Question 1 (Subtopic: B1.1)
The diagram shows a germinating seed in the soil.
Which characteristics of living organisms is the seed demonstrating?
| Characteristic (Growth) | Characteristic (Sensitivity) | |
|---|---|---|
| A | ✓ | ✓ |
| B | ✓ | ✗ |
| C | ✗ | ✓ |
| D | ✗ | ✗ |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: A germinating seed demonstrates both growth (as it grows into a plant) and sensitivity (as it responds to environmental stimuli like light and gravity).
Question 2 (Subtopic: B2.1)
The diagram shows a section through a cell.
What shows that this is a plant cell?
A It has a cell membrane.
B It has a nucleus.
C It has a permanent vacuole.
D It has cytoplasm.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Plant cells are characterized by having a large permanent vacuole, which is not typically found in animal cells.
Question 3 (Subtopic: B4.1)
Which result with the biuret test shows that protein is present?
A blue
B green
C orange
D purple
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: The biuret test turns purple in the presence of proteins, indicating the presence of peptide bonds.
Question 4 (Subtopic: B5.1 Enzymes)
Which graph shows how enzyme activity is affected by temperature?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Enzyme activity increases with temperature up to an optimum point, after which it decreases due to denaturation.
Question 5 (Subtopic: B6.1)
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
A carbon dioxide + glucose → oxygen + water
B carbon dioxide + water → oxygen + glucose
C oxygen + glucose → carbon dioxide + water
D oxygen + water → carbon dioxide + glucose
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The correct word equation for photosynthesis is carbon dioxide + water → oxygen + glucose, in the presence of light and chlorophyll.
Question 6 (Subtopic: B7.2)
Where is bile stored?
A gall bladder
B liver
C pancreas
D stomach
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: Bile is produced in the liver but stored in the gall bladder until it is needed for digestion.
Question 7 (Subtopic: B8.1)
The diagrams show sections through a stem and a root.
Which indicate the positions of the xylem?
A P and S
B P and T
C Q and S
D Q and T
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The xylem is typically located in the center of the root and towards the inner part of the stem, corresponding to positions P and T in the diagram.
Question 8 (Subtopic: B12.1)
Which area represents the substances produced in aerobic respiration?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: The products of aerobic respiration are carbon dioxide and water.
Question 9 (Subtopic: B13.1)
Which diagram shows the sequence of neurones in a reflex arc, and the direction of travel of the electrical signal?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The reflex arc involves sensory neurones, relay neurones, and motor neurones, with the signal traveling in a specific direction.
Question 10 (Subtopic: B15.1)
Duckweed can reproduce by producing new plants from an original ‘mother plant’ as shown. These plants can then separate off and produce more plants themselves.
What does this demonstrate about how duckweed reproduces?
A asexual reproduction which produces genetically different plants
B asexual reproduction which produces genetically identical plants
C sexual reproduction which produces genetically different plants
D sexual reproduction which produces genetically identical plants
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: Duckweed reproduces asexually, producing genetically identical offspring from the mother plant.
Question 11 (Subtopic: B16.3)
A pure-breeding mouse with black fur was bred with a pure-breeding mouse with white fur. All the offspring had black fur. What are the genotypes of the two parent mice?
A Bb × bb
B Bb × Bb
C BB × bb
D BB × BB
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Since all offspring have black fur, the black fur allele (B) must be dominant. The parents are pure-breeding, so one must be homozygous dominant (BB) and the other homozygous recessive (bb).
Question 12 (Subtopic: B18.1)
What is the principal source of energy input into a biological system?
A consumer
B decomposer
C producer
D Sun
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: The Sun is the primary source of energy for most biological systems, driving photosynthesis in producers.
Question 13 (Subtopic: B18.2)
The diagram shows some of the processes in the carbon cycle. Which process is respiration?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Respiration by microorganisms releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
Question 14 (Subtopic: C6.2)
Which processes are chemical changes?
