SHS

11

REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST

EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE

Direction. Read and understand each item carefully. Choose the letter of the
best answer. Write your answer on your answer sheet.

1. What is the role of the core in sustaining life on our planet?

a. It facilitates the movement of the magma.
b. It regulates the temperature inside the earth.
c. It supplies people with enough iron to fight common diseases.
d. It creates a magnetic field that protects living things from cosmic
rays.

2. Which type of rock is formed from sediments over a long period of time?
a. extrusive igneous c. metamorphic
b. intrusive igneous d. sedimentary

3. Which of the following is the hardest mineral?

a. diamond c. fluoride
b. calcite d. talc

4. What is the process by which sediments settle down in a particular area?

a. Deformation c. transport
b. Deposition d. weathering

5. What do you call the phenomenon in which materials are ejected from the
earth’s interior onto the surface?
a. mass wasting c. volcanism
b. tectonic d. weathering

6. What occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other?
a. convergent c. subduction
b. divergent d. transform

7. What law of stratigraphy states that the rocks at the bottom layer are older
than the topmost layer?
a. Cross-cutting relations c. Superposition
b. Horizontality d. Unconformities

8. Which of the following hazards may happen if an earthquake occurs?

a. flooding c. tsunami
b. storm surge d. sinkhole

9. Which coastal hazard is caused by wave action which dissolves chemicals

in rocks?
a. coastal erosion c. submersion
b. salt intrusion d. tidal current

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

10. The “seed” of life exists all over the universe and can be propagated
through space. This was presumed by which theory?
a. Divine creation
b. Extraterrestrial origin
c. Origin from nonliving matter
d. Panspermia

11. What are the first vertebrates on land which evolved from bony fishes
at about 350 MYA?
a. amphibians c. mammals
b. dinosaurs d. reptiles

12. Which unifying theme explains the relationships among various groups
of living organisms?
a. evolution c. interacting systems
b. flow of energy d. levels of organization

13. Which of the following animals is reproduced by fragmentation?

a. Frog c. jellyfish
b. hydra d. starfish

14. What is the step in genetic engineering in plants where it separates the
single gene of interest to make thousands of copies?
a. DNA extraction c. Gene insertion
b. Gene cloning d. Plant transformation

15. What are the most common GMOs used for medical and industrial
benefits?
a. bacteria c. animals
b. plants d. human

16. Which of the following is a muscular organ that churns and chemically
digests food?
a. esophagus c. pancreas
b. liver d. stomach

17. The appendages of vertebrate animals have the same evolutionary

origin. As they progress, the animals develop differently in response to
the function of their appendages. What evidence of evolution is being
described?
a. Embryology c. genetics
b. homologous structures d. vestigial structures

18. What is the role of a predator in the ecosystem?

a. compete with herbivores for food
b. control the population of its prey
c. eradicate its prey
d. maintain the balance

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

19. Earth is the only planet in the solar system that supports life. Which of
the following best explains the statement?
a. The earth rotates on its axis.
b. The earth is exposed to the sun’s rays.
c. The Earth has a breathable atmosphere.
d. The Earth has only one moon that orbits around it.

20. Which of the following statements is the function of the hydrosphere?

a. Absorbs and interacts with harmful solar rays.
b. Controls the distribution of minerals, rocks, and soil.
c. Redirects the rotation of the planet.
d. Sustains life forms by regulating heat on earth.

21. Which of the following is TRUE about rocks?

a. Coal is not considered a rock.
b. Most rocks are a mixture of minerals.
c. Rocks are composed of only one mineral.
d. Rocks do not contain minerals.

22. Which of the following CANNOT be considered as a role of gravity in

erosion?
a. It moves glaciers down a slope.
b. It loosens the land materials.
c. In mountains, it moves down large slabs of rocks.
d. It acts as an agent of mass wasting like landslides.

23. Subduction results in the formation of a chain of volcanoes. Which of

the following subduction zones are marked topographically by a long,
linear, deep portion of the ocean floor?
a. continental volcanic arc c. trench
b. island arc d. volcanic arc

24. Which of the following statements describes the Cenozoic era?

a. age of the dinosaurs c. age of the Cambrian explosion
b. age of mammals d. age of complex organisms

25. The PHILVOLCS released guidelines on how to describe the intensity of

an earthquake. Which of the following describes the effect of an
earthquake under intensity no. II?
a. Hanging objects swing moderately.
b. Hanging objects swing slightly.
c. Hanging objects swing considerably.
d. Hanging objects swing violently.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

26. PAGASA has been issuing Public Storm Warning (PSW) to warn the
public of special weather conditions related to an incoming tropical
cyclone. Which of the following describes the impact of the wind under
Public Storm Signal No. 3?

a. A few big trees may be uprooted.

b. Many coconut trees may be broken.
c. Many large trees may be uprooted.
d. Twigs and branches of small trees may be broken.

