Class 9 Science — Model Question Paper (Set 1)

Model Paper · full syllabus · CBSE 2026-27 pattern

CBSE Class 9 · Science (NCERT ‘Exploration’) · Max Marks 80 · Time 3 hrs · Board-level hard

CBSE Class 9 Science — Model Question Paper (Set 1) · Max Marks 80 · Time 3 hrs

Based on the 2026-27 pattern (NCERT ‘Exploration’ textbook) · board-level hard. For answers & marking scheme see the ✍️ Answers tab above.

General Instructions: (i) The paper has five sections A–E and 39 questions; all are compulsory. (ii) Section A (Q1–20) carries 1 mark each; Section B (Q21–26) 2 marks; Section C (Q27–33) 3 marks; Section D (Q34–36) 5 marks; Section E (Q37–39) 4 marks. (iii) Internal choices are provided in some questions. (iv) Draw neat labelled diagrams wherever necessary.

SECTION A — Objective [20 × 1 = 20]

Q1. A plant cell placed in a concentrated sugar solution shrinks. The process responsible is:

(i) Exosmosis
(ii) Endosmosis
(iii) Diffusion of sugar in
(iv) Active transport

Q2. Which tissue is responsible for the increase in girth (secondary growth) of a stem?

(i) Lateral meristem
(ii) Apical meristem
(iii) Intercalary meristem
(iv) Permanent tissue

Q3. An object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time along a straight line. Its:

(i) acceleration is zero
(ii) velocity is zero
(iii) displacement is zero
(iv) speed keeps increasing

Q4. The SI unit of the quantity measured as (force × displacement) is the:

(i) joule
(ii) newton
(iii) watt
(iv) pascal

Q5. Which separation technique would best separate two miscible liquids with a large difference in boiling points?

(i) Simple distillation
(ii) Filtration
(iii) Decantation
(iv) Using a separating funnel

Q6. The number of neutrons in an atom of ¹⁷₃₅Cl (Z = 17) is:

(i) 18
(ii) 17
(iii) 35
(iv) 52

Q7. Which of the following has tissue-level organisation but only a single body opening?

(i) Cnidaria (Hydra)
(ii) Porifera (sponge)
(iii) Annelida (earthworm)
(iv) Arthropoda (insect)

Q8. Sound cannot travel through:

(i) vacuum
(ii) iron
(iii) water
(iv) air

Q9. The kingdom whose members are unicellular prokaryotes is:

(i) Monera
(ii) Protista
(iii) Fungi
(iv) Plantae

Q10. During uniform circular motion, the quantity that stays constant is:

(i) speed
(ii) velocity
(iii) acceleration
(iv) displacement

Q11. The greenhouse gas mainly released by burning fossil fuels is:

(i) carbon dioxide
(ii) nitrogen
(iii) oxygen
(iv) argon

Q12. Meiosis is essential in sexual reproduction because it:

(i) halves the chromosome number in gametes
(ii) doubles the chromosome number
(iii) produces identical clones
(iv) occurs only in body cells

Q13. The cell organelle called the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ is the:

(i) mitochondrion
(ii) ribosome
(iii) vacuole
(iv) Golgi apparatus

Q14. A body of mass 2 kg moving at 3 m/s has kinetic energy:

(i) 9 J
(ii) 6 J
(iii) 18 J
(iv) 3 J

Q15. Fraction of solar radiation reflected by a surface is its:

(i) albedo
(ii) insolation
(iii) solar constant
(iv) emissivity

Q16–20 (Assertion–Reason): Choose: (a) Both A and R true, R correct explanation of A; (b) Both true, R not the correct explanation; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

Q16. Assertion: Arteries have thick, elastic walls. Reason: Arteries carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Q17. Assertion: The second law of motion can give a quantitative definition of force. Reason: The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.

Q18. Assertion: Isotopes of an element have the same chemical properties. Reason: Isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons.

Q19. Assertion: A louder sound has a larger amplitude. Reason: Loudness depends on the frequency of the sound wave.

Q20. Assertion: Viruses are placed outside the five-kingdom classification. Reason: Viruses lack cellular organisation.

