Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2016 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
0653/11/O/N/16 · 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 paper20 pages
Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Questions as text
Q1 · A boy is playing a game with a dog
1 A boy is playing a game with a dog. Which characteristic shown by the boy and the dog is a characteristic of all living organisms? A Each can hear sounds made by the other. B Meat is an important part of what they eat. C There is hair on their bodies. D They are able to move.
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · The diagrams represent four similar animal cells immersed in blood plasma
2 The diagrams represent four similar animal cells immersed in blood plasma. The black dots represent molecules of dissolved oxygen. Which cell will have oxygen molecules diffusing into it most rapidly? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A student observes a cell under a microscope
3 A student observes a cell under a microscope. Which structure identifies this cell as being from a plant and not from an animal? A cell membrane B cell wall C cytoplasm D nucleus
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · What is the purpose of chemical digestion?
4 What is the purpose of chemical digestion? A to absorb minerals such as calcium and iron B to pass food out as faeces C to break down large molecules of nutrients into smaller molecules D to secrete enzymes
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · The table shows the results of tests carried out on a food
5 The table shows the results of tests carried out on a food. name of test colour obtained iodine Benedict’s biuret brown orange blue Which nutrients does the food contain? reducing sugar starch 0 OD > x « & x { x protein <x
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · The diagram shows a plant in a container of water
6 The diagram shows a plant in a container of water. The layer of oil stops the water in the container evaporating. oil container water The initial mass of the container and contents is 296 g. After two hours the mass of the container and contents is 292 g. What is the rate of transpiration in this time? A 150 g water / hour B 148 g water / hour C 4 g water / hour D 2 g water / hour
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · The diagrams show transverse sections through different parts of a plant
7 The diagrams show transverse sections through different parts of a plant. leaf stem root R Q S T U P Which tissues transport water through the plant? A P, R and T B P, S and U C Q, R and T D Q, S and U
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The diagram shows a section through part of a lung
8 The diagram shows a section through part of a lung. blood capillary carbon dioxide air in diffuses out and out of blood X oxygen diffuses into blood What is structure X? A alveolus B bronchiole C larynx D trachea
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · The diagram shows apparatus containing a seedling fixed to a platform
9 The diagram shows apparatus containing a seedling fixed to a platform. rotates four times per hour light shoot of seedling damp platform cotton wool motor The platform is rotated four times every hour, for two days. The motor is then switched off and the platform is stationary for the next two days. During all four days the light source remains stationary. What is the appearance of the seedling after the four days? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · The diagram shows a section through a flower
10 The diagram shows a section through a flower. 1 3 2 4 Which row in the table identifies male and female parts? male part female part A 1 2 B 2 4 C 3 1 D 4 3
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · The diagram shows the male reproductive system
11 The diagram shows the male reproductive system. Y Z What are the parts Y and Z? Y Z A prostate gland urethra B urethra prostate gland C sperm duct prostate gland D sperm duct urethra
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · Which factor is used to decide which organisms are linked in a food chain or web?
12 Which factor is used to decide which organisms are linked in a food chain or web? A Energy passes from one to another as they feed. B They all depend ultimately on plants for food. C They all feed on one species of plant. D They are the organisms found living on an individual tree.
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · Why is it important to conserve fossil fuels?
13 Why is it important to conserve fossil fuels? A Producing them causes pollution. B They are difficult to dig out of the ground. C They are expensive to manufacture. D They are non-renewable.
Mark scheme: D
Q14 · The diagrams show four different mixtures of gases
14 The diagrams show four different mixtures of gases. Which diagram represents a mixture containing only elements? A B C D key different types of atom
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · The chromatogram of four inks P, Q, R and S is shown
15 The chromatogram of four inks P, Q, R and S is shown. P Q R S Which statement is correct? A P is a single substance. B Q contains two substances. C R contains two substances. D S is a single substance.
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · Which particle has the smallest mass?
