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Natural Science and Technology Question Paper for term 3
Grade 4
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Natural Science and Technology — Term 3
Grade 4
Time: 1 hour
Total marks: 50
Instructions for learners
- Read all questions carefully.
- Answer all questions.
- Write neatly. Where a drawing is required, draw clearly and label neatly.
- Use a pencil for diagrams and a pen for written answers (if allowed by your teacher).
Section A — Multiple choice (10 × 1 = 10 marks)
Choose the best answer and write only the letter (A, B, C or D) next to the question number.
1. Which of the following is a source of electricity in a simple circuit?
A. Paper B. Battery C. Wood D. Rubber
2. A switch in a circuit is used to:
A. make the wires longer B. change the battery C. open or close the circuit D. measure electric current
3. Which material is a good conductor of electricity?
A. Plastic B. Glass C. Copper D. Wood
4. A magnet attracts:
A. All types of plastic B. Glass and paper C. Some metals like iron D. Water
5. When you push a toy car it starts to move. The push is an example of:
A. friction B. force C. energy source D. gravity
6. A shadow is formed when:
A. light passes through everything B. an object blocks light C. sound hits an object D. heat is produced
7. Which object would make the darkest shadow?
A. A small piece of white paper B. A large thick book C. A thin piece of clear plastic D. A glass bottle
8. Which of these is a simple machine?
A. Spoon B. Lever C. Candle D. Rubber band
9. Heat always moves from:
A. cold to hot B. hot to cold C. dark to light D. small to big
10. Which item is an insulator of electricity?
A. Aluminium foil B. Pencil lead C. Rubber handle D. Steel nail
Section B — Short answers (20 marks)
11. (2 marks) Define the word "force" in one short sentence.
12. (2 marks) Give one example of a push and one example of a pull. (1 mark for each)
13. (3 marks) Draw and label a simple electric circuit that will make a bulb light. Your drawing must show: a battery, wires, a bulb and a switch. (Label each part.)
14. (2 marks) What happens if there is a break in the wires of a circuit while the switch is closed? Explain in one sentence.
15. (3 marks) Look at the list of items: wooden spoon, steel key, plastic toy, aluminium foil.
- Which two are conductors of electricity? (2 × 1 mark)
- Which two are insulators? (2 × 0.5 mark)
16. (3 marks) Complete the table by ticking (✓) whether the object is transparent, translucent, or opaque.
Object — Transparent — Translucent — Opaque
a) Clear glass window
b) Thin white paper
c) Thick cardboard box
(1 mark each)
17. (3 marks) Name two safety rules you must follow when using electricity at home. (1.5 marks each)
Section C — Investigation & longer answers (20 marks)
18. Conductors experiment (12 marks)
You will test which materials allow electricity to flow using a small circuit (battery, bulb, wires).
Materials to test: copper coin, steel paper clip, rubber eraser, wooden stick, aluminium foil strip, plastic straw.
a) (2 marks) Before you start, write a prediction: Which three materials do you think will make the bulb light? (Name three.)
b) (5 marks) In a table, record your test results. For each material write: Tested (Yes/No) and Result (Bulb lit / Bulb did not light).
(1 mark for table and 0.5 mark for each correct result)
c) (3 marks) From your results, state a conclusion about which materials are conductors and which are insulators. Give one example of each from your test.
d) (2 marks) Give one reason why it is dangerous to touch electrical switches or wires with wet hands.
19. Simple machine (8 marks)
A child wants to lift a heavy box using a stick as a lever and a small rock as a fulcrum.
a) (2 marks) Draw a simple labelled diagram showing the stick (lever), the rock (fulcrum), the box (load) and where the child would push or pull (effort).
b) (3 marks) Explain in two or three sentences how using a lever helps the child lift the heavy box. (Say what happens to the effort needed.)
c) (3 marks) Name another simple machine and give one example of where it is used at home or at school.
End of question paper
Answer key and marking guidelines
Section A (10 marks)
1 B, 2 C, 3 C, 4 C, 5 B, 6 B, 7 B, 8 B, 9 B, 10 C.
(1 mark each)
Section B (20 marks)
11. Force: A push or a pull that makes an object move, stop, speed up or change direction. (2 marks — any clear, simple definition)
12. Examples:
- Push: pushing a door shut (1 mark)
- Pull: pulling a drawer open (1 mark)
13. Simple circuit drawing (3 marks)
- Correct symbols/drawings for battery, wires, bulb and switch and a complete loop: 3 marks
- If missing one correct part: 1–2 marks accordingly.
14. If there is a break, the circuit is open and the bulb will not light because the electric current cannot flow. (2 marks)
15. Conductors: steel key, aluminium foil (2 marks: 1 each)
Insulators: wooden spoon, plastic toy (1 mark: 0.5 each) — accept rubber or wooden items for insulators.
16. Table (3 marks)
a) Clear glass window — Transparent ✓ (1 mark)
b) Thin white paper — Translucent ✓ (1 mark)
c) Thick cardboard box — Opaque ✓ (1 mark)
(Allocate marks for correct ticks; accept reasonable answers.)
