Natural Sciences Grade 8 P1 November Mock 2026 Question Paper

Copyright reserved Please turn over Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 8 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM SENIOR PHASE END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION GRADE 8 NATURAL SCIENCES NOVEMBER 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 100 TIME: 2 hours This question paper consists of 12 pages.

Natural Sciences 2 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions. 1. This question paper consists of NINE questions in TWO sections: SECTION A: QUESTIONS 1 to 3 (20 marks) SECTION B: QUESTIONS 4 to 9 (80 marks) 2. The paper examines the Term 3 work (ENERGY AND CHANGE) and the Term 4 work (PLANET EARTH AND BEYOND). 3. Answer ALL the questions in the ANSWER BOOK. 4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 5. Leave a line open between subquestions, for example between QUESTION 4.1 and QUESTION 4.2. 6. You may use a non-programmable calculator. 7. Show ALL calculations, including formulae and units. 8. ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink. Use the correct circuit symbols when you draw circuit diagrams. 9. Diagrams are NOT necessarily drawn to scale. 10. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 3 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 SECTION A QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 D. 1.1 A glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth and becomes POSITIVELY charged. This happens because the glass rod … A lost electrons to the silk cloth. B gained protons from the silk cloth. C gained electrons from the silk cloth. D lost protons to the silk cloth. (1) 1.2 Which ONE of the following devices works mainly because of the MAGNETIC effect of an electric current? A Toaster B Electric kettle C Electric doorbell D Electric heater (1) 1.3 More identical cells are connected in SERIES to a circuit that contains ONE light bulb. The bulb … A gets brighter. B gets dimmer. C stays the same. D goes out. (1) 1.4 A fuse is connected in a circuit because it … A melts and breaks the circuit when the current becomes too high. B increases the current so that the appliance works better. C stores electrical energy for when the power fails. D changes electrical energy into light energy. (1) 1.5 Which colour of visible light has the SHORTEST wavelength? A Red B Yellow C Green D Violet (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 4 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 1.6 A leaf looks green in sunlight because the leaf … A absorbs green light and reflects all the other colours. B reflects green light and absorbs most of the other colours. C gives off its own green light. D refracts green light into the eye. (1) 1.7 Light travels from a source in … A straight lines. B curved lines. C circles. D zigzag lines. (1) 1.8 Which ONE of the following planets is a GAS GIANT? A Mercury B Venus C Mars D Saturn (1) 1.9 The star that is CLOSEST to the Earth is … A Sirius. B the Sun. C Betelgeuse. D Polaris. (1) 1.10 We can see the Moon at night because it … A gives off its own light. B reflects light from the Sun. C reflects light from the Earth. D is very hot. (1) [10] QUESTION 2: TERMINOLOGY Give the correct scientific term for each of the following descriptions. Write only the term next to the question numbers (2.1 to 2.5) in the ANSWER BOOK. 2.1 A giant electric spark in the sky caused by the sudden discharge of static electricity from a cloud (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 5 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 2.2 A coil of wire around an iron core that becomes a magnet only while a current flows through the wire (1) 2.3 The bending of light when it passes at an angle from one transparent medium into another (1) 2.4 A group of stars that, seen from the Earth, forms a pattern or shape in the night sky (1) 2.5 A huge group of billions of stars, gas and dust that is held together by gravity (1) [5] QUESTION 3: MATCHING ITEMS Choose a term from COLUMN B that matches a description in COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–I) next to the question numbers (3.1 to 3.5) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 3.6 J. COLUMN A COLUMN B 3.1 A material, such as frosted glass, that lets some light through but scatters it, so that objects behind it cannot be seen clearly A Opaque 3.2 An object that gives off its own light B Translucent 3.3 The breaking down of a compound into simpler substances by passing an electric current through its solution C Luminous 3.4 A material that does NOT allow an electric current to flow through it easily D Electrolysis 