Biology past questions: WAEC SSCE 2023

50 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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50 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

1.
A group of organisms belonging to different species that coexist in the same habitat and interact is referred to as
1. A.community
2. B.biosphere
3. C.niche
4. D.population
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Answer: A community
2.
A Rhesus negative woman may experience stillbirth of the second child that is Rhesus positive because
1. A.the foetus is deprived of nourishment
2. B.they have poor circulatory system
3. C.the blood of the foetus might clump
4. D.the woman is susceptible to diseases during pregnancy
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Answer: C the blood of the foetus might clump
3.
A sudden change in the genetic composition of an organism is termed
1. A.mutation
2. B.linkage
3. C.variation
4. D.epistasis
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Answer: A mutation
4.
A vestigial structure in humans is
1. A.earlobe
2. B.gallbladder
3. C.tailbone
4. D.villus
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Answer: C tailbone
5.
An example of a process that involves osmosis is the
1. A.movement of water from root hairs into cortical cell
2. B.reabsorption of food nutrients from the kidney into blood capillaries
3. C.translocation of starch from leaves to all parts of a plant
4. D.movement of digested food from ileum into blood capillaries
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Answer: A movement of water from root hairs into cortical cell
6.
Fishes survive in water mainly because they possess
1. A.streamlined body
2. B.scales
3. C.paired fins
4. D.gills
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Answer: D gills
7.
Growth in animals differs from that in plants because growth in
1. A.plants is indefinite
2. B.plants is intercalary
3. C.animals is apical
4. D.plants is from within
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Answer: A plants is indefinite
8.
Organisms that feed on dead, decaying tissues of other organisms are known as
1. A.saprophytes
2. B.autotrophs
3. C.parasites
4. D.heterotrophs
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Answer: A saprophytes
9.
Paternity disputes could be resolved accurately through
1. A.finger printing
2. B.tongue rolling
3. C.DNA test
4. D.blood group
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Answer: C DNA test
10.
Placentation in fruits is referred to as the
1. A.arrangement of ovules in the ovary of a flower
2. B.part of the ovary where the ovules originate and remain till maturity
3. C.ovules borne on a central column of tissues in an ovary
4. D.formation of a single carpel joined at the two edges of an ovule
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Answer: A arrangement of ovules in the ovary of a flower
11.
Study the list of organisms below and use them to answer the questions. I-Hydra II-Owl III-Snake IV-Snail The arrangement of the organisms in order of increasing complexity is
1. A.II-III-I-IV
2. B.I-IV-III - II
3. C.I-II-III-IV
4. D.IV-III-II - I
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Answer: B I-IV-III - II
12.
Study the list of organisms below and use them to answer the questions. I-Hydra II-Owl III-Snake IV-Snail The Phylum of the organism labeled IV is
1. A.Platyhelminthes
2. B.mollusca
3. C.Arthropoda
4. D.Coelenterata
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Answer: B mollusca
13.
Stunted growth and small yellow leaves in plants are symptoms of the deficiencies of
1. A.nitrogen
2. B.iron
3. C.sulphur
4. D.magnesium
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Answer: B iron
14.
The ability of organisms to maintain a constant internal environment is known as
1. A.diuresis
2. B.plasmolysis
3. C.endosmosis
4. D.homeostasis
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Answer: D homeostasis
15.
The androecium in a flowering plant is a collection of
1. A.stamens
2. B.sperms
3. C.ovules
4. D.filament
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Answer: A stamens
16.
The capturing and digestion of insects by a pitcher plant is a special form of nutrition that is
1. A.heterotrophic
2. B.saprophytic
3. C.chemosynthetic
4. D.autotrophic
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Answer: A heterotrophic
17.
The diagram above is an illustration of a cell in which photosynthesis takes place. Study it and answer the question In which of the labeled parts would molecules of water and carbon (IV) oxide combine to form sugar?
1. A.I
2. B.III
3. C.II
4. D.IV
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Answer: D IV
18.
The diagram above is an illustration of a cell in which photosynthesis takes place. Study it and answer the question. the oxygen gas formed in the cell diffuses out of the cytoplasm into the air spaces through the part labeled
1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.III
4. D.IV
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Answer: C III
19.
