2019

Trial HSC Examinations

Investigating Science
Student name:

General Instructions Total marks – 100

• Reading time – 5 minutes
• Working time – 3 hours Section I Pages 3 - 10
• Write using black pen 20 marks
• Draw diagrams using pencil
• Attempt Questions 1 - 20
• NESA-approved calculators may
be used • Allow about 35 minutes for this part

Section II Pages 11 - 25
80 marks

• Attempt Questions 21 – 35
• Allow about 2 hours and 25 minutes for this
part
2
Section I
20 marks

Attempt Questions 1–20

Allow about 35 minutes for this part

Use the multiple-choice answer sheet for Questions 1–20.

1 Doppler was investigating the properties of binary stars.

What methodology did he employ to determine his conclusions?

A. Survey
B. Simulations
C. Primary data
D. Secondary sources

2 Which scientist’s observation of a melting chocolate bar led to the invention of the
microwave?

A. Percy Spencer
B. Robin Warren
C. Jane Goodall
D. Joseph Priestly

3 A student wanted to determine the most popular soft drink in NSW. The student surveyed
all the students in the class and concluded that lemonade was the most popular drink.

This investigation is an example of using?

A. Control groups
B. Placebo testing
C. Double-blind trial
D. Convenience sampling

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4 What is the role of a placebo?

A. To increase sample size and variety

B. To ensure voluntary response samples
C. To eliminate the bias of the test administrator
D. To prevent the over reporting of an expected result

5 A student was investigating the effect of temperature on the amount of dissolved oxygen in
water. The student placed the information in the table below.

Temperature Amount of dissolved oxygen

(°C) (mg/L)
0 22
10 16
20 11
30 8
40 6
50 4

Which of the following graphs best represent the effect of temperature on the amount of
dissolved oxygen in water?

A. B.

C. D.

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6 In scientific investigations, what is the confidence level?

A. The level of confidence by the administrator of the test

B. A value used to predict the sampling size of an investigation
C. The percentage likelihood that subsequent random sampling will produce similar
results
D. A value and margin of error which indicates the range of results an investigation will
produce

7 Which row of the table correctly matches a technology with the scientific understanding
that was required for its development?

Technology Scientific understanding

A. Telescope Radioactivity
B. Microscope Refraction
C. Nuclear bomb Discovery of DNA
D. Radiotherapy Newton’s Law

8 In the early 1920s Fredrick Banting and Charles Best studied diabetes through experimental
pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas) on dogs. The removal of the pancreas induced
diabetes in the dogs.

Initially, Banting and Best found it difficult to keep the severely diabetic dogs alive long
enough to complete their testing. Later that year they reported that they were able to keep
an affected dog alive using extract collected from a duct-ligated pancreas. That extract was
later purified and later identified as insulin.

Why might Banting and Best’s investigation be considered unethical?

A. The risk to society far outweighed the benefits to society

B. Diabetes is a disease that is mainly of concern to humans
C. Many of the dogs that underwent the pancreatectomy soon died after the procedure
D. There was no evidence at the time to suggest a treatment for diabetes could be made
from the extract of a dog pancreas

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9 The graph below shows the relationship between temperature and the rate of a reaction.

How are the variables related?

A. As rate of reaction increases, the temperature increases at a decreasing rate

B. As temperature increases, the rate of reaction increases at an increasing rate
C. As temperature decreases, the rate of reaction increases at a decreasing rate
D. As rate of reaction decreases, the rate of reaction increases at an increasing rate

10 What is the purpose of the scientific codes of conduct?

A. To limit parents obtaining genetic modification of sex cells for their unborn
children
B. To eliminate widespread animal testing so science adheres to ethical animal
procedures and practices
C. To enforce a uniform set of rules and regulations to which scientists must abide
to prevent crossing ethical boundaries
D. To provide a uniform set of rules and regulations to ensure scientific research
complies with international standards

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11 Which diagram below shows high precision and low accuracy?

A. B.

C. D.

12 Drawing a diagram of a cell would be an example of:

A. Simulation
B. Modelling
C. Fieldwork
D. Primary investigation

13 Which of the following information would NOT be found on a safety data sheet?

A. The date of expiry of the chemical

B. Properties of the chemical contained
C. Storage and handling of the chemical
D. Personal protective equipment to be used with the chemical

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14 The following graph shows the number of concert tickets sold and the number of people
hit by cars in the last 10 years.

