Year 6 Science exam worksheet featuring James the marathon runner and nutritional content tables to evaluate pupil understanding of balanced diets and physical exercise.
An end-of-topic assessment combining multiple choice recall questions with longer written answers, designed to test understanding across the full ability range.
Subject: Science | Year: 6
Name: _________________________ Class/Set: ____________ Date: ____________
Mark the correct answer.
Q1: Which nutrient is primarily responsible for the growth and repair of muscle tissue?
a) ☐ Carbohydrates b) ☐ Fats c) ☐ Proteins d) ☐ Fibre
Q2: A diet that contains the correct proportions of all seven nutrient groups is known as what?
a) ☐ A high-protein diet b) ☐ A calorie-controlled diet c) ☐ A restrictive diet d) ☐ A balanced diet
Q3: What is the primary role of the heart within the human circulatory system?
a) ☐ To filter toxins from the blood b) ☐ To pump blood containing nutrients and oxygen around the body c) ☐ To digest carbohydrates into simple sugars d) ☐ To store excess energy as fat
⇨ The data provided in the table below shows the nutritional content of four different breakfast cereals per 100g.
| Cereal Type | Sugar (g) | Fibre (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cereal A | 28.5 | 2.1 | 5.5 |
| Cereal B | 4.0 | 11.5 | 9.0 |
| Cereal C | 15.0 | 4.2 | 7.0 |
| Cereal D | 2.5 | 1.8 | 3.2 |
Q4: Based on the table, which cereal would be the healthiest option for a student wanting to increase their fibre intake while keeping sugar low?
a) ☐ Cereal A b) ☐ Cereal B c) ☐ Cereal C d) ☐ Cereal D
Q5: Which of the following is a long-term effect of a diet consistently high in saturated fats and sugar?
a) ☐ Increased lung capacity b) ☐ Improved bone density c) ☐ Increased risk of obesity and heart disease d) ☐ Faster reaction times
Answer in the spaces provided.
Q6: Explain how regular physical exercise affects the efficiency of the human heart. [2 marks]
⇨ The following scenario describes a professional marathon runner preparing for a race.
James is a marathon runner. On the day before a big race, he consumes a meal very high in complex carbohydrates, such as wholemeal pasta and bread. This is much more than he would eat on a normal rest day.
Q7: Explain why James requires a significantly higher intake of carbohydrates on the day before a race compared to a day when he is not exercising. [4 marks]
Total Marks: _______ / 11
⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE
Q1: c
Explanation: Proteins are the building blocks of the body. Option (a) provides energy, and (d) aids digestion but does not repair tissue.
Q2: d
Explanation: A 'balanced' diet is the specific scientific term for consuming all nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water) in the correct amounts.
Q3: b
Explanation: The heart acts as a pump. It does not filter blood (kidneys/liver) or digest food (stomach/intestines).
Q4: b
Explanation: Cereal B has the highest fibre (11.5g) and a relatively low sugar content compared to A and C. While D is lower in sugar, it is also very low in fibre.
Q5: c
Explanation: High saturated fat leads to fatty deposits in the arteries, while high sugar increases calorie intake beyond what is burnt, leading to weight gain.
Assessing the transition from rote recall to complex reasoning often reveals significant gaps in Year 6 scientific literacy. By incorporating the James the marathon runner scenario, this resource forces pupils to synthesise knowledge of carbohydrate loading with physiological energy demands rather than simply identifying food groups. The structural gradient of this Exam Questions reduces initial anxiety through low-stakes retrieval before introducing multi-mark application questions that demand causal justification. This architecture directly supports the reasoning and independence required for Upper Key Stage 2, ensuring learners can articulate the relationship between nutrition and physical performance with the precision expected in summative assessments.
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