PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1

The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:

1. OBSERVATION
QUESTION : State two observations.
ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do any analysis, comparison or conclusion. For most
experiments, the observation can be written in the form:
The .(responding variable) .. at ..(manipulated variable) is (state reading of measuring instrument)
( Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of the responding variable.)
Example:
The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at
5 oC is 45 minutes.
The time taken for the starch to be completely hydrolysed at
40 oC is 5 minutes.
2. INFERENCE
State one inference which corresponds to each observation. An inference is a brief explanation of the observation,
based on scientific knowledge which you already know.
Example:
The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC is 45 minutes because the low
temperature causes the enzymes to react slowly with the substrate.
The time taken for starch to be completely hydrolysed at 5 oC is 5 minutes because the higher temperature causes
the enzymes to react quickly with the substrate.
3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS
Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, ruler etc. from the given diagram.
4. COMMUNICATING
Construct the table with the manipulated variable as the first column and the responding variable as the second
column. Data derived or calculated from the second column can be added to the third column. Show the
calculations in the third column itself. Units of measurements should be written together with table titles, not with
readings.
Example
Temperature /
oC
Time for starch to be
completely hydrolysed /
min
Rate of reaction
/ min -1
5 10 1/10 = 0.1
15 5 1 / 5 = 0.2
30 2 1 / 2 = 0.5

5. INTERPRETING DATA
Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and responding variables as obtained from a graph of the
results.
Example: As the temperature increases from 5 oC to 45 oC, the time taken for the complete hydrolysis of starch
decreases from 45 minutes to 5 minutes.
6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Variables
State the variable
Describe how you control the variables
Use action words and name the instruments used
MANIPULATED
Temperature
Use / .
Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water bath
and add ice or warm water to maintain the temperature of the
water bath. Place the test tubes in the different water baths.
RESPONDING
Time taken for
complete
hydrolysis of starch
Record / measure using .
Record the time taken for the enzyme substrate mixture to lose its
blue colour.
CONTROLLED
Concentration of
enzyme
Use the same/ Maintain
Use the same amount of enzyme ( 1 ml) in each of the experiment.
7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:
State the manipulated variable
State the responding variable
Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (do not use vague relationships like affects or
influence or changes with). Commit to using terms like: increases with / decreases with .
8. PREDICTING
QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated .., predict the observation
ANSWER : Give a value or relevant statement e.g. the (responding variable) will be higher / lower than (the value
in the first experiment) followed by a the reason
EXAMPLE: What will the rate of transpiration be at fan speed
3, if the experiment is repeated in the dark?
The transpiration rate at fan speed 3 will be less then (value recorded) because the stomata is closed in the dark and
less water will be loss through them.
9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY
Give a definition based on the context of the experiment. EXAMPLE 1: An experiment is carried out to investigate
photosynthesis and the number of bubbles released is counted. The operational definition of photosynthesis would
then be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release bubbles in the presence of light, carbon dioxide and water.
EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and leaves are tested with iodine solution
for the presence of starch. The operational definition of photosynthesis would be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the presence of light, carbon dioxide and water, produce starch
which turns iodine solution dark blue.
EXAMPLE 3: An experiment is carried out to investigate transpiration under different fan speeds. The operational
definition of transpiration would be:
Transpiration is the process where a plant loses water to the surrounding which is indicated by the movement of
water or air bubble in the capillary tube and is affected by speed of the air current.
(You should include the variables in the context of the experiment / experimental conditions and .)
10. CLASSIFYING
Group the materials or apparatus listed using a table with the headings provided. Group them according to their
function in the experiment.
11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP
State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use relationship words like increases with / decreases with
/ remains constant with / increases proportionately with / etc. Do not use neutral relationship terms like affects /
influences/ changes with.
PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2
This question tests students ability to plan an experiment in a given format. Students must have all of the
following :
1. Problem statement
2. Aim of investigation
3. Variables
4. Hypothesis
5. List of apparatus and materials
6. Technique used
7. Experimental procedure or method
8. Presentation of data
9. Conclusion
1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Must be written in the form of a question End with a question mark.
Eg. Does pH affect the activity of amylase?
