Question 1 (Subtopic: B1.1)
All living organisms can break down nutrient molecules to release energy. What is this process?
A. excretion
B. growth
C. nutrition
D. respiration
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. respiration
Explanation: Respiration is the process by which living organisms break down nutrient molecules to release energy. This energy is used for various metabolic processes in the body.
Question 2 (Subtopic: B2.1)
Which structure is only found in plant cells?
A. cell membrane
B. cytoplasm
C. nucleus
D. vacuole
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. vacuole
Explanation: Plant cells have a large central vacuole that stores water and helps maintain the cell’s structure. Animal cells may have smaller vacuoles, but they are not as prominent as in plant cells.
Question 3 (Subtopic: B4.1)
Which row shows a large molecule and a basic unit from which it is made?
| Large molecule | Basic unit |
|---|---|
| A. glycogen | amino acid |
| B. glycogen | glucose |
| C. oil | amino acid |
| D. oil | glucose |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. glycogen – glucose
Explanation: Glycogen is a large molecule made up of glucose units. It is a polysaccharide that serves as a form of energy storage in animals.
Question 4 (Subtopic: B5.1)
A student investigated the effect of pH on an enzyme that digests starch. Which chemical will be needed to determine if any starch has been digested?
A. Benedict’s solution
B. biuret solution
C. iodine solution
D. ethanol
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. iodine solution
Explanation: Iodine solution is used to test for the presence of starch. If starch is present, the solution turns blue-black. If starch has been digested, the solution will remain brown.
Question 5 (Subtopic: B6.1)
The diagram shows an experiment to investigate photosynthesis. When leaves photosynthesise, they store some carbohydrates as starch.
Potassium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide.
After standing in sunlight for 10 hours, leaf L contained no starch but leaf M contained a lot of starch.
What does this show?
A. A leaf cannot make starch in a sealed flask.
B. A leaf cannot make starch without carbon dioxide.
C. A leaf cannot make starch without light.
D. A leaf cannot make starch without oxygen.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. A leaf cannot make starch without carbon dioxide.
Explanation: Potassium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide, so leaf L was deprived of CO₂ and could not photosynthesize to produce starch. Leaf M had access to CO₂ and was able to produce starch.
Question 6 (Subtopic: B7.1)
Which nutrient is well provided by citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons?
A. carbohydrate
B. protein
C. vitamin C
D. vitamin D
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. vitamin C
Explanation: Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in the body.
Question 7 (Subtopic: B9.4)
The diagram shows some blood viewed under a light microscope.
How many red blood cells are shown?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 7
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. 5
Explanation: The diagram shows 5 red blood cells. Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in the blood and are responsible for carrying oxygen.
Question 8 (Subtopic: B12.1)
What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?
A. carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
B. carbon dioxide + oxygen → glucose + water
C. glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
D. glucose + water → carbon dioxide + oxygen
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
Explanation: Aerobic respiration is the process by which glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
Question 9 (Subtopic: B13.1)
A person touches a hot object with their hand. They quickly pull their hand away. Which statement is correct?
A. The effector is their hand.
B. The effector is the hot object.
C. The receptor is in the muscles of their arm.
D. The receptor is in the skin of their hand.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D. The receptor is in the skin of their hand.
Explanation: The receptor that detects the heat is located in the skin. When the receptor is stimulated, it sends a signal to the nervous system, which then triggers a reflex action to pull the hand away.
Question 10 (Subtopic: B15.3)
The diagram shows a section of a pea flower.
Which part is the ovary?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C. C
Explanation: The ovary is the part of the flower that contains the ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.
Question 11 (Subtopic – B17.2)
Natural selection involves several stages.
1. passing on alleles to the next generation
2. struggle for survival
3. competition for resources
4. production of many offspring
What is the correct order of these stages?
