BIOLOGY 2 ( 4551/2)

ANSWERING QUESTIONS TECHNIQUES

SECTION A: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS ( 5 Compulsory Questions)

1. This section consists of five questions compulsory for students to answer.

2. Each question consists of several parts and it is based on a stimulus such as a graph, table, summary, or diagram.
3. The questions are normally structured progressively from easy to difficult. Most of the questions test knowledge,
understanding and application while some require analysis and synthesis.
4. Answer should be concise and brief. The lines provided for answers and the marks allocated should determine the
length of the answer.
5. For questions involving calculation, the working should be shown and the unit stated.

SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS ( Choose 2 out of 4 questions)

1. Consists of the limited response essay and extended response essay.

2. Limited response essay tests the construct of understanding ,application and analysing while extended response
essay tests the construct of synthesis and evaluation.
3. Marks allocated can be used to determine the number of facts and the length of the answer required for each
question.
4. Pay full attention to key words used in the question in order to determine the correct approach answering the
question. Example of the key words are shown in the table.
 Key Words Meaning Examples
SPM, 2008
Name Give name and the spelling must be Name the type of twins Q.
correct Answer: Fraternal twins

SPM 2009
State Give facts without any explanation State the function of phloem.
Answer: Transports organic materials

List Write a series of items List two factors affecting the rate of
photosynthesis.
Answer:
Light intensity
Concentration of carbon dioxide

Explain why Give explanation on facts and state SPM 2008

the reason A woman who is a heavy smoker become
pregnant.
Explain why she should stop smoking.
( 2 marks)
Answer
F: Chemicals such as nicotine can diffuse
through the placenta to the foetus.
E: may cause brain damage
 Key Words Meaning Examples
SPM 2006
Explain how Give explanation on facts and state Explain how starch is digested in the
the method. duodenum.
Answer:
F: The pancreas secrete an amylase into the
duodenum
E: amylase hydrolyses starch to maltose

How many A quantity is required, no need How many population of the snails in the
calculation habitat?
Answer:
300 snails

Calculate Both steps and answer needed Calculate the population of the snails in the
habitat? ( 2 marks)
Answer:
Number caught in the first sample ( X) = 30
Number caught in the second sample (Y) = 40
Number marked in the second sample (Z)= 10

Estimated Population = X x Y
Z
= 30 x 40
10
= 120 snails
Correct step and correct answer with unit = 2 marks
Correct step and wrong answer = 1 mark
Wrong step and correct answer = 0 mark
 Key Words Meaning Examples
SPM 2008
State the differences Give the differences without any State two differences between identical twins and fraternal
twins.
explanation Answer:
Identical twins share the same placenta whereas fraternal
twins have separate placentae.
Identical twins are similar in physical appearance whereas
fraternal twins have different appearance.

Explain the similarities Give the similarities and differences SPM 2008
and the differences with explanation Explain the similarities and differences between facilitated
diffusion and active transport in the movement of
molecules across cell membrane .
Answer:
Similarities
F1: both ways of transportation need carrier protein in the
cell membrane
E1: to bind with molecules
F2: both transport specific molecules
E2: because carrier protein have specific site.
Differences
Facilitated Diffusion Active transport
F1 Down the concentration Against the
gradient concentration gradient
E1 Molecules moves fromMolecules moves from
higher concentration tolower concentration to
lower concentration higher concentration

F2 No ATP/ energy used ATP/ Energy used

E2 No energy needed forEnergy needed for
binding binding
 Key Words Meaning Example

Discuss To give opinion after considering several SPM 2005(Question 9)

factors Deforestation is an activity carried out near a residential
area with the intention to develop the area . However, the
residents are worried about the bad effects of the activity.
If you were a resident of the area, discuss the good and
bad effects of the activity.
[ 8 marks]
Answer:
The good effects:
P1: New houses are built to accommodate the
increasing population.
P2: More job opportunities are created
P3: Infrastructure facilities improve
P4: public amenities are improved

The bad effects:

P5 Causes soil to be exposed to erosion
agents.
P6: Causes the increase of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere.
P7: Causes the organism to lose the
habitat.
P8: Flash floods, landslides, shallower rivers ,less fertile
land, the greenhouses effect and the extinction of animals