2. OBJECTIVE
Write down the objective as given in the question.
Eg. To investigate the effect of pH on the activity of amylase?
3. VARIABLES :
Write down 3 variables. (Manipulated variable, responding variable and controlled variable. The controlled
variable
must be one that will affect the outcome of the experiment if not kept constant.)
4. HYPOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:
State the manipulated variable
State the responding variable
Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable
5. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS
List down all the materials and apparatus used.
6. TECHNIQUE
In a complete sentence, write down what is observed or measured (include the instrument used). State the specific
name of the technique where applicable.
Example :
(i) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to decolorize blue DCPIP , using a syringe.
(ii)Measure and record the initial and final temperature of the water in the boiling tube using a
thermometer.
7. PROCEDURE
Write down each step clearly and systematically. Your steps should include:
Steps where you describe how apparatus and materials are handled.
Steps where you describe how the controlled variable is maintained
Steps where you describe how the manipulated variable is altered
Steps where you describe how the responding variable is measured and the instrument to be used.
Precautionary steps which ensure safety / improve accuracy of readings.
(write the steps as a set of instructions or direct speech and not in passive speech)
8. PRESENTATION OF DATA
Construct the table with the correct titles and units. Leave the table blank. The experiment is not carried out yet, so
the results are not yet available.
9. CONCLUSION
Repeat or modify the hypothesis sentence. You may then write whether the hypothesis is accepted or
rejected.

Subject : Biology SPM
Title: Q&A in Answering Techniques Paper 2
Source: Berry Berry Easy
Author: Miss Isabelle Wong
Q&A in Answering Questions for
Biology Paper 2
Paper 3
The SPM question Paper 3 (Answer all questions Question 1 and 2 only) consist of 50 marks in total.
In this paper, students need to answer all questions. Question 1 consists of 33 marks and Question 2
consists of 17 marks. The marks for each question range from 0 (wrong response), 1 (idea level
response), 2 (inaccurate response) to 3 (accurate response) marks for each questions. Paper 3 Biology
involves with very detailed criteria of marking.
1) How to state the observation?
Usually it involves two criteria.
Example 1
State two different observations made from Table 1. (Nyatakan dua pemerhatian yang berbeza yang
dibuat daripada Jadual 1). Q1 (b) (i) (3 marks).
Idea level response (1 mark):
o The time taken is different for each temperature.
o Temperature influences time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish.
No full marks will be given if students did not meet the 2 criteria of answer and the word different /
influence is not specific. Students must try to avoid these words.
Accurate response (3 marks):
P1: Temperature of water bath
P2: Time taken for iodine solution to remain yellowish
(Horizontal observation)
o At temperature 5C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 12 minutes.
o At temperature 37C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 3 minutes.
o At temperature 55C, time taken for iodine solution remains yellowish is 15 minutes.
(Vertical observation)
o Time taken for iodine solution remain yellowish for temperature 37C is faster
than5C / 28C / 45C / 55C // Vice versa
2) How to state inference in Paper 3 Biology?
Similar to observation, inference involves 2 criteria.
Example 2
State the inference which corresponds to the observations in 1 (b) (i). (Nyatakan inferens yang sepadan
dengan pemerhatian di 1 (b) (i)). Q1 (b) (ii)
Idea level response (1 mark):
o Temperature influences the enzyme reaction.
Accurate response (3 marks):
P1: Rate of enzyme reaction
P2: Low / High (Reject: Lowest / Highest)
(Horizontal inference)
o At temperature 5C, the rate of enzyme (amylase) reaction is low / decreases / longer / lower.
o At temperature 37C / optimum temperature, the rate of enzyme reaction is high.
o At temperature 55C, the rate of enzyme reaction is low.
(Vertical inference)
o At temperature 37C, the rate of enzyme reaction is higher than the rate of enzyme reaction
at 5C / 28C / 45C / 55C // vice versa.
3) How to get full marks in hypothesis for an experiment?
Similar to the hypothesis in Chemistry Paper 3, it must always start with manipulated variable and
follows by responding variables.
Example 3
State the hypothesis for this experiment. (Nyatakan hipotesis bagi eksperimen ini.) Q1 (d)
Idea level response (1 mark):
o The temperatures influence the enzyme reaction.
