2020 HKDSE Biology

2020 HKDSE Biology Exam Analysis

New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Third Edition) - 2 - Oxford University Press

1 Coverage

a Most topics in the curriculum are covered. The chart below shows the top 10 chapters to which most marks are allocated in Paper 1.

b Least marks are allocated to the following chapters: Ch 5 Food and nutrition Ch 17 Movement in humans Ch 28 Biodiversity

1

2

2

2

1

6

1

2

6

5

7

5

5

6

8

3

12

12

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Ch 13 Reproduction in humans

Ch 6 Nutrition in humans

Ch 26 Molecular genetics

Ch 15 Detecting the environment

Ch 7 Gas exchange in humans

Ch 8 Transport in humans

Ch 24 Body defence mechanisms

Ch 25 Basic genetics

Ch 19 Ecosystems

Ch 10 Transpiration, transport and support in plants

Mark

Paper 1A

Paper 1B14

13

9

9

8

7

7

7

6

6

Chapter in 3rd edition


2 Level of difficulty

Paper 1 a Paper 1A (MC questions) is easier than last year. About 40% of questions are fairly straightforward. They assess the ability to recall and show basic

understanding of facts and concepts of biology. Q12, 15, 20, 31 and 33−36 are more challenging and may be set to differentiate students of different abilities.

b The level of difficulty of Paper 1B (conventional questions) is similar to last year. Q1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 are quite straightforward. Q6c, 7c, 8 and 9c are more challenging. They assess higher-order thinking skills and may be set to differentiate students of different abilities.

c The essay question (Q11) in Paper 1B requires students to recall the adaptive features of the human circulatory system for transporting oxygen directly. It is easier than last year’s essay on genetics and hybrid pets.

d Quite many questions in Paper 1A and 1B are cross-topic questions. Examples are given in the following table. These questions assess the ability to integrate knowledge learnt in different chapters. They are more difficult.

Cross-topic question Chapters (3rd edition) covered

Paper 1A Q9 Ch 2 The cell as the basic unit of life + Ch 6 Nutrition in humans + Ch 18 Homeostasis

Q10 Ch 6 Nutrition in humans + Ch 7 Gas exchange in humans + Ch 16 Coordination in humans

Q13 Ch 6 Nutrition in humans + Ch 7 Gas exchange in humans

Q21 Ch 12 Reproduction in flowering plants + Ch 30 Evolution II

Paper 1B Q3 Ch 15 Detecting the environment + Ch 16 Coordination in humans

Q4 Ch 3 Movement of substances across cell membrane + Ch 6 Nutrition in humans

Q6 Ch 9 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants + Ch 10 Transpiration, transport and support in plants + Ch 19 Ecosystems

Q7 Ch 19 Ecosystems + Ch 23 Infectious diseases and disease prevention + Ch 27 Biotechnology

Q 11 Ch 7 Gas exchange in humans + Ch 8 Transport in humans

Paper 2 a Section A (E1) and C (E3) in Paper 2 are easier than last year. Section B (E2) and D (E4) are comparatively more difficult.

b Challenging parts are found in Q2a(iii), 2b(i)(2), 3a(iv), 3b(iv)(1) and 4b(iii).


3 Skills or abilities assessed

Similar to previous years, questions in the papers assess various skills and abilities. The table below lists some examples.

Paper 1A Paper 1B

a Skills related to scientific investigation/SBA

i Making observations Q22 Q1a, 1b, 4, 6

ii Designing experiments Identifying variables Designing fair tests Setting up controls Ensuring reliability of results and validity of conclusions

Q6 Q7 Q27

Q5ai, 5b Q5ciii Q8bii

iii Result prediction Q3 Q6c

iv Interpreting data or graphs Q15, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 Q2, 7c, 8bi

v Interpreting photomicrographs or electron micrographs Q9, 22, 23, 24 Q10

vi Drawing conclusions Q2, 28, 33 Q5ci

b Understanding of the nature of science (NOS) Q18

c Applying knowledge in unfamiliar situations Q2, 3, 16, 33, 34, 35 Q3c, 5, 6, 7, 8

d Communication Q3b, 6aii, 6c, 7cii, 9cii, 9ciii, 11


4 Challenging questions

Some questions in the papers are challenging. The table below lists some examples and the difficulties students may encounter when answering the questions. Suggestions for developing the necessary skills and abilities to address similar questions are also given.

