TMN3705 Final Exam | Complete Practice Questions, Correct
Answers & Detailed Solutions (2026/2027)
Question 1
What are the four main knowledge strands that structure the
Intermediate Phase Natural Sciences and Technology curriculum under
CAPS?
• A. Life and Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and Change,
Planet Earth and Beyond
• B. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science
• C. Scientific Inquiry, Technological Design, Environmental Studies,
and Health Education
• D. Structures, Systems and Control, Processing, and Life Skills
Correct Answer: A. Life and Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and
Change, Planet Earth and Beyond
Detailed Rationale: The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement
(CAPS) for Intermediate Phase Natural Sciences and Technology (Grades
4–6) is explicitly organized around four core knowledge strands: Life and
Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and Change, and Planet Earth and
Beyond. These strands ensure a balanced foundational coverage of both
scientific and technological concepts.
Question 2
,In which specific school grades does the Intermediate Phase curriculum
for Natural Sciences and Technology apply according to South African
education policy?
• A. Grades 1, 2, and 3
• B. Grades 4, 5, and 6
• C. Grades 7, 8, and 9
• D. Grades 10, 11, and 12
Correct Answer: B. Grades 4, 5, and 6
Detailed Rationale: The Intermediate Phase in the General Education
and Training (GET) band covers Grades 4, 5, and 6. Natural Sciences and
Technology is combined into a single subject at this phase to bridge
foundational early-childhood learning and senior phase subject
specialization.
Question 3
What is the primary pedagogical purpose of combining Natural Sciences
and Technology into a single subject in the Intermediate Phase?
• A. To reduce the number of teachers required in primary schools
• B. To help learners understand that science and technology are
interconnected human activities used to solve practical problems
• C. To replace traditional mathematics instruction with
experimental design
• D. To prepare learners exclusively for academic careers in tertiary
engineering
,Correct Answer: B. To help learners understand that science and
technology are interconnected human activities used to solve practical
problems
Detailed Rationale: Combining Natural Sciences and Technology
emphasizes how scientific inquiry (understanding the natural world)
and technological design (improving the human-made world)
complement each other in addressing practical, everyday challenges.
Question 4
According to CAPS guidelines, what is the recommended instructional
time allocation per week for Natural Sciences and Technology in the
Intermediate Phase?
• A. 1 hour per week
• B. 2 hours per week
• C. 3.5 hours per week
• D. 5 hours per week
Correct Answer: C. 3.5 hours per week
Detailed Rationale: In the Intermediate Phase timetable, Natural
Sciences and Technology is allocated 3.5 hours per week. This time must
be shared appropriately between theoretical lesson delivery, practical
investigations, and technology design projects.
Question 5
Which knowledge strand specifically deals with ecosystems, food webs,
plant and animal structures, and life processes?
• A. Matter and Materials
, • B. Energy and Change
• C. Planet Earth and Beyond
• D. Life and Living
Correct Answer: D. Life and Living
Detailed Rationale: The "Life and Living" strand focuses on biological
concepts, including living organisms, ecosystems, food webs, skeletal
systems, and life cycles, helping learners understand living organisms
and their interdependence.
Question 6
Which strand focuses on concepts such as electricity, energy transfers,
fuels, movement, and sound?
• A. Energy and Change
• B. Matter and Materials
• C. Life and Living
• D. Planet Earth and Beyond
Correct Answer: A. Energy and Change
Detailed Rationale: "Energy and Change" explores how energy is
stored, transferred, and transformed, covering topics such as energy
sources, electrical circuits, movement, and sound energy.
Question 7
The study of properties of matter, solids, liquids, gases, mixtures, and
changes of state falls under which knowledge strand?
• A. Planet Earth and Beyond
Answers & Detailed Solutions (2026/2027)
Question 1
What are the four main knowledge strands that structure the
Intermediate Phase Natural Sciences and Technology curriculum under
CAPS?
• A. Life and Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and Change,
Planet Earth and Beyond
• B. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science
• C. Scientific Inquiry, Technological Design, Environmental Studies,
and Health Education
• D. Structures, Systems and Control, Processing, and Life Skills
Correct Answer: A. Life and Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and
Change, Planet Earth and Beyond
Detailed Rationale: The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement
(CAPS) for Intermediate Phase Natural Sciences and Technology (Grades
4–6) is explicitly organized around four core knowledge strands: Life and
Living, Matter and Materials, Energy and Change, and Planet Earth and
Beyond. These strands ensure a balanced foundational coverage of both
scientific and technological concepts.
Question 2
,In which specific school grades does the Intermediate Phase curriculum
for Natural Sciences and Technology apply according to South African
education policy?
• A. Grades 1, 2, and 3
• B. Grades 4, 5, and 6
• C. Grades 7, 8, and 9
• D. Grades 10, 11, and 12
Correct Answer: B. Grades 4, 5, and 6
Detailed Rationale: The Intermediate Phase in the General Education
and Training (GET) band covers Grades 4, 5, and 6. Natural Sciences and
Technology is combined into a single subject at this phase to bridge
foundational early-childhood learning and senior phase subject
specialization.
Question 3
What is the primary pedagogical purpose of combining Natural Sciences
and Technology into a single subject in the Intermediate Phase?
• A. To reduce the number of teachers required in primary schools
• B. To help learners understand that science and technology are
interconnected human activities used to solve practical problems
• C. To replace traditional mathematics instruction with
experimental design
• D. To prepare learners exclusively for academic careers in tertiary
engineering
,Correct Answer: B. To help learners understand that science and
technology are interconnected human activities used to solve practical
problems
Detailed Rationale: Combining Natural Sciences and Technology
emphasizes how scientific inquiry (understanding the natural world)
and technological design (improving the human-made world)
complement each other in addressing practical, everyday challenges.
Question 4
According to CAPS guidelines, what is the recommended instructional
time allocation per week for Natural Sciences and Technology in the
Intermediate Phase?
• A. 1 hour per week
• B. 2 hours per week
• C. 3.5 hours per week
• D. 5 hours per week
Correct Answer: C. 3.5 hours per week
Detailed Rationale: In the Intermediate Phase timetable, Natural
Sciences and Technology is allocated 3.5 hours per week. This time must
be shared appropriately between theoretical lesson delivery, practical
investigations, and technology design projects.
Question 5
Which knowledge strand specifically deals with ecosystems, food webs,
plant and animal structures, and life processes?
• A. Matter and Materials
, • B. Energy and Change
• C. Planet Earth and Beyond
• D. Life and Living
Correct Answer: D. Life and Living
Detailed Rationale: The "Life and Living" strand focuses on biological
concepts, including living organisms, ecosystems, food webs, skeletal
systems, and life cycles, helping learners understand living organisms
and their interdependence.
Question 6
Which strand focuses on concepts such as electricity, energy transfers,
fuels, movement, and sound?
• A. Energy and Change
• B. Matter and Materials
• C. Life and Living
• D. Planet Earth and Beyond
Correct Answer: A. Energy and Change
Detailed Rationale: "Energy and Change" explores how energy is
stored, transferred, and transformed, covering topics such as energy
sources, electrical circuits, movement, and sound energy.
Question 7
The study of properties of matter, solids, liquids, gases, mixtures, and
changes of state falls under which knowledge strand?
• A. Planet Earth and Beyond
