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GCE O/L Health & Physical Education study materials
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GCE O/L Health & Physical Education practice questions

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Question 1Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

In health-related fitness testing, which component is best assessed by measuring the distance covered in a 12-minute run?

  1. Flexibility
  2. Cardiorespiratory endurance Correct answer.
  3. Muscular strength
  4. Body composition

Explanation

A 12-minute run keeps the heart and lungs working at a steady high intensity, so the distance covered reflects how efficiently oxygen is delivered and used by working muscles. This is the defining feature of cardiorespiratory endurance. Strength, flexibility and body composition are each measured by different tests.

Question 2Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A student performs the sit-and-reach box test. Which health-related fitness component is being measured?

  1. Cardiorespiratory endurance
  2. Agility
  3. Flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings Correct answer.
  4. Muscular endurance

Explanation

The sit-and-reach measures how far the student can reach forward while seated with legs straight, which indicates the range of motion in the lower back and hamstring region. Range of motion at a joint is the definition of flexibility. The test does not load the muscles repeatedly or raise the heart rate.

Question 3Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which pair of tests is most appropriate for assessing muscular strength and muscular endurance respectively?

  1. Body mass index and skinfold measurement
  2. Handgrip dynamometer and one-minute sit-up test Correct answer.
  3. Standing long jump and 50-metre sprint
  4. Sit-and-reach and 12-minute run

Explanation

A handgrip dynamometer records the maximum force of a single maximal squeeze, which is a direct measure of muscular strength. A one-minute sit-up test counts repeated contractions against body weight, which reflects muscular endurance. Each test therefore matches one of the two components.

Question 4Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement correctly distinguishes skill-related fitness from health-related fitness?

  1. Skill-related components can be trained, while health-related components are fixed at birth.
  2. Skill-related components are measured in the laboratory, while health-related components are measured only in schools.
  3. Skill-related components mainly improve performance in sport, while health-related components mainly support good health and daily functioning. Correct answer.
  4. Skill-related components are needed only by competitive athletes, while health-related components are needed only by non-athletes.

Explanation

Health-related fitness components such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition are linked to reducing disease risk and coping with daily tasks. Skill-related components such as agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed mainly enhance sports performance. Both sets are trainable and both matter to athletes and non-athletes.

Question 5Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which measurement gives the most direct estimate of body composition?

  1. Resting heart rate
  2. Grip strength
  3. Height-for-age percentile
  4. Skinfold thickness at several sites Correct answer.

Explanation

Skinfold callipers measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat at standard sites, and the sum of these readings is used to estimate the proportion of body fat. This makes it a direct field estimate of body composition. Height, heart rate and grip strength do not measure fat or lean tissue.

Question 6Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A learner wants to improve cardiorespiratory endurance. Which training plan best matches that goal?

  1. Three sessions a week of heavy lifting for five repetitions per exercise
  2. Daily practice of standing on one leg with eyes closed
  3. Three sessions a week of 20–30 minutes of continuous running at a moderate to vigorous pace Correct answer.
  4. Daily sessions of static hamstring stretches held for 30 seconds

Explanation

Cardiorespiratory endurance improves when the heart, lungs and blood vessels are stressed continuously at moderate to vigorous intensity for a sustained period, several times a week. Continuous running for 20–30 minutes meets that requirement. Stretching, heavy lifting and balance practice train different components.

Question 7Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement about muscular endurance is correct?

  1. It is the maximum force a muscle can produce in a single contraction.
  2. It is the ability of a muscle group to perform repeated contractions against a submaximal load. Correct answer.
  3. It is the range of motion available at a joint.
  4. It is the ability to move the body quickly from one point to another.

Explanation

Muscular endurance describes how long a muscle group can keep working against a moderate resistance, for example during repeated push-ups or sit-ups. The emphasis is on sustaining effort over time rather than producing one maximal effort. Maximum single effort defines strength, not endurance.

Question 8Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Two students of the same age and sex have the same body mass. Student A has a higher percentage of body fat than Student B. What can reasonably be concluded?

  1. Student A has greater muscular strength because fat adds to body mass.
  2. Student B has a higher proportion of lean tissue, which generally supports better health-related fitness. Correct answer.
  3. Both students must have identical cardiorespiratory endurance.
  4. Student A is fitter because fat provides energy.

