ST.
PETERS HIGH SCHOOL
BUSABALA
COMPETANCE BASED ASSESSMENT EXAM
BEGINNING OF TERM 1 EXAMS 2025
S.4 BIOLOGY PAPER I
TIME 2 ½ HOURS
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INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Attempt all items
ITEM 1
Fred a farmer in Kitala village established a large tree plantation. His young trees
were growing well but at some point he noticed that a large number of trees were
drying up.
On close examination, he noticed that some of the roots had been destroyed,
bark stripped off from the lower part of the stem. Trees on the hilly areas were
also stunted with yellow leaves while those at the bottom of the hill were taller
with green leaves.
Task
(a) Explain to Fred why some of his trees were drying up, others being stunted
with yellow leaves. ( 6 scores)
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SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 1
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(b) Advice Fred on what he can do to reduce further damage to his trees ( 3
scores)
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ITEM 2.
Derrick a 17 year old boy, who is bright in class. However as a result of his peers,
he started taking alcohol and marijuana which prompted him to always escape
from school, declined in performance, stealing plenty of cash from parents. One
day when the subject teacher Mr.Ssematimba was organizing the class, Derrick
refused to sit at the back insisting that he could not see clearly on the chalk board
while at the back.
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 2
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Task
(a) Explain the reason as to why Derrick insisted not to sit at the back of the
class room when the teacher was pushing him (6 scores)
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(b) What are the likely outcomes of Derrick’s Lifestyle? ( 3 scores)
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SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 3
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(c) What advice can you give him (3 scores)
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ITEM 3
Fifteen years ago, Reign was very small, short and young girl. Last time her
aunt visited their home and found out that she had undergone a lot of changes
allover her body. She noticed that she had added a lot of weight and was very
tall like one of her parents. In her family, the father is very tall while the
mother is very short. Now days her mother oftenly ensures that Reign is at
home to protect her from attempts of early childhood pregnancies and other
reproductive problems.
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 4
SUPPORT MATERIAL
TASK
(a) Using genetic symbols, show how the two parents have contributed to
Reign’s new height ( 4 scores)
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SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 5
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(b) State the developmental changes which Reign has undergone at her tender
age contributing to her new weight. ( 5 scores)
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(c) Explain to Reign the likely effects associated with early childhood
pregnancies and other related reproductive problems encountered by
youth today ( 3 scores )
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SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 6
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SECTION B (Choose 1 item from each part)
PART 1 CHOOSE ONE ITEM
ITEM 4
Many farmers practicing farming in hilly areas in Uganda especially in
Bulambuli are facing many challenges in their farmlands due to landslides that
occurred in that area recently increased washing of top soils to low lying areas
during rainy season. This has greatly affected productivity in such area and
many people have lost their lives.
SUPPORT MATERIAL
TASK
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 7
As a soil scientist, explain to these farmers the likely causes of the above
problem. Advise them on the possible measures that can be used to
overcome the above problem. ( 15 scores)
ITEM 5.
River Mpologoma is covered by thick papyrus vegetation and slow moving
waters. Residents are cutting the papyrus, cultivate along river banks and use
mosquito nets for fishing. Recently, many residents are falling sick and they
complain of reduced fish in the river.
SUPPORT MATERIAL
TASK
(a) Explain how the activities of the residents have caused the challenges
they are facing.
(b) Suggest the possible recommendations to address these challenges. ( 15
scores)
PART II (CHOOSE I ITEM)
ITEM 6
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 8
Fatumah a senior 4 girl was experiencing general body weakness a week
towards school inter-house athletic competitions and thus was scared that
she may not participate in these competitions. The school nurse didn’t find
her with any disease and advised her to first eat before engaging in any
sports activities especially on the competition day, which she did by taking a
meal containing posho and beans.
After resting for about an hour, she felt stronger and managed to even win
her race. However after the competition, Fatumah experienced deep
breathing and muscle pain causing her to walk with a lot of difficulty.
SUPPORT MATERIAL
TASK
Describe the process that led to the success of Sarah and why she
experienced deep breathing and difficulties in walking. How did she
eventually recover? (15 scores).
ITEM 7
John, whose mother has hepatitis B was involved in a motor accident. He hit
his head, lost a lot of blood and became unconscious. He rushed to a nearby
health center IV where they found that he is of blood group AB and also had
injured his kidneys. The doctor advised that John should undergo blood
transfusion in addition to other medication.
The health Centre did not have blood but John’s relative with safe blood
were willing to donate blood to save his life. However, they were confused
as to who of them could donate blood.
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 9
Table 1 below shows groups of John’s available relatives.
Relative of John Blood group
Cousin A
Mother B
Sister AB
Brother O
SUPPORT MATERIAL
TASK
(a) Explain how the accident affected the functioning of John’s body.
(b) Without referring John to another hospital, suggest with reasons, which
relative could donate blood to John. ( 15 scores)
END
DONOT GIVE UP, U’RE ALMOST THERE.
SSEMATIMBA GODFREY 0756341741 B.O.T EXAMS 2025 pg. 10