Accurate response (3 marks):
P1: Manipulated variable (temperature)
P2: Responding variable (time taken for iodine solution remain yellowish / rate of enzyme (amylase)
reaction / activity)
Hypothesis: relationship of P1 and P2 (MV + RV)
o The higher the temperature, the higher the rate of enzyme reaction / time taken for iodine solution
remain yellowish (until it reaches the optimum temperature)
o When the temperature increases, the rate of enzyme reaction also increase (until the optimum
temperature)
4) How to draw the graph correctly in Paper 3 Biology?
SAL or SAP which is S = Shape, A = Axis and L = Label / P = Point. Besides that, student must
remember to write the title of the graph.
5) How to explain the relationship in Biology?
In Biology Paper 3, it is more specified as compared to Chemistry. Students must provide
themanipulated variable first and follow by responding variable and usually for the manipulated
variable must have two supporting theories and a brief conclusion.
Example 4
Based on the graph in 1 (e) (ii), explain the relationship between rate of enzyme reaction and
temperature. (Berdasarkan kepada graf di 1 (e) (ii), terangkan hubungan antara kadar tindakbalas
enzim dengan suhu.) Q1 (f)
Idea level response (1 mark):
o The higher of the temperature, the higher the rate of enzyme reaction.
o (Hypothesis statement)
Accurate response (3 marks):
Students must state the relationship between the rate of enzyme reaction and the temperature base on
criteria:
R1 Relationship: the temperature increases, the rate of enzyme reaction also increase. (Theory 1)
R2 Explanation 1: at 37C // at optimum temperature the starch hydrolyse (completely by amylase /
enzyme) (Theory 2)
R3 Explanation 2: at the maximum rate (Brief conclusion)
o As temperature increases (MV), the rate of enzyme reaction increases (RV). Atoptimum
temperature the starch was hydrolysed (completely) by amylase at themaximum rate.
6) How to answer the last question (Question number 2)?
There are 9 sub sections (total 17 marks) that students need to answer. The mark distribution is as
followed:
1. Problem statement (Penyataan masalah) (3 marks)
2. Objective (Objektif) (1 mark)
3. Variables (Pembolehubah-pembolehubah) (1 mark)
4. Hypothesis (Hipotesis) (3 marks)
5. List of material and apparatus (Senarai bahan dan radas digunakan) (3 marks)
6. Technique used (Teknik yang digunakan) (1 mark)
7. Experimental procedure or method (Kaedah atau prosedur eksperimen) (3 marks)
8. Presentation of data (Cara data dipersembahkan) (1 mark)
9. Conclusion (Kesimpulan) (1 mark)
1) Problem statement (3 marks)
Problem statement must be in question form.
i.e.
Does (MV) affect (RV) of xxx?
How does (MV) affect the (RV) of xxx)?
What is the effect of (MV) on the (RV)?
2) Objective (1 mark)
It is a statement form:
i.e.
To determine the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx.
To study the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx
To investigate the effect of (MV) on the (RV) of a xxx
3) Variables (1 mark)
The entire variables (MV, RV and FV) must be correct to gain one marks from here.
4) Hypothesis (3 marks)
The hypothesis must start with manipulated variable and follow by responding variable (MV + RV)
5) List of material and apparatus (3 marks)
Students need to separate the list of material with the list of apparatus.
i.e.
Apparatus: photometer, stopwatch, cutter, beaker, meter rule, basin, marker/ thread
Material: Balsam plant, water, Vaseline/grease, dry cloth
6) Technique used (1 mark)
Students need to state the technique used in carrying out the experiment correctly.
i.e.
Measure and record the time taken for the air bubble to move a distance of 2 cm by using astopwatch.
7) Experimental procedure or method (3 marks)
Students are able to mention all the MV, RV and FV in the sentence.
8 ) Presentation of data (1 mark)
Students are able to draw a complete table and record the relevant data base on 3 criteria.
9) Conclusion (1 mark)
Students are able to write a suitable conclusion for the experiment.
i.e.
Ther higher/lower (MV), the higher/lower (RV). Hypothesis is accepted/rejected.