Mathematics Exam Actual 2026 Newest Updated
Questions and Correct Answers (Latest 2026 /
2027 Update) (Verified Answers by Expert)
SECTION 1: PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Questions 1-80)
A. Structure & Properties of Matter
Question 1:
Which of the following steps in making a cup of coffee involves a chemical change in
matter?
A) Whole-bean coffee is ground in a coffee grinder
B) A burner on a propane stove is lighted to heat water
C) Water in a kettle begins to boil
D) Boiling water is poured through a filter containing ground coffee
Answer: B) A burner on a propane stove is lighted to heat water
Rationale: Lighting a propane burner involves combustion (propane + oxygen →
carbon dioxide + water), which is a chemical change. Grinding, boiling, and filtering are
physical changes because substances do not change chemically .
Question 2:
Which of the following liquids is the most acidic and will have the lowest pH?
A) Milk (pH ≈ 6.5)
B) Household ammonia (pH ≈ 11)
C) Distilled water (pH ≈ 7)
D) Vinegar (pH ≈ 3)
Answer: D) Vinegar
,Rationale: The pH scale measures acidity; lower pH values indicate greater acidity.
Vinegar has a pH of approximately 3, making it the most acidic. Ammonia is basic (pH
11), water is neutral (pH 7), and milk is slightly acidic .
Question 3:
Which of the following is the best example of the refraction of light waves?
A) Markings on flowers invisible in normal light can be seen in ultraviolet light
B) Deep lakes appear blue or green in color
C) Sunlight striking a black box makes it warmer than a white box
D) Light passing through raindrops produces a rainbow
Answer: D) Light passing through raindrops produces a rainbow
Rationale: Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
Rainbows are produced when sunlight is refracted and dispersed by water droplets.
Options A (fluorescence), B (absorption/scattering), and C (absorption/reflection)
describe other phenomena .
Question 4:
Which of the elements in the section of the periodic table shown are likely to have the
most similar chemical properties?
A) Si and Ge
B) C and O
C) Sb and Te
D) N and S
Answer: A) Si and Ge
Rationale: Elements in the same group (column) of the periodic table have the same
number of valence electrons and thus similar chemical properties. Si (silicon) and Ge
(germanium) are in the same group. The periodic table section shows Si (14) and Ge (32)
aligned vertically .
,Question 5:
What is the pH of a neutral solution?
A) 0
B) 7
C) 10
D) 14
Answer: B) 7
Rationale: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Values below 7 are
acidic, and values above 7 are basic (alkaline). Pure water has a pH of 7 .
Question 6:
An object has a mass of 40 grams and a volume of 20 cm³. What is its density?
A) 0.5 g/cm³
B) 2 g/cm³
C) 20 g/cm³
D) 800 g/cm³
Answer: B) 2 g/cm³
Rationale: Density = mass / volume = 40 g / 20 cm³ = 2 g/cm³. Density is an intensive
physical property used to identify substances .
Question 7:
What is the SI unit of force?
A) Joule
B) Newton
C) Pascal
D) Watt
Answer: B) Newton
Rationale: The newton (N) is the SI unit of force. One newton is the force required to
accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s². Joule is energy, Pascal is pressure, and Watt is power .
, Question 8:
Which of the following is a conductor of electricity?
A) Rubber
B) Plastic
C) Copper
D) Wood
Answer: C) Copper
Rationale: Copper is a metal and an excellent conductor of electricity due to its free-
moving electrons. Rubber, plastic, and wood are insulators .
Question 9:
Table salt (sodium chloride) is an example of:
A) An element
B) A compound
C) A mixture
D) A solution
Answer: B) A compound
Rationale: Table salt (NaCl) is a pure compound with a fixed chemical formula formed
by ionic bonds between sodium and chlorine .
Question 10:
Which of the following correctly describes the particles in a gas?
A) Tightly packed in a fixed arrangement
B) Close together but able to slide past one another
C) Far apart and moving rapidly in all directions
D) Packed together but vibrating in place
Answer: C) Far apart and moving rapidly in all directions