CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 9 Motion and Time — 20 MCQs with Answers

The chapter begins by comparing objects that move at different rates. Slow motion examples include a snail or a bicycle on a steep uphill road; fast motion examples include a cheetah or an aeroplane. Students must identify which among given options is slower or faster, often using context clues like time taken to cover a fixed distance. These questions build intuition about relative speed before introducing quantitative measures. Understanding this qualitative difference is the gateway to grasping speed as a numerical quantity. The 2025 CBSE guidelines emphasize application-based learning, so expect questions that ask you to rank vehicles or animals by their motion characteristics.

Uniform motion occurs when an object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time, regardless of how small those intervals are. Non-uniform motion means the distance covered in successive equal time intervals varies. A car on cruise control on a straight highway exhibits uniform motion; a car in city traffic with stops and starts shows non-uniform motion. NCERT Class 7 Science stresses recognizing motion types from descriptions or distance-time data. CBSE exam questions often present a scenario or a table of distance versus time and ask whether the motion is uniform or non-uniform. Grasping this distinction is essential before calculating average speed or interpreting graphs.

Speed is defined as the distance travelled per unit time. The formula is Speed = Distance ÷ Time. The SI unit is metre per second (m/s), but kilometre per hour (km/h) is also common. NCERT Class 7 Science includes numerical problems where students compute speed given distance and time, or find distance/time when speed and one other quantity are known. CBSE exam MCQs test unit conversions (e.g. km/h to m/s: divide by 3.6) and application of the formula in real contexts like vehicles, athletes, or animals. Always check units before calculating. Questions may also ask which vehicle is faster when different units are given, requiring conversion or comparison logic.

A distance-time graph plots distance on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. For uniform motion, the graph is a straight line; the steeper the line, the higher the speed. A horizontal line means the object is stationary (distance constant, time increasing). A curve indicates non-uniform motion — if the curve becomes steeper, speed is increasing; if it flattens, speed is decreasing. NCERT Class 7 Science includes sample graphs and asks students to identify motion type, compare speeds of two objects, or read distance at a given time. CBSE MCQs often present a graph and ask which statement is correct, or which portion shows fastest motion. Practice reading axes, calculating slope (rise over run equals speed), and recognizing patterns.

The simple pendulum — a bob suspended by a thread — exhibits periodic motion. One complete to-and-fro movement is called one oscillation. The time for one oscillation is the time period. NCERT explains that early clocks used pendulums because the time period is nearly constant if amplitude is small. Students learn to count oscillations and calculate time period = total time ÷ number of oscillations. CBSE MCQs test definitions (what is time period, what is oscillation), calculations (given 20 oscillations in 40 s, find time period), and reasoning (does length of thread affect time period — yes, longer thread means longer period). Understanding periodic motion links to later chapters on waves and sound in Class 8.

CBSE Class 7 Science exams increasingly include HOTS questions that require applying concepts in novel situations, and assertion-reason pairs where both statements may be true but the reason may or may not correctly explain the assertion. For Motion and Time, HOTS questions might ask why odometers in cars measure distance, not speed directly, or how GPS calculates arrival time. Assertion-reason MCQs test deeper understanding: Assertion: A car's speedometer shows instantaneous speed. Reason: Speedometer measures distance over a very short time interval. Students must judge if both are true and if the reason explains the assertion. Practising these sharpens critical thinking and prepares for competitive exams beyond school boards.

Many Class 7 students confuse speed with distance, writing 'speed = time ÷ distance' instead of the correct formula. Another frequent error is misreading graph axes — treating distance as time or vice versa. Unit conversion trips up even strong students: forgetting to divide by 3.6 when converting km/h to m/s leads to wrong answers. In pendulum questions, students sometimes mix up number of oscillations with time period. Assertion-reason MCQs are tricky because both statements can be factually correct, yet the reason may not logically support the assertion. Always read the question twice, underline key terms (uniform, non-uniform, at rest, speed, time period), and double-check units. CBSETUTOR.ai offers personalized practice where the AI tutor flags these common mistakes in real time, helping you build error-free problem-solving habits at just ₹999/month for Classes 6–12 with a 3-day free trial.

Multiple-choice questions in CBSE Science papers typically carry 1 mark each and appear in Section A. The 2025 exam pattern allocates around 20 marks to MCQs out of 80 total. Time management is critical: aim to spend no more than 30–40 seconds per MCQ in the first pass. Read the question stem carefully, underline keywords (uniform, non-uniform, speed, time period), and eliminate obviously wrong options. If a numerical calculation is needed, do rough work in the margin — CBSE allows use of the question paper for workings. For assertion-reason questions, evaluate the assertion first, then the reason, then check logical connection. Never leave an MCQ blank — there is no negative marking in CBSE board exams, so guess intelligently if time runs short. Mark tricky questions and return to them after completing easier sections. Finally, if time permits, cross-check answers against NCERT definitions and formulae you have memorized.

Mastering Motion and Time MCQs builds foundational physics literacy. Speed calculations appear in real life when planning travel; understanding graphs is essential for interpreting data in newspapers, research reports, and later STEM courses. Uniform versus non-uniform motion underpins concepts of acceleration in Class 9 and Newtonian mechanics in Classes 11–12. The ability to quickly eliminate wrong options and reason logically is a life skill useful in competitive exams like NTSE, Olympiads, and eventually JEE or NEET. Schools in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru increasingly use MCQ-based periodic tests to mirror board patterns, so regular practice here translates to higher internal assessment marks. Moreover, digital-age tools like CBSETUTOR.ai extend the value of MCQ practice by offering instant feedback, detailed explanations, and adaptive question sets that adjust difficulty based on your performance — all at a flat ₹999/month across Classes 6–12, with photo-upload doubt solving and 24×7 AI tutor access.

Solving 20 MCQs is a great start, but sustained improvement requires personalized feedback and unlimited practice. CBSETUTOR.ai provides an AI-powered learning companion that adapts to your pace and knowledge gaps. Upload a photo of any MCQ from your school worksheet, textbook, or coaching material, and receive instant step-by-step explanations in under 10 seconds. The platform covers all NCERT chapters for Classes 6–12 at a single subscription of ₹999/month — one price, no hidden fees, no per-subject charges. Whether you are stuck on a distance-time graph question at 11 PM or need quick revision before a morning test, the AI tutor is always available. The 3-day free trial lets you explore features risk-free. Unlike static PDF solutions, CBSETUTOR.ai learns from your mistakes, suggests targeted practice sets, and tracks your progress chapter-wise. For parents seeking an affordable alternative to expensive coaching centres, especially in Tier-2 cities where quality Science tuition is scarce, this is a proven, scalable solution that has helped thousands of CBSE students improve their MCQ accuracy by over 30% within two months of consistent use.