Science 2025 board paper

54 questions · 108 marks counted · grouped by chapter, each linked to the topic it tests.

Chemical Reactions and Equations

3 questions · 4 marks

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q21Chemical equations and how to write them

A student performs the following experiment in his school laboratory (a conical flask fitted with a delivery tube containing dilute sulphuric acid and Zn granules - see figure). List two observations to justify that in this experiment a chemical change has taken place.

Figure printed with question 21 of the 2025 board paper

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q1Combination and decomposition reactions

Electrolysis of water is a decomposition reaction. The mass ratio (M_H : M_O) of hydrogen and oxygen gases liberated at the electrodes during electrolysis of water is :

  1. (a) 8 : 1
  2. (b) 2 : 1
  3. (c) 1 : 2
  4. (d) 1 : 8

2025Assertion-Reason·1 mark·Q17Combination and decomposition reactions

Assertion (A): Decomposition reactions are generally endothermic reactions. Reason (R): Decomposition of organic matter into compost is an exothermic process. Select the correct answer:

  1. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
  3. (c) A is true, but R is false.
  4. (d) A is false, but R is true.

Acids, Bases and Salts

6 questions · 8 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q4How acids and bases react with metals

Consider the following reactions : (i) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide. (ii) Magnesium oxide reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid. (iii) Carbon dioxide reacts with sodium hydroxide. It is found that in each case :

  1. (a) Salt and water is formed.
  2. (b) Neutral salts are formed.
  3. (c) Hydrogen gas is formed.
  4. (d) Acidic salts are formed.

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q3The pH scale and why it matters in everyday life

The following table shows the pH values of four solutions A, B, C and D on a pH scale (see figure: pH scale 1-14 with B at 7, C at 13, D at 3, A at 5). The solutions A, B, C and D respectively are of a :

  1. (a) Strong acid, weak acid, neutral, strong base
  2. (b) Weak acid, neutral, weak base, strong base
  3. (c) Weak acid, neutral, strong base, weak base
  4. (d) Weak acid, neutral, strong base, strong acid

2025Case based·1 mark·Q37(a)Common salt and the chemicals made from it

[Case: Seawater contains many dissolved salts; common salt is separated from these, deposits of solid rock salt (brown due to impurities) are mined like coal, and common salt is an important raw material for chemicals of daily use.] Write balanced chemical equations to show the products formed during electrolysis of brine.

2025Case based·1 mark·Q37(b)Common salt and the chemicals made from it

[Case: Seawater/common salt/rock salt as raw material for chemicals of daily use.] List two uses of any one product obtained during electrolysis of brine.

2025Case based·2 marks·Q37(c)(i)Common salt and the chemicals made from it

[Case: Seawater/common salt/rock salt as raw material for chemicals of daily use.] A mild non-corrosive basic salt 'A', used for faster cooking, is strongly heated to produce a compound 'B', that is used for removing permanent hardness of water. Identify A and B and also write the equation for the reaction that occurs when A is heated.

2025Case based·2 marks·Q37(c)(ii)Water of crystallisation

[Case: Seawater/common salt/rock salt as raw material for chemicals of daily use.] Define water of crystallisation. Give two examples of salts that have water of crystallisation.

Metals and Non-metals

7 questions · 13 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q2Physical properties of metals and non-metals

The products formed when Aluminium and Magnesium are burnt in the presence of air respectively are :

  1. (a) Al_3O_4 and MgO_2
  2. (b) Al_2O_3 and MgO
  3. (c) Al_3O_4 and MgO
  4. (d) Al_2O_3 and MgO_2

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q28(b)The reactivity series

(i) Name two metals which react violently with cold water. List any three observations which a student notes when these metal are dropped in a beaker containing water. (ii) Write a test to identify the gas evolved (if any) during the reaction of these metals with water.

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q5Ionic bonding and the properties of ionic compounds

Reaction between two elements A and B, forms a compound C. A loses electrons and B gains electrons. Which one of the following properties will not be shown by compound C ?

  1. (a) It has high melting point.
  2. (b) It is highly soluble in water.
  3. (c) It has weak electrostatic forces of attraction between its oppositely charged ions.
  4. (d) It conducts electricity in its molten state or aqueous solution.

