Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2016 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 2
0653/12/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 plant bends towards the light
1 A plant bends towards the light. Which characteristics of living organisms does this show? A movement and nutrition B movement and respiration C movement and sensitivity D sensitivity and respiration
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · How do molecules move when they are involved in the process of diffusion?
2 How do molecules move when they are involved in the process of diffusion? A They all move from a high to a low concentration. B They all move from a low to a high concentration. C They all move randomly. D They show net movement against a concentration gradient.
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · The diagram shows a typical plant cell as seen under a light microscope
3 The diagram shows a typical plant cell as seen under a light microscope. Which part would also be present in a liver cell? D A B C
Mark scheme: A
Q4 · A student wants to find out if a solution contains an enzyme
4 A student wants to find out if a solution contains an enzyme. Which chemical should the student use? A Benedict’s solution B biuret solution C ethanol D iodine solution
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The diagram shows a plant in a container of water
5 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
Q6 · A student is given a clear liquid
6 A student is given a clear liquid. She tests the liquid with Benedict’s solution and iodine solution. The results are shown in the table. test Benedict’s solution iodine solution result orange-red colour orange-brown colour Which nutrients are present in the liquid? reducing sugar starch 0 OD > ~ OK ~*~ KOK OX
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · The diagram shows a type of white blood cell with a structural feature missing
7 The diagram shows a type of white blood cell with a structural feature missing. Which feature is missing? A cell membrane B cell wall C large vacuole D nucleus
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · What makes up a higher percentage of inspired air compared with expired air?
8 What makes up a higher percentage of inspired air compared with expired air? A carbon dioxide B nitrogen C noble gases D oxygen
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · Which process in a germinating seed is a tropic response?
9 Which process in a germinating seed is a tropic response? A the breaking of the outer skin B the root tip growing downwards C the start of photosynthesis D the uptake of water
Mark scheme: B
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 · A farmer chops down a tree to provide firewood
12 A farmer chops down a tree to provide firewood. He gets warm when chopping down the tree. The farmer then burns the wood to keep warm. What is the original source of the energy that warms the farmer in both cases? A photosynthesis by the tree growing the wood B respiration C the match used to light the fire D the Sun
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Deforestation could have which effect?
13 Deforestation could have which effect? A a decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere B an increase in oxygen in the atmosphere C less likelihood of flooding D the extinction of species
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 · Which method is used to separate an insoluble salt from a mixture of the salt and water?
15 Which method is used to separate an insoluble salt from a mixture of the salt and water? A crystallisation B distillation C filtration D fractional distillation
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Which process is a physical change?
16 Which process is a physical change? A the combustion of methane B the electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride C the melting of ice D the reaction of sodium with water
Mark scheme: C
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
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · What are the products of electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride using inert electrodes?
19 What are the products of electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride using inert electrodes? A copper and chlorine B copper and oxygen C hydrogen and chlorine D hydrogen and oxygen
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · The reaction between calcium oxide and water is used to heat food in special food cans
20 The reaction between calcium oxide and water is used to heat food in special food cans. Which type of reaction occurs? A endothermic B exothermic C neutralisation D precipitation
Mark scheme: B
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 · Three powders are added to dilute sulfuric acid, as shown
22 Three powders are added to dilute sulfuric acid, as shown. magnesium powder dilute sulfuric acid magnesium oxide powder dilute sulfuric acid Which of the powders react to produce water? 0 0O WwW D> magnesium x KOK magnesium oxide x < x magnesium carbonate <4 x magnesium carbonate powder dilute sulfuric acid key ¥ = does produce water X = does not produce water
Mark scheme: C
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q23 · A mixture of ammonium carbonate and ammonium chloride is heated with aqueous sodium…
23 A mixture of ammonium carbonate and ammonium chloride is heated with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Which gas is produced? A ammonia B carbon dioxide C chlorine D hydrogen chloride
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · Which describes a noble gas?
24 Which describes a noble gas? A compound, colourless, does not burn in air B element, colourless, burns in air C element, colourless, does not burn in air D element, green, does not burn in air
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Tenorite is a mineral that contains copper oxide
25 Tenorite is a mineral that contains copper oxide. How is copper obtained from tenorite? A Heat a mixture of tenorite and carbon. B Pass electricity through solid tenorite. C React tenorite with a metal that is less reactive than copper. D React tenorite with hydrochloric acid.
Mark scheme: A
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 the main constituent of natural gas?
27 What is the main constituent of natural gas? A ethane B methane C nitrogen D oxygen
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · A distance / time graph
28 Graph 1 is a distance / time graph. Graph 2 is a speed / time graph. distance speed 0 0 0 time 0 time graph 1 graph 2 Which, if any, of these graphs represents the motion of a car that is accelerating? A graph 1 only B graph 2 only C both graphs D neither graph
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · A 1.0 kg sample of aluminium is kept in a laboratory
29 A 1.0 kg sample of aluminium is kept in a laboratory. A 1.0 kg sample of iron is kept in a different laboratory in the same building. Which quantity must be identical for these two samples? A density B temperature C volume D weight
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · A parachutist falls at a constant speed
30 A parachutist falls at a constant speed. Her kinetic energy does not change. Which form of energy is increasing as she falls? A chemical energy B gravitational (potential) energy C nuclear energy D thermal energy
Mark scheme: D
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 · Water in a beaker is heated by an electric heater in the position shown
33 Water in a beaker is heated by an electric heater in the position shown. Which diagram shows the convection current formed? A B water electric heater C D water electric heater
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · The diagram represents a water wave
34 The diagram represents a water wave. Which labelled distance shows the amplitude of the wave? C A B D
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · Three rays of light are incident on a converging lens as shown
35 Three rays of light are incident on a converging lens as shown. lens Which diagram shows the rays after passing through the lens? 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 fire alarm is not loud enough
37 A fire alarm is not loud enough. An engineer adjusts it so that it produces a note of the same pitch which is louder. What effect does this have on the amplitude and on the frequency of the sound waves from the alarm? amplitude frequency A larger larger B larger unchanged C unchanged larger D unchanged unchanged
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · An ammeter and a voltmeter are correctly connected in a circuit so that the resistance of…
38 An ammeter and a voltmeter are correctly connected in a circuit so that the resistance of the resistor can be calculated. The ammeter reads 2.0 A and the voltmeter reads 4.0 V. meter 1 meter 2 Which row correctly identifies the voltmeter and gives the resistance of the resistor? resistance of voltmeter resistor / Ω A meter 1 0.50 B meter 1 2.0 C meter 2 0.50 D meter 2 2.0
Mark scheme: D
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 a circuit with a battery connected to three resistors P, Q and R
40 The diagram shows a circuit with a battery connected to three resistors P, Q and R. In different parts of the circuit the currents are I1, I2 and I3, as shown. I2 Q I1 I3 P R Which is correct? A I1 is equal to I2 and I2 is equal to I3. B I1 is larger than I2 and I2 is larger than I3. C I1 is larger than I2 and I2 is smaller than I3. D I1 is smaller than I2 and I2 is larger than I3.
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.
2Characteristics of living organisms2Air quality and climate1Biological molecules1Diffusion1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Energy flow1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Extraction of metals1Formulas1Fuels1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Habitat destruction1Identification of ions and gases1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Mass and weight1Motion1Noble gases1Physical and chemical changes1Rate of reaction1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Sound1The characteristic properties of acids and bases1Thermal properties and temperature1Transfer of thermal energy1Transpiration1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2016 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.