27. A color-coded storm surge warning is now included in the tropical

storm forecast and bulletin issued by PAGASA. If the bulletin states
an orange warning, which of the following describes the warning?
a. flooding is possible. c. no flooding
b. flooding is threatening. d. serious flooding

28. Which of the following theories of life states the extraterrestrial

origin?
a. life came from the seed
b. life came from inanimate objects
c. life came from divine forces
d. life came from other planets

29. From the major biological events since 4.5 BYA which of the
following came first?
a. bacteria diversify c. oldest rocks
b. diverse and abundant bacteria d. photosynthesis begins

30. Which of the following statements is the sequence that represents

the hierarchy of biological organization from the least to the most
complex level?
a. organism, community, biosphere, molecule, tissue, organ
b. organelle, tissue, biosphere, ecosystem, population, organism
c. cell, community, population, organ system, molecule, organelle
d. molecule, cell, organ system, population, ecosystem, biosphere

31. Which sequence shows the correct order of events that occur after
an insect pollinates a flower?
a. fertilization, germination, pollination
b. germination, fertilization, pollination
c. pollination, germination, fertilization
d. pollination, fertilization, fertilization

32. Which of the following explains why genetic information must be

copied?
a. DNA is a double helix
b. DNA cannot leave the nucleus.
c. mRNA passes out of the nucleus.
d. proteins must be synthesized.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

33. Organisms produced by genetic engineering are different from
organisms produced by sexual reproduction because
_______________.

a. better and more fertile offspring are produced

b. chemicals are used
c. defective genes are replaced
d. they do not undergo fertilization

34. Which of the following best illustrates positive feedback in

maintaining homeostasis?
a. birthing process
b. pancreas releases insulin
c. regulates body temperature
d. secretion of hormones

35. Which of the following best describes Darwin’s Theory of Natural

Selection? Living things…
a. that produce more offspring have lower chances of surviving.
b. of survival decreases with the help of good genes.
c. of survival are low.
d. have variations.
36. Which of the following chemical factors directly affect the
ecosystem?
a. amount of suspended solid materials
b. inorganic substances
c. level of dissolved oxygen
d. organic compounds

37. Which chemical reactions in rocks describe the dissolution process?

a. absorption of water into the crystal structure of the mineral.
b. halite dissolves rapidly in pure water.
c. reaction of oxygen with minerals in the rocks.
d. reaction of water with the minerals in the rocks.
38. Tectonic forces operating inside the earth cause rocks to undergo
deformation. How are shear deformation formed?
a. formed when the dominant force is directed towards each other.
b. formed when the dominant force is directed away from each other.
c. formed when the two dominant forces are directed towards each
other.
d. formed when the two dominant force is directed away from each
other.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

39. The age of the fossil is equal to the age of the rock on which it is
found. However, not all fossils can be used as index fossils to
represent a time interval. Ideally, which among these properties
describes an index fossil?
a. must have hard parts which favor fossilization.
b. must have lived a long period of time
c. must have a good distribution
d. must have lived all over the planet.

40. Volcanic eruptions have caused deaths and destruction throughout

Earth’s history. Different geophysical methods may be used to
predict volcanic activity. Which among the following is the change
due to fluctuation in the volume of the magma?
a. change in elevation c. change in slope
b. change in water level d. change in temperature

41. Which is the correct order (from the smallest to the largest) of the
given structures below?
(1) cell (2) organism (3) organ system (4)tissue

a. 4,1,2,3 c. 3,4 2,1

b. 2,3,1,4 d. 1, 4,3,2

42. Why is reproduction involving a stolon considered a vegetative type

of reproduction?
a. The stem grows rapidly.
b. The stem grows horizontally along the surface of the ground.
c. The stem may afford some protection from the sun’s rays.
d. The stem is bulky, short, and vertical and contains stored foods.

43. Which of the following is the first event that takes place during DNA
transcription?
a. nucleotide sequence along DNA is copied into a strand of an
mRNA molecule.
b. the mRNA ribonucleotides complement the exposed bases of the
DNA.
c. the DNA uncoils and exposes a strand ready for transcription.
d. the RNA polymerase creates a strand of RNA molecule.

