Viruses Quiz — Grade 8–12 | 20 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers

About this quiz

Test your knowledge of viruses with this 20-question multiple choice quiz for Grade 8–12 students. This quiz covers virus structure, replication, types, and viral diseases. Perfect for biology review, classroom practice, and exam preparation.

Questions in this quiz

1. Viruses are considered:
   • A. Living organisms
   • B. Nonliving particles
   • C. Plants
   • D. Bacteria
2. Viruses can only reproduce inside:
   • A. Water
   • B. Host cells
   • C. Air
   • D. Soil
3. A virus is made up of:
   • A. Cells
   • B. DNA or RNA and protein coat
   • C. Cytoplasm
   • D. Organelles
4. The protein coat of a virus is called:
   • A. Capsule
   • B. Capsid
   • C. Membrane
   • D. Envelope
5. Viruses contain:
   • A. DNA only
   • B. RNA only
   • C. DNA or RNA
   • D. Both DNA and RNA together
6. Which of the following is a viral disease?
   • A. Malaria
   • B. Flu
   • C. Tuberculosis
   • D. Cholera
7. Viruses are smaller than:
   • A. Bacteria
   • B. Molecules
   • C. Atoms
   • D. Cells
8. Which virus causes COVID-19?
   • A. Coronavirus
   • B. Influenza virus
   • C. HIV
   • D. Ebola virus
9. The outer covering of some viruses is called:
   • A. Cell wall
   • B. Envelope
   • C. Capsule
   • D. Membrane
10. Viruses infect:
    • A. Plants only
    • B. Animals only
    • C. Bacteria only
    • D. All living organisms
11. Which virus infects bacteria?
    • A. Retrovirus
    • B. Bacteriophage
    • C. Coronavirus
    • D. Influenza virus
12. Viruses do not have:
    • A. Genetic material
    • B. Protein coat
    • C. Cellular structure
    • D. Capsid
13. Which disease is caused by a virus?
    • A. AIDS
    • B. Tuberculosis
    • C. Malaria
    • D. Strep throat
14. Antibiotics are used to treat:
    • A. Viral infections
    • B. Bacterial infections
    • C. Fungal infections
    • D. All infections
15. Vaccines help protect against:
    • A. Bacteria
    • B. Viruses
    • C. Fungi
    • D. Parasites
16. A bacteriophage infects:
    • A. Plants
    • B. Animals
    • C. Bacteria
    • D. Fungi
17. Which part of virus helps attach to host cell?
    • A. DNA
    • B. Tail fibers
    • C. Capsid
    • D. RNA
18. Viruses reproduce using:
    • A. Their own ribosomes
    • B. Host cell machinery
    • C. Mitochondria
    • D. Cytoplasm
19. The lytic cycle results in:
    • A. Host cell growth
    • B. Host cell bursting
    • C. Host cell survival
    • D. Host cell division
20. Viruses are studied in which field?
    • A. Botany
    • B. Virology
    • C. Zoology
    • D. Ecology