Question Difficulty Suggestion Reference in textbook (3rd edition)

Paper 1A Q15 - Constructing

evolutionary trees

Students often have difficulty in interpreting data in tables.

Students should look for the similarities of traits of different species in order to deduce their phylogenetic relationships. The most closely related species are the ones with the most similarities (or least differences). The most distantly related species are the ones with the least similarities (or most differences).

Book 4 Ch 29 p. 15 Skill builder: Interpreting phylogenetic relationships

Paper 1A Q27 - Identifying controls in

experiments about phototropism in plants

Students’ understanding of how to set up controls is usually poor. It may not be easy for them to identify the correct control set-ups.

Students should clearly understand the difference between controls and experimental set-ups. The control is identical to the experimental set-up except that the factor under investigation is absent. Students should also expose to more experiments involving controls.

Book 2 Ch 15 p. 43 Skill builder: Setting up controls in phototropism experiments



Paper 1A Q31 - Identifying individuals

suffering from different types of diabetes

Students often have difficulty in interpreting graphs.

Students should look for the difference in the change in blood glucose level and blood insulin level between type 1 diabetics and type 2 diabetics after consuming a sugary drink. In type 1 diabetics, the blood insulin level remains low despite an increase in the blood glucose level. In type 2 diabetics, the blood glucose level remains higher than normal despite an increase in blood insulin level.

Book 2 Ch 18 p. 13 Skill builder: Interpreting graphs of glucose and insulin responses

Paper 1B Q6 - Biological principle in

aquaponics

Students may be unfamiliar with the principle of aquaponics. They are generally weak in applying concepts to unfamiliar situations. They may not be able to integrate the data from the question with the biological concepts they have learnt.

Students have to integrate information from the question with the biological concepts learnt. Doing more practice that requires higher-order thinking helps develop skills for answering this type of question.

Book 3 Ch 19 p. 46 STSE connections: Nitrogen cycle in aquaponics



Paper 1B Q11 (essay) - Adaptive features of

the human circulatory system at cellular, tissue and organ levels

Students often produce poorly organized essays containing discrete ideas. For example, they may describe the adaptations of different structures of the circulatory system separately rather than describing the adaptive features at various levels of body organization. Moreover, students often find it difficult to link up related facts from different topics and present them in a logical and systematic manner.

Students need to pay attention to essay planning. Identifying the main areas for discussion and organizing the thoughts using tables, flow charts or mind maps can help present ideas logically.

Book 1B Ch 10 p. 39 Skill builder: Answering essay questions

Paper 2 Q1 - An investigation of the

effect of plasma sodium ion level on the plasma ADH level

Students often have difficulty in describing the relationships between two variables in graphs or tables precisely.

Students should get more training on how to find the correlations between two variables. Exposing to more questions with different graphs or tables helps students develop skills in analyzing and describing the data given.

Book 3 Ch 22 p. 15 Skill builder: Finding correlations


5 Exam trend

Compulsory part

Chapter (3rd edition) 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

1 Introducing biology MC BIO IA Q2

2 The cell as the basic

unit of life

MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q12 BIO IB Q4 MC BIO IA Q1

MC BIO IA Q5 MC BIO IA Q9

MC BIO IA Q22

3 Movement of

substances across

cell membrane

MC BIO IA Q5 BIO IB Q7 MC BIO IA Q2 MC BIO IA Q1 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q2

MC BIO IA Q23 BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q3

MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q25 BIO IB Q2 BIO IB Q6

MC BIO IA Q25

4 Enzymes and

metabolism

MC BIO IA Q6 MC BIO IA Q9 MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q9 MC BIO IA Q6

MC BIO IA Q7 BIO IB Q7 MC BIO IA Q27 MC BIO IA Q5 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q10 MC BIO IA Q7

MC BIO IA Q27 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q8

5 Food and humans MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q26

MC BIO IA Q5

MC BIO IA Q6

6 Nutrition in humans MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q7 MC BIO IA Q2 MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q18 MC BIO IA Q23 MC BIO IA Q10

MC BIO IA Q20 BIO IB Q3 MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q7 MC BIO IA Q2 MC BIO IA Q23 MC BIO IA Q24 BIO IB 4

MC BIO IA Q34 MC BIO IA Q25 MC BIO IA Q9 MC BIO IA Q25 MC BIO IA Q25

BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q10 BIO IB Q8

BIO IB Q11

7 Gas exchange in

humans

MC BIO IA Q22 MC BIO IA Q1 MC BIO IA Q27 MC BIO IA Q13 BIO IB Q11 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q8 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q11

