Natural Sciences Grade 9 P1 November Mock 2026 Question Paper

Copyright reserved Please turn over Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 9 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM SENIOR PHASE END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION GRADE 9 NATURAL SCIENCES NOVEMBER 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 100 TIME: 2 hours This question paper consists of 13 pages, including an answer sheet.

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 ELEVEN questions in TWO sections: SECTION A: QUESTIONS 1 to 3 (20 marks) SECTION B: QUESTIONS 4 to 11 (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, except QUESTION 5.2.4, which must be answered on the ANSWER SHEET (graph paper) at the end of this question paper. Write your name and class on the ANSWER SHEET, detach it and hand it in with your 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. Round off final answers to TWO decimal places where necessary. 8. ALL drawings must be done in pencil and labelled in blue or black ink. 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 Which ONE of the following is a NON-CONTACT (field) force? A Friction B Tension C Magnetic force D Normal force (1) 1.2 The SI unit of weight is the … A kilogram (kg). B newton (N). C newton per kilogram (N·kg−1). D joule (J). (1) 1.3 A lightning conductor protects a tall building because it … A attracts the lightning away from the town. B conducts the charge safely to the ground. C stores the electric charge. D stops clouds from becoming charged. (1) 1.4 Four copper wires are at the same temperature. Which wire has the HIGHEST resistance? A Long and thin B Long and thick C Short and thin D Short and thick (1) 1.5 Three identical 1,5 V cells are connected in SERIES to form a battery. The potential difference of the battery is … A 0,5 V. B 1,5 V. C 3,0 V. D 4,5 V. (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 4 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 1.6 The lights in a house are connected in PARALLEL because … A each light then receives a smaller voltage. B the other lights stay on when one bulb blows. C the current is then the same in every light. D a parallel circuit has a higher total resistance. (1) 1.7 A 2 000 W kettle is switched on for 30 minutes. Electricity costs R3,00 per kWh. The cost of the electricity used is … A R1,50. B R3,00. C R30,00. D R3 000,00. (1) 1.8 The lithosphere consists of … A the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. B the outer core and the inner core. C all the water on and under the surface of the Earth. D the mantle and the outer core. (1) 1.9 The layer of the atmosphere in which almost all weather (clouds, rain and wind) occurs is the … A thermosphere. B mesosphere. C stratosphere. D troposphere. (1) 1.10 Which colour of star has the HIGHEST surface temperature? A Red B Yellow C White D Blue (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 The force that opposes the motion of an object when two surfaces rub against each other (1) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 5 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 2.2 A component that opposes the flow of current and is used to control the current in a circuit (1) 2.3 The device in the national grid that steps the voltage up or down (1) 2.4 A rock that contains enough of a valuable mineral to make mining it worthwhile (1) 2.5 The huge explosion at the end of the life of a very massive star (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 The green-and-yellow wire in a three-pin plug A Fuse 3.2 A safety device that switches off a circuit automatically when the current is too high, and that can be reset B Magma 3.3 The sphere of the Earth that includes all living organisms C Earth wire 3.4 Molten rock that flows out onto the surface of the Earth D Thermosphere 3.5 The outermost layer of the atmosphere, in which the auroras (Northern and Southern Lights) occur E Biosphere F Circuit breaker G Lava H Live wire I Hydrosphere [5] TOTAL SECTION A: 20 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 6 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 SECTION B QUESTION 4: FORCES 4.1 State whether each of the following forces is a CONTACT FORCE or a NON-CONTACT FORCE. 