CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

EXAMINATION

SPECIMEN
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
FOR

HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

READ THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

Each item in this test has four suggested answ ers lettered (A), (B), (C), (D). Read each item you are
about to answ er and decide w hich choice is best.

Sample Item

Abnormally high blood pressure is called

(A) hypotension Sample A nswer

(B) distension
(C)
(D)
hypertension
hyperglycaemia
(A)®#®
B)< (S)
The best answ er to this item is “hypertension”, so answ er space (C) has been shaded.

Copyright © 2008 Caribbean Examinations Council.

A 11rights reserved.

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1. All living or~anisms carry out certam S. Which of the following arc timctions of
activities which make them different from cartilage:
inanimate objects.
r. form a barrier between hones
Which one of the following lists shows II. lengthen the space between hones
three activities of all living organisms? Ill. reduce friction between bones
IV. prevent shock between bones
(A) Movement, decay, synthesis
(H) Respiration, nutrition, preservation (A) I ~nd II only
(C) Exercise, irritability, metabolism (B) I and IV only
(D) Reproduction, excretion, growth (C) n and III only
(D) III and IV only

2. Which nutrients are classified as the macro-

nutrients? 6. Which of the following are timctions of the
skin?
(A) Proteins, minerals, vitamins
(B) Carbohydrates, fats, proteins I. Produces hair
(C) Vitamins, t!brc, water II. Excretes sweat
(U) Iron, Codliver-Oil, milk III. Protects from injury
IV. Produces body temperature

3. The function of the lymphatic system in the (A) land IT only

human body is to (B) 1 and IV only
(C) II and III only
(A) carry the tissue tluid out of tl1e (D) III and IV only
body
(H) bring nutrients back to the body
(C) remove excess fluid and foreign 7. \Vhcn a voluntary action occurs all of the
material from the tissue spaces following take place EXCEPT
(D) r~move poisonous substances and
other waste materials from the (A) a stimulus originates in the cerebrum
blood (H) an efferent nerve impulse is
transmitted down the white
matter of the spiral cord
4. Mouth to mouth resuscitation should be (C) the impulse is sent via sensory
administered only when the casualty nerves to the spiral cord
(D) impulse is taken via the motor
. .
(A) 1s unconscwus neurone to the effector muscle
(B) is unable to speak
(C) has shallow breathing
(D) is unable to breathe 8. fertilization occurs when

(A) semen is expelled into the vagina

(B) the sperms emer the oviduct
(C) the sperm fuses with the ovum
( [)) implantation occurs

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9. Which o f the following symptoms occur during 15. The function o f the bile is to
an asthmatic attack?
(A) convert fats into fatty acids and
(A) S h o rtn ess o f b reath, w heezing, glycerol
bronchospasms (B) emulsify fats
(B) Wheezing, coughing, vomiting (C) digest proteins
(C) Shock, coughing, shortness o f breath (D) neutralise the contents o f the stomach
(D) Chest pains, bronchospasms, partial
expiration
Item 16 refers to the following diagram which
10. Which o f the following vectors causes dengue shows a section through the heart,
haemorrhagic fever? ^

(A) Anopheles mosquito

(B) Bats
(C) Rats
(D) Aedes agypti mosquito p— — R

11. Which o f the following shows the correct

path for sperms to exit the body?
— S
(a) T estis — > epididymis —» vas deferens 3-
— > urethra

(b) Epididymis —» testis — > vas deferens

— > urethra

(c) Vas deferens — > epididymis — > testis

— > urethra

(d) Vas deferens —> testis — > epididymis 16. W hich chamber o f the heart is the first to
—> urethra receive oxygenated blood?

Item 12 -14 refer to the following information. (A) P

(B) Q
T he group below consists o f four lettered (C) R
h ead in g s fo llo w ed b y th ree num bered (D) S
phrases. F or each num bered phrase, select
one heading w hich is m ost closely related
to it. E ach heading m ay be used once, m ore 17. W hich o f the following statements are true o f
than once o r not at all. aerobic respiration?

(A) Nucleus I. Produces a large amount o f energy

(B) Ribosome II. Carbon dioxide is always produced
(C) Mitochondrion III. Produces lactic acid
(D) Cell membrane
(A) I and II only
(B) I and III only
12. M akes proteins for the cell
(C) II and III only
13. Controls the passage o f m aterials into the cell (D) I, II, and III

14. Controls the activities o f the cell

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18. Which is NOT a function of the human

skeleton'?

(A) Protects the spinal cord

(B) Produces blood cells
(C) Produces vitamin D
(D) Assist. in breathing

Item 19 refers to the information in the table below. Which row in the
table correctly matches the disease with the causative agent'?

-.
Gonorrhoea AIDS Syphilis Herpes
_,._ _
.....

