End of Year Sample

Assessment Items for S.1 and S.2

PHYSICS

2022
 SAMPLE ASSESSMENT ITEMS FOR S.1 AND S.2 PHYSICS
For either Physics or General Science, each short response item takes not more than 5
minutes and extended takes not more than 20 minutes. The paper should have sections and
the total time for items set in a paper should not exceed 1hr and 30 minutes.

PHYSICS SAMPLE ASSESSMENT ITEMS FOR S1

Short Response (Resource) Items

1. A high mountain climber measured his mass and weight at the base of the mountain.
He again measured at the top of the mountain and got the same quantity. Explain how
the readings for both quantities compare at the base and top of the mountain (4
Marks)
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LOs for this item:

The learner should be able to
 understand the existence of the force of gravity and distinguish between mass
and weight.
 appreciate that the weight of a body depends on the size of the force of gravity
acting upon it.

2. A group of scouts camping at the lake shore hoisted their flag. They observed that
during a hot day, the flag flew towards land and at night the flag flew towards the sea
though there was no wind. Explain this phenomenon. (4 Marks).
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LO for this item: The learner should be able to understand what is happening at a
particle level when conduction, convection, and radiation take place and their
application.

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Situational Item
1. During a hunting mission, a chief got a glittering stone which he picked and thought it
was gold. When he took the stone home, he convinced his family members that he had
found gold and was going to become rich. His family members did not accept that the
stone had gold in it and a disagreement started.

As a science student, prepare a comprehensive written message that will be used to

settle the disagreement among the family members. (10 Marks).

LOs for this item:

The learner should be able to
 understand the meaning of density and solve simple numerical problems on
density
 relate the density and relative density of substances.
 determine the densities of different solids and liquids.

END

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RESPONSE AND SCORING GRID FOR SHORT RESPONSE ITEMS
Item Possible response Scoring criteria
1  The mass of the weight lifter at the base  Score 4 if the learner states that
of the mountain is the same as the one mass is constant with reason and
at the top of the mountain. This is weight at the top is smaller with
because mass is a quantity of matter in a reason.
substance and does not change.  Score 3 if the learner states that
 The weight at the base is higher than mass is constant without reason
that at the top of the mountain. This is and that weight becomes smaller
because mass depends on acceleration but with a reason.
due to gravity, and since acceleration  Score 2 if the learner states that
due to gravity decreases with altitude, mass remains constant and
the weight will also decrease. weight becomes smaller with no
reasons in each case.
 Score 1 if the learner states either
that mass remains constant or
weight becomes smaller.
2  During the day, the earth is heated and  Score 4 if the learner states that it
absorbs more heat than the water since is due to land breeze and sea
water absorbs water slowly than the breeze and explains each in any
earth. The earth then heats air above it order.
causing it to become less dense and rise.  Score 3 if the learner states that it
Hence cool air from above the sea moves is due to land breeze and sea
towards the earth causing the flag to fly breeze and explains either land
towards the land. This is the sea breeze. breeze or sea breeze.
 During the night, the water which was  Score 2 if the learner state that it
heated slowly, but to a greater depth is due to both land breeze and sea
remains warmer than the land, hence breeze without any explanation.
warms the air above it causing it to rise.  Score 1 if the learner states that it
Cool air blows from the land to replace is due to one of land breeze or sea
the rising air above the sea, causing the breeze only.
flag to flow towards the sea. This is the
land breeze.