1 conversion of steam to liquid water
2 cracking of alkanes
3 fractional distillation of petroleum
4 thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
A 1 and 3
B 1 and 4
C 2 and 3
D 2 and 4
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Cracking of alkanes and thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate are chemical changes, as they involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds.
Question 15 (Subtopic: C2.3)
Which row compares the nucleus and the electronic structure of two isotopes of the same element?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: Isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons (same electronic structure) but different numbers of neutrons (different nucleus).
Question 16 (Subtopic: C2.2)
Hydrogen peroxide is a compound. A molecule of hydrogen peroxide can be represented as shown.
What is the formula of hydrogen peroxide?
A HO
B H2O2
C (OH)2
D 2OH
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2.
Question 17 (Subtopic: C5.1)
The table shows the temperature of some water before and after a solid is dissolved in it. Which change is the most exothermic?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: An exothermic reaction releases heat, causing the temperature to rise. The greatest temperature increase is from 20°C to 40°C.
Question 18 (Subtopic: C6.2)
When 50 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid and excess solid sodium carbonate are mixed, they react to form carbon dioxide gas. The gas is collected in a gas syringe. The experiment is repeated using 25 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.
Which statement about the second experiment compared to the first experiment is correct?
A It has the same initial rate of reaction and produces a lower volume of gas.
B It has the same initial rate of reaction and produces the same volume of gas.
C It has a slower initial rate of reaction and produces a lower volume of gas.
D It has a slower initial rate of reaction and produces the same volume of gas.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The initial rate of reaction depends on the concentration of the acid, which is the same in both experiments. However, using half the volume of acid will produce half the volume of gas.
Question 19 (Subtopic: C12.3)
The colours in an ink can be separated by chromatography. Which diagram shows the correct way to set up the apparatus?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: In chromatography, the solvent should move up the paper, carrying the ink components with it, and the spot of ink should be placed above the solvent level.
Question 20 (Subtopic: C8.1)
Which statement about the Periodic Table is correct?
A Elements are listed in order of neutron number.
B Elements are listed in order of nucleon number.
C Elements are listed in order of proton number.
D Elements are listed in order of relative atomic mass.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Elements in the Periodic Table are arranged in order of increasing proton number (atomic number).
Question 21 (Subtopic: C8.3)
The halogens are elements in Group VII of the Periodic Table. They are ……1…… non-metals. They become ……2…… in colour down the group.
Which words complete gaps 1 and 2?
A diatomic, darker
B diatomic, lighter
C monatomic, darker
D monatomic, lighter
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: Halogens are diatomic non-metals, and they become darker in color as you move down the group.
Question 22 (Subtopic: C9.1)
Which statement describes all metals?
A They break when hit with a hammer.
B They conduct electricity.
C They dissolve in water.
D They have high densities.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: All metals are good conductors of electricity due to the presence of free electrons.
Question 23 (Subtopic: C10.1)
When substance X is added to blue cobalt(II) chloride paper, the paper turns pink. What is X?
A ammonia
B an acid
C chlorine gas
D water
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Cobalt(II) chloride paper turns pink in the presence of water.
Question 24 (Subtopic: C6.2)
Which processes produce carbon dioxide?
1 acid reacting with a metal
2 respiration
3 combustion of ethanol
4 acid reacting with a metal oxide
A 1 and 2
B 1 and 4
C 2 and 3
D 3 and 4
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Respiration and the combustion of ethanol both produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
Question 25 (Subtopic: C7.2)
Which row describes lime and the solubility of limestone in water?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Lime (calcium oxide) is a basic oxide, and limestone (calcium carbonate) is insoluble in water.
Question 26 (Subtopic: C11.2)
Which structure represents ethanol?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Ethanol has the chemical formula C2H5OH, and the correct structure should show this arrangement.
Question 27 (Subtopic: C11.7)
Which type of reaction is represented by the equation?