Explanation

If total mass is equal and one student carries more fat, the other must carry more lean tissue such as muscle, bone and organs. A higher proportion of lean tissue is generally associated with better health-related fitness, although it does not by itself guarantee performance. Body composition is only one component among several.

Question 9Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which test is designed to measure agility rather than a health-related component?

  1. Shuttle run with changes of direction Correct answer.
  2. Sit-and-reach
  3. Skinfold measurement
  4. One-minute sit-up test

Explanation

Agility is the ability to change direction rapidly while maintaining control, and a shuttle run with turns directly challenges that ability. It is classified as a skill-related component. The other options measure flexibility, muscular endurance and body composition, which are health-related.

Question 10Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A student's resting heart rate decreases from 78 to 66 beats per minute after ten weeks of regular aerobic training. What does this change most likely indicate?

  1. Reduced flexibility
  2. Improved cardiorespiratory efficiency Correct answer.
  3. Reduced muscular strength
  4. Increased body fat

Explanation

Regular aerobic training strengthens the heart muscle, so it can pump more blood per beat and needs fewer beats at rest to supply the body. A lower resting heart rate is therefore a classic sign of improved cardiorespiratory efficiency. It does not by itself show changes in strength, fat or flexibility.

Question 11Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which principle explains why a runner who repeats the same 3 km route at the same pace for months stops improving?

  1. The specificity principle, because running does not train the legs
  2. The overload principle, because the training stimulus is no longer greater than the body's current capacity Correct answer.
  3. The recovery principle, because rest days are never needed
  4. The reversibility principle, because fitness is always lost during training

Explanation

The body adapts to a repeated stimulus, so a training load that once caused improvement eventually becomes the new normal. Further gains require progressively increasing frequency, intensity, time or type, which is the overload principle. Without overload, performance plateaus.

Question 12Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which of the following best describes flexibility?

  1. The range of motion possible at a joint or group of joints Correct answer.
  2. The proportion of fat to lean tissue in the body
  3. The ability to exert force rapidly against resistance
  4. The ability to sustain a moderate effort for a long time

Explanation

Flexibility refers to how far a joint or group of joints can move through its full range without injury or discomfort. It depends on muscle length, joint structure and connective tissue. It is distinct from force production, endurance and body composition.

Question 13Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A 15-year-old wants to improve flexibility in the hamstrings. Which practice is most effective and safe?

  1. Bouncing forcefully into the stretch repeatedly with no warm-up
  2. Holding a gentle stretch for about 20–30 seconds after a warm-up, repeated several times Correct answer.
  3. Lifting heavy weights with the legs only
  4. Performing maximal sprint repetitions only

Explanation

Static stretching after a warm-up lengthens muscle and connective tissue gradually and safely, and holding for 20–30 seconds allows the stretch reflex to settle. Repeating the hold several times produces lasting gains in range of motion. Ballistic bouncing without preparation raises injury risk.

Question 14Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement about the relationship between body composition and health is most accurate?

  1. Body composition has no effect on health-related fitness.
  2. Some body fat is essential for insulation, energy storage and organ protection, but excessive fat raises health risk. Correct answer.
  3. Any body fat is harmful and should be eliminated completely.
  4. A person with low body fat is always the fittest.

Explanation

Essential fat supports hormone production, insulation and protection of organs, so a certain amount is necessary for health. Health risk rises when fat, especially abdominal fat, becomes excessive. Fitness depends on several components together, so low fat alone does not guarantee high fitness.

Question 15Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which combination correctly matches a fitness component with a suitable field test?

  1. Cardiorespiratory endurance - step test with heart rate recovery Correct answer.
  2. Body composition - 20-metre shuttle run
  3. Flexibility - handgrip dynamometer
  4. Muscular strength - sit-and-reach

Explanation

A step test raises the heart rate through repeated stepping, and the speed of heart rate recovery indicates cardiorespiratory efficiency. This is a recognised field test for that component. The other pairings link a component with a test that measures something different.

Question 16Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Why is a warm-up recommended before fitness testing?

  1. It guarantees a maximum score on every test.
  2. It increases body fat so the test result improves.
  3. It replaces the need for a cool-down afterwards.
  4. It raises muscle temperature and blood flow, reducing injury risk and improving performance. Correct answer.

