Year 10 Science practice tests with worked solutions

What the course asks of you

Genetics and evolution

Inheritance, DNA, and the evidence that populations change over time.

Chemistry

Atomic structure, the periodic table, and what happens in a reaction.

Earth and space

The universe, and the global systems that connect the atmosphere and oceans.

Physics

Motion, forces, and reading a motion graph.

Sample questions

Written for this site, in the style of the exam. Answer first, then see the model response and what the marks were for.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   Which statement correctly describes an isotope?
   A. An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutronsB. An atom with the same number of neutrons but a different number of protonsC. An atom that has gained or lost electronsD. An atom with a different number of electrons in its outer shell
   Check answer

2. Question 2

   4 marks

   A car travels at a constant 20 m/s for 5 seconds, then brakes uniformly to rest over the next 4 seconds. a. Calculate the total distance travelled. b. Describe how the shape of a velocity–time graph shows the braking phase.
   Show the model answer

3. Question 3

   3 marks

   In pea plants, the allele for tall (T) is dominant over the allele for short (t). Two heterozygous tall plants are crossed. State the expected ratio of tall to short offspring and explain how you obtained it.
   Show the model answer

4. Question 4

   3 marks

   Explain why the reaction between marble chips and hydrochloric acid speeds up when the marble is crushed into a powder.
   Show the model answer