WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Biology Practical: Sample Questions and Answers

BIOLOGY PRACTICAL (ALT. A)

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 50

INSTRUCTIONS

• Answer all questions.
• Write your answers clearly.
• Draw neat, well-labelled diagrams where required.
• All drawings must be in pencil.
• Use tabular form where appropriate.

SECTION A (20 MARKS)

(Compulsory Question)

1. Study Specimens A and B carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Specimen A: Fresh Fish
Specimen B: Grasshopper

(a) State three observable features of each specimen. (6 marks)

(b) Classify each specimen under the following headings:

• Phylum
• Class
  (4 marks)

(c) State two adaptive features of each specimen. (4 marks)

(d) State two differences between locomotion in Specimen A and Specimen B. (4 marks)

(e) State the habitat of each specimen. (2 marks)

MARKING GUIDE (Section A)

• Observable features (3 each × 2) = 6
• Classification (2 each × 2) = 4
• Adaptation (2 each × 2) = 4
• Differences = 4
• Habitat = 2

SECTION B (20 MARKS)

(Answer all questions)

2. Study Specimens C and D carefully.

Specimen C: Hibiscus leaf
Specimen D: Maize leaf

(a) Make a tabular comparison of five observable differences between Specimens C and D. (10 marks)

(b) State two functions of leaves. (2 marks)

(c) To which group of plants does each specimen belong? (4 marks)

(d) State two similarities between the specimens. (4 marks)

3. Food Test Experiment

You are provided with food samples E, F, and G.

(a) Describe the test for starch in specimen E. (4 marks)

(b) Describe the test for reducing sugar in specimen F. (4 marks)

(c) Describe the test for protein in specimen G. (4 marks)

(d) Present your answers in the format below: (8 marks)

| Test | Procedure | Observation | Inference |

MARKING GUIDE (Section B)

• Table differences = 10
• Functions = 2
• Plant group = 4
• Similarities = 4
• Food tests (complete format) = 12

SECTION C (10 MARKS)

(Answer all questions)

4. Biological Drawing

(a) Make a large, neat, labelled diagram of a longitudinal section of a flower. (6 marks)

(b) State the functions of the following parts:

• Stigma
• Ovary
  (2 marks)

5. Ecology Practical

(a) Name two instruments used to measure:

(i) Temperature
(ii) Rainfall
(4 marks)

(b) State one use of a quadrat. (2 marks)

(c) Define habitat. (2 marks)

MARKING GUIDE (Section C)

• Diagram = 6
• Functions = 2
• Instruments = 4
• Quadrat use = 2
• Definition = 2

EXAMINER NOTES (IMPORTANT FOR HIGH SCORES)

To align with WAEC marking standards:

• Observable features must be visible (avoid internal assumptions)
• Use correct biological terms (e.g., “segmented body”, not “divided body”)
• Tables must have clear headings
• Diagrams must be:
  • Large
  • Labelled with straight lines
  • Proportional
• Food tests must follow:
  Procedure → Observation → Inference
• Avoid vague words like “normal”, “good”, “bad”

OPTIONAL: QUICK ANSWER SNAPSHOT (FOR REVISION)

Fish:

• Phylum: Chordata; Class: Pisces
• Adaptation: Gills, fins

Grasshopper:

• Phylum: Arthropoda; Class: Insecta
• Adaptation: Wings, exoskeleton

Leaf Difference:

• Hibiscus → Reticulate, dicot
• Maize → Parallel, monocot

Food Tests:

• Starch → Iodine → Blue-black
• Sugar → Benedict’s → Brick-red
• Protein → Biuret → Purple

WAEC 2026 Biology Practical: Sample Questions and Answers

QUESTION 1 (Specimen Identification & Classification)

Specimen A: Fresh fish
Specimen B: Cockroach

(a) State three observable features of each specimen.

Answer:
Specimen A (Fish):

• Streamlined body
• Presence of fins
• Covered with scales

Specimen B (Cockroach):

• Segmented body (head, thorax, abdomen)
• Presence of jointed legs
• Possession of antennae

(b) Classify each specimen to phylum and class.

Answer:

• Specimen A: Phylum – Chordata; Class – Pisces
• Specimen B: Phylum – Arthropoda; Class – Insecta

(c) State two adaptive features of each specimen.

Answer:
Fish:

• Gills for respiration in water
• Fins for movement

Cockroach:

• Hard exoskeleton for protection
• Wings for flight

QUESTION 2 (Plant Morphology)

Specimen C: Hibiscus leaf
Specimen D: Maize leaf

(a) Tabulate three differences.

Answer:

(b) State two functions of leaves.

Answer:

• Photosynthesis
• Transpiration

QUESTION 3 (Food Test Practical)

(a) Describe the test for starch.

Answer:

• Add iodine solution to the sample
• Observation: Blue-black colour
• Inference: Starch present

(b) Describe the test for protein.

Answer:

• Add Biuret reagent
• Observation: Violet/purple colour
• Inference: Protein present

QUESTION 4 (Biological Drawing)

(a) Make a well-labelled diagram of a longitudinal section of a flower.

Answer (labels expected):

• Petal
• Sepal
• Stigma
• Style
• Ovary
• Anther
• Filament

(b) State the function of the ovary.

Answer:

• Contains ovules and develops into fruit after fertilization

QUESTION 5 (Microscopy Practical)

(a) List four parts of a light microscope.

Answer:

• Eyepiece
• Objective lens
• Stage
• Mirror

(b) State one function of each.

Answer:

• Eyepiece: Magnifies image
• Objective lens: Further magnification
• Stage: Holds specimen
• Mirror: Reflects light

QUESTION 6 (Ecological Instruments)

(a) Name two instruments used to measure:

(i) Temperature
(ii) Rainfall

Answer:

• Temperature → Thermometer
• Rainfall → Rain gauge

(b) State one use of quadrat.

Answer:

• To estimate population density of plants

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Biology Practical: Sample Questions and Answers

QUESTION 7 (Seed Germination)

(a) Identify two types of germination.

Answer:

• Epigeal germination
• Hypogeal germination

(b) State two differences.

Answer:

• Epigeal: Cotyledons above soil
• Hypogeal: Cotyledons remain below soil

QUESTION 8 (Specimen – Fruit Study)

Specimen E: Orange
Specimen F: Coconut

(a) Classify each fruit type.

Answer:

• Orange → Hesperidium
• Coconut → Drupe

(b) State two similarities.

Answer:

• Both contain seeds
• Both develop from ovary

QUESTION 9 (Osmosis Experiment)

(a) Describe an experiment to demonstrate osmosis using yam strips.

Answer:

• Cut yam into strips
• Place in salt solution and distilled water
• Observe changes

(b) State observation.

Answer:

• In salt solution: Shrinks
• In distilled water: Swells

(c) Conclusion.

Answer:

• Water moves from low concentration to high concentration through semi-permeable membrane

QUESTION 10 (General Biology Practical Skills)

(a) State two rules for biological drawing.

Answer:

• Use pencil only
• Draw clear, neat lines

(b) State two precautions during experiments.

Answer:

• Handle specimens carefully
• Record observations accurately

Key WAEC Examiner Expectations (Very Important)

To score high in WAEC practical:

• Use tabular forms for comparisons
• Give clear observable features only (no guessing)
• Label diagrams properly
• Follow “Test → Observation → Inference” format
• Write short, direct answers

These patterns are consistent with WAEC marking schemes and repeated practical formats