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Free Practice Questions for GCE O/L Health & Physical Education

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Exam pass rate: Approximately 80% to 85% of school candidates pass Health & Physical Education with Grade S or above annually.
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Key Facts: GCE O/L Health & Physical Education Exam

Subject 80

Official National Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

40 MCQs

Paper 1 Question Count

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

1 Hour

Paper 1 Duration

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

2 Hours

Paper 2 Duration

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Grade S+

Official Passing Standard (35+ Marks)

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

3 Media

Available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE O/L Health & Physical Education (Subject Code 86) evaluates human anatomy, fitness training, nutrition, communicable diseases, and first aid across a 40-question MCQ Paper 1, a 2-hour written Paper 2, and practical assessments.

Sample GCE O/L Health & Physical Education Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE O/L Health & Physical Education exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following bones is classified as a long bone in the human skeletal system?
A.Femur
B.Scapula
C.Carpal bone
D.Vertebra
Explanation: The femur (thigh bone) is classified as a long bone because its length is significantly greater than its width, featuring a central shaft (diaphysis) and two articulated ends (epiphyses). Long bones function primarily as levers to facilitate locomotion and bear body weight. The femur is also the longest and strongest bone in the human skeleton.
2Which type of synovial joint permits movement primarily in a single anatomical plane, resembling the operation of a door hinge?
A.Ball and socket joint
B.Hinge joint
C.Pivot joint
D.Gliding joint
Explanation: A hinge joint permits angular movement strictly in one plane (uniaxial), allowing flexion and extension much like the hinge of an opening door. Classical examples in the human body include the elbow joint (between the humerus and ulna) and the knee joint. Strong collateral ligaments reinforce the joint capsule to prevent sideways dislocation.
3During upward flexion of the forearm at the elbow joint, what are the respective functional roles of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles?
A.Both the biceps brachii and triceps brachii contract simultaneously as agonists.
B.The biceps brachii acts as the antagonist by relaxing while the triceps brachii contracts as the agonist.
C.The biceps brachii contracts as the agonist while the triceps brachii relaxes as the antagonist.
D.Both muscles relax completely, relying on gravitational momentum to flex the forearm.
Explanation: Skeletal muscles operate in antagonistic pairs because muscles can actively contract and pull, but cannot actively push. During elbow flexion, the biceps brachii contracts concentrically as the prime mover (agonist) to decrease the joint angle. Simultaneously, the triceps brachii relaxes and lengthens as the antagonist to allow smooth, controlled flexion.
4Which of the following characteristics accurately describes smooth (involuntary) muscle tissue?
A.It is striated, multinucleated, and attached to skeletal bones via tendons.
B.It contains intercalated discs and branches rhythmically without conscious neural input.
C.It is controlled directly by voluntary conscious impulses from the cerebral cortex.
D.It lacks striations, consists of spindle-shaped cells, and lines internal hollow organs.
Explanation: Smooth muscle tissue consists of non-striated, uninucleated, spindle-shaped fibers regulated involuntarily by the autonomic nervous system and local hormones. It forms the muscular walls of internal hollow visceral structures such as the stomach, intestines, urinary bladder, and blood vessels. Its slow, sustained contractions maintain organ tone and propel substances via peristalsis.
5Which chamber of the human heart possesses the thickest muscular myocardium to pump oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation?
A.Left ventricle
B.Right ventricle
C.Left atrium
D.Right atrium
Explanation: The left ventricle possesses the thickest myocardial wall of all four heart chambers because it must generate high hydrostatic pressure to overcome systemic vascular resistance. When it contracts during ventricular systole, it ejects oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the systemic circulation to supply the entire body. In contrast, the right ventricle only pumps blood through the low-resistance pulmonary circuit to the lungs.
6What is the primary physiological function of the bicuspid (mitral) valve located within the human heart?
A.Preventing deoxygenated blood from flowing back from the right ventricle into the right atrium
B.Preventing oxygenated blood from flowing back from the left ventricle into the left atrium
C.Regulating the outward ejection of blood from the left ventricle into the systemic aorta
D.Preventing arterial blood from re-entering the pulmonary trunk during ventricular diastole
Explanation: The bicuspid (or mitral) valve is an atrioventricular valve situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle. During ventricular systole, high intraventricular pressure forces the valve cusps shut, anchored by chordae tendineae and papillary muscles, preventing backflow of oxygenated blood into the left atrium. This ensures that blood flows forward into the aorta.
7How is cardiac output calculated, and why do endurance-trained athletes typically exhibit a lower resting heart rate (resting bradycardia)?
A.Cardiac Output = Blood Pressure / Heart Rate; endurance training reduces overall myocardial contractile strength.
B.Cardiac Output = Tidal Volume x Breathing Rate; endurance training limits systemic oxygen consumption.
C.Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume x Heart Rate; an enlarged, stronger left ventricle pumps more blood per beat.
D.Cardiac Output = Vital Capacity x Pulse Pressure; athletes develop lower total circulating blood volumes.
Explanation: Cardiac output (Q) is defined as the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and equals Stroke Volume multiplied by Heart Rate (Q = SV x HR). Long-term endurance training induces physiological cardiac hypertrophy, enlarging left ventricular chamber volume and strengthening myocardial contractions. Because each stroke volume is markedly higher, the trained heart maintains normal resting cardiac output with fewer contractions per minute (resting bradycardia).
8Which cellular component of human blood plays the primary role in initiating hemostasis and forming blood clots following vascular injury?
A.Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
B.Leukocytes (white blood cells)
C.Blood plasma proteins like albumin
D.Thrombocytes (platelets)
Explanation: Thrombocytes (platelets) are small, disc-shaped, anucleated cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes in red bone marrow. When a blood vessel wall is damaged, platelets adhere to exposed collagen, release clotting factors, aggregate to form a temporary platelet plug, and initiate the coagulation cascade that converts fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin mesh. This rapid process prevents excessive hemorrhage.
9In the human respiratory tract, what are the microscopic, grape-like air clusters where external respiration (gas exchange) takes place?
A.Alveoli
B.Bronchioles
C.Tracheal rings
D.Pharyngeal tonsils
Explanation: Alveoli are microscopic, cup-shaped outpocketings clustered at the terminal ends of respiratory bronchioles in the lungs. Their extremely thin single-cell squamous epithelial walls and dense surrounding capillary networks create an immense surface area optimal for rapid diffusion. Here, oxygen diffuses into pulmonary capillaries while carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveolar air space to be exhaled.
10What mechanical actions occur within the thoracic cavity during normal, active inhalation (inspiration)?
A.The diaphragm relaxes into a dome shape, reducing thoracic volume and forcing air inward.
B.The diaphragm contracts and flattens downward while external intercostal muscles lift the ribs upward and outward.
C.The internal intercostal muscles contract forcibly to depress the ribcage downward and inward.
D.The abdominal muscles contract vigorously to elevate intra-abdominal pressure into the chest.
Explanation: During active inhalation, the dome-shaped diaphragm contracts and flattens downward, while the external intercostal muscles contract to pull the rib cage upward and outward. These coordinated muscular actions enlarge the volume of the thoracic cavity in all dimensions. According to Boyle's law, this expansion decreases intrapulmonary pressure below atmospheric pressure, causing ambient air to rush into the lungs.