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q7Ionic bonding and the properties of ionic compounds

The formation of magnesium oxide is correctly shown in option : (four options (A)-(D) each showing an electron-dot / Lewis structure representation of Mg reacting with O to form Mg^2+ and oxide ion - see figure).

Figure printed with question 7 of the 2025 board paper

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q27Occurrence and extraction of metals

(a) "Displacement reactions also play a key role in extracting metals in the middle of the reactivity series." Justify this statement with two examples. (b) Why can metals high up in the reactivity series not be obtained by reduction of their oxides by carbon ?

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q6Occurrence and extraction of metals

The metals obtained from their molten chlorides by the process of electrolytic reduction are :

  1. (a) Gold and silver
  2. (b) Calcium and magnesium
  3. (c) Aluminium and silver
  4. (d) Sodium and iron

Carbon and its Compounds

2 questions · 10 marks

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q34(a)Naming carbon compounds

(i) Draw two isomeric structures of Butene (C_4H_8). (ii) Name the following compounds: (I) CH_3-CH_2-CH_2-Cl (a chain of three carbons each fully H-saturated with a Cl on the end carbon); (II) CH_3-CH_2-CO-CH_3 (a four-carbon chain with a C=O double bond on the third carbon). (iii) Write the chemical equations for the following reactions. Mention one essential condition each for these reactions to take place. (I) Ethanol undergoes complete oxidation (II) Propene undergoes hydrogenation (III) Ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol.

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q34(b)Ethanol and ethanoic acid

(i) A carbon compound X is a good solvent. On reaction with sodium, X forms two products Y and Z. Z is used to convert vegetable oil into vegetable ghee. Identify and name X, Y and Z. Also write the equation of reaction of X with sodium to justify your answer. (ii) Write chemical equation to show what happens when ethanol: (I) burns in oxygen/air. (II) is heated at 443 K in excess conc. H_2SO_4. (III) reacts with acidified potassium dichromate.

Life Processes

8 questions · 12 marks

2025Case based·1 mark·Q38(a)Autotrophic nutrition and photosynthesis

[Case: Maintenance functions of all living organisms must go on continuously; these processes require energy obtained from food prepared by autotrophs (producers).] Name and define the process by which green plants prepare food.

2025Case based·1 mark·Q38(b)Autotrophic nutrition and photosynthesis

[Case: Maintenance functions require energy from food prepared by autotrophs.] Write chemical equation involved in the above process (photosynthesis).

2025Case based·2 marks·Q38(c)(i)Autotrophic nutrition and photosynthesis

[Case: Maintenance functions require energy from food prepared by autotrophs.] State in proper sequence the events that occur in synthesis of food by desert plants.

2025Case based·2 marks·Q38(c)(ii)Autotrophic nutrition and photosynthesis

[Case: Maintenance functions require energy from food prepared by autotrophs.] Explain giving reasons what happens to the rate at which the green plants will prepare food (I) during cloudy weather, and (II) when stomata get blocked due to dust.

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q8Nutrition in human beings

Secretion of less saliva in mouth will effect the conversion of :

  1. (a) proteins into amino acids
  2. (b) fats into fatty acids and glycerol
  3. (c) starch into simple sugars
  4. (d) sugars into alcohol

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q12Respiration

The breakdown of glucose has taken the following pathway : Glucose --(a)--> Pyruvate + Energy --(b)--> Lactic acid + Energy. The sites 'a' and 'b' respectively are :

  1. (a) Mitochondria and Oxygen deficient muscle cells
  2. (b) Cytoplasm and Oxygen rich muscle cells
  3. (c) Cytoplasm and Yeast cells
  4. (d) Cytoplasm and Oxygen deficient muscle cells

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q23(a)Transportation in human beings

Besides minimising the loss of blood, why is it essential to plug any leak in a blood vessel ? Name the component of blood which helps in this process and state how this component performs this function.

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q23(b)Transportation in plants

(i) The transport system in plants is relatively slower than in animals. Give reasons. (ii) State the role of phloem in the transport of materials in plants.

