WASSCE Biology · Paper 1 style

Health and disease

One sample question with the full working. 2 more in the app, with instant feedback and repair sessions for the traps below.

Antibiotics are effective in treating diseases caused by…

Abacteria
Black of immunity
Cviruses
Dall germs

Show the answer and working

Answer: A

Antibiotics attack bacterial structures (e.g. cell walls). Viruses lack these, so antibiotics do not cure flu or COVID-19.

Trap B Uses an everyday idea instead of the biology: Translate everyday words into the textbook definition before choosing. If the only reason an option attracts you is its name or looks, test it against the definition in the stem.

Trap C Confuses vaccines and antibiotics: Antibiotics kill/stop BACTERIA during an infection (not viruses). Vaccines PREVENT disease by training the immune system to make antibodies and memory cells.

Trap D Over-generalises a rule to all cases: Absolute words (all, always, every, never) are rarely right in biology. Try to name one exception; if you can, reject the option.

Traps in Health and disease

Uses an everyday idea instead of the biology
Translate everyday words into the textbook definition before choosing. If the only reason an option attracts you is its name or looks, test it against the definition in the stem.
Confuses vaccines and antibiotics
Antibiotics kill/stop BACTERIA during an infection (not viruses). Vaccines PREVENT disease by training the immune system to make antibodies and memory cells.
Over-generalises a rule to all cases
Absolute words (all, always, every, never) are rarely right in biology. Try to name one exception; if you can, reject the option.
Mixes up a pair of similar technical terms
Make a two-column table for each confusable pair with one defining feature each, and a memory hook (aTLas holds the 'world' (skull) and nods; aXis lets you shake 'no'). Underline the defining feature the stem gives before you look at the options.

Practise Health and disease (2 questions)Send to your class on WhatsApp