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AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION BOARD

SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

COMPOSITE EXAMINATION 2008

Chemistry Paper I

Time allowed: 40 minutes Marks 30

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read each question carefully.

2. Answer the questions on the separate answer sheet provided. Do NOT write your answers on
the question paper.

3. There are 100 answer numbers on the answer sheet. Use answer numbers 1 to 30 only.

4. In each question there are four choices A, B, C, D. Choose ONE. On the answer grid black out
the box for your choice with a pencil as shown below.

Correct Way Incorrect Way

1 A B C D 1 A B C D

2 A B C D

3 A B C D

4 A B C D

5. If you want to change your answer, ERASE the first answer completely with a rubber, before
blacking out a new box.

6. Do NOT write anything in the answer grid. The computer only records what is in the boxes.

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1. Biochemistry is the back bone of

A. agricultural science.
B. environmental science.
C. industrial science.
D. medical science.

2.

CH 3
H

C C

H CH 3

The structure of hydrocarbon is shown above. What is the empirical formula of the
hydrocarbon shown above?

A. C2 H
B. CH 2
C. C2 H 4
D. C4 H 8

3. Which of the following is the balanced chemical equation of

A. 3KClO3 ⎯
⎯→ 3KCl + 3O2
B. 2 KClO3 ⎯
⎯→ 2 KCl + 3O2
C. 3KClO6 ⎯
⎯→ 3KCl + 4O2
D. 4 KClO 2 ⎯
⎯→ 2 KCl + 6O3

4. In Bohr’s atomic model when an electron jumps from a lower energy level to a higher energy
level it

A. becomes zero.
B. decreases.
C. does not change.
D. increases.

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5. Boron has two isotopes 5 B & 115 B . Which of the following statements about these isotopes is
correct?

A. They have a same number of neutrons.

B. They have a same number of electrons.
C. They have a same number of protons.
D. They are in group III of the periodic table.

6. In any period, the electron affinity gradually increases across the period from

A. down to up.
B. left to right.
C. right to left.
D. up to down.

7. ‘The electronic configuration of sodium ion and chloride ion resembles noble gases’. Select
from the options given below, the most suitable set for this statement.

Sodium ion Chloride ion

A. Neon Neon
B. Argon Argon
C. Neon Argon
D. Argon Neon

8.
Air Molecules

A balloon blown up with air is hanging in a room. As the air in the room becomes colder the
balloon becomes smaller because the molecules of air

A. become bigger.
B. become smaller.
C. move faster.
D. move slower.

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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9.

Blue ink

Cold Water Hot Water

(5°C) (50°C)
If we add a drop of blue ink into an equal amount of water at 5°C and 50°C, what will be the
effect on the rate of diffusion in the two jars? The ink will

A. diffuse at the same rate in two waters.

B. diffuse quickly in cold water.
C. diffuse quickly in hot water.
D. not diffuse in either of the jars.

10. In a 1 M solution of oxalic acid the amount of oxalic acid will be

A. 53.3.0 g dm −3 .
B. 126.0 g dm −3 .
C. 12.6 g dm −3 .
D. 90.0 g dm −3 .

11. In a simple dry cell, a moist mixture of ammonium chloride, NH 4 Cl , manganese dioxide
MnO 2 and powdered carbon are put in a Zinc container. Which of the following reactions then
takes place?

A. Ammonium ion oxidises before cathode.

B. Manganese dioxide ion oxidises before anode.
C. Zinc oxidises before anode.
D. Zinc oxidises before cathode.

12. For strong and weak electrolytes the degree of ionisation will be

A. unpredictable as electrolytes have no connection with degree of ionisation.

B. greater in strong electrolyte than weak electrolyte.
C. lesser in strong electrolyte than weak electrolyte.
D. the same in both the electrolytes.

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13.

HCl

When neutralization reaction takes place between NaOH and HCl , the products formed will
be

A. NaCl + H 2 O
B. NaCl + (OH ) 2
C. NaCl + H 2 O2
D. NaCl + H 2

14. ⎯→ CO2 + 2 H 2O ΔH = −890.4kJmol −1 is an example of

CH 4 + 2O2 ⎯

A. endothermic reaction.
B. exothermic reaction.
C. heat of neutralisation reaction.
D. hydrolysis reaction.

15. Sulphur and Oxygen react with each other according to the following equation

S ( s ) + O2 ( g ) ⎯⎯→ SO2( g ) ΔH = −296.8kJ / mol

Which of the following statements is correct about this reaction?

A. The reaction is endothermic.

B. The reaction is exothermic.
C. The reaction is neutralisation.
D. 296.8 KJ/wide energy is absorbed.

16. The temporary hardness of water is due to

A. bicarbonate of calcium.
B. carbonate of calcium.
C. chloride of calcium.
D. sulfate of calcium.

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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17. Diamond is colourless and the hardest non-conductor. Its density is

A. 2.5 gcm −3 .
B. 3.5 gcm −3 .
C. 4.5 gcm −3 .
D. 5.5 gcm −3 .

18. Which of the following is not a use of graphite?

A. As a dry lubricant
B. As a moderator in nuclear reactor
C. As electrodes in electrolysis
D. To remove odour from the air

19. Semi-conductors allow electricity to pass through them in

A. both directions.
B. left direction only.
C. one direction only.
D. right direction only.

20. Which of the following is necessary to light a flame?

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Hydrogen
C. Nitrogen
D. Oxygen

21. There are many elements which have recently been discovered to be essential constituents of
different organic compounds.

Which of the following elements is an essential constituent of egg, onion, garlic, hair, protein
and mustard oil?

A. Carbon
B. Copper
C. Iron
D. Hydrogen

22. Colourless hydrogen chloride gas is collected in a gas jar by

A. downward displacement of air.

B. downward displacement of water.
C. upward displacement of air.
D. upward displacement of water.

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23. A substance carries one of the halide ions. When silver nitrate (AgNO3) is added in it, a pale
yellow precipitate is formed. Which of the following halide ions does the substance contain?

A. F−
B. Br −
C. Cl −
D. I−

24. HCl gas can be prepared by the reaction of

A. NaCl + H 2 O
B. NaCl + NaOH
C. NaCl + NH 4 OH
D. NaCl + H 2 SO4

25. Which of the following metals is extracted by electrolysis of its oxides dissolved in molten
cryolite?

A. Aluminium
B. Copper
C. Gold
D. Sodium

26. Aluminium is obtained in industry by

A. electrolysis of molten aluminium.

B. reduction of aluminium with carbon monoxide.
C. electrolysis of an aqueous solution of aluminium oxide.
D. electrolysis of a solution of aluminium oxide in molten cryolite.

27. What happens when methane burns in air or in oxygen?

A. Carbon(s) is formed
B. Heat is released
C. Heat is absorbed
D. Water gas is produced

28. How many isomers does an alkane with six carbon atoms have?

A. 3.
B. 5.
C. 6.
D. 7.

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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29. Which of the following shows a wrong application of the plastic?

Plastic Use
A. Polyethene As a packing material
B. Perspex As a substitute for glass
C. Polystyrene For surface of table tops
D. PVC For insulating wiring

30. When sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated, it changes into sodium carbonate with the
evolution of

A. carbon dioxide.
B. carbon monoxide.
C. steam.
D. hydrogen gas.

END OF PAPER
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