Which statement best describe the relationship illustrated in the graph?

A. Causation – the more concert tickets sold, the more people were hit by cars
B. Causation – the more money you spend on your car, the more likely you are to
be hit by a car
C. Correlation - the more money you spend on your car, the more likely you are to
be hit by a car
D. Correlation – the number of concert tickets sold and the number of people hit by
cars follow a similar trend

15 What is bioharvesting?

A. The process of isolating and reproducing useful chemicals that are found in
living organisms for medicinal purposes
B. The activities involved in collecting living organisms from the natural
environment to be used as food or for medicinal purposes
C. A substance present in a plant that is biologically active and can be extracted for
medicinal purposes
D. A substance present in a plant or animal that can be synthesised for medicinal
purposes

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16 A student was measuring the lengths of various leaves that had been found in his
backyard. The student measured the leaf below and recorded a length of 5.03 cm instead
of 5.3 cm.

This is an example of what type of error?

A. Gross
B. Parallax
C. Random
D. Systematic

17 Which row best identifies the method of minimisation for an error?

Error Method of minimising

A. Gross Use a different instrument
B. Observational Have a second observer read the instruments
C. Environmental Use instrument on dry, sunny days
D. Instrumental Use equipment that has previously been used

18 Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous crystal mineral that is strong and very resistant
to heat. For years, it was mined and used as insulation and to make fireproof materials,
cement and plaster. Since 2003, there has been an Australia-wide ban on the
manufacture and use of all asbestos products and there have been many legal disputes as
a result.

Which of the following best highlights the conflict of interest in this case study?

A. Legislations were not developed until many years after evidence was collected
B. Miners were unable to get health insurance coverage
C. Manufacturers supressed reports that showed the product was hazardous
D. Independent laboratories determined that asbestos could be linked to lung cancer

9
Answer Questions 19-20 using the information provided below.
An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of two liquid fertilisers, GROW and
UPLIFT on the growth of plants. The initial height of three plants was measured. Plant A was
given 100 mL of water once a week for six weeks. Plant B was given 100 mL of GROW once
a week for six weeks and plant C was given 100 mL of UPLIFT once a week for six weeks.
The plant height was recorded at the end of the six weeks.

Initial height Final height Change in height

Plant
(cm) (cm) (cm)
A 11 15 4
B 12 15 3
C 11 16 5

19 Which row correctly identifies the independent, dependent and controlled variables in
this experiment?

Independent variable Dependent variable Controlled variable

Amount of liquid Number of times the

A. Brand of liquid fertiliser
fertiliser plant is watered
Amount of liquid
B. Type of plant Brand of liquid fertiliser
fertiliser
Amount of liquid
C. Brand of liquid fertiliser Amount of plant growth
fertiliser

D. Type of plant Amount of plant growth Brand of liquid fertiliser

20 What was the purpose of Plant A in this investigation?

A. To ensure the results were fair
B. To determine the growth of the plant
C. To improve the accuracy of the experiment
D. To ensure the results were a result of the fertiliser

END OF SECTION I
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Section II
80 marks
Attempt Questions 21–34
Allow about 2 hours 25 minutes for this part

Answer the questions in the spaces provided. These spaces provide guidance for the expected
length of response.

Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations.

Question 21 (7 marks)

(a) Identify and describe the methodologies employed by Eratosthenes in reference to 3

the data obtained during the investigation.

(b) Evaluate the methodologies used by Eratosthenes in his investigation. 4

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Question 22 (4 marks)

Describe the benefits and limitations of the peer review process. 4

Question 23 (4 marks)

Using an example, explain how increasing and decreasing sample size in a study can 4
increase the reliability of an investigation.

12
Question 24 (4 marks)

Discuss the increasing awareness of the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 4
Peoples knowledge and understanding surrounding the use of plants for modern medicine

Question 25 (3 marks)

Explain what is meant by the phrase publish or perish and describe how this affects 3
scientific research.

13
Question 26 (10 marks)

During your HSC course, you planned and conducted a first-hand investigation to
measure the effect of changes of speed on distance travelled.

