Term-End Practical Examination
June, 2005
FST: Foundation Course in Science and Technology
Time: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 100
(Weightage 70%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your answers should be brief. Wherever possible, support your answers with facts and figures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A
Answer all questions. (1x10=10)
A1. Answer all questions.
(a) Fill in the blank spaces :
(i) Primitive societies were food gathering and ______________ Societies.
(ii) Ptolemy's model of universe was _________________ centred.
(iii) One __________ refers to the distance travelled by light in one year.
(iv) The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection was proposed by _____________.
(v) 'Plant -> insect -> __________ -> Man' forms a food chain.
(b) State whether the following statements are true or flase:
(i) The high temperatures on planet Venus are due to the greenhouse effect.
(ii) The leakage of chlorofluorocarbons led to the Bhopal gas tragedy.
(iii) Pulses are rich sources of proteins.
(iv) The INSAT series of satellites are used only for telecommunication.
(v) Plasmids are used as vectors in the process of genetic engineering.
A2. Give short answers (in not more than 50 words each). (2x10=20)
(i) List any two significant achievements in science during the Bronze Age.
(ii) Which work of astronomy are attributed to Aryabhatta ?
(iii) Mention two contributions of Isaac Newton to science.
(iv) Differentiate between nova and supernova.
(v) Name two persistent and two non-persistent pollutions.
(vi) Categorise the following foods as Energy foods and Protective foods :
Butter, Lemon, Sugar, Guava.
(vii) Write the functions of motor and sensory neurons.
(viii) Give two examples each of Kharif and Rabi crops of India.
(ix) List two advantages of a robot over human beings.
(x) Suggest two measures for control of soil erosion.
SECTION B
Answer any eight questions. Each question carries five marks. Limit your answer to 100 words.
B1. "The theories of science are influenced by the general intellectual atmosphere prevailing in a society." Explain this statement giving examples from the history of science. (5)
B2. List one significant development in science in medieval India in each of the following fields :
'medicine, astronomy, physics, chemistry and geography. (5)
B3. Explain the Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe. State two evidences given in support of the theory. (5)
B4. Describe Miller's experiment. What is the conclusion drawn from the experiment ? (5)
B5. Draw a schematic diagram of the carbon cycle. (5)
B6. What is technology forecasting ? Why is it an important area of study ? (5)
B7. List any five non-conventional sources of energy. Describe how any one of them can be used to fulfill our energy needs. (5)
B8. List any two vitamins and three nutrient minerals. State their functions. (5)
B9. In what ways can biotechnology play an important role in agriculture? (5)
B10. List three ways in which learning takes place. Explain any one of them with examples. (5)
B11. What is meant by lead time ol a scientific discovery ? Explain giving two examples. (5)
SECTION C
Attempt any three questions. Each question carries ten marks. Limit your answer to around 250 words.
C1. Discuss how mass communication media can be used to effectively impart education in the distance mode. (10)
C2. Enumerate the various features of scientific knowledge. Elaborate each one of them giving an appropriate example. (10)
C3. Describe briefly the sources of water pollution. Discuss with the help of examples, how various kinds of pollutants in water affect human health. (10)
C4. Discuss the need for a systems approach in overall planning. In this approach, what factor should be taken into account while planning a mega project such as a large dam or an electric power plant ? (10)
C5. Trace the developments in the transport sector from the primitive times to the modern era. Discuss the impact of these developments on socio-economic conditions in each era. (10)