Processing & the Impact of Technology is one of 9 topics in the Grade 8 Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What does it mean for a material to be biodegradable?
Natural processes can break it down into simpler, harmless substances over time
It can never be broken down by any natural process
It is always more expensive than non-biodegradable materials
It can only be used once and then must be destroyed by fire
Answer: Natural processes can break it down into simpler, harmless substances over time — A biodegradable material can be broken down by natural processes (like bacteria and fungi in soil) into simpler, harmless substances over time.
Easy
2. Why is a standard, thin plastic shopping bag a pollution problem?
It is usually not biodegradable (or breaks down extremely slowly), so it can pollute land and water for a very long time
It is always biodegradable within a few days
It cannot be manufactured in large numbers
It is more expensive than a biodegradable bag
Answer: It is usually not biodegradable (or breaks down extremely slowly), so it can pollute land and water for a very long time — A standard, thin plastic shopping bag is usually not biodegradable (or breaks down extremely slowly), meaning bags used only once can pollute land and water for a very long time.
Medium
3. Give ONE reason a shopper paying for a thicker, biodegradable bag (instead of getting a free thin one) is intended to help the environment.
Answer: encourages reuse — Paying for a thicker, biodegradable bag is intended to encourage shoppers to reuse the same bag many times, rather than using a new bag for every shopping trip.