3.5 The largest object that orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; it is classified as a dwarf planet E Conductor F Insulator G Pluto H Ceres I Transparent [5] TOTAL SECTION A: 20 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 6 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 SECTION B QUESTION 4: STATIC ELECTRICITY Thandi rubs a plastic comb with a woollen cloth. The comb becomes NEGATIVELY charged. She then holds the comb close to small pieces of tissue paper on a table. The pieces of paper jump up towards the comb. − − − − − comb pieces of tissue paper 4.1 What was the charge on the comb BEFORE it was rubbed? Give a reason for your answer. (2) 4.2 Refer to the movement of electrons and explain how the comb became negatively charged. (2) 4.3 What is the charge on the woollen cloth AFTER the rubbing? (1) 4.4 Redraw the comb and ONE piece of tissue paper in your ANSWER BOOK. Show how the charges in the piece of paper are arranged when the charged comb is held close to it. (2) 4.5 Thandi rubs a second plastic comb with the same cloth and hangs the two combs on threads close to each other. Will the combs ATTRACT or REPEL each other? (1) [8] QUESTION 5: ENERGY TRANSFER IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 5.1 Electric current has three effects: a HEATING effect, a MAGNETIC effect and a CHEMICAL effect. Which effect is used in each of the following? 5.1.1 A crane in a scrapyard lifts old cars with a large electromagnet. 5.1.2 A thin layer of silver is coated onto a spoon (electroplating). 5.1.3 A hairdryer blows warm air. (3) 5.2 Learners wind an insulated copper wire 20 times around an iron nail and connect it to a battery of two cells and a switch. When the switch is closed, the nail picks up 6 steel paper clips. battery switch paper clips insulated copper wire iron nail 5.2.1 The nail drops the paper clips when the switch is opened. What does this tell you about the type of magnet that was formed? (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 7 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 5.2.2 Suggest TWO practical changes that will make the electromagnet pick up MORE paper clips. (2) 5.2.3 Explain why the electromagnet cannot pick up aluminium cooldrink-can rings. (1) 5.3 The diagram shows apparatus used to pass an electric current through a blue copper chloride solution. After a few minutes, gas bubbles that smell like swimming-pool water form at the positive electrode, and a reddish-brown layer forms on the negative electrode. + − positive electrode negative electrode copper chloride solution 5.3.1 Complete the following word equation for the reaction in the ANSWER BOOK: copper chloride −→……… + ……… (2) 5.3.2 Which effect of an electric current is shown in this experiment? (1) 5.3.3 Write down the main energy conversion that takes place in the solution. (2) 5.4 State why a fuse in a circuit must have a LOWER current rating than the maximum current that the wires can safely carry. (1) [13] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 8 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 6: SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS 6.1 Grade 8 learners investigate how the number of light bulbs connected in SERIES affects the current in a circuit. They use the same battery, ammeter and IDENTICAL bulbs for circuits A, B and C. Circuit A A Circuit B A Circuit C A Circuit A B C Number of bulbs in series 1 2 3 Ammeter reading (A) 0,60 0,30 0,20 6.1.1 Write down an investigative question for this investigation. (2) 6.1.2 Identify the INDEPENDENT variable. (1) 6.1.3 Name ONE variable that was kept constant (controlled). (1) 6.1.4 Write down a conclusion for this investigation, and use the idea of RESISTANCE to explain the results. (2) 6.2 In the circuit below, two DIFFERENT light bulbs, P and Q, are connected in parallel. Ammeter A1 measures the total current and ammeter A2 measures the current through bulb P. A1 A2 P Q A1 reads 1,2 A A2 reads 0,5 A 6.2.1 Calculate the current through bulb Q. (2) 6.2.2 Bulb Q blows (burns out). Will bulb P still glow? Write only YES or NO. (1) 6.2.3 A third bulb is now connected in parallel with P and Q. Will the TOTAL resistance of the circuit INCREASE, DECREASE or STAY THE SAME? (1) 6.2.4 Give ONE reason why the lights in a house are connected in parallel and not in series. (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 9 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 6.3 Draw a circuit diagram of a circuit that consists of THREE cells connected in series, a CLOSED switch, a FUSE in series with the battery and TWO light bulbs connected in PARALLEL. (4) [15] QUESTION 7: VISIBLE