I85PREP
⌘ K
Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination - Science study materials
Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination - Science study resources

Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination - Science practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Shimane Public High School Entrance Examination - Science understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Which statement about inertia is correct?

  1. An object at rest always starts moving on its own.
  2. An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted on by a net force. Correct answer.
  3. Inertia only applies to moving objects.
  4. Heavier objects have less inertia.

Explanation

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes to its state of motion; an object at rest stays at rest unless a net force acts.

Question 2Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

The unit of work in SI is the joule. Which combination of units equals one joule?

  1. N/m
  2. kg·m
  3. N·s
  4. N·m Correct answer.

Explanation

Work = force × distance, so 1 J = 1 N × 1 m = 1 N·m.

Question 3Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

A ball is dropped from rest. Neglecting air resistance, as it falls its kinetic energy ____ and its potential energy ____.

  1. increases; stays constant
  2. decreases; increases
  3. increases; decreases Correct answer.
  4. stays constant; increases

Explanation

As the ball falls, speed (and thus kinetic energy) increases while height (and thus gravitational potential energy) decreases; mechanical energy is conserved.

Question 4Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Which of the following is a correct statement about electric current in a simple circuit?

  1. Current is measured in volts.
  2. Current is the flow of electric charge and is measured in amperes. Correct answer.
  3. Current is used up as it passes through a lamp, so less returns to the battery.
  4. Current is a type of light.

Explanation

Electric current is the flow of electric charge, with the ampere (A) as its SI unit.

Question 5Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Two resistors of 3 Ω and 6 Ω are connected in parallel. What is the total resistance?

  1. 2 Ω Correct answer.
  2. 9 Ω
  3. 0.5 Ω
  4. 18 Ω

Explanation

Parallel: 1/R = 1/3 + 1/6 = 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6 = 1/2, so R = 2 Ω.

Question 6Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Which type of wave is sound?

  1. A longitudinal wave that can travel in a vacuum
  2. A longitudinal wave that needs a medium Correct answer.
  3. A transverse wave that can travel in a vacuum
  4. A transverse wave that needs a medium

Explanation

Sound is a longitudinal wave (particles vibrate parallel to the direction of travel) and requires a medium; it cannot travel in a vacuum.

Question 7Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Light strikes a flat mirror at an angle of 30° to the mirror surface. What is the angle of reflection (measured from the mirror surface)?

  1. 90°
  2. 30° Correct answer.
  3. 60°
  4. 0°

Explanation

The law of reflection: the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence (both measured from the mirror surface), so it is 30°.

Question 8Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

Which correctly describes the relationship between pitch and frequency?

  1. Pitch depends on amplitude.
  2. Frequency and pitch are unrelated.
  3. Higher frequency means higher pitch. Correct answer.
  4. Higher frequency means lower pitch.

Explanation

Pitch is how high or low a sound is perceived, and it corresponds to frequency: higher frequency → higher pitch.

Question 9Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

A permanent magnet is cut in half through its middle. Each piece will have ____.

  1. Only a north pole
  2. Only a south pole
  3. No magnetic poles
  4. A north pole and a south pole Correct answer.

Explanation

Magnetic monopoles do not exist; cutting a magnet always yields two complete magnets, each with a north and a south pole.

Question 10Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

A compass needle points roughly north because Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet. The end of the needle that points north is a ____.

  1. Neutral pole
  2. Magnetic north pole Correct answer.
  3. Electric charge
  4. Magnetic south pole

Explanation

The compass needle's north-seeking end is its magnetic north pole; it is attracted to Earth's geographic North, which is a magnetic south region - but the needle end itself is a magnetic north pole.

Question 11Physics: measurements, energy and circuits

An object is placed 2 m in front of a plane mirror. How far behind the mirror does the image appear?

  1. 1 m
  2. 4 m
  3. 0 m
  4. 2 m Correct answer.

Explanation

A plane mirror forms a virtual image the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front: 2 m.

Question 12Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

The atomic number of an element is determined by the number of ____.

  1. Neutrons in the nucleus
  2. Protons plus neutrons
  3. Electrons in the outer shell
  4. Protons in the nucleus Correct answer.

Explanation

The atomic number equals the number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.

Question 13Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Which of the following is a compound?