A \( 4 \to 1 \to 2 \to 3 \)
B \( 4 \to 3 \to 2 \to 1 \)
C \( 1 \to 2 \to 3 \to 4 \)
D \( 3 \to 2 \to 1 \to 4 \)
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: The correct order of stages in natural selection is:
1. Production of many offspring (4)
2. Competition for resources (3)
3. Struggle for survival (2)
4. Passing on alleles to the next generation (1)
This sequence reflects the process of natural selection, where organisms produce many offspring, compete for limited resources, struggle to survive, and those with advantageous traits pass on their alleles to the next generation.
Question 12 (Subtopic – B18.2)
The diagram shows a food chain.
grass → gazelle → lion
Which position does the lion occupy in the food chain?
A primary consumer
B producer
C secondary consumer
D tertiary consumer
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: In the food chain, grass is the producer, gazelle is the primary consumer (herbivore), and the lion is the secondary consumer (carnivore). The lion feeds on the gazelle, which feeds on the grass.
Question 13 (Subtopic – B18.3 )
The diagram shows a simplified carbon cycle.
Which labelled arrow represents respiration?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Respiration in animals releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Therefore, the arrow from animals to CO2 represents respiration.
Question 14 (Subtopic – C6.1 )
Which row identifies physical changes and chemical changes?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: B
Explanation: Physical changes involve changes in state or form without altering the chemical composition (e.g., ice melting, water boiling). Chemical changes involve the formation of new substances (e.g., burning wood).
Question 15 (Subtopic Code: C8.1)
Part of the Periodic Table is shown.
Which statement is not correct?
A W and X are metallic elements.
B W and Z form an ionic compound.
C X and Y form a covalent compound.
D Z is a non-metallic element.
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: X and Y are both non-metals, so they would form a covalent compound, not an ionic one. The other statements are correct.
Question 16 (Subtopic – C2.5)
A model of a molecule is shown.
Which row shows the formula of this molecule and describes the type of bonding between the atoms?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: The molecule shown is B2H6, and the bonding between boron and hydrogen is covalent, as they share electrons.
Question 17 (Subtopic – C4.1)
The diagram shows the electrolysis of a compound.
When the switch is closed, the solution around electrode P turns orange because a halogen is formed.
The positive electrode P is called the ……1……, and the halogen is ……2…… .
Which words complete gaps 1 and 2?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The positive electrode is the anode, and the orange color indicates the formation of bromine, which is a halogen.
Question 18 (Subtopic Code: C5.1)
The initial and final temperatures of four different experiments are measured.
Which experiment is the most endothermic?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: An endothermic reaction absorbs heat, causing the temperature to decrease. Experiment A shows the largest temperature drop, indicating it is the most endothermic.
Question 19 (Subtopic – C6.2)
Aqueous hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly and produces water and oxygen gas.
The equation for this decomposition is shown.
2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2
The experiment is repeated using a catalyst.
Which row describes the results for the second experiment?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: A catalyst speeds up the reaction, so less time is needed to produce the first 20 cm3 of gas. However, the total volume of gas produced remains the same.
Question 20 (Subtopic – C7.1)
The colour of universal indicator in solutions S, T and U is shown.
Which row shows the pH values of the solutions?
▶Answer/Explanation
Answer: D
Explanation: Universal indicator turns orange at pH 4 (acidic), green at pH 7 (neutral), and purple at pH 14 (strongly alkaline).
Question 21 (Sub-topic – C8.1)
When a small piece of potassium is placed in water, hydrogen gas is given off very quickly. Which element reacts in a similar way?
A copper
B iron
C magnesium
D sodium
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D sodium
Explanation: Sodium, like potassium, is an alkali metal and reacts vigorously with water to produce hydrogen gas. Both elements are in Group 1 of the Periodic Table, which means they have similar chemical properties, including their reactivity with water.
Question 22 (Sub-topic – C9.3)
Why does the steel used to make a drill contain manganese?