Explanation

A warm-up gradually raises core and muscle temperature and increases blood flow to working muscles, which makes muscles more elastic and ready to produce force. This lowers the risk of strain and helps the performer produce a truer result. It cannot guarantee a score and does not replace a cool-down.

Question 17Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A student scores poorly on the 20-metre shuttle run but highly on the sit-and-reach. What is the most reasonable interpretation?

  1. The student has good flexibility but relatively low cardiorespiratory endurance. Correct answer.
  2. The student has high muscular strength but low flexibility.
  3. The student has high power but low reaction time.
  4. The student has excellent body composition but poor balance.

Explanation

The 20-metre shuttle run is a maximal aerobic test, so a low score suggests limited cardiorespiratory endurance. The sit-and-reach measures range of motion, so a high score indicates good flexibility. Each test informs a different component, and results can differ across components in the same person.

Question 18Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement about muscular strength is correct?

  1. It is the maximum amount of force a muscle or muscle group can produce in one effort. Correct answer.
  2. It is the speed at which a person reacts to a signal.
  3. It is the ability to continue working for a long period.
  4. It is the ability to move the body through a full range of motion.

Explanation

Muscular strength is defined by the greatest force a muscle group can generate in a single maximal contraction, such as one repetition of a heavy lift or a maximal grip squeeze. It differs from endurance, which concerns repeated submaximal work, and from flexibility and reaction time.

Question 19Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which factor would most directly increase a person's cardiorespiratory endurance over several months?

  1. Regular vigorous activity that raises the heart rate for sustained periods Correct answer.
  2. Increasing the number of hours spent watching television
  3. Eating more sugary snacks before bed
  4. Sleeping fewer hours each night

Explanation

Cardiorespiratory endurance improves when the heart and lungs are repeatedly challenged by sustained activity at a raised heart rate, because the heart muscle and circulatory system adapt. Regular vigorous sessions provide that stimulus. Sedentary habits and poor nutrition do not train the aerobic system.

Question 20Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A test battery reports a student's results as: 20-metre shuttle run level 4, 25 sit-ups in one minute, sit-and-reach 22 cm, and body mass index in the healthy range. Which component is clearly the weakest relative to typical expectations for the age group?

  1. Flexibility
  2. Muscular endurance
  3. Body composition
  4. Cardiorespiratory endurance Correct answer.

Explanation

A shuttle-run level of 4 indicates a low number of completed stages and therefore limited aerobic capacity compared with typical age-group expectations. The sit-up count, sit-and-reach score and healthy body mass index suggest the other components are at least adequate. The weakest area is thus cardiorespiratory endurance.

Question 21Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement best explains the specificity principle in fitness training?

  1. Any training improves every fitness component equally.
  2. Fitness gained is lost at the same rate for all components.
  3. Training effects are greatest in the components and muscles that are actually challenged by the activity. Correct answer.
  4. Training must always be performed in the morning.

Explanation

The specificity principle states that the body adapts specifically to the demands placed on it, so running improves aerobic endurance while resistance work improves strength. Training one component does not automatically transfer fully to another. Programme design should therefore match the desired outcome.

Question 22Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Why should a fitness test be repeated under similar conditions (same time of day, similar warm-up, same equipment) when tracking progress?

  1. To make the test easier each time
  2. To remove the need for a warm-up
  3. To reduce the influence of factors other than fitness on the result, so changes are meaningful Correct answer.
  4. To guarantee that the score always increases

Explanation

Scores can vary with time of day, warm-up, surface and equipment, so keeping conditions similar isolates genuine changes in fitness. Standardised conditions make comparisons between testing sessions valid. They cannot guarantee improvement and do not remove the need for a warm-up.

Question 23Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

Which statement about the cool-down after vigorous exercise is correct?

  1. It should involve maximal sprinting to use remaining energy.
  2. It should involve gradual low-intensity activity that helps heart rate and breathing return to resting levels. Correct answer.
  3. It should be skipped because it has no effect on recovery.
  4. It should involve sudden complete rest to stop the heart quickly.

Explanation

A cool-down uses light activity and gentle stretching to allow heart rate, breathing and body temperature to fall gradually, which helps prevent dizziness and supports recovery. Sudden stopping can cause blood to pool in the legs. Maximal effort would prolong stress rather than aid recovery.