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RESPONSES AND SCORING GRID FOR SITUATION ITEM
OUTPUT Relevance (3) Accuracy (3) Coherence (3) Excellence
Written  Scores 3 if  Scores 3 if  Scores 3 if he/she Scores one for
explanation he/she states he/she gives gives six and more mentioning
indicating that the six and more steps of detailed unsolicited for
how density of density steps about information about information
the stone is should be the determination of such as
measured to determined, determinatio the density of the precautions
confirm identifies the n of the stone in order and and the
whether it is formula of density of the how the value possible errors
gold or not. finding stone without obtained should and in the
density, and and be compared with procedure.
indicates the particular the actual density
apparatus order. of gold in order.
without any  Scores 2 if  Scores 2 if he/she
further he/she gives gives four to six
detail. four to six steps of detailed
 Scores 2 if steps about information about
he/she states determinatio determination of
that the n of the the density of the
density density of the stone in order,
should be stone without and how the
determined, any particular obtained value
identifies a order. should be
few  Scores 1 if compared with
apparatuses he/she gives the actual density
without any one to four of gold in order.
further steps about  Scores 1 if he/she
detail. determinatio gives one to four
 Scores 1 if n of the steps of detailed
he/she states density of the information about
that the stone without determination of
density or any particular the density of the
mass should order. stone in order
be without
determined comparing the
without any value with that of
further actual gold.
detail.
END
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 PHYSICS SAMPLE ITEMS S2
Structured/short answer (resource items)

1. A heap of weed of mass 3 tonnes is moving towards the turbines at Jinja power station. A
group of engineers use a machine operating at 20 kW for 5 minutes to remove the weed
from the river as shown in Figure 1 and place it at the bank, which is 15m above the river.

Figure 1
Using the above data, describe the efficiency that the machine used to perform the task. (4
Marks)
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LO for this item: The learner should be able to understand the meaning of machines and
explain how simple machines simplify work

2. During a thunderstorm, a farmer’s cow that was sheltering under a tall tree was struck by
lightning and it fell dead as shown in Figure 2. The community attributed this incidence to
witchcraft.

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 Figure 2
As a student of Physics, use science to explain this incident to the community. (4 Marks)
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LO for this item: The learner should be able to understand everyday effects of static electricity
and explain them in terms of the build-up and transfer of electrical charge.

EXTENDED RESPONSE ITEMS

1. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of apparatus by a learner to investigate the relationship
between the mass of lead shots, m, and the immersion depth, h, of the cylinder. The
learner placed different masses of lead shots in the cylinder and measured the
corresponding immersion depths.

Figure 3

Table 1 shows the immersion depth, h, against mass of lead shots, m.

Table 1
Depth, h (cm) Mass, m (kg)
0 0
5 20
10 60
12 70

Study Figure 3 and Table 1, analyse and interpret them completely so that you make a
conclusion from the data in a write up. (10 Marks)

LOs for this item:

The learner should be able to:
a) understand density and its application to floating and sinking
b) understand the concept of sinking and flotation in terms of forces acting on a body
submerged in a fluid
c) understand and apply the Archimedes’ Principle in different situations.
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2. In some areas, there has been a challenge of structures collapsing before completion and
killing human beings. People have been buried alive under the collapsed buildings.
Security personnel have always blamed site engineers for using substandard materials,
leading to the tumbling down of buildings.

Task

If you were the engineer, prepare a detailed written message about what should be done
to avoid such accidents. (10 Marks)

LOs for this item:

The learner should be able to:
 understand how the mechanical properties of common materials can be utilised in
physical structures.
 understand that the tensile strength of materials is determined by the properties of the
substances they are composed of.
END