4.1.1 The force of the Earth that keeps the Moon in its orbit (1) 4.1.2 The force of a rope on a bucket that is being lifted out of a well (1) 4.2 Lerato rubs an inflated balloon with a woollen cloth. The balloon becomes NEGATIVELY charged. She then holds the balloon just above small pieces of paper on a table. The pieces of paper jump up and stick to the balloon. − − −− − − − − balloon pieces of paper 4.2.1 Name the sub-atomic particles that are transferred when the balloon is rubbed. (1) 4.2.2 Explain how the balloon became negatively charged. (2) 4.2.3 Lerato rubs a second balloon with the same cloth and hangs the two balloons close to each other. Will the balloons ATTRACT or REPEL each other? Give a reason for your answer. (2) 4.3 Sipho has a mass of 52 kg. The gravitational field strength on Earth is 9,8 N·kg−1. Use the formula: w = m×g 4.3.1 Explain the difference between MASS and WEIGHT. (2) 4.3.2 Calculate Sipho’s weight on Earth. (2) 4.3.3 The gravitational field strength on the Moon is about one sixth of that on Earth. Will Sipho’s MASS on the Moon be GREATER THAN, LESS THAN or THE SAME AS his mass on Earth? (1) 4.4 Two bar magnets are placed with the north pole of one magnet facing the south pole of the other magnet, as shown below. S N S N 4.4.1 Will the two magnets ATTRACT or REPEL each other? (1) 4.4.2 Redraw the two magnets in your ANSWER BOOK and draw the magnetic field pattern between the two poles that face each other. Show the direction of the field lines. (2) [15] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 7 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 5: ELECTRIC CELLS AND RESISTANCE 5.1 Learners make an electric cell by pushing a zinc strip and a copper strip into a lemon. They connect the strips to a small light-emitting diode (LED). zinc strip copper strip LED lemon 5.1.1 What is the function of the lemon juice in this cell? (1) 5.1.2 The LED does not light up. Suggest ONE way in which the learners can make the LED light up, using only more of the same materials. (1) 5.2 Grade 9 learners investigate how the LENGTH of a nichrome wire affects the CURRENT in a circuit. They use the circuit below. The crocodile clip is moved along the nichrome wire, so that different lengths of the wire are included in the circuit. The same piece of nichrome wire is used throughout. 3 V S A crocodile clip nichrome wire length L The results of the investigation are shown in the table. Length of nichrome wire (cm) 10 20 30 40 50 Current (A) 1,20 0,60 0,40 0,30 0,24 5.2.1 Write down an investigative question for this investigation. (2) 5.2.2 Identify the INDEPENDENT variable. (1) 5.2.3 Name ONE variable that must be kept constant to make this a fair test. (1) 5.2.4 Use the ANSWER SHEET (graph paper) at the end of this question paper to draw a line graph of current (on the y-axis) against the length of the nichrome wire (on the x-axis). Give your graph a heading and label both axes. (4) 5.2.5 Write down a conclusion for this investigation. (2) [12] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 8 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 6: SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS 6.1 Circuit 1 below consists of a battery of two 1,5 V cells, a closed switch, an ammeter A1 and two DIFFERENT light bulbs, X and Y. Voltmeter V1 is connected across the battery and voltmeter V2 is connected across bulb X. Circuit 1 A1 Y X S V1 V2 6.1.1 What is the reading on voltmeter V1? (1) 6.1.2 The reading on V2 is 1,8 V. Calculate the potential difference across bulb Y. (2) 6.1.3 The reading on ammeter A1 is 0,3 A. What is the current through bulb Y? Give a reason for your answer. (2) 6.2 Circuit 2 uses the same battery. Two IDENTICAL light bulbs, P and Q, are connected in parallel. Ammeter A2 measures the total current and ammeter A3 measures the current through bulb P. The reading on A2 is 0,8 A. Circuit 2 A2 A3 P Q 6.2.1 What is the reading on ammeter A3? (1) 6.2.2 What is the potential difference across bulb Q? (1) 6.2.3 Bulb P blows. What will happen to bulb Q? Explain your answer. (2) 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 a battery of TWO cells, a CLOSED switch, TWO light bulbs connected in PARALLEL and an ammeter that measures the TOTAL current in the circuit. (3) [12] QUESTION 7: ENERGY AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICITY GRID 7.1 The flow diagram shows how electricity is generated in a coal-fired power station and delivered to homes. Coal burns in a boiler Water is heated to form steam Steam turns the 1 2 produces electricity Transformers