  1. Gold (Au)
  2. Oxygen (O₂)
  3. Iron (Fe)
  4. Water (H₂O) Correct answer.

Explanation

A compound contains two or more elements chemically combined; water (H₂O) combines hydrogen and oxygen.

Question 14Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Which property distinguishes a chemical change from a physical change?

  1. The shape changes
  2. The size changes
  3. New substance(s) with different properties are formed Correct answer.
  4. The state changes

Explanation

A chemical change produces one or more new substances with different properties; physical changes only alter form/shape/state.

Question 15Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Balance the equation: __H₂ + O₂ → __H₂O. The coefficient of H₂O is?

  1. 2 Correct answer.
  2. 1
  3. 4
  4. 3

Explanation

Balanced: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O. The coefficient of H₂O is 2 (4 H and 2 O on each side).

Question 16Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

In the reaction CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O, how many oxygen atoms are on the right-hand side in total?

  1. 4 Correct answer.
  2. 6
  3. 8
  4. 2

Explanation

Right side: CO₂ has 2 O and 2H₂O has 2×1 = 2 O, total 2 + 2 = 4 oxygen atoms.

Question 17Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

When a piece of zinc is placed in dilute hydrochloric acid, what gas is produced?

  1. Oxygen
  2. Hydrogen Correct answer.
  3. Chlorine
  4. Carbon dioxide

Explanation

An active metal (Zn) + acid → salt + hydrogen gas: Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂↑.

Question 18Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Iwami Ginzan in Shimane was historically famous for mining silver. What is the chemical symbol for silver?

  1. Si
  2. Ag Correct answer.
  3. Fe
  4. Au

Explanation

Silver's chemical symbol is Ag, from its Latin name argentum. Iwami Ginzan ('Ginzan' means silver mine) was one of the world's largest silver mines.

Question 19Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Solubility usually describes the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a fixed amount of solvent at a given temperature. If 36 g of a salt dissolves in 100 g of water at 20 °C, how much dissolves in 50 g of water at the same temperature?

  1. 18 g Correct answer.
  2. 36 g
  3. 0.5 g
  4. 72 g

Explanation

Half the water (50 g vs 100 g) dissolves half the solute: 36/2 = 18 g.

Question 20Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

A solution contains 20 g of sugar in 80 g of water. What is the concentration as a percentage by mass?

  1. 25%
  2. 16%
  3. 80%
  4. 20% Correct answer.

Explanation

% by mass = solute/(solute + solvent) × 100 = 20/(20+80) × 100 = 20/100 × 100 = 20%.

Question 21Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Electrolysis of water produces hydrogen at the cathode and ____ at the anode.

  1. Nitrogen
  2. Chlorine
  3. Carbon dioxide
  4. Oxygen Correct answer.

Explanation

Electrolysis of water (2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂) gives hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

Question 22Chemistry: particles, reactions and mass

Which group of elements in the periodic table is known as the noble gases?

  1. Group 17 (halogens)
  2. Group 2 (alkaline earth metals)
  3. Group 1 (alkali metals)
  4. Group 18 (the rightmost column) Correct answer.

Explanation

Noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, …) occupy Group 18, the rightmost column, and are very unreactive.

Question 23Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

Which process do plants use to make food from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight?

  1. Digestion
  2. Transpiration
  3. Photosynthesis Correct answer.
  4. Respiration

Explanation

Photosynthesis uses light energy to convert CO₂ and water into glucose and oxygen in chloroplasts.

Question 24Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

Which structure in a plant cell is NOT found in an animal cell?

  1. Mitochondrion
  2. Nucleus
  3. Cell wall Correct answer.
  4. Cell membrane

Explanation

The cell wall (made of cellulose) is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells.

Question 25Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

Lake Shinji in Shimane is a brackish-water lake (mixed fresh and salt water). Which organism is famously harvested there?

  1. Salmon
  2. Shark
  3. The shijimi clam (Corbicula) Correct answer.
  4. Tuna

Explanation

Lake Shinji is famous for the shijimi clam (Corbicula japonica), harvested from its brackish waters.

Question 26Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

In the food chain 'grass → grasshopper → frog → snake', the snake is which type of consumer?

  1. Decomposer
  2. Tertiary (third-level) consumer Correct answer.
  3. Primary consumer
  4. Producer

Explanation

Grass is the producer, grasshopper the primary consumer, frog the secondary, and snake the tertiary (third-level) consumer.

Question 27Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

In humans, where does exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood take place?