Control and Coordination

2 questions · 4 marks

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q29Coordination in plants: tropisms and plant hormones

Plants have neither a nervous system nor muscles, even then they respond to stimuli. For example, the leaves of chhui-mui (touch-me-not) plant when touched begin to fold up and droop. (a) How is the information communicated in "touch-me-not" plants ? (b) What enables the plant cells to bring out the observable response ? (c) Differentiate the movement mentioned above from the movement of tendrils in a pea plant.

How do Organisms Reproduce?

5 questions · 16 marks

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q22Fission and fragmentation

Draw labelled diagrams to show different stages of budding in Hydra.

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q10Sexual reproduction in flowering plants

The correct/true statement(s) for a bisexual flower is/are : (i) They possess both stamen and pistil. (ii) They possess either stamen or pistil. (iii) They exhibit either self-pollination or cross-pollination. (iv) They cannot produce fruits on their own.

  1. (a) (i) only
  2. (b) (iv) only
  3. (c) (i) and (iii)
  4. (d) (i) and (iv)

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q30Sexual reproduction in flowering plants

(a) What are chromosomes ? (b) Explain in brief how stability of DNA content of a species is ensured in sexually reproducing organisms ?

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q35(b)Sexual reproduction in flowering plants

(i) Differentiate between self-pollination and cross-pollination. (ii) Identify A, B and C in the diagram given below (a diagram of a flower/pistil showing pollen germination and the ovule - see figure) and write one function of each.

Figure printed with question 35(b) of the 2025 board paper

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q35(a)Reproduction in human beings

(i) Write the functions of the following parts of human female reproductive system: (I) Ovary (II) Fallopian tube (III) Uterus. (ii) State briefly two contraceptive methods used by human males.

Heredity

2 questions · 2 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q11Inherited traits

If pea plants with round and green seeds (RRyy) are crossed with pea plants having wrinkled and yellow seeds (rrYY), the seeds developed by the plants of F_1 generation will be :

  1. (a) 50% round and green
  2. (b) 75% wrinkled and green
  3. (c) 100% round and yellow
  4. (d) 75% wrinkled and yellow

2025Assertion-Reason·1 mark·Q18Mendel's monohybrid cross

Assertion (A): A human child bears all the basic features of human beings. Reason (R): It looks exactly like its parents, showing very little variations. Select the correct answer:

  1. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
  3. (c) A is true, but R is false.
  4. (d) A is false, but R is true.

Light — Reflection and Refraction

5 questions · 16 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q13Reflection of light by spherical mirrors

Mirror 'X' is used to concentrate sunlight in solar furnace and Mirror 'Y' is fitted on the side of the vehicle to see the traffic behind the driver. Which of the following statements are true for the two mirrors ? (i) The image formed by mirror 'X' is real, diminished and at its focus. (ii) The image formed by mirror 'Y' is virtual, diminished and erect. (iii) The image formed by mirror 'X' is virtual, diminished and erect. (iv) The image formed by mirror 'Y' is real, diminished and at its focus.

  1. (a) (i) and (ii)
  2. (b) (ii) and (iii)
  3. (c) (iii) and (iv)
  4. (d) (i) and (iv)

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q31Reflection of light by spherical mirrors

Draw ray diagrams to show the nature, position and relative size of the image formed by a convex mirror when the object is placed (i) at infinity and (ii) between infinity and pole P of the mirror.

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q36(b)Refraction of light, its laws and refractive index

(i) Draw a ray diagram to show the refraction of a ray of light through a rectangular glass slab when it falls obliquely from air into glass. (ii) State Snell's law of refraction of light. (iii) Differentiate between the virtual images formed by a convex lens and a concave lens on the basis of: (I) object distance, and (II) magnification.

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q24Lens formula and magnification

An object is placed at a distance of 60 cm from a concave lens of focal length 30 cm. Use lens formula to find the position of the image formed in this case.

2025Long answer·5 marks·Q36(a)Lens formula and magnification

(i) The power of a lens 'X' is -2.5 D. Name the lens and determine its focal length in cm. For which eye defect of vision will an optician prescribe this type of lens as a corrective lens ? (ii) "The value of magnification 'm' for a lens is -2." Using new Cartesian Sign Convention and considering that an object is placed at a distance of 20 cm from the optical centre of this lens, state: (I) the nature of the image formed; (II) size of the image compared to the size of the object; (III) position of the image, and (IV) sign of the height of the image. (iii) The numerical values of the focal lengths of two lenses A and B are 10 cm and 20 cm respectively. Which one of the two will show higher degree of convergence/divergence ? Give reason to justify your answer.