SECTION B — Very Short Answer [6 × 2 = 12]

Q21. Differentiate between mixtures and compounds, giving one example of each. [2]

Q22. State Newton’s third law of motion and give one everyday example that illustrates it. [2]

Q23. Define power. A machine does 1500 J of work in 5 s — calculate its power. [2]

Q24. Distinguish between parenchyma and sclerenchyma in terms of cell wall and function. [2]

Q25. Why is nitrogen gas unusable directly by most plants, and how is it made usable? Name one nitrogen-fixing bacterium. [2]

Q26. Define (i) frequency and (ii) wavelength of a sound wave, and write the relation connecting them with wave speed. [2]

SECTION C — Short Answer [7 × 3 = 21]

Q27. A bus starting from rest acquires a velocity of 54 km/h in 15 s. Find (i) the acceleration and (ii) the distance travelled in this time. [3]

Q28. Explain the structure of a plasma membrane and why it is called ‘selectively permeable’. [3]

Q29. State the law of conservation of mass. In a reaction, 5.3 g of sodium carbonate reacted with 6 g of ethanoic acid to give 2.2 g of CO₂, 0.9 g of water and sodium ethanoate — find the mass of sodium ethanoate formed. [3]

Q30. Three types of muscle tissue occur in the body. Name them and give one location and one key feature of each. [3]

Q31. Draw a labelled diagram of the carbon cycle and briefly explain how carbon returns to the atmosphere. [3]

Q32. A stone of mass 1 kg is thrown vertically up with a velocity of 20 m/s. Using energy conservation, find the maximum height reached (g = 10 m/s²). [3]

Q33. Explain how the five-kingdom classification places (i) a mushroom, (ii) Amoeba and (iii) a bacterium in three different kingdoms, naming the key feature used in each case. [3]

SECTION D — Long Answer [3 × 5 = 15]

Q34. (a) State Newton’s second law of motion and derive F = ma. (b) A force of 20 N acts on a 4 kg body at rest on a frictionless surface for 3 s. Find the acceleration, final velocity and distance covered. [5]
OR — Define momentum. A 0.5 kg ball moving at 10 m/s is stopped by a wall in 0.05 s. Find the force exerted, and explain why follow-through in cricket reduces the force on the hand.

Q35. (a) Draw a well-labelled diagram of a plant cell. (b) Give three structural differences between a plant cell and an animal cell, and explain the function of the cell wall and the large central vacuole. [5]
OR — Describe the structure and function of xylem and phloem, naming the components of each and stating the direction of transport.

Q36. Describe the five spheres of the Earth system and, with one example, explain how a rise in atmospheric temperature can cause a chain of changes through the cryosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. [5]
OR — Explain the nitrogen cycle, naming the bacteria and the process at each step (fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification).

SECTION E — Case / Source-based [3 × 4 = 12]

Q37. A student dissolves 40 g of common salt in water to make 200 g of solution at 25°C.

(i) Calculate the mass percentage of the solution. [1]
(ii) Is this a true solution, a colloid or a suspension? Give one reason. [1]
(iii) Name two methods to recover the salt from this solution. [1]
(iv) If more salt is added until no more dissolves, what is such a solution called? [1]

Q38. The graph of an object shows velocity increasing uniformly from 0 to 20 m/s in 4 s, then constant at 20 m/s for 6 s.

(i) Find the acceleration in the first 4 s. [1]
(ii) What is the acceleration between 4 s and 10 s? [1]
(iii) Find the distance covered in the first 4 s. [1]
(iv) Find the total distance covered in 10 s. [1]

Q39. In a forest, scientists recorded four hornbill species nesting only in large old trees and feeding on specific fruits; different species occupied different parts of the forest.

(i) What term describes the variety of organisms in this forest? [1]
(ii) To which vertebrate class do hornbills belong, and name one feature that places them there. [1]
(iii) Give the correct classification hierarchy from Kingdom to Species. [1]
(iv) What would happen to the hornbills if the large old trees were cut down? [1]

Model Answers & Marking Scheme (Set 1)

These are value-points. In the exam, answers in the student’s own words that cover the key points earn full marks.

Section A (1 mark each)

16 — (a) Both true, R explains A. 17 — (a) Both true, R explains A. 18 — (a) Both true, R explains A. 19 — (c) A true, R false (loudness depends on amplitude, not frequency). 20 — (a) Both true, R explains A.

Section B (2 marks each)

21. A mixture has two or more substances not chemically combined, in any ratio, keeping their own properties and separable physically (e.g. air/salt-water); a compound is formed by chemical combination of elements in a fixed ratio with new properties, separable only chemically (e.g. water, CO₂).

22. Newton’s third law: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Example: a swimmer pushes water backward and is pushed forward; or a gun recoils when fired.

23. Power = work done / time taken = energy transferred per unit time; SI unit watt. P = 1500/5 = 300 W.

24. Parenchyma — thin cellulose wall, living, does storage/photosynthesis/support. Sclerenchyma — thick lignified wall, dead at maturity, gives mechanical strength/rigidity.

25. Atmospheric N₂ is very unreactive, so plants cannot use it directly; it must be converted (fixed) into soluble compounds like nitrates. This is done by nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g. Rhizobium in legume root nodules, or Azotobacter), and also by lightning and the Haber-Bosch process.