Question 24Physical Fitness and Health-Related Fitness Components

A student claims: 'Because I can do 40 push-ups, my cardiorespiratory endurance must be excellent.' What is the main weakness in this reasoning?

  1. Push-ups measure flexibility, which is unrelated to the heart and lungs.
  2. Push-ups measure reaction time, which is a skill-related component.
  3. Push-ups measure body composition, which is the same as endurance.
  4. Push-ups mainly reflect muscular endurance and strength, so they do not directly measure aerobic capacity. Correct answer.

Explanation

Push-ups are repeated contractions against body weight, so a high count indicates muscular endurance, with some contribution from strength. Cardiorespiratory endurance concerns the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen during sustained whole-body activity, which push-ups do not test. Good performance in one component does not prove good performance in another.

Question 25Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which nutrient is the body's main and most efficient source of energy for daily activities?

  1. Vitamin C
  2. Carbohydrate Correct answer.
  3. Protein
  4. Dietary fibre

Explanation

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which cells use first for energy, especially during exercise. Protein is mainly for growth and repair, vitamins regulate body processes, and fibre aids digestion rather than supplying energy.

Question 26Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A student wants to reduce the risk of constipation. Which dietary change best supports this goal?

  1. Increasing refined sugar intake
  2. Increasing fibre-rich foods such as whole grains and vegetables Correct answer.
  3. Eating more fried snacks between meals
  4. Reducing daily water consumption

Explanation

Dietary fibre adds bulk to stool and helps it move through the intestine, so whole grains, fruits and vegetables support regular bowel action. Adequate water also helps fibre work, so reducing fluids or adding sugary and fried foods works against the goal.

Question 27Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which food group is the richest source of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth?

  1. White rice
  2. Refined sugar
  3. Milk and dairy products Correct answer.
  4. Cooking oil

Explanation

Milk, yoghurt and cheese supply large amounts of calcium, which is deposited in bone and tooth tissue. Rice, oil and sugar contain very little calcium and cannot replace dairy or other calcium-rich foods.

Question 28Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which vitamin is produced in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight?

  1. Vitamin D Correct answer.
  2. Vitamin B12
  3. Vitamin C
  4. Vitamin K

Explanation

Ultraviolet light from the sun triggers vitamin D synthesis in the skin, and this vitamin helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin C, B12 and K must be obtained from food or gut bacteria rather than sunlight.

Question 29Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A balanced diet is best described as one that:

  1. contains mostly carbohydrates and fats
  2. supplies only proteins and vitamins each day
  3. avoids all fats and sugars completely
  4. provides all required nutrients in correct proportions from a variety of foods Correct answer.

Explanation

A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water in suitable proportions from varied foods. Excluding whole nutrient groups or eating only two groups leaves gaps that harm health.

Question 30Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which of the following is a symptom of dehydration during physical activity?

  1. Dark yellow urine and thirst Correct answer.
  2. Increased sweating with no thirst
  3. Warm, dry skin with full energy
  4. Clear, pale urine

Explanation

When body water falls, urine becomes concentrated and appears dark yellow, and thirst is a common early sign. Clear pale urine indicates good hydration, so it is not a sign of dehydration.

Question 31Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which meal choice best fits the advice to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily?

  1. A plate of fried chicken with no vegetables
  2. A plate of sweets and a fizzy drink
  3. A plate of white bread and butter only
  4. A plate containing green vegetables, carrots and a piece of fruit Correct answer.

Explanation

Different coloured fruits and vegetables supply different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so combining green vegetables, carrots and fruit gives variety. The other plates lack vegetables and fruit and are dominated by refined or fatty foods.

Question 32Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which statement correctly explains the role of protein in the diet of an adolescent?

  1. It is the main fuel for long-distance running
  2. It prevents all infections by itself
  3. It supplies amino acids for growth and repair of body tissues Correct answer.
  4. It is stored unchanged in the liver as a vitamin

Explanation

Protein is digested into amino acids, which are used to build and repair muscle, skin and other tissues during rapid adolescent growth. Carbohydrates and fats are the main fuels, and protein is not stored unchanged as a vitamin.

Question 33Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A teenager has bleeding gums and slow wound healing. Which nutrient is most likely lacking?