(A) Virus Bacterium Virus Bacterium

(B) Bacterium Virus Bncterium Virus

; (C) Virus Vitus Bacterium BacL~riurn

;
(D) Bacterium Bacterium Virus Virus

I J
20. Which ofthe following actions occurs when
a person feels cold'?

(A) Blood vessels constrict

(B) Blood vessels dilate
(C) Hairs on the skin lie flat
(D) Blood vessels move closer to the
skin

21. Which of the following best describes what

h;~ppens during exhalation?

Ribcage Diaphragm
- ----
( A) movcsup flattens

(H) moves down curves upward

I (C) . moves down and in curves upward

(D) moves up and out docs not move

1

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Items 22 - 24 refer to the diagram below. Items 26 - 28 refer to the diagram below.
Match the parts o f the thorax with the Match the parts of the eye with the numbered
numbered phrases below. Each part may be phrases below. Each part may be used once,
used once, more than once or not al all. more than once, or not at all.

-(A )

:b >-
■(C)
-(A)

-(B) (D)

-(C ) 26. Contains cells called rods and cones.

27. Changes thickness to facilitate production of

images
(D)
28. Transmits impulses to the brain

29. Which o f the following tasks is or are

performed by the kidneys?
22. Contains air sacs or alveoli
I. Elimination oftoxins
II. Getting rid of all metabolic waste
23. A muscular organ that moves to change the III. Maintaining blood composition
volume of the thorax
(A) I only
(B) III only
24. Is a pathway for air to enter the lungs (C) I and III only
(D) I and II only

2 5. Andrea leaves a brightly lit area and ventures 30. A food chain shows the
into a dark closet. Which of the following
changes occur in the eye? (A) feeding relationships betw een
animals
(A) Radial muscles of the iris contract (B) location of organisms in an ecosystem
and the pupils become larger (C) feeding relationships among living
(B) Circular muscles of the iris contract organisms
and the pupils increase in size (D) dependence of animals on each other
(C) Pupils decrease in size because the
radial muscles in the iris relax 31. The energy to drive a food chain comes from
(D) Pupils decrease in size due to the
contraction of the circular muscles (A) the plant
of the iris (B) carbon dioxide
(C) chlorophyll
(D) the sun

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32. Which of the following processes occur 34. Anthony is vaccinated against a disease on
during meiosis? Monday and the antibody concentration
increases rapidly. However, there is a
I. Two cell divisions gradual decrease in antibody concentration
II. Production offourdiploidcdls over the next few days. What type of
III Movement of chromosomes immunity does Anthony experience?
TV. Creation of spindle
(A) Active
(A) T, IT, and TV only (D) Naturally acquired
(B) II, III, and IV only (C) Active ani ftcial
(C) I, liT and TV only (D) Passive artificial
(D) II and lTI only
35. The blood vessel that takes bloou from the
33. Whichofthe following must be done when heart to the lungs is called the
preparing food?
(A) pulmonaryvcin
I. Saniti7c all surfaces
(13) aorta
II. Usedisposahle paper towels instead
(C) vena cava
of dish cloths and tea towels
(D) pulmonaryartery
III. Avoid handling the food too much
IV. Wash hands only when visibly dirty
36. Which teeth arc used for culling pieces of
(A) T, U and IV only food?
(B) I, II and TIT only
(C) 11, Ill, and IV only (A) Incisors
(D) I and II only (B) Canines
(C) Premo Iars
(D) Molars

I1l:m.....li ref~rs to the following diagrams which show structures found in the blood.

3 7. Which structure is phagocytic in nalur~?

(A)
6D
0
(B)

(C) (D)

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The diagram below w hich shows an experim ent used to investigate the process o f osmosis
in potato tissue.

Outer —| Water
peel
-Potato

-Concentrated
___ £ sucrose
solution

38. W hich diagram show s the results after tw enty-four hours?

(A) Outer (B) Outer -

Water
peel peel -Potato
-Potato

Concentrated Concentrated
sucrose sucrose
solution solution

(C) Outer (D) Outer -

-Water Water
peel peel
-Potato -Potato

Concentrated Concentrated
'sucrose sucrose
solution solution

39. T able 1 show s the approxim ate percentages o f three gases in inspired air.
W hich colum n in T able 2 show s the approxim ate com position o f expired air?

TA B L E 1 TA B L E 2
Inspired Air (A) (B) (C) (D)

Co2 0.03 Carbon dioxide 0.03 10 5 15

N2 79 Nitrogen 60 86 79 79
02 21 Oxygen 40 4 16 6

40. W hich structure o f the brain is responsible for the regulation o f w ater
content in the blood?

(A ) P ituitary gland
(B) Hypothalam us
(C) C erebrum
(D ) Cerebellum

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41. Which is the correct path o f travel for an impulse from the receptor to the
effector in a reflex action?

