BECE 2021 Integrated Science Past Questions and Answers
The BECE 2021 Integrated Science paper has 38 objective and 6 theory questions. Here are sample objective questions with the correct answers and explanations. Sit the full paper with the real time limit on ePrep.
Sample questions with answers
1. Which of the following substances is a compound?
- A. Oxygen
- B. Magnesium
- C. Water
- D. Sodium
Answer: C. Water
A compound consists of two or more different elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio. Oxygen, magnesium and sodium are all elements but water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen (H$_{2}$O)
A compound consists of two or more different elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio. Oxygen, magnesium and sodium are all elements but water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen (H$_{2}$O)
2. An atom of an element has a neutral charge because the
- A. Protons and electrons are the same particles.
- B. Proton number and electron number are the same.
- C. Neutron number and proton number are equal.
- D. Electron number and neutron number are equal.
Answer: B. Proton number and electron number are the same.
Neutral Atom: have a charge balance, which means that they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
Neutral Atom: have a charge balance, which means that they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
3. Which of the following organisms is an ecto-parasite of animals?
- A. Fleas
- B. Tapeworm
- C. Liver fluke
- D. Roundworm
Answer: A. Fleas
Ectoparasite: parasites that live on the surfaces of host organisms or in the skin and do not invade the inner body
Examples of ectoparasites
Fleas, head lice and bed bugs
Endoparasite
Endoparasites are parasites which live inside a host and generally inhabit areas such as the gut, lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Examples of endoparasites
Tapeworm, fluke and roundworm
Ectoparasite: parasites that live on the surfaces of host organisms or in the skin and do not invade the inner body
Examples of ectoparasites
Fleas, head lice and bed bugs
Endoparasite
Endoparasites are parasites which live inside a host and generally inhabit areas such as the gut, lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Examples of endoparasites
Tapeworm, fluke and roundworm
4. An atom has 20 nucleons and 9 protons. What is its neutron number?
- A. 9
- B. 10
- C. 11
- D. 12
Answer: C. 11
Nucleon = Proton + Neutron
Neutron = Nucleon - Proton
Neutron = 20 - 9 = 11
Nucleon = Proton + Neutron
Neutron = Nucleon - Proton
Neutron = 20 - 9 = 11
5. Which of the following statements about aerobic and anaerobic respiration is not correct?
- A. Water is produced as a by-product in anaerobic respiration.
- B. Alcohol or lactic acid is produced in anaerobic respiration.
- C. No oxygen is required in anaerobic respiration
- D. Very little energy is released in anaerobic respiration.
Answer: A. Water is produced as a by-product in anaerobic respiration.
Differences between aerobic and anaerobic respirations
| Aerobic Respiration | Anaerobic Respiration |
|---|---|
| Oxygen is present when this form of respiration takes place | Oxygen is absent when this form of respiration takes place |
| Gases are exchanged in this form of respiration | Gases are not exchanged in this form of respiration |
| It can be found in the cytoplasm and the mitochondria | It can be found only in the cytoplasm |
| Glucose breaks down into carbon dioxide and water | Glucose breaks down into ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide and energy |
| All higher organisms such as mammals have this type of respiration | Lower organisms such as bacteria and yeast use this type. In other organisms, it occurs during heavy activities |
| Releases more energy | Releases less energy |
Differences between aerobic and anaerobic respirations
| Aerobic Respiration | Anaerobic Respiration |
|---|---|
| Oxygen is present when this form of respiration takes place | Oxygen is absent when this form of respiration takes place |
| Gases are exchanged in this form of respiration | Gases are not exchanged in this form of respiration |
| It can be found in the cytoplasm and the mitochondria | It can be found only in the cytoplasm |
| Glucose breaks down into carbon dioxide and water | Glucose breaks down into ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide and energy |
| All higher organisms such as mammals have this type of respiration | Lower organisms such as bacteria and yeast use this type. In other organisms, it occurs during heavy activities |
| Releases more energy | Releases less energy |
6. An aluminium cube of side 2 m has a mass 24 kg. Determine the density of the aluminium.
- A. 3 kg m$^{-3}$
- B. 12 kg m$^{-3}$
- C. 24 kg m$^{-3}$
- D. 48 kg m$^{-3}$
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
7. An example of the process of osmosis is
- A. Selective reabsorption
- B. Absorption of digested food
- C. The spread of petrol scent
- D. Gaseous exchange in living things
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
8. What is the systematic name of the compound CO?
- A. Carbon (I) oxide
- B. Carbon (II) oxide
- C. Carbon dioxide
- D. Carbon (IV) oxide
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
9. Which of the following methods can be used to prevent iron from rusting?
I. Painting
II. Alloying
III. Keeping the iron in a desiccator
IV. Keeping iron in a moist environment
I. Painting
II. Alloying
III. Keeping the iron in a desiccator
IV. Keeping iron in a moist environment
- A. I and II only
- B. II and IV only
- C. I, II and III only
- D. II, III and IV only
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
10. The proper way of maintaining soil structure and fertility is termed as soil
- A. conservation
- B. depletion
- C. profile
- D. erosion
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
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