26. (i) Frequency = number of oscillations/waves passing a point per second (Hz). (ii) Wavelength = distance between two consecutive compressions (or rarefactions). Relation: v = fλ (speed = frequency × wavelength).

Section C (3 marks each)

27. u = 0, v = 54 km/h = 15 m/s, t = 15 s. (i) a = (v−u)/t = 15/15 = 1 m/s². (ii) s = ut + ½at² = 0 + ½×1×15² = 112.5 m.

28. The plasma membrane is a thin, flexible layer of lipids and proteins enclosing the cell. It is selectively permeable because it allows only certain substances to pass (by diffusion/osmosis/active transport) while blocking others, thus controlling what enters and leaves the cell.

29. Law of conservation of mass: mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Total reactants = 5.3 + 6 = 11.3 g. Products so far = 2.2 + 0.9 = 3.1 g. Mass of sodium ethanoate = 11.3 − 3.1 = 8.2 g.

30. (i) Striated/skeletal — attached to bones, voluntary, cylindrical multinucleate cells. (ii) Smooth/unstriated — walls of stomach/intestine/blood vessels, involuntary, spindle-shaped. (iii) Cardiac — wall of the heart, involuntary, branched cells that beat rhythmically without tiring.

31. Diagram: CO₂ (air) → photosynthesis → plants → eaten by animals. Carbon returns to the air by (i) respiration of plants and animals, (ii) decomposition of dead organisms, and (iii) combustion of fossil fuels formed over millions of years.

32. At max height v = 0. By energy conservation, KE at throw = PE at top: ½mv² = mgh ⇒ h = v²/2g = (20)²/(2×10) = 400/20 = 20 m.

33. (i) Mushroom → Fungi — multicellular, chitin cell wall, heterotrophic by absorption. (ii) Amoeba → Protista — unicellular eukaryote with a true nucleus. (iii) Bacterium → Monera — unicellular prokaryote (no true nucleus). Key feature = cell type/organisation and nutrition.

Section D (5 marks each)

34. (a) Second law: rate of change of momentum ∝ applied force, in the direction of force. For mass m, F = Δ(mv)/Δt = m(v−u)/t = ma. (b) a = F/m = 20/4 = 5 m/s²; v = u + at = 0 + 5×3 = 15 m/s; s = ½at² = ½×5×9 = 22.5 m. OR — momentum p = mv; force F = Δp/Δt = (0.5×10)/0.05 = 100 N; follow-through increases contact time, so for the same change in momentum the force is reduced (F = Δp/Δt).

35. (a) Labelled plant cell (cell wall, membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplast, vacuole, mitochondria). (b) Plant cell has a cell wall, chloroplasts and a large central vacuole; animal cell lacks these (no wall, no chloroplast, small vacuoles) and may have centrioles. The cell wall gives shape/support; the large vacuole stores cell sap and maintains turgidity. OR — Xylem (tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, fibres) carries water and minerals upward from root to leaves; phloem (sieve tubes, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, fibres) carries food (sugars) in both directions from leaves to the rest of the plant.

36. Five spheres: geosphere (rocks/soil), hydrosphere (liquid water), cryosphere (ice/snow), atmosphere (air), biosphere (life). Chain example: rising atmospheric temperature → glaciers melt (cryosphere) → rivers swell and sea level rises (hydrosphere) → coastal habitats and species lost (biosphere). OR — Nitrogen cycle: fixation (Rhizobium/Azotobacter, lightning) → ammonia; nitrification (Nitrosomonas→nitrite, Nitrobacter→nitrate); assimilation by plants; ammonification by decomposers; denitrification (Pseudomonas) → N₂ back to air.

Section E (4 marks each)

37. (i) Mass % = (40/200)×100 = 20%. (ii) True solution — salt dissolves fully, particles are invisible and do not settle/scatter light. (iii) Evaporation and crystallisation (or distillation). (iv) A saturated solution.

38. (i) a = (20−0)/4 = 5 m/s². (ii) velocity constant ⇒ 0 m/s². (iii) s = ½×5×4² = 40 m. (iv) first 4 s = 40 m; next 6 s = 20×6 = 120 m; total = 160 m.

39. (i) Biodiversity. (ii) Aves (birds) — feathers, beak, lay eggs, forelimbs modified into wings. (iii) Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species. (iv) Loss of nesting sites → they could not breed; their numbers would fall and they might disappear from the forest (local extinction).

Section	Question type	Questions	Marks each	Total
A	Objective (MCQ + Assertion–Reason)	1–20	1	20
B	Very Short Answer	21–26	2	12
C	Short Answer	27–33	3	21
D	Long Answer	34–36	5	15
E	Case/Source-based	37–39	4	12
Theory total			39	80