Cambridge IGCSE Biology (9-1) 0970 — 2020 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0970/11/M/J/20 · 40 questions · 40 marks · ≈45 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper16 pages
Mark scheme3 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · The diagram shows what happened in an experiment with plant seedlings
1 The diagram shows what happened in an experiment with plant seedlings. start next day light light Which characteristic of living things made the seedlings grow towards the light? A excretion B nutrition C respiration D sensitivity
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · A rat has the scientific name Rattus rattus
2 A rat has the scientific name Rattus rattus. What do the two parts of this name refer to? A genus and species B kingdom and genus C kingdom and species D variety and genus
Mark scheme: A
More questions on Concept and uses of classification systems
Q3 · An animal can swim, has a backbone and produces milk
3 An animal can swim, has a backbone and produces milk. To which group does it belong? A amphibians B fish C mammals D reptiles
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · The diagram shows two guard cells
4 The diagram shows two guard cells. Which label shows the cell wall? B A C D
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · What is the correct order to describe an increasing level of organisation?
5 What is the correct order to describe an increasing level of organisation? A cell → organ → tissue → organ system B tissue → cell → organ → organ system C organ → tissue → cell → organ system D cell → tissue → organ → organ system
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · Which diagram shows the appearance of a plant cell several minutes after it has been…
6 Which diagram shows the appearance of a plant cell several minutes after it has been placed in a concentrated solution of sugar? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · The apparatus shown is used to demonstrate osmosis
7 The apparatus shown is used to demonstrate osmosis. dialysis tubing acting as a partially permeable membrane Q P The mass of the dialysis tubing and contents was 11.2 g at the start of the demonstration and 9.4 g at the end. Which solutions would cause this change in mass? solution P solution Q A 5% salt solution 10% salt solution B 10% salt solution 5% salt solution C water 5% salt solution D water 10% salt solution
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · Which food-testing solution shows a positive result when it turns from blue to purple?
8 Which food-testing solution shows a positive result when it turns from blue to purple? A Benedict’s solution B biuret solution C ethanol D iodine solution
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · What is the definition of an enzyme?
9 What is the definition of an enzyme? A a carbohydrate that acts as a catalyst B a DNA molecule that acts as a catalyst C a fat that acts as a catalyst D a protein that acts as a catalyst
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · Four test-tubes are set up as shown
10 Four test-tubes are set up as shown. Which test-tube contains the least carbon dioxide after one hour? A B C D black water polythene to keep aquatic out light animal light light light aquatic plant
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · Which substance found in a healthy diet helps to prevent constipation?
11 Which substance found in a healthy diet helps to prevent constipation? A fat B fibre C minerals D vitamins
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · The activity of amylase is measured in four parts of the alimentary canal
12 The activity of amylase is measured in four parts of the alimentary canal. Which two parts have the most amylase activity? A colon and duodenum B colon and stomach C mouth and duodenum D stomach and mouth
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · After passing through the root hair cells of a plant, what is the next tissue through…
13 After passing through the root hair cells of a plant, what is the next tissue through which water passes? A cortex B epidermis C mesophyll D xylem
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · From which part of a leaf does most water evaporate during transpiration?
14 From which part of a leaf does most water evaporate during transpiration? A the cuticle B the guard cells C the spongy mesophyll cells D the xylem vessels
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · Which blood vessel carries blood to the muscle of the heart?
15 Which blood vessel carries blood to the muscle of the heart? A coronary artery B pulmonary artery C renal vein D vena cava
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · The diagram shows a section through the heart and its blood vessels
16 The diagram shows a section through the heart and its blood vessels. X Which row gives the vessel name and the direction of blood flow in vessel X? vessel name direction of blood flow A aorta towards the lungs B pulmonary artery towards the lungs C pulmonary artery away from the lungs D vena cava away from the lungs
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · What is a chemical barrier to pathogens?
17 What is a chemical barrier to pathogens? A nose hairs B skin C stomach acid D white blood cells
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · What is the approximate percentage of oxygen contained in the air breathed out of the…
18 What is the approximate percentage of oxygen contained in the air breathed out of the lungs? A 0% B 4% C 16% D 20%
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · The diagram shows an experiment to investigate the respiration of yeast
19 The diagram shows an experiment to investigate the respiration of yeast. Oil prevents oxygen entering the glucose and yeast suspension. delivery tube thin layer of oil bubble of gas glucose and yeast limewater suspension If no oxygen is present in the glucose and yeast suspension, what will occur? A Ethanol will be produced and the limewater will stay clear. B Ethanol will be produced and the limewater will go cloudy. C Lactic acid will be produced and the limewater will stay clear. D Lactic acid will be produced and the limewater will go cloudy.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · What happens during respiration in germinating seeds?
20 What happens during respiration in germinating seeds? A Seed temperature decreases. B Carbon dioxide is taken up by the seeds. C Glucose is used up by the seeds. D Oxygen is given out by the seeds.
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · Which row describes the urine produced by a person who is exercising on a hot day?
21 Which row describes the urine produced by a person who is exercising on a hot day? concentration volume of urine of urine A concentrated large B concentrated small C dilute large D dilute small
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · What is the function of the optic nerve?
