to lower concentration higher concentration

F2

No ATP/ energy used

E2

No energy needed forEnergy binding binding

ATP/ Energy used needed

for

Key Words Discuss

Meaning To give opinion after considering several factors

Example SPM 2005(Question 9) Deforestation is an activity carried out near a residential area with the intention to develop the area . However, the residents are worried about the bad effects of the activity. If you were a resident of the area, discuss the good and bad effects of the activity. [ 8 marks] Answer: The good effects: P1: New houses are built to accommodate the increasing population. P2: More job opportunities are created P3: Infrastructure facilities improve P4: public amenities are improved The bad effects: P5 Causes soil to be exposed to erosion agents. P6: Causes the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. P7: Causes the organism to lose the habitat. P8: Flash floods, landslides, shallower rivers ,less fertile land, the greenhouses effect and the extinction of animals