WACE Biology Practice Questions
The 64 practice questions inside the WACE Biology Mastery Pack, grouped by area of study. Every question comes with a full worked solution.
- Continuity of species
- Multiple choice × 24
- Interpret × 1
- Explain × 1
- Evaluate × 1
- Analyse × 1
- Calculate × 1
- Justify × 1
- Compare × 1
- Discuss × 1
- Surviving in a changing environment
- Multiple choice × 24
- Interpret × 1
- Explain × 1
- Evaluate × 1
- Analyse × 1
- Calculate × 1
- Justify × 1
- Compare × 1
- Discuss × 1
A near-isogenic transgenic crop and control are tested in four randomised blocks. Mean insect damage is 14%, 16%, 13%, 15% for transgenic plots and 30%, 28%, 32%, 30% for controls. (a) Calculate overall means and absolute difference. (3 marks) (b) Interpret what the design supports. (3 marks) (c) State two further release questions. (2 marks)
Show the worked answer
Answer: Worked solution
(a) Transgenic mean = (14+16+13+15)/4 = 14.5%. Control mean = (30+28+32+30)/4 = 30.0%. Damage is 15.5 percentage points lower in the transgenic plots. Relative reduction is 15.5/30.0 = 51.7%, but percentage points answer the requested absolute difference.
(b) Near-isogenic controls reduce background-genotype differences, and paired randomised blocks distribute site variation. Replication across four blocks makes the block, not each sampled leaf, the independent unit. The consistent reduction supports an effect of the construct under these conditions, subject to uncertainty and matched management; it does not alone establish yield benefit or environmental safety.
(c) Test non-target effects and resistance evolution, and measure gene flow to compatible relatives and hybrid fitness across sites/seasons.
Marking: (a) transgenic mean: 1; control mean: 1; 15.5 percentage points: 1. (b) near-isogenic/block purpose: 1; valid replication inference: 1; qualified construct conclusion: 1. (c) one mark for each distinct relevant release question.
20 full-length practice exams with worked solutions, 20 revision notes, 64 practice questions and 200 flashcards.
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