16 Which particle has the smallest mass? A atom B electron C neutron D proton
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · Which statement about compounds is correct?
17 Which statement about compounds is correct? A An ionic compound contains two metallic elements bonded together. B In an ionic compound, metal ions are negatively charged. C When metals combine with non-metals, electrons are shared between the atoms. D When two non-metals combine, molecules are formed.
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · What does a word equation show?
18 What does a word equation show? the changes that the speed of occur in a reaction a reaction A Jv Jv B Jv x Cc x v D x x
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · The apparatus for the electrolysis of lead(II) bromide is shown
19 The apparatus for the electrolysis of lead(II) bromide is shown. inert electrodes molten lead(II) bromide heat What is seen at each electrode? anode cathode A brown gas silvery solid B green gas silvery solid C silvery solid brown gas D silvery solid green gas
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · Solid calcium oxide reacts with cold water forming calcium hydroxide
20 Solid calcium oxide reacts with cold water forming calcium hydroxide. As the cold water is added, steam is seen coming from the solid. Which statement describes the reaction? A It is endothermic and the temperature decreases. B It is endothermic and the temperature increases. C It is exothermic and the temperature decreases. D It is exothermic and the temperature increases.
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · Marble chips react with dilute hydrochloric acid producing carbon dioxide
21 Marble chips react with dilute hydrochloric acid producing carbon dioxide. The progress of this reaction is followed using the apparatus shown. cotton wool marble chips balance Which graph shows the results of this experiment? A B mass mass 0 0 0 time 0 time C D mass mass 0 0 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Hydrochloric acid reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a neutral solution of…
22 Hydrochloric acid reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a neutral solution of sodium chloride. Which process must be used to obtain dry crystals of sodium chloride from this solution? A distillation B evaporation C filtration D neutralisation
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · Solution X is mixed with nitric acid and aqueous barium nitrate
23 Solution X is mixed with nitric acid and aqueous barium nitrate. A white precipitate is formed. Which ion is present in solution X? A carbonate B chloride C nitrate D sulfate
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · Which statement describes a trend in the elements going down Group VII?
24 Which statement describes a trend in the elements going down Group VII? A They are darker in colour. B They are displaced from their salts by elements lower down the group. C They are more reactive. D They have lower boiling points.
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · Many coins are made of an alloy
25 Many coins are made of an alloy. Which property of an alloy makes it suitable for coins? A conducts electricity B expensive to buy C resistant to corrosion D soft and malleable
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · A 100 cm3 sample of air is passed into the apparatus as shown
26 A 100 cm3 sample of air is passed into the apparatus as shown. air gas measuring cylinder reagent to remove reagent to remove water all carbon dioxide all oxygen What is the volume and the composition of the gas collected in the measuring cylinder? volume / cm3 composition A 21 pure nitrogen B 21 nitrogen and other gases C 79 pure nitrogen D 79 nitrogen and other gases
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What is formed during the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon?
27 What is formed during the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon? A carbon dioxide and water B carbon dioxide only C carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide D carbon monoxide only
Mark scheme: A
Q28 · A speed / time graph is plotted for the journey of a car
28 A speed / time graph is plotted for the journey of a car. Which graph shows that the car is travelling at a constant speed? A B C D speed speed speed speed 0 0 0 0 0 time 0 time 0 time 0 time
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · There is water in a beaker on a laboratory bench
29 There is water in a beaker on a laboratory bench. On a hot day some water evaporates. What happens to the volume and what happens to the mass of the water in the beaker? volume mass A decreases decreases B decreases stays the same C stays the same decreases D stays the same stays the same
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · A wind-powered generator is used to charge a car battery
30 A wind-powered generator is used to charge a car battery. In which form is energy stored in the moving air and in which form is energy stored in the charged battery? energy in energy in moving air charged battery A kinetic chemical B kinetic electrical C thermal chemical D thermal electrical
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · A bowl contains some warm water
31 A bowl contains some warm water. The water evaporates from the bowl. Which row describes where the evaporation occurs and the effect of the evaporation on the temperature of the water left in the bowl? where evaporation effect on temperature occurs of water in bowl A only on the surface decreases B only on the surface no change C throughout the water decreases D throughout the water no change
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · An engineer wants to fix a steel washer on to a steel rod
32 An engineer wants to fix a steel washer on to a steel rod. The rod is slightly too big to fit into the hole in the washer. steel steel rod washer How can the engineer fit the washer on to the rod? A Cool the washer and push it over the rod. B Cool the washer and the rod to the same temperature and then push them together. C Heat the rod and then push it in the hole. D Heat the washer and then place it over the rod.
