Basic 7 · Science · Term Revision
Term Revision in Science
In this topic you will recall and summarise the term's work on materials, cells, the water cycle, the housefly, crop production and animal production, and practise answering end-of-term questions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recall key ideas on materials, the periodic table and cells
- Recall key ideas on the water cycle, the housefly, plant nutrients and domestic animals
- Answer revision questions accurately with scientific terms
What you already know
- All topics covered in Science this term
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
The first strand of the term was about the diversity of matter: materials and living cells. Revising these ideas builds a strong foundation for later science.
1. Materials
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| states of matter | solids, liquids and gases; shape, volume, flow, compressibility |
| particles | close and fixed in solids; sliding in liquids; far apart in gases |
| changes of state | melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, sublimation |
| liquids | water for life; oil, milk, fuels; safe storage |
| solids | iron, wood, clay, charcoal, gold, salt; food, shelter, tools |
| periodic table | elements 1–20; metals, non-metals, metalloids, noble gases |
2. Living Cells
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| microscope | eyepiece, objective, stage, focus; magnification = eyepiece × objective |
| animal cell | membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes |
| plant cell | cell wall, large vacuole, chloroplasts as well |
| functions | nucleus controls; mitochondria release energy; chloroplasts make food |
| comparison | plant cells have walls and chloroplasts; animal cells do not |
3. Practical Skills
The term included practical skills: testing properties of materials, observing changes of state, using a microscope, preparing cheek and onion cell slides and recording observations. Revise the steps and safety rules for each practical.
4. Self-Check Questions
Test yourself: Can you describe the particle arrangement in a liquid? Can you name ten of the first twenty elements with their symbols? Can you draw and label an animal cell and a plant cell? Can you explain the function of the nucleus and the chloroplast? If you are unsure of any answer, revise that topic again.
New words
- revision
- Studying again what has been learned.
- practical
- An activity using real apparatus.
- apparatus
- Equipment used in experiments.
- mind map
- A diagram linking ideas.
Summary
- Materials exist as solids, liquids and gases explained by particle arrangement.
- The first twenty elements are grouped into metals, non-metals and noble gases.
- Plant and animal cells share many organelles, but plant cells also have walls, large vacuoles and chloroplasts.
Class activity: Revision Stations
- Rotate through stations on states of matter, elements and cells.
- Answer two questions at each station.
- Check your answers with the station card.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The symbol for sodium is…
- A. Na
- B. So
- C. S
- D. Sd
Show answer
Answer: NaElement 11.2. Which organelle is found only in plant cells?
- A. chloroplast
- B. nucleus
- C. mitochondria
- D. ribosome
Show answer
Answer: chloroplastPhotosynthesis.3. Gases have no fixed shape or volume.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueParticles far apart.4. Changing from gas to liquid is ______.
Show answer
Answer: condensationCooling.5. State three differences between solids and liquids.
Show answer
Answer: Solids have fixed shape, cannot flow and particles vibrate in place; liquids take the container's shape, flow and particles slide.Any three.6. Calculate the magnification with an eyepiece of ×10 and an objective of ×40.
Show answer
Answer: ×400Multiply.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
The second strand covered cycles in nature and in agriculture: the water cycle, the life cycle of the housefly, crop production and animal production.
1. Key Ideas
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| water cycle | evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, run-off, infiltration, collection |
| clouds | rising air cools and vapour condenses on dust particles |
| importance | fresh water, farming, electricity, fishing; protect forests and rivers |
| housefly | insect; complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult |
| menace | spreads cholera, typhoid, dysentery by mechanical transmission |
| control | covered bins, clean toilets, covering food, washing hands |
| plant nutrients | NPK and others; organic (manure, compost) and inorganic (urea, NPK) |
| application | broadcasting, side placement, ring, spot, foliar |
| domestic animals | poultry, ruminants, non-ruminants; uses for food, products and work |
2. Linking the Cycles
The cycles are connected. The water cycle brings rain that crops need, and crops feed animals. Animal manure returns nutrients to the soil for crops, completing a nutrient cycle. Poor waste management breaks these cycles and creates breeding places for houseflies. Understanding the links helps us farm better and live healthily.
3. Practical Skills
Revise the experiments of the term: evaporation and condensation, transpiration with a plastic bag, the cloud in a bottle, observing the housefly life cycle in a sealed container, and identifying nutrient sources. Know the steps, observations and conclusions for each.
