ORAL QUIZ

ROUND 1A

(1) If denotes the least positive integer greater than (m/n + n/m), find

(a)
ANSWER: 4

[ 2/7 + 7/2 = 53/14 = , hence 4]

(b)
ANSWER: 3
[3/6 + 6/3 = 2½, hence 3]

(c)
ANSWER: 3

[5/3 + 3/5 = (25 + 9)/15 = 34/15 = , hence 3]

(2) Factorise completely (x4 – x2 – 12)

ANSWER: (x + 2)(x – 2)(x2 + 3)
[(x2 – 4)(x2 + 3) =(x – 2)(x + 2)(x2 + 3)]

(3) Find n if 46n = 3410

ANSWER : n = 7
[ 4n + 6 = 34, 4n = 28, n = 7]

(4) Find the remainder R when f(x) = x2 – 5x + 7 is divided by (x – 2)

ANSWER: R = 1
[ R = f(2) = 4 – 10 + 7 = 1]

(5) RIDDLE

1 In the kingdom of polygons, I walk on all fours and I am a quadruped.

2 My diagonals bisect each other perpendicularly.
3 My diagonals bisect the vertex angles.
4 My diagonals are definitely not congruent.
5 My diagonals together with my sides form four congruent triangles.
Who am I?
ANS: RHOMBUS

(6) TRUE OR FALSE (CONTEST 1)

1 Two vectors are perpendicular if their scalar product is zero.

ANSWER: TRUE

2 Two vectors are equal if their magnitudes are equal.

ANSWER: FALSE

3 The zero vector has a definite direction.

ANSWER: FALSE

(7) The sum of three consecutive even integers is 30 more than twice the middle
number. Find the three integers.
ANSWER: 28, 30, 32
[ (n – 2) + n + (n + 2) = 2n + 30, n = 30, numbers are 28, 30, 32]

(8) Find the exponents or powers of the following numbers

1
ANSWER: 101/6
[(101/2)1/3 = 101/2 X 1/3 = 101/6]

2
ANSWER: 52/3
[(51/3)2 = 52/3]

3
ANSWER: 63/4
[ 61/2 x 61/4 = 6 ½ + ¼ = 63/4]

BIOLOGY
1. Which group of algae are closely related to plants?
Green algae

2. Who is credited with binomial nomenclature?

 (Carolus) Linnaeus

3. What name is given to the complex formed by a pair of synapsed

homologous chromosome?
Bivalent
4. What is the function of lenticels in woody stems?
In woody stems, lenticels allow internal cells to exchange gases with
the outside atmosphere.

5. Which feature in birds, indicates their reptilian ancestry?

Scales on their limbs

6. What name is given to two organs which are similar in structure and origin,
but not necessarily similar in function?
Homologous

7. What name is given to the thin transparent membrane that covers the cornea
of the mammalian eye externally?
Conjunctiva

8. Tracheids, vessel elements, sieve-tube cells, and companion cells are

components of which tissue in plants?
Vascular tissue

9. What is the main function of the processes of the vertebrae?

Provide attachments for ligaments and muscles

10.Arrange the following to indicate the proper sequence of prophase I

Leptotene… Zygotene….Pachytene…. Diplotene ….. Diakinesis
Leptotene… Zygotene….Pachytene…. Diplotene ….. Diakinesis

(RuBP)

11.What name is given the physiological capacity of organisms to produce their

offspring under natural conditions?
Biotic potential
12.What name is given the exchange of genetic material between chromatids of
paired homologous chromosomes during first meiotic division?
Crossing over

13.What name is given to the actual ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide
eliminated to the volume of oxygen consumed during cellular respiration?
Respiratory quotient

14.DNA replication is an important process that occurs during cell division. It is

also known as semi-conservative replication, during which DNA makes a
copy of itself. Mention one of the three stages of DNA replication
Initiation / Elongation / Termination

15.What name is given to the amount of xylem tissues developed over one
growth period and separated in time from adjacent tissues by a non-growing
or dormant period.
Growth ring / tree ring / annual ring

16.Name any two of the three models for DNA replication that were proposed
after Watson and Crick proposed the double helix model
Conservative, semiconservative, and dispersive.

17.Companion cells are unique to which tissue in angiosperms?

Phloem.
18.Name the type of sensory receptor which responds to mechanical forces,
such as pressure or distortion.
Mechanoreceptor

19.Some people eat the petiole of some herbaceous plants. Which tissue
provides support for the petiole?
Collenchyma

20.Mention the organ in mammals in which urea is produced.

Liver
 21.Mention the process by which glucose is taken back from the glomerular
filtrate by the proximal convoluted tubule
Active transport

22.Xylem and phloem tissues are derived from which primary meristem?
Procambium

23.Give the name of the sensory neuron involved in smell

Olfactory neuron.

CHEMISTRY

1. What is the full name of the potential difference between the electrodes of a Voltaic Cell?

Ans: Electromotive Force (emf).

2. What instrument is normally used in the laboratory to measure emf of cells.?

Ans: A Potentiometer.

Will the pH at the equivalence point of a titration of dilute ammonia with dilute HCl be above

7 or below 7?Ans: Below 7. TRUE OR FALSE

1. The equilibrium constant of a chemical equilibrium in the gaseous phase cannot be altered by

pressure or volume changes.

Ans: T.

2. For a chemical equilibrium whose forward reaction is exothermic, addition of a catalyst will

lower the enthalpy of reaction.

Ans: F.

3. The equilibrium constant of a heterogeneous chemical equilibrium can be altered by addition

of a solid catalyst.
 Ans: F.

ROUND 4b

TRUE OR FALSE

1. Ammonia gas dissolves in water to give a solution of low pH.

Ans: F.

2. SO2 gas dissolves in water to give dilute H2SO4.

Ans: F.

3. Addition of dilute H2SO4 to solid NaCl does not produce HCl gas

Ans: T

ROUND 5

RIDDLE NC 3

1. I am a ternary organic compound with hepta-atomic molecules.

2. I am completely miscible with water.

3. I have a molar mass of 44.0 and a boiling point of 21.0 0C.

4. Oxygen is one of my atoms, but I do not show any hydrogen bonding.

5. I have only two carbons, one of them being sp2-hybridized.

Who am I?

Ans: Ethanal