The Human Eye and the Colourful World

1 question · 1 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q14Defects of vision and their correction

An old person is suffering from an eye defect caused by weakening of ciliary muscles and diminishing flexibility of the eye lens. If the defect of vision is 'a' which can be corrected by lens 'b', then 'a' and 'b' respectively are :

  1. (a) hypermetropia and convex lens
  2. (b) presbyopia and bifocal lens
  3. (c) myopia and concave lens
  4. (d) myopia and bifocal lens

Electricity

5 questions · 11 marks

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q32Electric current and the electric circuit

Consider the following electric circuit (see figure: a 15 V source, 10 ohm and 15 ohm resistors in parallel, in series with a parallel combination of 60 ohm and 40 ohm resistors, an ammeter A and key K). Calculate the values of the following : (a) The total resistance of the circuit (b) The total current drawn from the source (c) Potential difference across the parallel combination of 10 ohm and 15 ohm resistors.

Figure printed with question 32 of the 2025 board paper

2025Short answer·3 marks·Q33What the resistance of a conductor depends on

(a) Write the relationship between resistivity and resistance of a cylindrical conductor of length l and area of cross-section A. Hence derive the SI unit of resistivity. (b) Why are alloys used in electrical heating devices ?

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q25(a)Resistors in series

A wire of resistance R is cut into three equal parts. If these three parts are then joined in parallel, calculate the total resistance of the combination so formed.

2025Case based·1 mark·Q39(b)Heating effect of electric current

[Case: Domestic mains supply at 220 V between live and neutral wires.] What should be the current rating of the electric circuit (220 V) so that an electric iron of 1 kW power rating can be operated ?

Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

4 questions · 6 marks

2025Assertion-Reason·1 mark·Q19Magnetic field and field lines

Assertion (A): No two magnetic field lines are found to cross each other. Reason (R): The compass needle cannot point towards two directions at the point of intersection of two magnetic field lines. Select the correct answer:

  1. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
  3. (c) A is true, but R is false.
  4. (d) A is false, but R is true.

2025Case based·1 mark·Q39(a)Domestic electric circuits

[Case: In our homes we receive electric power through mains (overhead poles or underground cables); the potential difference between the live wire and neutral wire of this supply is 220 V.] Write the colours of the insulation covers of the line wires through which supply comes to our homes.

2025Case based·2 marks·Q39(c)(i)Domestic electric circuits

[Case: Domestic mains supply at 220 V between live and neutral wires.] What is the function of the earth wire ? State the advantage of the earth wire in domestic electric appliances such as electric iron.

2025Case based·2 marks·Q39(c)(ii)Domestic electric circuits

[Case: Domestic mains supply at 220 V between live and neutral wires.] List two precautions to be taken to avoid electrical accidents. State how these precautions prevent possible damage to the circuit/appliance.

Our Environment

4 questions · 5 marks

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q15Food chains and food webs

Which of the following groups do not constitute a food chain ? (i) Wolf, rabbit, grass, lion (ii) Plankton, man, grasshopper, fish (iii) Hawk, grass, snake, grasshopper, frog (iv) Grass, snake, wolf, tiger

  1. (a) (i) and (iv)
  2. (b) (i) and (iii)
  3. (c) (ii) and (iii)
  4. (d) (ii) and (iv)

2025MCQ·1 mark·Q16Food chains and food webs

The percentage of solar energy which is not converted into food energy by the leaves of green plants in a terrestrial ecosystem is about :

  1. (a) 1%
  2. (b) 10%
  3. (c) 90%
  4. (d) 99%

2025Assertion-Reason·1 mark·Q20The ozone layer and how it is being depleted

Assertion (A): The amount of ozone in the atmosphere began to drop sharply in the 1980s. Reason (R): The oxygen atoms combine with molecular oxygen to form ozone. Select the correct answer:

  1. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
  3. (c) A is true, but R is false.
  4. (d) A is false, but R is true.

2025Very short answer·2 marks·Q26Managing the garbage we produce

"Excessive use of chemicals and pesticides in agriculture adversely effect the environment." Justify this statement.