22 What is the function of the optic nerve? A to carry impulses from the brain to the retina B to carry impulses from the retina to the brain C to carry light from the brain to the retina D to carry light from the retina to the brain
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · What causes the development of female secondary sexual characteristics?
23 What causes the development of female secondary sexual characteristics? A adrenaline production B menstrual cycle starting C oestrogen production D ovulation occurring
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · The diagram shows a cross-section of the skin
24 The diagram shows a cross-section of the skin. Which part produces a substance which cools the skin when it evaporates? A D B C
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Gravitropism and phototropism are names given to specific plant growth responses
25 Gravitropism and phototropism are names given to specific plant growth responses. How do shoots and roots normally respond? direction of growth of shoots direction of growth of roots light gravity light gravity A towards away away towards B away towards towards away C towards away towards away D away towards away towards
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · Which type of infection could be treated successfully with antibiotics?
26 Which type of infection could be treated successfully with antibiotics? infection caused by bacteria resistan t viruses bacteria A v v x key B Jv x x J/ = yes Cc x v v X =no D x x Jv
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · What takes place during fertilisation?
27 What takes place during fertilisation? A One gamete produces one zygote. B One gamete produces two zygotes. C Two gametes produce one zygote. D Two gametes produce two zygotes.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · What is the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma called?
28 What is the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma called? A fertilisation B respiration C meiosis D pollination
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · What happens to the uterus lining during menstruation?
29 What happens to the uterus lining during menstruation? A breaks down B new blood vessel growth C implantation of embryo D repair and thickening
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · The diagram of the female reproductive system shows where different methods of birth…
30 The diagram of the female reproductive system shows where different methods of birth control can be used. Where would an IUD be placed? B A C D
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · What is defined as a length of DNA that codes for a protein?
31 What is defined as a length of DNA that codes for a protein? A amino acid B chromosome C gene D nucleus
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · When damaged tissues are repaired cells undergo division by A meiosis to produce…
32 When damaged tissues are repaired cells undergo division by A meiosis to produce genetically identical cells. B meiosis to produce genetically different cells. C mitosis to produce genetically identical cells. D mitosis to produce genetically different cells.
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · Pea plants produce either yellow or green seeds
33 Pea plants produce either yellow or green seeds. Yellow (Y) is dominant to green (y). What are the most likely phenotypes of the offspring of a cross between YY and Yy plants? A 50% yellow and 50% green B 75% yellow and 25% green C 100% yellow D 100% green
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · The graph shows the masses of two different types of tomato
34 The graph shows the masses of two different types of tomato. type 1 type 2 number of tomatoes 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 mass / g What can be concluded from the graph? A Genes do not affect the mass of tomatoes. B Type 1 tomatoes show continuous variation. C Type 2 tomatoes are sometimes smaller than type 1 tomatoes. D Type 2 tomatoes show discontinuous variation.
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The diagram shows a simple food chain
35 The diagram shows a simple food chain. grass → gazelle → lion The arrows show the energy flow through the food chain. Where does the grass obtain its energy? A oxygen from air B water C minerals in soil D the Sun
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · The diagram shows a food chain in a rock pool
36 The diagram shows a food chain in a rock pool. seaweed → whelks → crabs → seagulls What will happen if the number of secondary consumers increases? There will be A fewer crabs. B fewer seagulls. C fewer whelks. D less seaweed.
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · What is the role of anaerobic respiration in bread-making?
37 What is the role of anaerobic respiration in bread-making? A to produce alcohol to flavour the bread B to produce gas to make the bread rise C to release enough energy to bake the bread D to release enough lactic acid to kill the yeast
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A crop plant has been genetically modified to make it resistant to herbicides
38 A crop plant has been genetically modified to make it resistant to herbicides. Which is a possible disadvantage of introducing this new crop plant? A Loss of weeds reduces competition. B Some weeds might become resistant to the herbicide. C The crop plant is unharmed and produces a higher yield. D The new gene will appear in new generations of the crop.
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · Which is an example of an undesirable effect of deforestation?
39 Which is an example of an undesirable effect of deforestation? A decreased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere B decreased soil erosion C increased flooding D the variety of organisms is maintained
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · Wheat is often grown in large areas as a monoculture
40 Wheat is often grown in large areas as a monoculture. What is a negative environmental impact of this method of farming? A The variety of species in the area is reduced. B Fewer types of pesticide are needed. C Larger harvests can be produced. D Specialist machinery can be used.
Mark scheme: A
What was in this paper
The subtopics covered by these 40 questions, and how many questions each got. Open one in a new tab to see every Cambridge question on it.
2Habitat destruction2Heart2Homeostasis2Osmosis2Sexual reproduction in humans2Aerobic respiration1Anaerobic respiration1Biological molecules1Biotechnology1Characteristics of living organisms1Chemical digestion1Chromosomes, genes and proteins1Concept and uses of classification systems1Diet1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Energy flow1Enzymes1Features of organisms1Food chains and food webs1Gas exchange in humans1Genetic modification1Hormones1Mitosis1Monohybrid inheritance1Photosynthesis1Sense organs1Sexual reproduction1Sexual reproduction in plants1Transpiration1Tropic responses1Variation1Water uptake1