A addition polymerisation
B cracking
C fermentation
D reduction
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The equation represents addition polymerisation, where monomers join together to form a polymer.
Question 28 (Subtopic: P1.4)
A stone is lowered into a measuring cylinder containing water. The diagrams show the readings on the measuring cylinder with and without the stone.
What is the volume of the stone?
A 40 cm3
B 50 cm3
C 60 cm3
D 95 cm3
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The volume of the stone is the difference in water level before and after the stone is added, which is 50 cm3.
Question 29 (Subtopic: P1.5)
There is no resultant force acting on a body. Which statement is correct?
A The body is either at rest or moving at constant speed in a straight line.
B The body must be at rest.
C The body is gaining speed.
D The body is losing speed.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: If there is no resultant force, the body will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line (Newton’s First Law of Motion).
Question 30 (Subtopic: P1.6)
Four cars are driven the same distance along a straight, horizontal road. The table shows the work done by the engine in each car and the time taken by each car.
Which engine produces the most power?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Power is calculated as work done divided by time taken. Car C has the highest power output (100,000 J / 20 s = 5,000 W).
Question 31 (Subtopic: P2.3)
The diagram shows a shaped glass tube filled with water. When the water is heated at the point shown, the water begins to move round the tube.
What is the main method of heat transfer that is occurring within the water and in which direction does the water move?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: The movement of water due to heating is an example of convection, and the direction of movement depends on the setup, which is anticlockwise in this case.
Question 32 (Subtopic: P2.1)
A substance is a gas when its temperature is 65°C. How do the boiling point and the melting point of this substance compare with 65°C?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: For a substance to be a gas at 65°C, both its boiling point and melting point must be below 65°C.
Question 33 (Subtopic: P3.2)
Light passes through a glass block that has parallel sides. Which diagram shows the path of the light?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Light refracts when entering and exiting the glass block but continues in the same direction after passing through parallel sides.
Question 34 (Subtopic: P3.3)
Which electromagnetic waves are used by television remote controllers?
A gamma
B infra-red
C microwaves
D X-rays
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: Television remote controllers use infra-red waves to transmit signals.
Question 35 (Subtopic: P4.3)
The diagram shows a circuit containing two switches P and Q, and three lamps. One lamp is labelled X.
Which of the switches must be closed so that only lamp X is lit?
A neither switch
B switch P only
C switch Q only
D switch P and switch Q
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Both switches P and Q must be closed to complete the circuit and allow current to flow through lamp X only.
Question 36 (Subtopic: P4.3)
Which row shows how lamps are connected in a lighting circuit in a house and gives an advantage of connecting them in this way?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: Lamps in a house are typically connected in parallel, allowing them to be switched on and off independently.
Question 37 (Subtopic: P4.4)
An electrical extension block has four sockets, a cable which can safely take a current of 6A and a plug. It is protected by a fuse rated at 5A.
The extension block is used with four appliances and the 5A fuse blows. The owner replaces the 5A fuse with a 13A fuse.
Why is the extension block now dangerous?
A The appliances may overheat before the fuse blows.
B The cable may overheat before the fuse blows.
C The sockets may burn out before the fuse blows.
D The 13A fuse may blow too soon.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The cable is rated for 6A, so if a 13A fuse is used, the cable could overheat and cause a fire before the fuse blows.
Question 38 (Subtopic: P4.5)
There is a current-carrying wire perpendicular to the page. The direction of the current is into the page. Which diagram shows the pattern and direction of the magnetic field around the wire?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The magnetic field around a current-carrying wire forms concentric circles, and the direction can be determined using the right-hand rule.
Question 39 (Subtopic: P5.1)
What is the proton number (atomic number) of the nuclide 146C?
A 6
B 8
C 14
D 20
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The proton number (atomic number) of carbon is 6, as indicated by the subscript in the nuclide notation.
Question 40 (Subtopic: P5.2)
Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect, and which is the most penetrating?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: α-particles have the greatest ionising effect, while γ-rays are the most penetrating.