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · The diagram shows a vacuum flask containing a hot liquid in a cold room
33 The diagram shows a vacuum flask containing a hot liquid in a cold room. X and Y are points on the inside surfaces of the walls of the flask. cold room X Y hot liquid vacuum How is energy transferred through the vacuum between X and Y? A by conduction and convection B by conduction only C by radiation and convection D by radiation only
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · A navigation buoy floating on the sea oscillates up and down as a wave passes
34 A navigation buoy floating on the sea oscillates up and down as a wave passes. navigation buoy In exactly two minutes, six complete wavelengths pass the buoy. What is the frequency of the waves? A 0.050 Hz B 0.33 Hz C 3.0 Hz D 20 Hz
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · The diagram shows an object in front of a plane mirror
35 The diagram shows an object in front of a plane mirror. plane mirror Which diagram below shows the image of the object formed by the mirror? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · Which statement about the electromagnetic spectrum is correct?
36 Which statement about the electromagnetic spectrum is correct? A Gamma rays have the highest frequency. B Microwaves have the smallest wavelength. C Ultraviolet waves have the largest wavelength. D Visible light has the lowest frequency.
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · A sound wave has a frequency of 250 Hz in air
37 A sound wave has a frequency of 250 Hz in air. A second sound wave has a frequency of 500 Hz in air. Both sound waves have the same amplitude. How does the second sound wave compare with the first? A It is louder. B It has a greater speed. C It has a higher pitch. D It has a larger wavelength.
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · A lamp is connected to a cell by copper wires
38 A lamp is connected to a cell by copper wires. Particles flow from one terminal of the cell around the circuit to the other terminal of the cell. copper wire copper wire Which particles flow round the circuit and from which terminal of the cell do they flow? from which particles terminal A electrons negative B electrons positive C protons negative D protons positive
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · When a computer is switched on, the current rises quickly to 3.1 A and then falls slowly…
39 When a computer is switched on, the current rises quickly to 3.1 A and then falls slowly to a steady value of 1.0 A while the computer is in use. The wire connecting the computer to the power supply can safely carry a current of up to 10.0 A. The circuit contains a fuse. Which value of fuse is suitable to use to provide the greatest protection? A 1.0 A B 3.0 A C 5.0 A D 13.0 A
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · The diagram shows four different circuits containing either one or two resistors
40 The diagram shows four different circuits containing either one or two resistors. P Q 3.0 Ω 5.0 Ω R S 3.0 Ω 3.0 Ω 5.0 Ω 5.0 Ω What is the order of increasing resistance of these circuits? lowest highest resistance resistance A P Q R S B R S P Q C S P Q R D P R Q S
Mark scheme: C
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.
2Air quality and climate1Alloys and their properties1Atomic structure and the Periodic Table1Biological molecules1Cell structure1Characteristics of living organisms1Chromatography1Conservation1Diffusion1Digestion1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Energy, work and power1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Food chains and food webs1Formulas1Fuels1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Group VII properties1Identification of ions and gases1Light1Motion1Photosynthesis1Rate of reaction1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Sound1Thermal properties and temperature1Transfer of thermal energy1Transpiration1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.