17. Safety rules (3 marks)
Examples (1.5 marks each):
- Never touch bare wires or sockets with wet hands.
- Do not put fingers or metal objects into power sockets.
- Turn off appliances and unplug before repairing.
Accept any two sensible safety rules.
Section C (20 marks)
18. Conductors experiment (12 marks)
a) Prediction (2 marks): Give credit if three reasonable materials named as conductors (e.g., copper coin, steel paper clip, aluminium foil). 2 marks full, 1 mark partial.
b) Table and results (5 marks)
Expected results:
- Copper coin: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Steel paper clip: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Rubber eraser: Bulb does not light (insulator)
- Wooden stick: Bulb does not light (insulator)
- Aluminium foil: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Plastic straw: Bulb does not light (insulator)
Mark 0.5 mark per correct result (6 items = 3 marks) and 2 marks for having a clear table and labelling columns; adjust to total 5 marks.
c) Conclusion (3 marks)
- Conductors: metals like copper, steel, aluminium (1.5 marks)
- Insulators: rubber, plastic, wood (1.5 marks)
Accept clear statement showing understanding. (1 mark for correct conductor example, 1 mark for correct insulator example, 1 mark for overall conclusion)
d) Wet hands reason (2 marks)
- Water is a conductor; wet hands let electricity pass causing a shock. (2 marks)
19. Simple machine (8 marks)
a) Drawing (2 marks)
- Correct placement of lever, fulcrum, load and effort. 2 marks full; 1 mark partial.
b) Explanation (3 marks)
- Using a lever makes it easier to lift the box because the lever allows the child to use less force (effort) over a longer distance; the fulcrum changes the direction and size of the force. (Award up to 3 marks for clear explanation.)
c) Another simple machine (3 marks)
Examples:
- Inclined plane — ramp used to push heavy boxes into a truck (2 marks for naming + 1 mark for example)
- Pulley — flagpole or clothesline (2+1)
- Wheel and axle — door knob, bicycle wheels (2+1)
Accept other correct examples.
Total = 50 marks
Notes to teachers
- Adjust the experiment if materials or equipment are limited. Safety: supervise all circuit building; use low-voltage batteries (AA or 9V) and small bulbs. Do not use mains electricity.
- Accept answers in learners' own words if they show the correct understanding.
- For drawings, give partial credit for correct ideas even if the drawing is not perfect.
If you want this paper adapted to a specific curriculum (CAPS, Common Core or other), or if you want an answer sheet formatted for printing, tell me which curriculum or format and I will adjust it.
Grade 4
Time: 1 hour
Total marks: 50
Instructions for learners
- Read all questions carefully.
- Answer all questions.
- Write neatly. Where a drawing is required, draw clearly and label neatly.
- Use a pencil for diagrams and a pen for written answers (if allowed by your teacher).
Section A — Multiple choice (10 × 1 = 10 marks)
Choose the best answer and write only the letter (A, B, C or D) next to the question number.
1. Which of the following is a source of electricity in a simple circuit?
A. Paper B. Battery C. Wood D. Rubber
2. A switch in a circuit is used to:
A. make the wires longer B. change the battery C. open or close the circuit D. measure electric current
3. Which material is a good conductor of electricity?
A. Plastic B. Glass C. Copper D. Wood
4. A magnet attracts:
A. All types of plastic B. Glass and paper C. Some metals like iron D. Water
5. When you push a toy car it starts to move. The push is an example of:
A. friction B. force C. energy source D. gravity
6. A shadow is formed when:
A. light passes through everything B. an object blocks light C. sound hits an object D. heat is produced
7. Which object would make the darkest shadow?
A. A small piece of white paper B. A large thick book C. A thin piece of clear plastic D. A glass bottle
8. Which of these is a simple machine?
A. Spoon B. Lever C. Candle D. Rubber band
9. Heat always moves from:
A. cold to hot B. hot to cold C. dark to light D. small to big
10. Which item is an insulator of electricity?
A. Aluminium foil B. Pencil lead C. Rubber handle D. Steel nail
Section B — Short answers (20 marks)
11. (2 marks) Define the word "force" in one short sentence.
12. (2 marks) Give one example of a push and one example of a pull. (1 mark for each)
13. (3 marks) Draw and label a simple electric circuit that will make a bulb light. Your drawing must show: a battery, wires, a bulb and a switch. (Label each part.)
14. (2 marks) What happens if there is a break in the wires of a circuit while the switch is closed? Explain in one sentence.
15. (3 marks) Look at the list of items: wooden spoon, steel key, plastic toy, aluminium foil.
- Which two are conductors of electricity? (2 × 1 mark)
- Which two are insulators? (2 × 0.5 mark)
16. (3 marks) Complete the table by ticking (✓) whether the object is transparent, translucent, or opaque.
Object — Transparent — Translucent — Opaque
a) Clear glass window
b) Thin white paper
c) Thick cardboard box
(1 mark each)
17. (3 marks) Name two safety rules you must follow when using electricity at home. (1.5 marks each)
Section C — Investigation & longer answers (20 marks)
18. Conductors experiment (12 marks)
You will test which materials allow electricity to flow using a small circuit (battery, bulb, wires).
