CAPRICORN SOUTH DISTRICT

SENIOR PHASE

GRADE 8

NATURAL SCIENCES
TERM 1 COMMON TEST
DATE: 13 MARCH 2023

NAME OF A LEARNER: _________________________________________________

SECTION A: 17
SECTION B: 43

MARKS: 60 TIME: 90 Minutes

INSTRUCTIONS
1. This question paper consists of 10 pages including the cover page
2. This question paper consists of TWO sections, namely SECTION A AND B.
3. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in
the question paper.
4. Write neatly and legible
5. Write on the space provided

1|Page
SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1

1.1. Four options are provided as possible answers. Each question has only ONE
correct answer. Circle only the letter (A-D) of the answer next to the question
number (1.1.1-1.1.7).
1.1.1 What is the word equation for Photosynthesis?
A. Sunlight + water → glucose + oxygen
B. Carbon dioxide + Sunlight + water → glucose + oxygen
C. Sunlight + water → glucose + carbon dioxide
D. Carbon dioxide + Sunlight → glucose + oxygen (1)
1.1.2 During the test for starch, a green leaf is placed in boiling alcohol to……
A. Break the cell walls
B. To extract the chlorophyll
C. To remove starch
D. Stop metabolic processes (1)
1.1.3 Grass is eaten by a Prairie dog. A coyote eats the Prairie dog. This is an
example of a ………………
A. Nutrition map
B. Food web
C. Food chain
D. Energy pyramid (1)
1.1.4 What kind of factors in the ecosystem are air, water, sunlight and temperature.
A. Biotic
B. Living
C. Abiotic
D. Dead (1)
1.1.5 A________is a group of organisms of the same species in an area.
A. Community
B. Population
C. Biosphere
D. Ecosystem (1)

2|Page
1.1.6 Which one of the following is arranged from largest to smallest?
A. Population, community, ecosystem, biosphere
B. Ecosystem, biosphere, community, population
C. Biosphere, ecosystem, community, population
D. Biosphere, ecosystem, population, community (1)
1.1.7 The following is NOT an example of a Micro-organisms.
A. Virus
B. Mushroom
C. Bacterium
D. Protista (1)
[7]

1.2 Match the description in COLUMN B with relevant concepts in COLUMN A. Write
down the letter of the correct description in COLUMN B in the space provided.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.2.1 Decomposers A. The area where plants and animals
live.
1.2.2 Parasitism B. The study of living organisms and
the process where they live.
1.2.3 Ecology C. The relationship between humans
and tapeworm.
1.2.4 Producers D. Breakdown the remains of food,
plants and animals
1.2.5 Herbivores E. Make their own food.
F.A herd of springbok on the
grassland.
G. Feed on plants materials
[5]

1.2.1________, 1.2.2_________, 1.2.3_________, 1.2.4__________ 1.2.5_________

3|Page
1.3 Give ONE word/term for each of the following statements.

1.3.1 The process whereby energy is released from food through a range of chemical
reactions.

_________________________ (1)

1.3.2 The term used for the various stages in the food chain.

_________________________ (1)

1.3.3 An area where all living and non-living factors interact with each other and are
interdependent on each other, e.g a jungle.

__________________________ (1)

1.3.4 The change in the structural, functional and behavioural characteristics of an

organism.

_________________________ (1)

1.3.5 Living organisms that are too small to view with naked eye and can only be
observed through a microscope.

__________________________ (1)

[5]

TOTAL SECTION A: 17

4|Page
SECTION B: LONG QUESTIONS

QUESTION 2

The diagram below represents important cellular processes that take place in green
plants. Complete the table by writing down the correct answer in the space provided.

STATEMENT PROCESS A PROCESS B

Name process B. Photosynthesis 2.1__________________
_
Name the important gases that are 2.2 ______________ 2.3__________________
needed in each of the processes.
_
Name the gas that is released by 2.4 ______________ 2.5__________________
each process.
_
Name the main usable product 2.6 ______________ 2.7__________________
formed by each process.
_
[7]

5|Page
QUESTION 3

Study the picture of the grassland habitat below and answer the questions that follow.

3.1 List ANY THREE abiotic factors that are found in the grassland ecosystem shown
in the image.

_________________________________

_________________________________

__________________________________ (3)

3.2. For each of the animals, discuss how you think the organisms below are interacting
with the abiotic environment.

(a) The eagle

_______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________ (2)

6|Page
 (b) The trees and grass

_______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________ (2)

(c) The mouse

_______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________ (2)

(d) The worm and insect

_______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________ (2)

[11]

QUESTION 4

4.1. The above food web shows the feeding relationships between organisms in
a Savannah ecosystem. Answer the questions that follow.

4.1.1. This is an example of a food web. How does it differ from a food chain?

7|Page
 ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________ (2)

4.1.2. What do the arrows in this food web represent?

_____________________________________________________________ (1)

4.1.3. Why is it important that an animal adapt to its environment?

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________ (1)

4.1.4. How is the leopard adapted to his environment?

__________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ (2)
4.1.5. In a balanced ecosystem, there are more impala’s than leopards. Explain
Why this is so.
___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________ (2)
4.1.6. Due to veld fires, a large number of the shrubs, trees and grassland are
destroyed which forms part of the above-mentioned ecosystem. Explain how
this destruction will influence the ecosystem.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ (2)

4.1.7. Discuss any natural threats that may affect this ecosystem negatively.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

8|Page
 _____________________________________________________________ (3)

4.2. Write ONE organism from the schematic diagram that represents:

4.2.1. Producers

__________________________ (1)

4.2.2. Primary consumers

________________________ (1)

4.2.3. Secondary consumers

__________________________ (1)

4.2.4. Predator

__________________________ (1)

[17]

QUESTION 5
Look at the following CAPTION and answer the questions that follow.

There is a variety of micro-organisms, including

Viruses, Bacteria, Protista and Fungi.

Is coronavirus a bacterial infection?

ANSWER
Coronaviruses are types of virus, not bacteria. There
are multiple kinds of coronaviruses and some of
them cause illnesses in humans.

9|Page
5.1. Explain in your own words why a microorganism is said to be 'microscopic'.
____________________________________________________________ (1)

5.2. “Coronaviruses are types of virus, not bacteria”. Justify this statement by providing
differences between a virus and bacteria.
____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________ (2)
5.3. Name ONE example food that are made using micro-organisms.
_________________________ (1)
5.4. Give an example of a medicine that is produced by using micro-organisms.
____________________________ (1)
5.5. Suggest ANY THREE ways in which one can prevent the spread of corona virus.
_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________ (3)
[8]

TOTAL: 43
GRAND TOTAL: 60

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