(A) Dendron - motor neurone - intermediate neurone - sensory neurone

- axon
(B) Axon - motor neurone - intermediate neurone - sensory neurone -
dendron
(C) Axon - sensory neurone - intermediate neurone - motor neurone-
axon
(D) Dendron - sensory neurone - intermediate neurone - motor
neurone - axon

Item 42 - 44 refer to the following diagram o f the female reproductive

system. Match the lettered parts to the numbered phrases below. Each
part may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

-(A )

(B)

(D )-

-(C)

42. Produces the female gametes

43. Where fertilization occurs

44. Facilitates the development o f the foetus

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45 . Ohesity may be caused by all oft he following 50. Tar is a component of cigarette s moke.
EXCEPT What is the MOST LIKELY effect of tar in
the body of a cigarette smoker?
(A) protein
(B) roughage (A) A reduction ofoxygen going to the
(C) carbohydrate blood
(D) milk (B) An increase in the absorption of
oxygen
(C) An reduction of carbon monoxide
46 . Which sequence best represents a simple in th e blood
carbon cycle? (0) A n increase in the amoum ofcarbon
diox ide leaving the blood
(A) Carbon dio><ide ~ man~ bacteria
~ soya beans >carbon dioxide
(R} Carbon dioxide ~ bacteria ~> 51. Which of the followin g diseases may be
earthworm s ~ green plants ~ llescribed as chronic?
carbon dioxide
(C) C arbon dioxide ~ grass ~ sheep (A) Typhoid
~ man~ carbon dioxide (R) Diabetes
(D) Carbon d i oxide ~ bacteria ~ s oya (C) Cholera
beans ) man ~ c arbon dioxide ( 0) Dengue

47 . The function of nitrifying hactcria is 10 52 . Which of the following items BEST

convert •·cpresent materials which can be recycled?

(A) nitrates to protein (A) Plastics, tin cans, t~1bric

(0) nitrogen gas to nitrates (B) Plastics, glass bottles, discarded
(C) uitri tes toni I rates food
(D) nitrogen gas to urea (C) Tin cans, plastics, paper
(D) Paper, discarded food, tin cans

48 . An enzyme shows optimum activity at pH

2.5. In which part of the alimentary canal 53. Tite trachea is lined with h~ir-like structures
will this enzyme be most active? called

(A) D uodenum (A) villi

(B) Ileum (U) cells
(C) Mouth (C) cilia
(0) Stomach (D) flagella

49. Zt:na cuts herfingerwhi lepeeling an orange. 54 . Whichof the following is a definitive sign of
Which of the following components ofthe malnutrition?
blood will assist in reducing bleeding?
(A) Albinism
(A) W hite blood cells (B) Dwarfism
(B) Bloodplatelets (C) Overweight
(C) Red blood cells (D) Shiny hair
( 0) Haemoglobin

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55. Which of the following results in coronary 58 . Which ofthc following s ubstances lowers
aJ1ery disease? blood sugar?

(A) Cirrhosis (A) Glucagon

(B) Atherosclerosis (B) Glycogen
(C) Arr.hritis (C) Insulin
(D) Phagocytosis (D) Adrenalin

56 . What are the two main types of the 59 . The long process of a nerve cell which
respiration? condut:ts impulses towards a cell body is
called
(/\) Aerobic and anaerobic
(B) Cellular and non-cellular (A) dendron
(C) Lung and heart (B) axon
(D) Mitosis and meiosis (C) dendrites
(D) ganglia

57 . Which ion initiates muscle contraction?

60. \\'bich of the following is an example of a
(A) Magnesium cogenital defect?
(8) SodiLtm
(C) Potassium (A) birth mark
(D) Calcium (H) Down's syndrome
(C) bighead
(D) nightblindness

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TJME IS CALLJ:D, CHECK YO"LR WORK ON TillS TEST.

01253010/SPF.C2008
CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

EXAMINATION

HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SPECIMEN PAPER 2008

Item No. Key Item No. Key

1 D 31 D
2 B 32 C
3 C 33 B
4 D 34 D
5 D 35 D
6 C 36 A
7 A 37 C
8 C 38 B
9 A 39 C
10 D 40 B
11 A 41 C
12 B 42 B
13 D 43 A
14 A 44 D
15 B 45 B
16 C 46 C
17 A 47 C
18 C 48 D
19 B 49 B
20 A 50 A
21 C 51 B
22 B 52 C
23 D 53 C
24 A 54 C
25 A 55 B
26 A 56 A
27 C 57 D
28 D 58 C
29 C 59 A
30 C 60 B