ICSE Class 9 Biology · Exam Practice

Biology Practice Paper — Set 1

Biology Practice Paper — Set 1. ICSE Class 9 Biology, covering the cell, tissues, five kingdom classification, nutrition and the digestive system, respiration, skeleton, flower, pollination, seeds and health, with a full answer key and worked solutions.

🎯 Full Marks: 50⏱️ Time: 1½ Hours📝 Questions: 30
SectionType of questionsQsMarks
AMultiple Choice Questions1010
BFill in the Blanks & True / False88
CShort Answer Questions816
DProblem Solving416
Total3050
Before you start
  • This paper samples across the ICSE Class 9 Biology chapters on MuskMeadow: the cell, tissues, five kingdom classification, nutrition and the digestive system, respiration, skeleton, flower, pollination, seeds and health.
  • Attempt the paper first, without looking at the answer key at the bottom of the page.
  • Show your working for Sections C and D — method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
  • This is a MuskMeadow practice paper. It is not an official CISCE paper and its mark scheme does not copy the board's exact pattern.
10 MARKS

Section A — Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct option. (1 mark each)

1. The “powerhouse” of the cell is the

A. ribosomeB. mitochondrionC. Golgi bodyD. vacuole

2. The plant cell wall is mainly made of

A. celluloseB. proteinC. starchD. chitin

3. Deficiency of vitamin C causes

A. ricketsB. scurvyC. night blindnessD. beriberi

4. The enzyme present in saliva is

A. pepsinB. amylase (ptyalin)C. lipaseD. trypsin

5. Exchange of gases in the lungs takes place in the

A. tracheaB. bronchiC. alveoliD. larynx

6. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the

A. stigma to the ovaryB. anther to the stigmaC. ovule to the antherD. petal to the sepal

7. The five kingdom classification was proposed by

A. LinnaeusB. WhittakerC. DarwinD. Mendel

8. The number of bones in an adult human body is

A. 106B. 206C. 306D. 156

9. Which disease is caused by bacteria?

A. TuberculosisB. InfluenzaC. DengueD. Common cold

10. Water and minerals are conducted upwards in plants by the

A. phloemB. xylemC. cambiumD. epidermis
8 MARKS

Section B — Fill in the Blanks & True / False

Fill in each blank, or write True / False. (1 mark each)

11. The basic structural and functional unit of life is the ______.

12. Fungi are autotrophs. (   )

13. The outermost protective layer of a plant is called the ______.

14. Iron deficiency in the diet causes anaemia. (   )

15. The knee is an example of a ______ joint.

16. The headquarters of the World Health Organisation is in ______.

17. Seed germination requires water, oxygen and a suitable temperature. (   )

18. Yeast ferments sugar to produce alcohol and ______.

16 MARKS

Section C — Short Answer Questions

Show your working. (2 marks each)

19. State two differences between a plant cell and an animal cell.

20. State two functions of bile.

21. Define pollination.

22. State two functions of the skin.

23. Name two diseases caused by protozoa.

24. What is a balanced diet?

25. What is the role of the diaphragm in breathing?

26. Name two methods of managing solid waste.

16 MARKS

Section D — Problem Solving

Show all steps. (4 marks each)

27. Write the equation of aerobic respiration in plants and name the organelle where it occurs. How does fermentation differ from it?

28. List the organs of the human alimentary canal in order. How is the small intestine adapted for absorption?

29. Name the main parts of a seed and state the three conditions needed for germination.

30. Name the five kingdoms of classification and give one example of each.

ICSE Class 9 Biology · Biology Practice Paper — Set 1 · Answer Key

Answers & Worked Solutions

Check your paper, then read the solutions for the questions you missed.

Section A — Multiple Choice Questions (10 marks)
Q1. B. mitochondrion

Mitochondria release energy (ATP) from food during respiration.

Q2. A. cellulose

Plant cell walls are made of cellulose; fungal walls contain chitin.

Q3. B. scurvy

Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy (bleeding gums, slow healing).

Q4. B. amylase (ptyalin)

Salivary amylase begins the digestion of starch to maltose in the mouth.

Q5. C. alveoli

Thin-walled, blood-rich alveoli give a large surface for gas exchange.

Q6. B. anther to the stigma

Pollen moves from the anther to the stigma of a flower.

Q7. B. Whittaker

R. H. Whittaker proposed five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.

Q8. B. 206

An adult skeleton has 206 bones.

Q9. A. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium; influenza, dengue and the common cold are viral.

Q10. B. xylem

Xylem carries water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Section B — Fill in the Blanks & True / False (8 marks)
Q11. cell

All living organisms are made of cells.

Q12. False

Fungi lack chlorophyll and are heterotrophs (saprophytes or parasites).

Q13. epidermis

The epidermis protects the plant and reduces water loss.

Q14. True

Iron is needed to make haemoglobin; its lack leads to anaemia.

Q15. hinge

A hinge joint allows movement in one plane, like a door hinge.

Q16. Geneva

WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Q17. True

These are the three basic external requirements for germination.

Q18. carbon dioxide

C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ (anaerobic respiration).

Section C — Short Answer Questions (16 marks)
Q19. Cell wall, chloroplasts and large vacuole in plant cells
  1. Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts; animal cells have neither.
  2. Plant cells have a large central vacuole; animal cells have small or no vacuoles.
Q20. Emulsifies fats; neutralises acid
  1. Bile breaks large fat globules into tiny droplets (emulsification), helping lipase act.
  2. It makes the food from the stomach alkaline for enzymes in the small intestine.
Q21. Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma
  1. Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
  2. It can be by wind, insects, water or animals.
Q22. Protection and temperature regulation
  1. It protects the body from germs, injury and ultraviolet rays.
  2. It helps regulate body temperature (sweating) and contains touch receptors.
Q23. Malaria and amoebic dysentery
  1. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium.
  2. Amoebic dysentery is caused by Entamoeba histolytica.
Q24. A diet with all nutrients in correct proportions
  1. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water and fibre.
  2. The amounts suit a person’s age, activity and health.
Q25. Contracts and flattens to draw air in
  1. During inhalation the diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing the chest volume.
  2. During exhalation it relaxes and rises, pushing air out.
Q26. Segregation and composting
  1. Segregating waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable lets each be treated properly.
  2. Biodegradable waste can be composted; other waste can be recycled.
Section D — Problem Solving (16 marks)
Q27. C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy; mitochondria
  1. Aerobic respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy, mainly in the mitochondria.
  2. Fermentation (anaerobic): C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ + a little energy.
  3. It needs no oxygen and releases much less energy than aerobic respiration.
Q28. Mouth → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → anus
  1. Order: mouth → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → rectum → anus.
  2. The small intestine is long and coiled, giving a large surface area.
  3. Its inner wall has finger-like villi with a rich blood supply, which absorb digested food into the blood.
Q29. Seed coat, cotyledons, embryo (radicle + plumule); water, oxygen, suitable temperature
  1. Parts: seed coat (testa and tegmen), cotyledon(s) with stored food and the embryo (radicle and plumule).
  2. Germination needs water to swell the seed, oxygen for respiration and a suitable temperature.
  3. The radicle grows into the root and the plumule into the shoot.
Q30. Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
  1. Monera – bacteria; Protista – Amoeba.
  2. Fungi – yeast or mushroom; Plantae – mango tree.
  3. Animalia – human being. Whittaker proposed this scheme.
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