The diagram above is an illustration of a mango leaf drawn by a student in a Biology test. The student failed the test. Study it and answer the question. The likely reason why the student failed the test was that the
1. A.labels were wrong and the guidelines were not touching the structures
2. B.net venation shown were few, rough, not properly drawn and wrongly placed
3. C.leaf venation should have been parallel and the midrib should be thicker
4. D.leaf was too tapered at the apex, the leaf stalk was too short and the shape of leaf was wrong
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Answer: A labels were wrong and the guidelines were not touching the structures
20.
The diagram above is an illustration of a structure in the skeletal system of humans. Study it and answer the question the illustrated structure is a part of the
1. A.appendicular skeleton
2. B.axial skeleton
3. C.axis vertebrae
4. D.cervical vertebrae
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Answer: B axial skeleton
21.
The diagram above is an illustration of some structures used for gaseous exchange in humans. Study it and answer the question the part labeled III can be found in the
1. A.lung
2. B.heart
3. C.kidney
4. D.sternum
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Answer: A lung
22.
The diagram above is an illustration of some structures used for gaseous exchange in humans. Study it and answer the question The parts labeled 1, II, III, and IV respectively are
1. A.larynx, bronchus, bronchiole and trachea.
2. B.bronchus, bronchiole, trachea and larynx.
3. C.bronchiole, trachea, bronchus and larynx.
4. D.larynx, trachea, bronchiole, and bronchus.
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Answer: D larynx, trachea, bronchiole, and bronchus.
23.
The diagram below is an illustration of a mango leaf drawn by a student in a Biology test. The student failed the test. Study it and answer the question. which features of the diagram would have earned the student more marks if shown
1. A.colour and size
2. B.spelling of label and length of midrib
3. C.habitat and agricultural qualities of leaf
4. D.title and margin
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Answer: D title and margin
24.
The diagram below is an illustration of a structure in the skeletal system of humans. Study it and answer the question An individual was involved in a car accident and the illustrated structure was badly injured. Which of the following structures would most likely be affected?
1. A.Clavicle, tongue and pelvis
2. B.Eye, cerebellum and ear
3. C.Ear, brain and hinge joint
4. D.Lumbar, eye and teeth
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Answer: B Eye, cerebellum and ear
25.
The diagrams above are illustrations of forms in which a particular group of organisms exist. Study them and answer the question. in which of the illustrated forms does the organism that causes cholera exist?
1. A.III
2. B.II
3. C.IV
4. D.V
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Answer: D V
26.
The diagrams above are illustrations of forms in which a particular group of organisms exist. Study them and answer the question. Which group of organisms is illustrated?
1. A.protozoa
2. B.viruses
3. C.fungi
4. D.bacteria
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Answer: D bacteria
27.
The diagrams below are illustrations of organisms in a habitat. Study them and answer the question, The feeding relationship between the organisms labelled III and IV in the diagrams is
1. A.predation
2. B.mutualism
3. C.parasitism
4. D.saprophytism
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Answer: A predation
28.
The diagrams below are illustrations of organisms in a habitat. Study them and answer the question, the producer in the diagram is
1. A.IV because it is the largest organism in the diagram
2. B.IV because it is the organism that receives the highest amount of sunlight
3. C.I because it uses sunlight to manufacture food
4. D.I because it contains the least amount of energy
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Answer: C I because it uses sunlight to manufacture food
29.
The eye defect caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea or lens or both is
1. A.myopia
2. B.presbyopia
3. C.astigmatism
4. D.hypermetropia
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Answer: C astigmatism
30.
The following activities are associated with termites except
1. A.nuptial flight
2. B.searching for food
3. C.communication
4. D.pollination
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Answer: D pollination
31.
The food substance that would produce the highest amount of energy is
1. A.protein
2. B.amino acid
3. C.fat
4. D.glucose
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Answer: C fat
32.
The illustration above is a genetic diagram. Study it and answer the question below What do the labels I, II, III, and IV respectively represent?
1. A.Ee, Ee, EE and E
2. B.EE, EE, Ee, and Ee
3. C.EE, EE, EE and EE
4. D.EE, EE, Ee and ee
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Answer: B EE, EE, Ee, and Ee
33.
