WASSCE 2020 Integrated Science Past Questions and Answers
The WASSCE 2020 Integrated Science paper has 49 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. Ozone layer depletion results in
- A. melting of ice at the poles.
- B. increase in number of storms.
- C. skin cancer in humans.
- D. loss of productive farmland.
Answer: C. skin cancer in humans.
Ozone depletion can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. Too much exposure to UV is believed to be contributing to the increase in melanoma, the most fatal of all skin cancers.
Ozone depletion can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. Too much exposure to UV is believed to be contributing to the increase in melanoma, the most fatal of all skin cancers.
2. Which of the following factors can affect the boiling and freezing points of water?
- A. Surface tension
- B. Adhesive forces
- C. Impurities
- D. Density
Answer: C. Impurities
The boiling point of a liquid depends on pressure, vapour pressure and molecular weight.
Factors affecting boiling point
Pressure: Boiling point increases as the pressure increases. If external pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure then the boiling point is less than the normal boiling point. It increases when the pressure is more than the atmospheric pressure.
Effect of impurities: The boiling point increases with the increase in impurities.
Intermolecular/Cohesive forces: If the forces are weak, then the boiling point is also low and if the forces are strong then the boiling is high.
Molecular weight: Boiling increases if the chain length of the molecule increases.
Branching: With the increase in branching, the boiling point decreases.
The boiling point of a liquid depends on pressure, vapour pressure and molecular weight.
Factors affecting boiling point
Pressure: Boiling point increases as the pressure increases. If external pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure then the boiling point is less than the normal boiling point. It increases when the pressure is more than the atmospheric pressure.
Effect of impurities: The boiling point increases with the increase in impurities.
Intermolecular/Cohesive forces: If the forces are weak, then the boiling point is also low and if the forces are strong then the boiling is high.
Molecular weight: Boiling increases if the chain length of the molecule increases.
Branching: With the increase in branching, the boiling point decreases.
3. Purple-leaf colouration in plants is a symptom of deficiency in
- A. magnesium.
- B. nitrogen.
- C. phosphorus.
- D. potassium.
Answer: C. phosphorus.
Phosphorus is crucial for key components like DNA, RNA, and cellular membrane functions. It is also a key element in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) system, the "energy currency" of plants. Phosphorus deficiency in plants can result in leaf discoloration or reddening. The old leaves of these plants may turn purple due to the accumulation of anthocyanins.
Phosphorus deficiency hampers plant growth and root development, leading to decreased yields, premature fruit drop, and delayed maturity. Various factors like low pH, weak root systems, excessive moisture in the growing medium, and low substrate temperatures hinder phosphorus uptake. Substrate refers to the material or medium in which plants grow, such as soil, sand, gravel, or any other material that provides support and nutrients to plant roots.
Phosphorus is crucial for key components like DNA, RNA, and cellular membrane functions. It is also a key element in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) system, the "energy currency" of plants. Phosphorus deficiency in plants can result in leaf discoloration or reddening. The old leaves of these plants may turn purple due to the accumulation of anthocyanins.
Phosphorus deficiency hampers plant growth and root development, leading to decreased yields, premature fruit drop, and delayed maturity. Various factors like low pH, weak root systems, excessive moisture in the growing medium, and low substrate temperatures hinder phosphorus uptake. Substrate refers to the material or medium in which plants grow, such as soil, sand, gravel, or any other material that provides support and nutrients to plant roots.
4. Which of the following diseases in humans is caused by bacteria?
- A. Hepatis B
- B. Herpes
- C. Chlamydia
- D. Prostate
Answer: C. Chlamydia
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term). Hepatitis B can cause a chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on your genitals and/or mouth. Herpes can be annoying and painful, but it usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems.
Herpes is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores that come and go.
Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs, lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluid). You can get chlamydia through: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used.
Symptoms of chlamydia
Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until up to three weeks after having sex with someone who has chlamydia.
In women, common symptoms include:
1. a change in vaginal discharge
2. bleeding between menstrual periods or after sex
3. pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
4. burning sensation when urinating
Common symptoms in men include:
1. burning when urinating
2. discharge from the penis
3. pain or discomfort in the testicles
Anal infection in women and men can cause:
1. pain
2. discharge
3. bleeding
Chlamydia can also infect the throat often without symptoms.
Infants born to mothers with chlamydia may experience eye infections or pneumonia. These can be treated with antibiotic medications for newborns.
The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that produces fluids that feed and protect sperm cells.
The three most common forms of prostate disease are:
1. inflammation (prostatitis)
2. non-cancerous enlargement (BPH)
3. prostate cancer
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term). Hepatitis B can cause a chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Herpes is a common virus that causes sores on your genitals and/or mouth. Herpes can be annoying and painful, but it usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems.
Herpes is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, and kissing. Herpes causes outbreaks of itchy, painful blisters or sores that come and go.
Herpes is caused by two different but similar viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both kinds can make sores pop up on and around your vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum, butt, inner thighs, lips, mouth, throat, and rarely, your eyes.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluid). You can get chlamydia through: unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used.
Symptoms of chlamydia
Many people with chlamydia have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until up to three weeks after having sex with someone who has chlamydia.
In women, common symptoms include:
1. a change in vaginal discharge
2. bleeding between menstrual periods or after sex
3. pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
4. burning sensation when urinating
Common symptoms in men include:
1. burning when urinating
2. discharge from the penis
3. pain or discomfort in the testicles
Anal infection in women and men can cause:
1. pain
2. discharge
3. bleeding
Chlamydia can also infect the throat often without symptoms.
Infants born to mothers with chlamydia may experience eye infections or pneumonia. These can be treated with antibiotic medications for newborns.
The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that produces fluids that feed and protect sperm cells.
The three most common forms of prostate disease are:
1. inflammation (prostatitis)
2. non-cancerous enlargement (BPH)
3. prostate cancer
5. The part of the human ear responsible for amplification of sound is
- A. cochlea.
- B. ossicles.
- C. sacculus.
- D. utriculus.
Answer: B. ossicles.
The middle ear
The ossicles are actually tiny bones — the smallest in the human body. The three bones are named after their shapes: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup). The ossicles further amplify the sound.
The middle ear
The ossicles are actually tiny bones — the smallest in the human body. The three bones are named after their shapes: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup). The ossicles further amplify the sound.
6. The general formula of alkyne is
- A. C$_{n}$H$_{2n+2}$
- B. C$_{n}$H$_{2n}$
- C. C$_{n}$H$_{2n-2}$
- D. C$_{n}$H$_{n}$
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
7. Which of the following bones is present in the forelimb of man?
- A. Femur
- B. Radius
- C. Ribs
- D. Sternum
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
8. Minerals included in the layer ration for egg shell formation are calcium and
- A. magnesium.
- B. nitrogen.
- C. phosphorus.
- D. potassium.
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
9. Carrot is a good source of which of the following vitamins?
- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin B complex
- C. Vitamin C
- D. Vitamin D
Answer and explanation: practise this paper on ePrep.
10. The major reason why relative atomic mass of some elements is not a whole number is the existence of
- A. isomerism.
- B. allotropy.
- C. isotopy.
- D. isotonism.
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