(a) Identify the independent, dependent and controlled variable of the experiment. 2

(b) Outline the procedure for this experiment. 5

Question 26 continues on page 15

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Question 26 (continued)

(c) Identify and describe a technology used in the experiment used to produce 2
quantitative data.

(d) Write a conclusion for the experiment you conducted. 1

Question 27 (3 marks)

In the early 1600s, Jan Baptist van Helmont performed an experiment to test the theory 3
that plants grew as a result of ‘eating’ soil. To test this, he placed a willow seedling in a
pot with soil and, over the next five years, he added water. At the end of the experiment
the mass of the soil was 57 grams less while the willow seedling had developed into a 76
kilogram tree. Jan Baptist van Helmont concluded that the plant had not gained its mass
from the soil but another source.

Explain how Jan Baptist van Helmont could have improved the reliability of his
experiment.

15
Question 28 (2 marks)

Describe what is known as the Hawthorne effect. 2

Question 29 (4 marks)

Compare advantages and disadvantages of digital and analogue technology as a method 4

of data collection.

16
Question 30 (8 marks)

Technological developments can lead to advances in science that can allow scientists to 8
further develop or create new theories and laws which in turn can lead to the development
of new technologies.

Assess the impact of scientific theories, laws and models on technological developments.
Support your answer with reference to TWO specific examples.

Question 30 continues on page 18

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Question 30 (continued)

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Question 31 (6 marks)

(a) Use the data table below to construct a graph of the effect of temperature on gas 4
volume.

Temperature (°C) Volume of gas (mL)

0 49
15 55
30 57
45 60
60 70
75 77
90 80
105 83
120 86

Question 31 continues on page 20

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Question 31 (continued)

(b) Summarise the trend seen in the graph. 1

(c) Predict the volume of the gas if the temperature is 150°C. 1

Question 32 (7 marks)

(a) Define what is meant by conflict of interest in scientific research. 2

(b) Using an example, provide an analysis of how conflict of interest can result in 5
scientific evidence being suppressed, misinterpreted or misrepresented.

20
Question 33 (8 marks)

An advertisement for a popular body spray is shown below.

(a) Identify a claim you could test from this advertisement. 1

(b) Explain why consumers should question the claims made by this advertisement. 3

Question 33 continues on page 22

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Question 33 (continued)

(c) The manufacturer of the body spray claims the spray contains a special chemical 4
pheromone that attracts the opposite sex. A group of scientists has decided to test
the claim of the manufacturer.

Explain how this claim could be tested as a double-blind, placebo-controlled

investigation.

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Question 34 (2 marks)

Warren and Marshall were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine in 2005 for 2
their discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic
ulcer disease.

Explain why Marshall decided to swallow a live culture of H. pylori to prove that it was
the cause of peptic ulcers and state what scientists believed to have been the cause of
peptic ulcers before their research.

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Question 35 (8 marks)

Astrology seems like science. It used scientific knowledge of celestial objects and star 8
charts to predict the future and personality traits. Each prediction and personality trait
seems to depend on the movement of the planets and stars.

Connor is taking his upcoming HSC examinations quite lightly as he believes that he will
be very successful this year. He has shared with you that his astrological reading has
indicated that the planets are aligning in his favour during the latter half of the year when
he will be sitting for his HSC examinations.

You check the scientific facts and find out that some planets in the Solar System are
indeed aligning themselves during the second half of the year.

Using the above example, discuss how scientific language and process can be
manipulated by pseudoscience to saw public opinion.

Question 35 continues on page 25

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Question 35 (continued)

END OF SECTION II
END OF EXAMINATION
25
2019
Trial HSC Examinations

Investigating Science

Student name:
______________________________________

Section I – Multiple Choice

Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question. Fill in the response oval completely.

Sample: 3+4= (A) 5 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8

A B C D

If you think you have made a mistake, put a cross through the incorrect answer and fill in the new answer.

A B C D

If you change your mind and have crossed out what you consider to be the correct answer, then indicate the
correct answer by writing the word correct and drawing an arrow as follows.
correct
A B C D
Start
Here

1. 11.

2. 12.

3. 13.

4. 14.

5. 15.

6. 16.

7. 17.

8. 18.

9. 19.

10. 20.