After rainfall, water enters soil and is taken up by trees. On a sunny day the air above the woodland contains more water vapour.
.1
Explain how water moves from the soil to the atmosphere through the trees.
[2 marks]
.2
Describe two later processes that return this water to land as part of the cycle.
[2 marks]
6 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
Students want to test whether doing mental arithmetic changes ruler-drop reaction time. They will use a safe classroom investigation with volunteers. You may compare drop distances directly: longer distances indicate slower reactions.
Plan the investigation so that the results can support a valid comparison.
[6 marks]
5 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A genetically engineered crop produces a protein harmful to one insect pest. Small field trials report less insect damage, but did not measure other insect populations.
.1
Explain how genetic engineering can produce the new crop characteristic.
[2 marks]
.2
Evaluate whether the trial establishes that large-scale use has no ecological disadvantages.
[3 marks]
4 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A chart shows an XX egg-producing parent and an XY sperm-producing parent. A student says that the egg determines whether the child is XX or XY.
.1
Explain why the student’s statement does not follow the chromosome model.
[2 marks]
.2
Explain why an earlier XY child does not make an XX child more likely next time.
[2 marks]
6 marksFoundation and Higher
Spec and skills
Original practice question
Answer and supported method checks
A student writes: “Homeostasis stops all changes. Only the brain controls it. Muscles and glands detect every stimulus.”
Evaluate this description of homeostasis. Explain how automatic control systems actually work.