  1. The alveoli of the lungs Correct answer.
  2. The small intestine
  3. The kidneys
  4. The heart

Explanation

Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs surrounded by capillaries.

Question 28Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

In humans, where are most digested nutrients absorbed into the blood?

  1. The large intestine
  2. The stomach
  3. The small intestine Correct answer.
  4. The mouth

Explanation

Most nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, whose inner surface has villi to increase area.

Question 29Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

The tiny pores on the underside of a leaf that allow gas exchange are called?

  1. Stomata Correct answer.
  2. Chloroplasts
  3. Root hairs
  4. Xylem

Explanation

Stomata are pores (flanked by guard cells) on the leaf underside that allow gas exchange and water vapour exit.

Question 30Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

A pea plant with genotype Tt (T = tall dominant, t = short recessive) is crossed with a tt plant. What fraction of the offspring will be short?

  1. 1/4
  2. 1
  3. 3/4
  4. 1/2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Cross Tt × tt gives offspring Tt, tt, Tt, tt - half tall (Tt) and half short (tt), so 1/2 are short.

Question 31Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

In Mendel's monohybrid cross between two heterozygous tall pea plants (Tt × Tt), what is the expected ratio of tall to short offspring?

  1. All tall
  2. 3 : 1 Correct answer.
  3. 1 : 1
  4. 1 : 3

Explanation

Tt × Tt gives TT, Tt, Tt, tt - 3 tall (TT, Tt, Tt) to 1 short (tt), a 3:1 ratio.

Question 32Earth science: time, weather and models

In weather, a region of LOW atmospheric pressure is generally associated with which conditions?

  1. Continuously rising temperature
  2. Completely still air with no wind
  3. Stable, clear and dry weather
  4. Unstable air, often cloudy with rain Correct answer.

Explanation

Low pressure causes air to rise and cool, condensing water vapour into clouds and often rain - unstable, cloudy weather.

Question 33Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

A stimulus is detected by a sensory organ, a signal travels to the central nervous system, and a response is sent. The path that carries the signal from the central nervous system to an effector (muscle/gland) is a ____.

  1. Sensory neuron
  2. Reflex arc only
  3. Motor neuron Correct answer.
  4. Hormone

Explanation

Motor (efferent) neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles or glands.

Question 34Earth science: time, weather and models

Which warm ocean current flows north along the Sea of Japan coast and influences Shimane's climate, especially in winter?

  1. The Labrador Current
  2. The Tsushima Current (a branch of the Kuroshio) Correct answer.
  3. The Kuroshio's main Pacific branch
  4. The Oyashio (cold current)

Explanation

The Tsushima Current, a branch of the warm Kuroshio, flows through the Tsushima Strait and north along the Sea of Japan coast, warming Shimane's coastal waters.

Question 35Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

Antibiotics are effective against which type of microorganism?

  1. Viruses
  2. All microorganisms
  3. Bacteria Correct answer.
  4. Fungi only

Explanation

Antibiotics target bacteria; they do not work against viruses (e.g., the common cold or flu).

Question 36Earth science: time, weather and models

Groundwater collects underground in spaces within soil and rock. The upper surface of the saturated zone (below which all spaces are filled with water) is called the?

  1. River bed
  2. Spring line of a waterfall
  3. Impermeable rock layer
  4. Water table Correct answer.

Explanation

The water table is the upper surface of the saturated zone; below it the ground is water-filled, above it is unsaturated.

Question 37Biology: cells, inheritance and evidence

Osmosis is the movement of water across a partially permeable membrane from a region of ____ water concentration to a region of ____ water concentration.

  1. higher; lower Correct answer.
  2. higher; higher
  3. lower; higher
  4. lower; lower

Explanation

In osmosis, water moves from a region of higher water concentration (dilute solution) to one of lower water concentration (more concentrated solution).

Question 38Earth science: time, weather and models

Weathering breaks rock down at or near Earth's surface. Which is an example of PHYSICAL (mechanical) weathering?

  1. Rock minerals dissolving by acid rain
  2. Iron in the rock rusting (oxidising)
  3. Plant roots releasing acid that dissolves minerals
  4. Water freezing in a rock crack and splitting the rock Correct answer.

Explanation

Freeze-thaw: water expands when it freezes in a crack, physically splitting the rock - a mechanical process with no chemical change.