The illustration above is a genetic diagram. Study it and answer the question below. What is the name of the genetic diagram?
1. A.Genetic square
2. B.Inheritance diagram
3. C.Punnett square
4. D.Genetic cross
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Answer: C Punnett square
34.
The illustration above is a genetic diagram. Study it and answer the question What is the genotypic ratio
1. A.1:1
2. B.4:0
3. C.1:3
4. D.1:2:1
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Answer: A 1:1
35.
The mouthparts of a grasshopper are adapted for
1. A.sucking
2. B.chewing
3. C.grinding
4. D.absorption
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Answer: B chewing
36.
The rate of decomposition of dead organisms is faster in the tropical rainforest than in other biomes because
1. A.of consistent cool temperature
2. B.of availability of moisture
3. C.of the relatively constant day light
4. D.there are more plants
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Answer: B of availability of moisture
37.
The structure that its action could result in choking when talking and eating at the same time is
1. A.oesophagus
2. B.epiglottis
3. C.pharynx
4. D.liver
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Answer: B epiglottis
38.
The tricuspid valve is located between the
1. A.right auricle and right ventricle
2. B.aorta and the left ventricle
3. C.left auricle and left ventricle
4. D.right auricle and the superior vena cava
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Answer: A right auricle and right ventricle
39.
The type of nutrition in which organisms take solid organic materials into their body is
1. A.parasitic
2. B.holozoic
3. C.saprophytic
4. D.symbiotic
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Answer: B holozoic
40.
Use the information below to answer the question I - making shoes from crocodile skin II - making tables with plastic III - using elephant tusk for decoration IV - using firewood for cooking In order to avoid some of the acts that would have negative effects on conservation. Government should
1. A.encourage over-utilization of forest resources
2. B.enact and enforce laws towards conservation of resources
3. C.encourage indiscriminate killing of wildlife
4. D.promote felling of trees without planting new ones
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Answer: B enact and enforce laws towards conservation of resources
41.
Use the information below to answer the question I - making shoes from crocodile skin II - making tables with plastic III - using elephant tusk for decoration IV - using firewood for cooking The act that should be encouraged for the conservation of wildlife and forests is
1. A.III
2. B.IV
3. C.II
4. D.I
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Answer: C II
42.
What is the probability that a pregnancy would result in a male child?
1. A.\(\frac{3}{4}\)
2. B.\(\frac{1}{2}\)
3. C.1
4. D.\(\frac{1}{4}\)
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Answer: B \(\frac{1}{2}\)
43.
Which of the following activities is against the conservation of natural resources?
1. A.Contour ploughing
2. B.establishment of game reserves
3. C.deforestation
4. D.afforestation
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Answer: C deforestation
44.
Which of the following characteristics shows discontinuous variation in plants?
1. A.Colour of flower
2. B.Leaf size
3. C.Height of plant
4. D.fruit size
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Answer: A Colour of flower
45.
Which of the following factors is the main problem facing xerophytes?
1. A.Conservation of excess water
2. B.competition for sunlight
3. C.lack of adequate water
4. D.formation of poor roots
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Answer: C lack of adequate water
46.
Which of the following hormones is wrongly paired with its secretory organ?
1. A.oestrogen and ovary
2. B.Oxytocin and hypothalamus
3. C.adrenalin and kidney
4. D.insulin and pancreas
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Answer: C adrenalin and kidney
47.
Which of the following instruments is not used in measuring abiotic factors in a habitat?
1. A.microscope
2. B.Wind vane
3. C.thermometer
4. D.hygrometer
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Answer: A microscope
48.
Which of the following organisms would be the producer in a food chain?
1. A.Goat
2. B.maize
3. C.man
4. D.bacterium
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Answer: B maize
49.
Which of the following processes does not occur during photosynthesis?
1. A.Energy from sunlight is absorbed
2. B.Carbon (IV) oxide is evolved
3. C.oxygen is evolved
4. D.water is split
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Answer: B Carbon (IV) oxide is evolved
50.
Which of the following soil types have a high capillarity?
1. A.Sand and clay
2. B.loam and sand
3. C.silt and sand
4. D.silt and clay
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Answer: D silt and clay

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