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RESPONSES TO RESOURCE ITEMS
Responses Scoring Criteria
1. - Mass, m = 30 tonnes = 30,000 kg, - Award 4 if; formula is stated,
- machine power, P = 20 kW =20,000 W, substitution made, correct answer is
- time, t = 5 min = 300 s, found (even without units) and a
- height, h = 15 m. comment, ‘energy wastage’, is stated.
- Work output, Wo = mgh = 30,000x10x15 = - Award 3; for substitution only without
4,500,000 J. formula, correct answer is found (even
- Work input, Wi = Pt = 20,000x300 = 6,000,000 without units) and a comment, ‘energy
J. wastage’, is stated.
- - Award 2; for the correct answer
without formula and substitution and a
comment, ‘energy wastage’, is stated.
- Award 1; if for energy wastage by the
Since the efficiency is less than 100%, some
machine without formula,
input energy is being wasted and hence the
substitution and the answer.
machine will take longer time to remove the
weed.
2. - During a thunderstorm, the random - Award 4 if the learner; explains that
movement of clouds causes them to rub the clouds get charged by friction, the
against each other. Hence, they acquire concentration of light and heavy ions,
electric charges by friction. collision of ions to form sparks that
- The positive hydrogen ions rise higher to release electrons into earth and high
the sky due to their less weight, while the electron currents from earth that kill
negative hydroxyl ions remain attached to the cow.
the lower clouds. - Award 3; if the learner explains that
- When the negatively charged clouds collide, the clouds get charged by friction,
they produce sparks by releasing high learner identifies the distribution of
electron currents, which find their way to charges and collision of ions to form
the earth through high points on the earth’s sparks that release electron currents
surface. that kill the cow.
- Hence, if a cow is sheltering under a tall - Award 2; if the learner explains that
tree, the tree provides a short route for the the clouds get charged by friction
electrons to the earth. The high electron causing charges that kill the cow.
currents will therefore pass through the - Award 1; if the learner can only state
cow, killing it instantly. that lightning is due to friction of
Hence this is a scientific phenomenon not clouds in air without further
related to witchcraft. explanation.

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POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SITUATIONAL ITEMS

1. - The hypothesis is that the depth of the cylinder increases with increase in the
number of lead shots in the cylinder.
- 2 cm when m = 0.
- A graph of volume against mass for all the quantities in the table

- Gradient = cm g-1.
- cm2.

- cm3.

- Principle of floatation i.e. A floating body displaces its own weight of the fluid
in which it is floating.

Precautions for accuracy

- Ensure that the cylinder is upright.
The water surface should be still (calm).

Scoring Grid
Output Relevance Accuracy Coherence Excellence
A write up The graph Calculating the Step by step Score 1 if the
with  Score 3 if the gradient methods in learner
graphs, learner indicates  Score 3 if the calculating the states any
hypothesi the axes, title, learner volume and unsolicited
s, scale, plots all the calculates the gradient. for
calculatio points, gradient using  Score 3 if the responses
ns irrespective of a formula and learner indicates such as the
analysing what is on the states the units. the procedure for precautions,
the data axes.  Score 2 if the calculating accuracy
 Score 2 if the learner gradient using line etc.
learner indicates calculates the of best fit and
the plotting with gradient states its
scale, but does not without a implication to
indicate title. formula but sinking and
 Score 1 if the states units. floating of ships,
learner indicates  Score 1 if etc.
plotting only with learner states  Score 2 if gradient
no scale and title. gradient is calculated but
without formula with no
and units. conclusion.
 Score 1 if the

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 learner only
indicates the
implication of
the gradient.

Score question 2 using RACE

OUTPUT Relevance Accuracy Coherence Excellence

A write up  Score 3 if the candidate  Score 3 if the  Score 3 if the Score 1 for
message identifies any three or candidate candidate states any
about how more materials that build identifies five the logical flow of unsolicited
to build a strong house such as correct five and more response
safe wood, steel, concrete, materials for construction that adds
buildings glass, cement, etc., and the materials in terms value to the
that do not the site for the building construction in of mixing and write up;
collapse such as avoiding swamps the right setting such as
and the personnel for quantities and procedures. time it
proper construction. the reason why.  Score 3 if the takes for
 Score 2 if the candidate  Score 2 if candidate states the work,
identifies just a few candidate the logical flow of etc.
materials like cement identifies three three to four
and steel, the site of the correct construction
building that can be materials for materials in terms
durable such as avoiding the of mixing and
swamps, etc. construction in setting
 Score 1 if the candidate the right procedures.
identifies /mentions quantities and  Score 1 if the
about the right materials the reason why. candidate states
without mentioning  Score 1 if the the logical flow of
anything about candidate one to two
personnel and site for the identifies any construction
construction. one or two materials in terms
correct of mixing and
materials for setting procedure.
the
construction in
the right
quantities and
the reason why.

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