  1. Vitamin D
  2. Iron
  3. Vitamin C Correct answer.
  4. Calcium

Explanation

Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the protein that strengthens gums, skin and blood vessels, so deficiency causes bleeding gums and poor healing. Vitamin D, calcium and iron deficiencies produce different problems such as weak bones or anaemia.

Question 34Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which food combination provides iron in a form that is well absorbed by the body?

  1. Lentils eaten with a vitamin C-rich fruit Correct answer.
  2. White rice eaten alone
  3. Boiled cabbage eaten alone
  4. Sugar syrup with plain water

Explanation

Plant-based iron is absorbed better when eaten with vitamin C, which helps convert it into an absorbable form, so lentils with fruit is a good pairing. Rice, cabbage alone and sugar water do not supply this absorption boost.

Question 35Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Why is breakfast considered an important meal for a school student?

  1. It allows unlimited sugary snacks later
  2. It replaces the need for lunch and dinner
  3. It prevents the need for any physical activity
  4. It restores blood glucose after the overnight fast and supports concentration Correct answer.

Explanation

After a night without food, blood glucose is low, and eating breakfast replenishes it so the brain has fuel for attention and learning. Breakfast does not replace other meals or remove the need for activity.

Question 36Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which practice most effectively reduces the risk of food-borne illness at home?

  1. Storing cooked food in the refrigerator within two hours Correct answer.
  2. Leaving cooked food uncovered on the table
  3. Reheating food repeatedly at low temperature
  4. Washing raw chicken with hot water only

Explanation

Bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature, so refrigerating cooked food within about two hours slows their growth and reduces illness risk. Leaving food uncovered, slow reheating and relying on washing alone all allow contamination or bacterial growth.

Question 37Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which of these is classified as a micronutrient?

  1. Carbohydrate
  2. Protein
  3. Fat
  4. Iron Correct answer.

Explanation

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts, such as iron, which carries oxygen in blood. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are macronutrients needed in larger quantities for energy and tissue building.

Question 38Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A student eats large amounts of sweets and sugary drinks but few vegetables. Which health risk is most directly increased?

  1. Dental caries and excess weight gain Correct answer.
  2. Iron-deficiency anaemia
  3. Night blindness from vitamin A lack
  4. Bleeding gums from vitamin C lack

Explanation

Frequent sugar intake feeds mouth bacteria that produce acid and cause tooth decay, while surplus sugar energy is stored as fat and can lead to weight gain. Anaemia, night blindness and scurvy relate to iron, vitamin A and vitamin C deficiencies.

Question 39Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which drink is the most suitable choice to rehydrate after one hour of moderate exercise in warm weather?

  1. Concentrated fruit syrup
  2. Strong coffee
  3. Sweetened fizzy drink
  4. Plain water Correct answer.

Explanation

For moderate exercise of about an hour, plain water replaces lost fluid effectively without added sugar or stimulants. Coffee, fizzy drinks and syrup add sugar or caffeine that are unnecessary for routine rehydration.

Question 40Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which of the following best describes the function of dietary fat in the body?

  1. It is the only nutrient that builds muscle
  2. It provides concentrated energy and helps absorb vitamins A, D, E and K Correct answer.
  3. It supplies fibre for digestion
  4. It is a mineral needed for blood clotting

Explanation

Fat is an energy-dense nutrient and acts as a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, aiding their absorption. Muscle building depends on protein, fibre is a carbohydrate component, and fat is not a mineral.

Question 41Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A vegetarian who avoids all animal products needs to plan carefully to obtain which nutrient found mainly in animal foods?

  1. Vitamin B12 Correct answer.
  2. Potassium
  3. Dietary fibre
  4. Vitamin C

Explanation

Vitamin B12 occurs naturally almost only in animal foods, so vegans need fortified foods or supplements. Vitamin C, fibre and potassium are widely available from plant foods.

Question 42Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which statement about the energy value of nutrients is correct?

  1. One gram of fat releases more energy than one gram of carbohydrate Correct answer.
  2. One gram of carbohydrate releases more energy than one gram of fat
  3. One gram of water releases energy when digested
  4. One gram of protein releases more energy than one gram of fat

Explanation

Fat is the most energy-dense nutrient, releasing roughly twice the energy per gram compared with carbohydrate or protein. Carbohydrate and protein have similar lower values, and water supplies no energy.

Question 43Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which combination forms a complete protein for a person following a plant-based diet?