LIGHT 7.1 A narrow beam of white light shines onto a triangular glass prism. The light splits into seven colours on a white screen. X and Y are the colours at the two ends of the band of colours. white light X Y screen glass prism 7.1.1 What is the band of seven colours on the screen called? (1) 7.1.2 Name the colours X and Y. (2) 7.1.3 Which ONE of the seven colours is refracted (bent) the MOST by the prism? (1) 7.2 A ray of light strikes a plane mirror. The incident ray makes an angle of 40° with the SURFACE of the mirror. The dashed line is the normal. mirror normal incident ray 40° 7.2.1 Calculate the angle of incidence. (2) 7.2.2 Write down the size of the angle of reflection. (1) 7.2.3 State the law of reflection. (1) 7.3 A ray of light passes from air into a rectangular glass block at an angle, as shown. ray of light normal glass block air Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 10 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 7.3.1 Name the phenomenon that takes place when the ray enters the glass block at an angle. (1) 7.3.2 Will the ray bend TOWARDS or AWAY FROM the normal when it enters the glass? Give a reason for your answer. (2) 7.4 A learner’s soccer kit has a RED shirt and WHITE shorts. On a school stage, only BLUE light shines on the learner. 7.4.1 What colour will the red shirt appear to be in the blue light? (1) 7.4.2 Refer to the ABSORPTION and REFLECTION of light and explain your answer to QUESTION 7.4.1. (2) 7.5 Which ONE of the following will cast the darkest, clearest shadow when light shines on it: a clear glass window, a sheet of frosted glass or a wooden door? (1) [15] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 11 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 8: THE SOLAR SYSTEM 8.1 The diagram shows the Sun, the eight planets (A to H), the asteroid belt and a dwarf planet (X). Sun A B C D E F G H asteroid belt X 8.1.1 The Sun is a star, but the planets are not. Give ONE reason why the Sun is called a star. (1) 8.1.2 Name the nuclear reaction that produces the Sun’s energy, and the gas that forms in this reaction. (2) 8.1.3 Write down the NAMES of planet D (the “red planet”) and planet E (the largest planet). (2) 8.1.4 Give the NAME of the dwarf planet X. (1) 8.1.5 Planet C is the only planet known to support life. Name and explain ONE condition on planet C that makes life possible. (2) 8.1.6 State ONE other condition on planet C that supports life (name only). (1) 8.2 The table gives information about six planets. Planet Diameter (km) Average distance from the Sun (million km) Time for one orbit (Earth years) Mercury 4 879 58 0,24 Venus 12 104 108 0,62 Earth 12 756 150 1,00 Mars 6 792 228 1,88 Jupiter 142 984 779 11,86 Saturn 120 536 1 432 29,46 [Values rounded from published planetary data.] 8.2.1 Which planet in the table is the SMALLEST? (1) 8.2.2 Use the table to describe the relationship between a planet’s distance from the Sun and the time it takes to complete one orbit. (2) 8.2.3 Name the force that keeps all the planets in their orbits around the Sun. (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 12 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 8.3 Give THREE differences between an asteroid and a comet. Tabulate your answer. (3) [16] QUESTION 9: BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND LOOKING INTO SPACE 9.1 The sketch shows a well-known group of stars and its two pointer stars, as seen in the southern night sky. Pointer 2 Pointer 1 Pointer 1 is the brighter pointer. It is part of the star system that is closest to our solar system. 9.1.1 Name the group of four bright stars on the right of the sketch. (1) 9.1.2 Name the star system of which Pointer 1 is part. (1) 9.1.3 Explain what a LIGHT YEAR is. (2) 9.1.4 Why do astronomers measure the distances to stars in light years and not in kilometres? (1) 9.1.5 Light from the Sun takes about 500 seconds to reach the Earth. Light travels at 300 000 km per second. Calculate the distance between the Sun and the Earth in kilometres. (2) 9.2 Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy. 9.2.1 Describe the SHAPE of the Milky Way galaxy. (1) 9.2.2 Why is our galaxy called the “Milky Way”? (1) 9.3 South Africa hosts the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) near Sutherland and the MeerKAT telescope near Carnarvon, both in the Northern Cape. 9.3.1 Is MeerKAT an OPTICAL telescope or a RADIO telescope? (1) 9.3.2 Give TWO reasons why the area around Sutherland is a good place for an optical telescope such as SALT. (2) 9.3.3 Give ONE advantage of a radio telescope over an optical telescope. (1) [13] TOTAL SECTION B: 80 TOTAL: 100 Copyright reserved