A to increase the density of the steel
B to increase the hardness of the steel
C to increase the malleability of the steel
D to increase the melting point of the steel
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B to increase the hardness of the steel
Explanation: Manganese is added to steel to increase its hardness and strength. This makes the steel more suitable for use in tools like drills, which need to be durable and resistant to wear.
Question 23 (Sub-topic – C10.1 Water)
What is the colour of cobalt(II) chloride after water is added to it?
A blue
B pink
C white
D green
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B pink
Explanation: Cobalt(II) chloride is blue in its anhydrous form, but when water is added, it turns pink due to the formation of a hydrated complex.
Question 24 (Sub-topic – C10.2 Air quality and climate)
Which process does not produce carbon dioxide?
A complete combustion of fossil fuels
B reaction of an acid with a carbonate
C respiration in plants
D rusting iron
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D rusting iron
Explanation: Rusting iron involves the reaction of iron with oxygen and water to form iron oxide, but it does not produce carbon dioxide. The other processes listed all produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
Question 25 (Sub-topic – C7.1 The characteristic properties of acids and bases)
Calcium carbonate (limestone) is a base. Which uses of limestone depend on it acting as a base?
1 making lime
2 neutralising acid waste
3 stone buildings
4 treatment of soil
A 1 and 2
B 2 and 3
C 2 and 4
D 3 and 4
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C 2 and 4
Explanation: Limestone is used to neutralize acid waste and to treat acidic soils because it is a base. Making lime and using it in stone buildings do not depend on its basic properties.
Question 26 (Sub-topic – C11.2 Naming organic compounds)
Four molecules are shown. Which structure represents ethanol?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: Ethanol has the chemical formula C2H5OH, which corresponds to structure A. The other structures represent different organic compounds.
Question 27 (Sub-topic Code: C11.5 Alkenes)
Which substance rapidly decolourises aqueous bromine?
A ethane
B ethanol
C ethene
D poly(ethene)
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C ethene
Explanation: Ethene (C2H4) is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that reacts with bromine, causing the bromine solution to decolourise. This is a test for unsaturation in hydrocarbons.
Question 28 (Sub-topic – P1.1)
A student uses a piece of string to measure the circumference of a pencil. He wraps the string around the outside of the pencil. The string wraps round exactly six times. He measures the length of string used with a rule.
What is the circumference of the pencil?
A 2.4 cm
B 2.6 cm
C 14.4 cm
D 15.4 cm
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A 2.4 cm
Explanation: The total length of the string used is 14.4 cm, and since it wraps around the pencil 6 times, the circumference of the pencil is 14.4 cm ÷ 6 = 2.4 cm.
Question 29 (Sub-topic – P1.5)
The diagram shows a large force of magnitude P and a small force of magnitude Q acting on a box.
Which expression gives the magnitude of the resultant force on the box?
A P + Q
B P – Q
C P × Q
D P ÷ Q
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B. P – Q
Explanation: The resultant force is the difference between the two forces since they are acting in opposite directions. Therefore, the magnitude of the resultant force is P – Q.
Question 30 (Sub-topic – P1.6)
A ball falls vertically downwards. Which energy transfer takes place as the ball accelerates downwards?
A gravitational potential to elastic potential (strain)
B gravitational potential to kinetic
C elastic potential (strain) to kinetic
D kinetic to gravitational potential
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B gravitational potential to kinetic
Explanation: As the ball falls, its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing it to accelerate downwards.
Question 31 (Sub-topic – P1.6.4)
Four cars travel the same distance directly up the same steep hill. The weights of the cars and the times for their journeys are shown in the table. Which car develops the greatest power?
| Car | Weight of car / N | Time taken / s |
|---|---|---|
| A | 15,000 | 10 |
| B | 15,000 | 15 |
| C | 20,000 | 10 |
| D | 20,000 | 15 |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: Power is calculated using the formula \( P = \frac{W}{t} \), where \( W \) is the work done (which is equal to the weight of the car multiplied by the distance traveled) and \( t \) is the time taken. Since all cars travel the same distance, the car with the highest weight and the shortest time (Car C) will develop the greatest power.