Question 39Earth science: time, weather and models

Why do stars appear to move slowly across the night sky from east to west during the night?

  1. Because the Moon's gravity pulls the stars
  2. Because the stars themselves move rapidly through space
  3. Because Earth rotates on its axis from west to east Correct answer.
  4. Because the Sun orbits around Earth

Explanation

Earth's west-to-east rotation makes distant stars appear to drift from east to west across the sky (apparent motion), like the Sun's daytime path.

Question 40Earth science: time, weather and models

Why do the Moon's phases occur?

  1. Because Earth's shadow always falls on the Moon
  2. Because we see different amounts of the Moon's lit half as it orbits Earth Correct answer.
  3. Because the Moon itself produces light
  4. Because the Moon changes shape

Explanation

The Moon reflects sunlight; as it orbits Earth, we see varying portions of its sunlit half, producing phases.

Question 41Earth science: time, weather and models

A solar eclipse occurs when ____.

  1. The Sun disappears
  2. The Moon is on the far side of Earth
  3. The Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight Correct answer.
  4. Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon

Explanation

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon lies between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth.

Question 42Earth science: time, weather and models

The seasons on Earth are mainly caused by ____.

  1. Earth's distance from the Sun
  2. The Moon's gravity
  3. The tilt of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun Correct answer.
  4. The speed of Earth's rotation

Explanation

Earth's axis is tilted (~23.5°); as Earth orbits the Sun, the tilt causes varying sunlight angles and day lengths, producing seasons.

Question 43Earth science: time, weather and models

Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation?

  1. Mesosphere
  2. Exosphere
  3. Stratosphere Correct answer.
  4. Troposphere

Explanation

The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere and absorbs much of the Sun's UV radiation.

Question 44Earth science: time, weather and models

In winter, the San'in coast (Sea of Japan side) including Shimane often has heavy snow. What is the main cause?

  1. Warm ocean currents from the Pacific
  2. Typhoons from the south
  3. Volcanic activity
  4. Cold northwest winds pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan and drop it as snow on reaching land Correct answer.

Explanation

In winter, the seasonal northwest monsoon absorbs moisture over the warm Sea of Japan and releases it as snow on the cold northern coast of Honshu.

Question 45Earth science: time, weather and models

Which rock type forms when magma or lava cools and solidifies?

  1. Igneous rock Correct answer.
  2. Metamorphic rock
  3. Soil
  4. Sedimentary rock

Explanation

Igneous rock forms by the cooling and solidification of magma (below ground) or lava (above ground).

Question 46Earth science: time, weather and models

Which type of rock is formed when existing rocks are changed by high heat and pressure (without melting)?

  1. Igneous rock
  2. Sedimentary rock
  3. Volcanic ash
  4. Metamorphic rock Correct answer.

Explanation

Metamorphic rock forms when existing rocks are altered by heat and pressure (e.g., limestone → marble).

Question 47Earth science: time, weather and models

The Oki Islands off the coast of Shimane were formed mainly by which geological process?

  1. Volcanic activity Correct answer.
  2. Coral reef growth
  3. Wind deposition
  4. Glacial erosion

Explanation

The Oki Islands are of volcanic origin, formed by past volcanic activity in the Sea of Japan.

Question 48Earth science: time, weather and models

An earthquake's magnitude is measured using which scale (common in Japan)?

  1. The Richter/moment magnitude scale Correct answer.
  2. The Celsius scale
  3. The Beaufort scale
  4. The pH scale

Explanation

Earthquake magnitude (total energy released) is measured on the Richter or moment magnitude scale; Japan also uses the JMA intensity scale for shaking, but magnitude is Richter/moment magnitude.

Question 49Earth science: time, weather and models

Volcanoes in Japan are mainly the result of the Pacific Plate being ____ beneath the Eurasian and Philippine plates.

  1. Crumbled on top
  2. Sedimented
  3. Subducted (sinking) Correct answer.
  4. Diverged (pulled apart)

Explanation

Japan lies on a subduction zone where the Pacific Plate sinks beneath other plates; melting generates magma and volcanoes.

Question 50Earth science: time, weather and models

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are classified as what kind of energy resource?

  1. Non-renewable Correct answer.
  2. Inexhaustible
  3. Nuclear
  4. Renewable

Explanation

Fossil fuels form over millions of years and are consumed faster than they form, so they are non-renewable.