GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT
NATURAL SCIENCES FINAL EXAMINATION
NOVEMBER 2017
GRADE 8
MARKS: 100 TIME: 1 ½ HOURS
Name of learner:
Class:
Instructions:
1. Write your name, surname and class on the question paper.
2. Answer ALL the questions on the question paper.
3. This question paper consist of SECTION A, SECTION B and SECTION C based
on the prescribed content framework in the CAPS document.
4. Allocation of marks:
SECTION A [33]
SECTION B [53]
SECTION C [13]
5. This examination paper consists of SEVEN questions.
6. Follow the instructions of each question.
7. All drawings must be done in pencil and all labels and label lines must be written in
blue ink.
8. Write neatly and legibly.
9. You may use a non-programmable calculator.
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
___________________________________________________________________
SECTION A
QUESTION 1.1
Multiple choice questions: Choose the correct answer from the options “A” to “D”
below. Write the answer in the space provided on the right, e.g. C
1.1.1 The angle of incidence is equal to the …
A angle of reflection.
B angle of refraction.
C angle of transmission.
D angle of incident.
1.1.2 In case of a short circuit, … current will flow in the circuit.
A infinite
B normal
C very low
D zero
1.1.3 The Kuiper Belt consists of …
A rocky objects.
B asteroids.
C ice.
D frozen gases and water.
1.1.4 A telescope makes the Moon and the planets …
A appear smaller.
B appear larger.
C shine brighter.
D visible.
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
1.1.5 The shape of the milky way looks like a …
A circle with curved arms.
B sphere with curved arms.
C spiral shape with curved arms.
D spiral with straight arms.
(2 x 5 = 10)
TOTAL: 10
QUESTION 1.2
Give the correct scientific term for each of the following descriptions. Only write down
the term on the space provited.
1.2.1 A system of many stars held together by gravitational force on each other.
1.2.2 One pathway for the current to pass through.
1.2.3 Rocky objects that land on Earth after it has not completely burned out in space.
1.2.4 Energy that an object possesses due to its motion.
1.2.5 A lens that collects and bends light rays inwards to the focal point.
1.2.6 The distance that light travels in a year.
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
1.2.7 The number of wavelengths that pass a point per second.
1.2.8 A group or pattern of stars that seems to be linked in some way.
1.2.9 An object that continuously radiates heat and light energy in all directions.
1.2.10 An instrument that shows the direction of the North Pole of the Earth.
(1 x 10 = 10)
TOTAL: 10
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 1.3
Match the description in Column A with the term in Column B. Write your answer in
Column C, e.g. J
Column A Column B Column C
1.3.1 Continuous nuclear reactions A Electrolysis
1.3.2 Southern Cross B Transparent
1.3.3 Light passes through an object without any colour
visible C Galaxy
1.3.4 More than one pathway for a current D Nichrome
1.3.5 Looks like spilled milk E Parallel
1.3.6 Electricity is used to break a substance down into
elements F Sun
1.3.7 Nickel and chromium G Steel
Southern
H hemisphere
I Opaque
(1 x 7 = 10)
TOTAL: 7
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 1.4 STATIC ELECTRICITY
Study the diagram of a sheet of paper and a balloon below and answer the questions
that follow.
A B D E
1.4.1 Write down the LETTER of the object that is…
a) negatively charged. (1)
b) neutral. (1)
[2]
1.4.2 Name the charge that moves from one object to the next.
[1]
1.4.3 Complete the following sentences by selecting the correct word from the box
given below.
pushing attract tension
repel rubbing friction
While A and B together,
causes the charges to move. Two objects with unlike charges will
one another. (3)
[3]
TOTAL: 6
TOTAL SECTION A: 33
SECTION B
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 2 ENERGY TRANSFER IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
2.1 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.
A B
2.1.1 What type of bulb is bulb B?
(1)
2.1.2 List the TWO effects that an electric current has on bulb B
(2)
2.1.3 Explain why people are encouraged not to use bulb B.
(3)
[6]
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
2.2 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.
Identify the following from the above diagram:
a) Output device (1)
b) Input device (1)
c) Process device (1)
[3]
2.3 Give ONE reason why a fuse is placed in a circuit.
[1]
2.4 Describe how a fuse works.
[3]
TOTAL: 13
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 3 SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
3.1 Indicate ONE advantage of bulbs connected in series.
[1]
3.2 Indicate ONE advantage of bulbs connected in parallel.
[1]
3.3 Explain what happens to the current and resistance of a circuit when resistors are
connected in …
a) parallel.
