Learner’s name: ……………………………………………………………………..

Signature: …………………………………………………………………………….

553/1
BIOLOGY
Paper (2 in 1)
(Theory & Prac)
Nov/Dec. 2024

NELSON MANDELA SECONDARY SCHOOL MASAKA

New Lower Secondary Curriculum

S.1 BIOLOGY
Theory Paper 1

2hours: 30minutes

Instructions to candidates:
This paper is made up of two sections, A and B.
Section A consists of two items while Section B is made up of one item
Respond to all the items in both the sections. Fill the responses for section A in the gaps
left.
Responses to the items in section B must be presented on the answer sheet/booklet
given.

NELMANS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT 2024 1

Item 1
One day, in a certain national park, lions were so hungry that they roared all the day lacking
what to eat. They found an antelope resting quietly. The lions swiftly walked closer to the
antelope as they targeted to capture it but unfortunately, the antelope heard the footsteps and
ran away. The lions chased it but eventually failed because they lacked energy as they were
hungry yet their prey was very energetic since it had eaten enough food.

Task
a) Name the life processes that enabled the antelope to escape the fierce lions.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………..…… 3scores

b) Explain how each life process helped the antelope to escape the danger.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………. 3scores

c) Explain how the life processes named in (a) above differ in plants.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………….… 4scores

Item 2
At Nabuti SS, the school management is facing a terrible situation. At this very time, seven
learners of both sexes from different classes have been admitted to Glorious health center,
they have been found having dysentery. The maize plants have been found fallen down after
being cut by the unknown insects and the school cow was found dead after being stung by
unknown insects. This issue attracted the attention of the district health inspectors to come
and monitor the school. From their inspections, they managed to find the insects whose
samples are provided to you as specimens K, L, M and N.

Task
a) Use observable features as evidences to identify the
Specimen(s) that cut the maize and killed the school cow.
NELMANS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT 2024 2
 …………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………..….. 3score

Phylum to which the specimen belong.

Evidences: …………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………….. 3scores

b) Carefully cut specimen K through the prothorax. Draw the anterior view to show the
parts that caused the problem in the school. State your magnification.

7scores

c) Basing on the anterior and dorsal features only, construct the dichotomous key to
identify the specimens.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….…… 5scores

d) Advise the school management on how to control the problems brought about by
NELMANS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT 2024 3
 Specimens M and N.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………….. 3scores

SECTION B

Item 3
Two senior one girls, Maria and Margret were found debating about the effects of
bacteria and fungi in nature. Maria was supporting that fungi are of great importance
while bacteria are just harmful, while Margret was saying that bacteria are greatly
important yet fungi are nuisance to life of other organisms.

Task
a) In support of either Maria or Margret (but not both), show your side and explain
your views. 10scores
b) Explain the negative effect of the side you have supported. 9scores

End

***Merry Christmas and a happy new year***

NELMANS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT 2024 4