About the GCE O/L Health & Physical Education Exam

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Health & Physical Education (Subject Code 86) is an established Category 2 elective examination administered by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, for Grade 11 candidates. The subject provides learners with a scientific foundation in human biological systems, personal hygiene, sports performance, nutrition, disease prevention, and community wellbeing. Assessment is conducted across two written papers—Paper 1 featuring 40 compulsory multiple-choice items and Paper 2 evaluating structured explanations and long-form scenario analyses—alongside school-level practical skill verifications. This practice question bank delivers 100 comprehensive questions reflecting the curriculum domains to support student preparation.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The G.C.E. O/L Health & Physical Education examination (Subject Code 86) consists of Paper 1 (40 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 1 hour, 40 marks), Paper 2 (structured short-answer and essay questions, 2 hours, 60 marks), and an internal continuous practical evaluation component conducted in schools.

Time Limit

Paper I and Paper II are sat in a single session of 3 hours 10 minutes

Passing Score

Grade S or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 80% to 85% of school candidates pass Health & Physical Education with Grade S or above annually.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Human Body and Development

Skeletal and muscular systems, circulatory and respiratory systems, nervous system, growth and maturation during adolescence, posture and postural defects.

25%

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle

Macro and micronutrients, balanced diet, nutritional deficiencies (anemia, goiter, malnutrition), food hygiene and preservation, lifestyle diseases (diabetes, hypertension, obesity).

25%

Physical Fitness and Sports Skills

Health-related and skill-related fitness components, principles of training (FITT, overload, specificity), track and field athletics, rules of major sports in Sri Lanka (cricket, volleyball, netball, football, badminton), sportsmanship and ethics.

20%

Public Health and Disease Control

Communicable diseases (dengue, influenza, tuberculosis), non-communicable diseases, mental health and stress management, substance abuse prevention (tobacco, alcohol, narcotics).

10%

Safety, First Aid, and Injury Management

Sports injury prevention and treatment (RICE procedure), first aid for fractures, burns, bleeding, shock, and CPR basics.

Preparing for the GCE O/L Health & Physical Education Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher
  • Assessment: The G.C.E. O/L Health & Physical Education examination (Subject Code 86) consists of Paper 1 (40 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 1 hour, 40 marks), Paper 2 (structured short-answer and essay questions, 2 hours, 60 marks), and an internal continuous practical evaluation component conducted in schools.
  • Time limit: Paper I and Paper II are sat in a single session of 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the GCE O/L Health & Physical Education examination in Sri Lanka?

The examination comprises two written papers and a practical assessment. Paper 1 has 40 compulsory multiple-choice questions (1 hour, 40 marks). Paper 2 contains structured short-answer and essay questions divided into sections (2 hours, 60 marks). Schools also administer an internal continuous practical evaluation covering athletics, movement concepts, and team games.

In which languages is the GCE O/L Health & Physical Education exam offered?

The examination is conducted nationwide in three official media of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Students sit the paper in their registered language of study.

What passing grades apply to Sri Lanka GCE Ordinary Level subjects?

Results are reported using five official performance bands: Distinction (D: 75–100 marks), Very Good (V: 65–74 marks), Credit (C: 50–64 marks), Ordinary Pass (S: 35–49 marks), and Fail (F: 0–34 marks). An S grade or higher represents an official pass.

What sports are covered under the practical and theoretical syllabus?

The curriculum features Sri Lanka's national sport volleyball, cricket, netball, football, and badminton, alongside standard track and field athletics (sprints, middle distance, relays, shot put, discus, long jump, high jump) and basic gymnastics.

How does this practice question bank support candidate revision?

This independent practice resource provides 100 multiple-choice items spanning human anatomy, nutrition, athletic training, public health epidemiology, and first aid procedures. Each item includes comprehensive explanations for correct and incorrect answer choices.