Question 32 (Sub-topic – P2.1.1)
Which labelled arrow on the diagram represents condensation?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: Condensation is the process where a gas turns into a liquid. In the diagram, arrow A represents this phase change from gas to liquid.
Question 33 (Sub-topic – P2.3)
Water in a metal pan is heated on a gas burner. What are the main methods by which heat is transferred through the metal pan to the water and throughout the water?
A conduction through the metal pan and convection in the water
B convection through the metal pan and conduction in the water
C convection through the metal pan and radiation in the water
D radiation through the metal pan and conduction in the water
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A conduction through the metal pan and convection in the water
Explanation: Heat is transferred through the metal pan by conduction, as the metal is a good conductor of heat. Once the heat reaches the water, it is distributed throughout the water by convection currents.
Question 34 (Sub-topic – P3.2.1)
The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror. What is the angle of reflection?
A 20°
B 40°
C 70°
D 90°
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C 70°
Explanation: According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. If the angle of incidence is 70°, then the angle of reflection is also 70°.
Question 35 (Sub-topic – P3.2.3)
Which diagram shows a converging lens forming a real image of an object O?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: C
Explanation: A converging lens forms a real image when the object is placed beyond the focal point. Diagram C correctly shows the formation of a real image by a converging lens.
Question 36 (Sub-topic – P4.2.1)
A rod is rubbed with a dry piece of cloth. A scientist holds the rod in her hand and brings it close to a negatively charged plastic strip. The strip is suspended by an insulating thread. As the rod approaches the plastic strip, the strip moves towards the rod.
Which statement is correct?
A The rod is a negatively charged electrical conductor.
B The rod is a negatively charged electrical insulator.
C The rod is a positively charged electrical conductor.
D The rod is a positively charged electrical insulator.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D The rod is a positively charged electrical insulator.
Explanation: The negatively charged plastic strip is attracted to the rod, indicating that the rod has an opposite charge (positive). Since the rod is held by hand and the charge does not dissipate, it must be an insulator.
Question 37 (Sub-topic – P4.3.1)
What is represented by the circuit symbol shown?
A fixed resistor
B fuse
C switch
D variable resistor
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D variable resistor
Explanation: The symbol shown represents a variable resistor, which is a resistor whose resistance can be adjusted.
Question 38 (Sub-topic – P4.3.2)
Three resistors are connected in series with a battery, as shown.
The current at point P is 6.0 A.
What is the current at point Q?
A 0 A
B 2.0 A
C 3.0 A
D 6.0 A
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: D 6.0 A
Explanation: In a series circuit, the current is the same at all points. Therefore, the current at point Q is the same as at point P, which is 6.0 A.
Question 39 (Sub-topic – P4.4)
The table shows the usual current in each of four household appliances and the fuse used to protect each of them. The only fuses available are rated at 3 A, 5 A or 13 A. Which row shows an appliance that has been fitted with the most appropriate of the fuses available?
| Appliance | Current / A | Fuse rating / A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Hairdryer | 5.5 | 5 |
| B | Kettle | 7.5 | 13 |
| C | Lawnmower | 5.0 | 3 |
| D | Slow cooker | 1.0 | 5 |
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: B Kettle
Explanation: The fuse rating should be slightly higher than the usual current to allow for small surges without blowing the fuse. For the kettle, a 13 A fuse is appropriate as it is higher than the usual current of 7.5 A.
Question 40 (Sub-topic – P4.5.3)
A straight vertical wire passes through the centre of a card. The wire carries a current in the direction shown.
The current produces a magnetic field around the wire. Which diagram shows the pattern of the magnetic field lines and their direction when seen from above?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: A
Explanation: The magnetic field lines around a straight current-carrying wire form concentric circles, and the direction of the field can be determined using the right-hand grip rule. Diagram A correctly shows the circular field lines and their direction.