and power lines 7.1.1 Name the parts labelled 1 and 2. (2) 7.1.2 Give ONE reason why generating electricity from coal is harmful to the environment. (1) 7.1.3 Name the fuel used at Koeberg, the nuclear power station near Cape Town. (1) 7.2 The table shows the power ratings of some appliances in the Mokoena household. The municipality charges R3,20 per kWh (unit) of electricity. Use the formula: Cost = power (kW) × time (h) × unit price Appliance Power rating Kettle 2 200 W Geyser 3 000 W Television 120 W LED light bulb 9 W 7.2.1 Convert the power rating of the kettle to kilowatts (kW). (1) 7.2.2 The kettle is used for a total of 15 minutes every day. Calculate the cost of using the kettle for ONE day. (3) 7.2.3 The geyser is switched on for 4 hours every day. Calculate the cost of using the geyser for 30 days. (2) 7.2.4 Suggest ONE way in which the Mokoena family can reduce the cost of heating water. (1) [11] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 10 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 8: THE EARTH AS A SYSTEM AND THE LITHOSPHERE 8.1 The diagram shows the four spheres of the Earth, labelled A, B, C and D. A B C D 8.1.1 Name the spheres labelled B and D. (2) 8.1.2 Describe how the plants in sphere B interact with sphere A. (2) 8.1.3 Rivers carry soil and sand from the land into the sea. Name the TWO spheres that interact in this process. (1) 8.2 The diagram below is a simplified rock cycle. X and Y are types of rock, and P and Q are processes. Magma Igneous rock X Y P weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction and cementation Q melting 8.2.1 Identify the types of rock labelled X and Y. (2) 8.2.2 Name the processes labelled P and Q. (2) 8.2.3 Give ONE example of an igneous rock. (1) 8.2.4 Mention TWO factors that influence the weathering of rocks. (2) [12] Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 11 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 QUESTION 9: MINING OF MINERAL RESOURCES Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. The Kwena coal mine in Mpumalanga removes the soil and rock above a coal seam and digs the coal out of a huge pit at the surface. After many years of mining, rainwater that runs through the old workings and waste dumps becomes acidic. This water flows into nearby streams. Dust from the waste dumps blows onto the farms around the mine. Not all minerals are mined in the same way. Gold is often found as the pure metal, but iron must be extracted from iron ore by heating the ore with carbon in a blast furnace. [Examiner’s own passage; the mine is fictional.] 9.1 Name the method of mining described in the first paragraph. (1) 9.2 Is the extraction of iron from iron ore in a blast furnace a PHYSICAL or a CHEMICAL process? (1) 9.3 Discuss ONE negative effect of the acidic water from the mine on the environment. (2) 9.4 Suggest TWO ways in which the mining company can reduce the damage to the environment when the mine closes. (2) [6] QUESTION 10: THE ATMOSPHERE The graph shows how the average temperature of the atmosphere changes with height above the Earth’s surface. A, B, C and D are the four layers of the atmosphere. -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 A B C D Temperature (°C) Height above the surface (km) Temperature of the atmosphere at different heights 10.1 Name the layers labelled B and C. (2) 10.2 Use the graph to write down the temperature at the top of layer A. (1) 10.3 In which layer (A, B, C or D) is the ozone layer found? State ONE reason why the ozone layer is important for living organisms. (2) Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 12 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 10.4 Explain how greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, keep the Earth warm. (2) 10.5 State ONE possible consequence of global warming. (1) [8] QUESTION 11: BIRTH, LIFE AND DEATH OF STARS The flow diagram shows the life cycle of a star with a mass similar to that of our Sun. Nebula Protostar 11.1.1 Red giant 11.1.2 11.1 Write down the names of the missing stages 11.1.1 and 11.1.2. (2) 11.2 Name the nuclear reaction that produces the energy of a star, and briefly describe what happens during this reaction. (2) [4] TOTAL SECTION B: 80 TOTAL: 100 Copyright reserved Please turn over

Natural Sciences 13 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 ANSWER SHEET QUESTION 5.2.4 NAME: CLASS: (4) Copyright reserved