44. GMOs improve the economy by producing more nutritious food

plants. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of GMOs?
a. enable crops to survive high soil salinity.
b. GMOs were linked to gluten disorder.
c. increases the nutritive value of plants.
d. protects crops against damage caused by insect pests.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

45. How does global warming affect organisms in an ecosystem?
a. It can cause many respiratory diseases.
b. It can cause infection.
c. Inability to adapt to extremely high temperatures.
d. Organisms transfer to other habitats.

46. What energy resources are not easily replenished by the

environment?
a. Eolic c. Non-Renewable
b. Chemical d. Renewable

For no. 47.

Profile A Profile B Profile C
Vesicular basalt Sandstone Mudstone
Sandstone Conglomerate Sandstone
Limestone Volcanic Tuff Coquina
Sandstone Coal Sandstone
Andesite Shale Schist

47. From the given table above, how can the theory of superposition
be illustrated?
a. Vesicular basalt is the oldest rock in Profile A.
b. Conglomerate is the second older rock in Profile B.
c. Schist is the oldest rock in Profile C.
d. Coquina is the third younger rock in Profile C.

48. Barangay Mabinit is situated in Legazpi City near the foot of Mt.
Mayon which is prone to risks and hazards during volcanic
eruption. How can you mitigate in times of hazard?
a. Clear the pathways and canals from ashes and debris.
b. If trapped, call for rescue immediately.
c. Know the evacuation plan of your local community.
d. Stay away from damaged power lines.

49. Which of the following precautionary measures or interventions

should be done DURING a typhoon?
a. Know when and where the typhoon is going to hit.
b. Seek medical help if there are injuries.
c. Stay inside the house.
d. Check your surrounding if there are things needed to be
repaired.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

50. How does a storm surge occur?
a. Overflow of water that submerges the land.
b. Seasonal wind patterns are characterized by heavy rainfall and
changes in atmospheric pressure.
c. Tropical storm generates storm surge from the drag of wind
over the water and low barometric pressure.
d. Triggered by prolonged rainfall due to monsoon.

51. How can gene flow occur in a population?

a. transfer of alleles from one population to another population.
b. transfer of alleles from the same population.
c. transfer of alleles from one population.
d. transfer of alleles from many populations.

52. Which statement below explains why decomposers are useful to the
biosphere as do producers?
a. decomposers in a biotic community consist mostly of bacteria,
fungi, and some other organisms.
b. decomposers return materials to the environment through
decaying or dead organisms.
c. producers bring materials from the environment into the
biosphere through photosynthesis
d. a cyclic flow of materials from the environment into the biosphere
and back to the environment.

53. The following are important for coastal and marine ecosystems
EXCEPT for:
a. breeding places of most fish species.
b. provides relaxation and enjoyment to diving enthusiasts.
c. source of livelihood of coastal inhabitants.
d. source of mangrove for fuel and coral for trade.

54. The following activities are meant to develop sustainable forest

ecosystems EXCEPT
a. agroforestry
b. over gazing system
c. tree planting programs
d. replace ten seedlings for every tree cut down.

55. How can we prevent or lessen the environmental impact that results
from the use, extraction, and exploitation of mineral resources?
a. conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of ecosystems
b. extraction of mineral resources
c. management of natural resources
d. recycling and resisting the urge to acquire new commodities
which are not necessary.

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science

56. The following are the impacts of plate tectonics in the future EXCEPT
a. Plate tectonics has an impact on longer-term climate patterns.
b. Plate tectonics changes ocean current patterns.
c. Plate tectonics changes the heat distribution over the planet.
d. Plate tectonics will sustain the evolution and speciation of
animals.
57. Why is there a need to add probiotics to one’s diet?
a. Probiotics counteract the effects of poor diet, antibiotics, and
stress.
b. Probiotics prevent constipation and maintain a healthy weight.
c. Probiotics draw water into the colon.
d. Probiotics prevent indigestion.

58. Lita is a senior high school student. She wants to help in the
preservation of the ecosystem in her little way. Which of the following
advocacies will you recommend to achieve her goal immediately?
a. No to Mining
b. Reduce the use of chemical pesticides
c. Tree planting
d. Use of renewable sources of energy

59. In this statement, “the more diverse the ecosystem, the more resilient and
stable it is because every species has its role in making the
ecosystem stable”. Which of the following unifying themes pertain to
the given statement?
a. balance of nature
b. change
c. diversity and stability
d. finiteness of resources

60. If you are given the chance to lead a group that would initiate activities
that would take good care of the natural environment. Which of the
following activities will you conduct considering no financial
resources are needed?
a. Coastal Clean-Up
b. Household gardening
c. Mangrove Planting
d. Tangod Ko, Linig Ko

Regional Achievement Test - Earth and Life Science