4. Self-Check Questions
Test yourself: Can you name all the stages of the water cycle? Can you draw the housefly life cycle and name two diseases flies spread? Can you list three organic and three inorganic nutrient sources? Can you give two uses each of goats, cattle and chickens? Use these questions to guide your final revision.
New words
- cycle
- A series of events that repeats.
- nutrient cycle
- The movement of nutrients between soil, plants and animals.
- metamorphosis
- Change in form during a life cycle.
- conclusion
- What the results of an experiment show.
Summary
- The water cycle moves water through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
- The housefly has a four-stage life cycle and spreads disease; good sanitation controls it.
- Plants need nutrients from organic and inorganic sources, and domestic animals provide food, products and manure.
Class activity: Cycle Links Chart
- Draw the water cycle, the housefly life cycle and a nutrient cycle.
- Draw arrows showing how they connect.
- Present your chart to the class.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Water falling from clouds is…
- A. precipitation
- B. evaporation
- C. infiltration
- D. transpiration
Show answer
Answer: precipitationRain.2. The pupa stage of the housefly comes after the…
- A. larva
- B. adult
- C. egg
- D. nymph
Show answer
Answer: larvaLife cycle.3. Compost is an organic nutrient source.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueDecayed matter.4. Animals that chew the cud are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: ruminantsFour-part stomach.5. State three ways of controlling houseflies.
Show answer
Answer: Covered bins, clean toilets, covering food (or nets, washing hands).Any three.6. Explain how manure links animal production and crop production.
Show answer
Answer: Animal dung returns nutrients to the soil, which helps crops grow, and crops then feed animals.Nutrient cycle.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Revision
- Sub-strand
- Term Revision
Introduction
Practice questions help you check your understanding and prepare for the examination. Use correct scientific words and give clear explanations.
1. Answering Science Questions
- Read each question carefully and note the instruction word.
- Use correct scientific terms, such as "condensation" and "metamorphosis".
- Draw diagrams in pencil, large and clearly labelled.
- Give units and examples where needed.
- For experiments, state the materials, steps, observation and conclusion.
2. Sample Questions and Model Answers
Practice question 1
Describe an experiment to show that plants lose water through their leaves.
- Tie a clear plastic bag over a leafy branch and another over a bare stick (control).
- Leave both in the sun for three hours.
- Observation: droplets form only in the bag over the leaves.
Answer: Conclusion: plants lose water vapour through their leaves (transpiration).
Practice question 2
State two differences between organic manure and inorganic fertiliser.
- Organic manure releases nutrients slowly; inorganic fertiliser acts quickly.
- Organic manure improves soil structure; inorganic fertiliser does not.
Answer: Speed of action and effect on soil structure.
3. Holiday Activities
During the holidays, observe science around you: watch clouds form, notice dew in the morning, help in the family garden by making compost, and look after domestic animals at home. Keep a science diary of your observations to share next term.
4. Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse evaporation with condensation, mitochondria with chloroplasts, and the larva with the pupa. Others forget to label diagrams or give a conclusion for experiments. Reading questions carefully and checking answers avoids these mistakes.
New words
- model answer
- An example of a complete, correct answer.
- observation
- What is seen during an experiment.
- control
- A setup used for comparison.
- label
- A word naming part of a diagram.
Summary
- Use scientific terms, labelled diagrams and complete experiment descriptions.
- Practise with model answers to check understanding.
- Observe science in daily life during the holidays.
Class activity: End-of-Term Quiz
- Answer ten questions covering all the term's topics.
- Mark your answers with the teacher's model answers.
- List two topics to revise further.
You need: Beaker, Hand lens, Safety goggles
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The housefly spreads disease mainly by…
- A. carrying germs on its body
- B. biting
- C. stinging
- D. poisoning water
Show answer
Answer: carrying germs on its bodyMechanical transmission.2. Which noble gas is element number 2?
- A. helium
- B. neon
- C. argon
- D. hydrogen
Show answer
Answer: heliumHe.3. Plant cells have cell walls.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCellulose.4. Liquid water changing into vapour is ______.
Show answer
Answer: evaporationHeating.5. State three uses of domestic animals.
Show answer
Answer: Food, manure, transport (or security, income, products).Any three.6. Explain why forests are important for the water cycle.
Show answer
Answer: Trees release water by transpiration and help water infiltrate the soil, maintaining rainfall and groundwater.Forests and water.
Homework
- Make a summary sheet with one diagram for each topic of the term.