(2)
b) series.
(2)
[4]
3.4 Draw a circuit diagram with three cells in series, two bulbs in parallel and an open
switch.
[3]
TOTAL: 9
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 4 THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow on the next page.
For millennia, astronomers have followed points of light that seemed to move among the stars.
The ancient Greeks named these planets. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were
known in antiquity, and the invention of the telescope added the Asteroid Belt, Uranus,
Neptune, Pluto and many of these worlds' moons. The dawn of the space age saw dozens of
probes launched to explore our system, an adventure that continues today. Only one
spacecraft so far, Voyager 1, has crossed the threshold into interstellar space.
The four inner planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars – are made up mostly of iron and
rock. They are known as terrestrial or earth-like planets because of their similar size and
composition. Between Mars and Jupiter lies the Asteroid Belt. Asteroids are minor planets, and
scientists estimate there are more than 750 000 of them with diameters larger than 1 km and
millions of smaller asteroids. The dwarf planet Ceres, about 950 km in diameter, resides here.
A number of asteroids have orbits that take them closer into the solar system that sometimes
leads them to collide with Earth or the other inner planets.
The outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – are giant worlds with thick outer
layers of gas. Between these planets, they have dozens of moons with a variety of
compositions, ranging from rocky to icy to even volcanic. Nearly all the planets' mass is made
up of hydrogen and helium, giving them compositions like that of the sun. Beneath these outer
layers, they have no solid surfaces – the pressure from their thick atmospheres cause their
insides to liquify, although they might have rocky cores. Rings of dust, rock and ice encircle all
these giants, with Saturn's being the most famous.
Comets are often known as dirty snowballs, and consist mainly of ice and rock. When a
comet's orbit takes it close to the sun, some of the ice in its central nucleus turns into gas that
shoots out of the comet's sunlit side, which the solar wind carries outward to form into a long
tail. Short-period comets that complete their orbits in less than 200 years are thought to
originate from the disk-shaped Kuiper Belt, while long-period comets that take more than 200
years to return are thought to come from the spherical Oort Cloud.
(Adapted from: [Link]
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
4.1 Name the TWO groups of planets in our solar system.
[2]
4.2 Name ONE planet from EACH group mentioned in QUESTION 4.1. Indicate to
which group EACH planet belongs.
[2]
4.3 Mars is known as the Red planet. Explain TWO reasons why humans currently
cannot live on Mars.
[2]
4.4 Name the THREE factors that makes it is possible for Earth to support life.
[3]
4.5 Tabulate ONE difference between an asteroid and a comet.
ASTEROID COMET
[2]
4.6 Explain why the pull of gravity between the Sun and all the other objects is very
important.
[1]
TOTAL: 12
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 5 BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
5.1 Name the nearest star visible to our solar system.
[2]
5.2 Describe how you can identify the nearest star to our solar system.
[4]
5.3 It takes 8 minutes for the light of the Sun to reach the Earth, which is situated
150 000 km away from the Sun. Calculate the distance of the following planets in
light minutes. Show all your working.
a) Venus: 105 000 km away from the Sun
(3)
b) Mars: 225 000 km away from the Sun
(3)
[6]
TOTAL: 12
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
QUESTION 6 LOOKING INTO SPACE
Study the diagrams below and answer the questions that follow.
Telescope
tube Objective lens
Light
Eyepiece lens
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
6.1 TabulateTWO differences between an optical telescope and a radio telescope
that are visible in the diagrams.
OPTICAL TELESCOPE RADIO TELESCOPE
1. 1.
2. 2.
[4]
6.2 Name ONE famous optical telescope.
[2]
6.3 List TWO reasons why South Africa is the ideal location for Earth-based
telescopes.
[2]
TOTAL: 8
TOTAL SECTION B: 53
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
SECTION C
QUESTION 7 VISIBLE LIGHT
Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.
Sunl
igh t
Raindrop
7.1 Describe how a rainbow is formed. Start you description from the point where
sunlight enters a raindrop and finish with the formation of the colours that we see in
a rainbow.
[5]
7.2
The seven main colours of a rainbow are indicated by the letters “ROYGBIV”.
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
Mention TWO characteristics of the colour VIOLET.
[2]
7.3 Why does a red rose look …
a) red when a white light is shined onto the red rose?
(3)
b) black when a blue light is shined onto the red rose?
(3)
[6]
TOTAL: 13
TOTAL SECTION C: 13
GRAND TOTAL 100
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EKURHULENI NORTH DISTRICT Grade 8 Natural Sciences November Examination 2017