  1. Sugar eaten with fruit
  2. Bread eaten with butter
  3. Oil eaten with salt
  4. Rice eaten with beans Correct answer.

Explanation

Rice and beans together supply complementary amino acids, forming a complete protein similar in quality to animal protein. Butter, sugar, fruit, oil and salt do not combine to provide all essential amino acids.

Question 44Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A person with iron-deficiency anaemia is most likely to experience which symptom?

  1. Constant tiredness and breathlessness on exertion Correct answer.
  2. Soft, brittle bones
  3. Night blindness in dim light
  4. Bleeding gums when brushing teeth

Explanation

Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen, so iron deficiency reduces oxygen delivery and causes fatigue and breathlessness. Night blindness, bleeding gums and brittle bones relate to vitamins A, C and D or calcium.

Question 45Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which food label reading best supports a low-salt diet?

  1. Choosing a product with the largest packet size
  2. Choosing a product with a low sodium value per 100 g Correct answer.
  3. Choosing a product with the brightest packaging colour
  4. Choosing a product with a high sugar value per 100 g

Explanation

Sodium on a nutrition label indicates the salt content, so a low sodium value per 100 g helps reduce salt intake. Sugar content, packet size and packaging colour do not indicate salt level.

Question 46Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Which explanation best shows why exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants up to about six months?

  1. Breast milk contains no fat and is therefore easier to digest
  2. Breast milk provides only water and sugar for the infant
  3. Breast milk supplies balanced nutrients and antibodies that protect against infection Correct answer.
  4. Breast milk replaces the need for all nutrients for the first year

Explanation

Breast milk provides proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in suitable proportions and carries antibodies that strengthen the infant's immunity. It does contain fat, and after about six months complementary foods are needed alongside it.

Question 47Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

A student calculates that a snack provides 10 g of fat, 20 g of carbohydrate and 5 g of protein. Using approximate energy values of 9, 4 and 4 kcal per gram, what is the total energy of the snack?

  1. 140 kcal
  2. 210 kcal
  3. 190 kcal Correct answer.
  4. 160 kcal

Explanation

Fat contributes 10 × 9 = 90 kcal, carbohydrate 20 × 4 = 80 kcal and protein 5 × 4 = 20 kcal, giving 90 + 80 + 20 = 190 kcal. The other totals result from misapplying the energy values to the wrong nutrients.

Question 48Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Eating

Two students eat the same total energy, but one chooses whole grains, legumes and vegetables while the other chooses refined snacks and sugary drinks. What is the main nutritional difference?

  1. The first diet supplies more energy than the second
  2. The second diet supplies more protein and fibre
  3. The first diet supplies more fibre, vitamins and minerals for the same energy Correct answer.
  4. The two diets are nutritionally identical because energy is equal

Explanation

Whole grains, legumes and vegetables are nutrient-dense, so they deliver fibre, vitamins and minerals alongside energy. Refined snacks and sugary drinks are energy-dense but nutrient-poor, so equal energy does not mean equal nutritional quality.

Question 49Personal Hygiene, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Which practice best prevents the build-up of dental plaque and tooth decay after meals?

  1. Brushing the teeth thoroughly at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste Correct answer.
  2. Rinsing the mouth with plain water once every morning
  3. Chewing a sweetened mint immediately after eating
  4. Drinking a glass of sweetened fruit juice before bed

Explanation

Plaque forms when oral bacteria feed on sugar residues on tooth surfaces, so mechanical removal with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily is the recognised preventive measure. Fluoride also strengthens enamel against acid attack. Rinsing with water or chewing mints does not remove the sticky plaque film.

Question 50Personal Hygiene, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

A student notices that sweat and body odour become noticeable by the end of a hot school day. Which routine addresses the main cause of body odour?

  1. Bathing daily with soap and wearing clean, dry clothing Correct answer.
  2. Sprinkling talcum powder over unwashed skin
  3. Wearing the same sports shirt for several days to save laundry
  4. Applying perfume to the uniform at the start of the day

Explanation

Body odour arises mainly when bacteria break down sweat and skin secretions in warm, moist areas. Daily bathing with soap removes these secretions and the bacteria, and clean dry clothing prevents moisture from being trapped. Perfume and powder only mask odour over unwashed skin.