Materials to test: copper coin, steel paper clip, rubber eraser, wooden stick, aluminium foil strip, plastic straw.
a) (2 marks) Before you start, write a prediction: Which three materials do you think will make the bulb light? (Name three.)
b) (5 marks) In a table, record your test results. For each material write: Tested (Yes/No) and Result (Bulb lit / Bulb did not light).
(1 mark for table and 0.5 mark for each correct result)
c) (3 marks) From your results, state a conclusion about which materials are conductors and which are insulators. Give one example of each from your test.
d) (2 marks) Give one reason why it is dangerous to touch electrical switches or wires with wet hands.
19. Simple machine (8 marks)
A child wants to lift a heavy box using a stick as a lever and a small rock as a fulcrum.
a) (2 marks) Draw a simple labelled diagram showing the stick (lever), the rock (fulcrum), the box (load) and where the child would push or pull (effort).
b) (3 marks) Explain in two or three sentences how using a lever helps the child lift the heavy box. (Say what happens to the effort needed.)
c) (3 marks) Name another simple machine and give one example of where it is used at home or at school.
End of question paper
Answer key and marking guidelines
Section A (10 marks)
1 B, 2 C, 3 C, 4 C, 5 B, 6 B, 7 B, 8 B, 9 B, 10 C.
(1 mark each)
Section B (20 marks)
11. Force: A push or a pull that makes an object move, stop, speed up or change direction. (2 marks — any clear, simple definition)
12. Examples:
- Push: pushing a door shut (1 mark)
- Pull: pulling a drawer open (1 mark)
13. Simple circuit drawing (3 marks)
- Correct symbols/drawings for battery, wires, bulb and switch and a complete loop: 3 marks
- If missing one correct part: 1–2 marks accordingly.
14. If there is a break, the circuit is open and the bulb will not light because the electric current cannot flow. (2 marks)
15. Conductors: steel key, aluminium foil (2 marks: 1 each)
Insulators: wooden spoon, plastic toy (1 mark: 0.5 each) — accept rubber or wooden items for insulators.
16. Table (3 marks)
a) Clear glass window — Transparent ✓ (1 mark)
b) Thin white paper — Translucent ✓ (1 mark)
c) Thick cardboard box — Opaque ✓ (1 mark)
(Allocate marks for correct ticks; accept reasonable answers.)
17. Safety rules (3 marks)
Examples (1.5 marks each):
- Never touch bare wires or sockets with wet hands.
- Do not put fingers or metal objects into power sockets.
- Turn off appliances and unplug before repairing.
Accept any two sensible safety rules.
Section C (20 marks)
18. Conductors experiment (12 marks)
a) Prediction (2 marks): Give credit if three reasonable materials named as conductors (e.g., copper coin, steel paper clip, aluminium foil). 2 marks full, 1 mark partial.
b) Table and results (5 marks)
Expected results:
- Copper coin: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Steel paper clip: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Rubber eraser: Bulb does not light (insulator)
- Wooden stick: Bulb does not light (insulator)
- Aluminium foil: Bulb lights (conductor)
- Plastic straw: Bulb does not light (insulator)
Mark 0.5 mark per correct result (6 items = 3 marks) and 2 marks for having a clear table and labelling columns; adjust to total 5 marks.
c) Conclusion (3 marks)
- Conductors: metals like copper, steel, aluminium (1.5 marks)
- Insulators: rubber, plastic, wood (1.5 marks)
Accept clear statement showing understanding. (1 mark for correct conductor example, 1 mark for correct insulator example, 1 mark for overall conclusion)
d) Wet hands reason (2 marks)
- Water is a conductor; wet hands let electricity pass causing a shock. (2 marks)
19. Simple machine (8 marks)
a) Drawing (2 marks)
- Correct placement of lever, fulcrum, load and effort. 2 marks full; 1 mark partial.
b) Explanation (3 marks)
- Using a lever makes it easier to lift the box because the lever allows the child to use less force (effort) over a longer distance; the fulcrum changes the direction and size of the force. (Award up to 3 marks for clear explanation.)
c) Another simple machine (3 marks)
Examples:
- Inclined plane — ramp used to push heavy boxes into a truck (2 marks for naming + 1 mark for example)
- Pulley — flagpole or clothesline (2+1)
- Wheel and axle — door knob, bicycle wheels (2+1)
Accept other correct examples.
Total = 50 marks
Notes to teachers
- Adjust the experiment if materials or equipment are limited. Safety: supervise all circuit building; use low-voltage batteries (AA or 9V) and small bulbs. Do not use mains electricity.
- Accept answers in learners' own words if they show the correct understanding.
- For drawings, give partial credit for correct ideas even if the drawing is not perfect.
If you want this paper adapted to a specific curriculum (CAPS, Common Core or other), or if you want an answer sheet formatted for printing, tell me which curriculum or format and I will adjust it.
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