MC BIO IA Q30 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q13

8 Transport in humans MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q31 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q13 MC BIO IA Q18 MC BIO IA Q34 MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q12

MC BIO IA Q31 BIO IB Q11 MC BIO IA Q16 BIO IB Q11 MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q22 MC BIO IA Q14

MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q17 BIO IB Q11


BIO IB Q1

MC

BIO IA Q29



9 Nutrition and gas

exchange in plants

BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q6 BIO IB Q9 BIO IB Q3

MC BIO IA Q7

MC BIO IA Q8

10 Transpiration,

transport and

support in plants

MC BIO IA Q3 BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q20 MC BIO IA Q17 MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q13 MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q23

MC BIO IA Q10 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q18 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q30 BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q24

MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q22 BIO IB Q9 MC BIO IA Q22 MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q31 BIO IB Q5

MC BIO IA Q12 MC BIO IA Q23 MC BIO IA Q23 MC BIO IA Q16 CS B Q3

BIO IB Q3 BIO IB Q4 MC BIO IA Q17

11 Cell cycle and

division

BIO IB Q11 MC BIO IA Q14 BIO IB Q3 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q18 MC BIO IA Q22 BIO IB Q3 MC BIO IA Q20


MC BIO IA Q20

12 Reproduction in

flowering plants

MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q19 MC BIO IA Q31 BIO IB Q3 MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q21

BIO IB Q8 MC BIO IA Q24 MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q16 MC BIO IA Q25


13 Reproduction in

humans

MC BIO IA Q25 MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q28 MC CS A Q22 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q19 MC BIO IA Q12 BIO IB Q10

MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q29 MC BIO IA Q20 MC BIO IA Q27


MC BIO IA Q28

MC BIO IA Q29

14 Growth and

development

MC BIO IA Q28 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q26


15 Detecting the

environment

MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q27 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q27 MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q25 MC BIO IA Q7 MC BIO IA Q16 MC BIO IA Q27

MC BIO IA Q9 MC BIO IA Q28 MC BIO IA Q29 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q17 MC BIO IA Q28

MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q29 BIO IB Q1 MC BIO IA Q27 MC BIO IA Q28 BIO IB Q3

BIO IB Q7 MC BIO IA Q28

MC BIO IA Q31



16 Coordination in

humans

MC BIO IA Q4 BIO IB Q1 MC BIO IA Q2 MC BIO IA Q22 BIO IB Q1 MC BIO IA Q29 MC BIO IA Q20 MC BIO IA Q18

MC BIO IA Q6 BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q23 MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q21

MC BIO IA Q22

BIO IB Q1

17 Movement in humans MC BIO IA Q5 BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q34 MC BIO IA Q20 MC BIO IA Q33 BIO IB Q1 MC BIO IA Q19 MC BIO IA Q19

MC BIO IA Q7 MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q20

BIO IB Q5 BIO IB Q4

18 Homeostasis MC BIO IA Q2 BIO IB Q7 MC BIO IA Q31

MC BIO IA Q33

MC BIO IA Q34

19 Ecosystems MC BIO IA Q13 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q30 MC BIO IA Q12 MC BIO IA Q5 MC BIO IA Q29 MC BIO IA Q32

MC BIO IA Q14 BIO IB Q8 MC BIO IA Q31 MC BIO IA Q31 MC BIO IA Q34 MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q6 MC BIO IA Q33 BIO IB Q2

MC BIO IA Q16 MC BIO IA Q33 BIO IB Q3 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q33 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q34 BIO IB Q6

MC BIO IA Q17 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q34 MC BIO IA Q29 BIO IB Q7

BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q32 BIO IB Q9

BIO IB Q8 MC BIO IA Q33

BIO IB Q11

20 Photosynthesis MC BIO IA Q2 MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q9 MC BIO IA Q6 MC BIO IA Q1 BIO IB Q1


MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q10 BIO IB Q7 MC BIO IA Q2


MC BIO IA Q5

MC BIO IA Q6

MC BIO IA Q7

21 Respiration

BIO IB Q9 MC BIO IA Q10 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q6 MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q7 MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q3 MC BIO IA Q4

BIO IB Q1 MC BIO IA Q26 MC BIO IA Q5

BIO IB Q9



22 Non-infectious

diseases

BIO IB Q7 BIO IB Q9 MC BIO IA Q34 BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q35

