Test – 8.1 Human Nutrition – Diet

IGCSE Biology: Human Nutrition – Diet Test

Revision Test Paper #

Instructions:
  • This test has two sections: Section A (Multiple Choice) and Section B (Written Response)
  • Section A has 15 questions worth 15 marks total
  • Section B has 10 questions worth 35 marks total
  • Total marks: 50
  • Answer all questions
  • Write your answers clearly
  • Show all working for calculation questions

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [15 marks] #

Choose the best answer for each question. Circle the letter of your answer.

1. Which of the following is the main function of carbohydrates in the body?
A. Building new cells and tissues
B. Providing energy for body activities
C. Protecting internal organs
D. Fighting diseases and infections
2. A person who does not eat enough vitamin C may develop a disease called:
A. Rickets
B. Anaemia
C. Scurvy
D. Diabetes
3. Which nutrient is needed to make haemoglobin in red blood cells?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
4. Lipids (fats and oils) are stored in the body. Which of the following is NOT a function of this stored fat?
A. Energy reserve when food is not available
B. Insulation to reduce heat loss from the body
C. Making enzymes to control chemical reactions
D. Protection for delicate organs like kidneys
5. Which food group contains the most protein?
A. Rice, bread, and pasta
B. Butter, oil, and margarine
C. Meat, fish, and eggs
D. Oranges, lemons, and tomatoes
6. A child has soft, bent leg bones and does not grow properly. The child is most likely suffering from:
A. Scurvy
B. Rickets
C. Anaemia
D. Obesity
7. Which statement about fibre is correct?
A. Fibre is digested and absorbed to provide energy
B. Fibre helps food move through the digestive system
C. Fibre is stored in the liver for later use
D. Fibre is used to build new cells and tissues
8. A person feels tired all the time, gets breathless easily, and has pale skin. Which nutrient deficiency is the most likely cause?
A. Vitamin C deficiency
B. Vitamin D deficiency
C. Calcium deficiency
D. Iron deficiency
9. Which of these foods is the best source of vitamin D?
A. Oranges and lemons
B. Oily fish and eggs
C. White bread and rice
D. Carrots and spinach
10. Water is essential for the body. Approximately what percentage of the human body is made up of water?
A. About 20%
B. About 40%
C. About 70%
D. About 90%
11. Which nutrient provides more than twice as much energy per gram compared to carbohydrates?
A. Proteins
B. Vitamins
C. Lipids
D. Minerals
12. A person with scurvy might experience:
A. Soft and bent bones
B. Bleeding gums and loose teeth
C. Feeling tired and breathless
D. Constipation and digestive problems
13. Which statement about proteins is correct?
A. Proteins are the body’s main source of energy
B. Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids
C. Proteins cannot be found in plant foods
D. Proteins are stored under the skin for insulation
14. An athlete needs more carbohydrates than a person who works in an office. This is mainly because the athlete:
A. Needs more protein to build muscles
B. Loses more water through sweating
C. Uses more energy during physical activity
D. Needs more calcium for stronger bones
15. Which combination of foods would provide a good source of calcium?
A. Bread, pasta, and rice
B. Milk, cheese, and yogurt
C. Chicken, fish, and eggs
D. Butter, oil, and nuts

SECTION B: WRITTEN RESPONSE QUESTIONS [35 marks] #

Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Show all your working for calculations.

1. The table below shows the seven components of a healthy diet.

Dietary Component One Main Function
Carbohydrates _______________________________
Lipids _______________________________
Proteins _______________________________
Vitamin C _______________________________
Calcium _______________________________
Fibre _______________________________
Water _______________________________

Complete the table by writing one main function for each dietary component. [7]
2. Vitamin D is an important nutrient for the body.
  1. Give two food sources that contain vitamin D. [2]
  2. Apart from food, state one other way the body can get vitamin D. [1]
  3. Explain why vitamin D is important for the body. [1]
3. The diagram below shows a plate of food that represents a balanced meal.

  1. Explain what is meant by the term “balanced diet”. [2]
  2. Give two reasons why a teenage girl might need a different diet compared to an elderly man. [2]
4. Rickets is a disease that affects bone development in children.
  1. State two symptoms of rickets. [2]
  2. Name two nutrients that can cause rickets if they are not eaten in enough amounts. [2]
  3. Suggest why children who spend most of their time indoors might be at greater risk of developing rickets. [2]
5. The table below shows information about four people with different lifestyles.
Person Description
Person A 16-year-old male athlete who trains every day
Person B 30-year-old pregnant woman
Person C 8-year-old child
Person D 70-year-old person who does very little physical activity
  1. Which person needs the most energy from carbohydrates? Explain your answer. [2]
  2. Which person needs extra iron in their diet? Explain why. [2]
  3. Explain why Person C needs plenty of protein and calcium in their diet. [2]
6. A sailor on a long sea voyage many years ago ate only dried meat and ship’s biscuits. After several weeks, his gums started bleeding and his teeth became loose.
  1. Name the deficiency disease the sailor is suffering from. [1]
  2. Which nutrient was missing from his diet? [1]
  3. Give two examples of foods the sailor should eat to prevent this disease. [2]
7. The diagram shows the structure of a protein molecule made up of amino acids.

  1. State what is made by amino acids that are joined together. [1]
  2. Give two functions of proteins in the body. [2]
  3. Explain why vegetarians need to eat a variety of different plant proteins. [2]
8. A person feels tired all the time and gets out of breath easily when climbing stairs. A blood test shows that they have a low number of red blood cells.
  1. Name the deficiency disease this person has. [1]
  2. Which mineral is needed to make red blood cells? [1]
  3. Give two foods rich in this mineral that the person should eat. [2]
9. A student is investigating the importance of fibre in the diet.
  1. Explain why fibre is important for keeping the digestive system healthy. [2]
  2. Give two examples of foods that contain a lot of fibre. [2]
10. The table shows the nutrient content of two different meals.
Meal Carbohydrates (g) Lipids (g) Proteins (g) Vitamin C (mg) Fibre (g)
Meal 1: Burger and chips 65 35 20 5 3
Meal 2: Grilled fish with brown rice and vegetables 55 12 30 45 8
  1. Which meal contains more lipids? [1]
  2. Explain why Meal 2 is healthier than Meal 1. Give two reasons. [2]
  3. A teenager eats Meal 1 every day for lunch. Explain what health problems might develop if they continue eating this way. [2]

End of Test

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