MC BIO IA Q35

BIO IB Q8

23 Infectious diseases and disease prevention

BIO IB Q2 MC BIO IA Q33 BIO IB Q4 MC BIO IA Q29

24 Body defence

mechanisms

MC BIO IA Q35 MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q32 MC BIO IA Q32 BIO IB Q7 BIO IB Q9 MC BIO IA Q10 MC BIO IA Q36 MC BIO IA Q30

MC BIO IA Q36 BIO IB Q9 MC BIO IA Q36 BIO IB Q1 BIO IB Q8

25 Basic genetics MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q10 MC BIO IA Q16 MC BIO IA Q4 MC BIO IA Q8 MC BIO IA Q12 MC BIO IA Q13 MC BIO IA Q18

BIO IB Q8 MC BIO IA Q12 MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q26 BIO IB Q8 BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q13 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q19

MC BIO IA Q13 MC BIO IA Q12 BIO IB Q4 BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q28 BIO IB Q11 MC BIO IA Q33

MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q13 BIO IB Q5 MC BIO IA Q34



BIO IB Q4

BIO IB Q10

26 Molecular genetics MC BIO IA Q18 MC BIO IA Q11 MC BIO IA Q16 MC BIO IA Q9 BIO IB Q9

MC BIO IA Q19

27 Biotechnology MC BIO IA Q19 MC BIO IA Q17

BIO IB Q7

28 Biodiversity BIO IB Q4 MC BIO IA Q21 MC BIO IA Q15 MC BIO IA Q5 MC BIO IA Q15 BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q9

BIO IB Q4

29 Evolution I MC BIO IA Q19 MC BIO IA Q17 BIO IB Q10 MC BIO IA Q14 MC BIO IA Q15


30 Evolution II MC BIO IA Q22 BIO IB Q6 MC BIO IA Q10 BIO IB Q10 BIO IB Q8 MC BIO IA Q16

MC BIO IA Q11


Elective part


E1 Human Physiology: Regulation and Control

1 Regulation of water content BIO II Q1a, b(i) BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1b BIO II Q1b BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1a(i)-(iii)

2 Regulation of body

temperature

BIO II Q1b(ii) BIO II Q1b(iii) BIO II Q1a(iii) BIO II Q1b

3 Regulation of gas

content in blood

BIO II Q1b(iii) BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1b BIO II Q1b(i), (ii) BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1a(i), (ii) BIO II Q1b BIO II Q1b

4 Hormonal control of

reproductive cycle

BIO II Q1b BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1a BIO II Q1a(iv)

E2 Applied Ecology

1 Human impact on the

environment

BIO II Q2a BIO II Q2a, b BIO II Q2a, b(ii) BIO II Q2a, b BIO II Q2a, b BIO II Q2a(i), b BIO II Q2a(i), (ii), b BIO II Q2b

2 Human responsibilities

for the environment

BIO II Q2b BIO II Q2b(i), (iii) BIO II Q2a(ii)-(iv) BIO II Q2a(iii) BIO II Q2a, b BIO II Q2a

E3 Microorganisms and Humans

1 Basic microbiology BIO II Q3a(i)-(iv), b BIO II Q3b(i) BIO II Q3a BIO II Q3a, b BIO II Q3a(iii) BIO II Q3b(iii) BIO II Q3a BIO II Q3a(i), (ii) BIO II Q3a(iv), b(iv)

BIO II Q 3b

2 Use of microorganisms BIO II Q3a, b(ii) BIO II Q3b(i), (ii)(2) BIO II Q3b BIO II Q3a

3 Harmful effects of

microorganisms

BIO II Q3a(v) BIO II Q3b(iii) BIO II Q3b(ii)(1) BIO II Q3a(i), (ii), (iv) BIO II Q3b(i), (ii) BIO II Q3b BIO II Q3a(iii) BIO II Q3 a(i)-(iii),

b(i)-(iii)

E4 Biotechnology

1 Techniques in modern

biotechnology

BIO II Q4a(i), (ii) BIO II Q4a(i)-(iii), b BIO II Q4a(i), (ii)(1), b BIO II Q4b BIO II Q4b BIO II Q4a(ii)-(iii), b BIO II Q4b BIO II Q4a, b BIO II Q4a, b(i)-(ii)

2 Applications in

biotechnology

BIO II Q4a(iii), b BIO II Q4a(iv) BIO II Q4a(ii)(2) BIO II Q4a BIO II Q4a BIO II Q4a(i), (iv) BIO II Q4a BIO II Q4b(iii)

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2020 HKDSE Biology