Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2017 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 3
0653/23/M/J/17 · 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 · Which are characteristics of all living organisms?
1 Which are characteristics of all living organisms? A excretion, breathing and sensitivity B excretion, movement and respiration C gas exchange and muscle contraction D muscle contraction and sensitivity
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · The diagram shows a plant cell and an animal cell
2 The diagram shows a plant cell and an animal cell. P plant cell animal cell What is structure P and what is one of its functions? structure function A cell membrane controls the entry of glucose into the cell B cell membrane supports the cell C cell wall controls the entry of glucose into the cell D cell wall supports the cell
Mark scheme: A
Q3 · The graph shows the effect of one variable on amylase activity
3 The graph shows the effect of one variable on amylase activity. Y X What are the labels X and Y? X Y A amylase activity pH B amylase activity temperature C pH amylase activity D temperature amylase activity
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · The equation summarises a process that occurs in living organisms
4 The equation summarises a process that occurs in living organisms. 6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2 Which molecule contains the greatest amount of chemical energy? A H2O B CO2 C C6H12O6 D O2
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · Which row matches the part of the alimentary canal to its function?
5 Which row matches the part of the alimentary canal to its function? part of the alimentary canal function of part A colon absorption of digested food B ileum egestion C mouth mechanical digestion D pancreas production of bile
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · Which row matches the adaptation of a root hair cell to its function?
6 Which row matches the adaptation of a root hair cell to its function? adaptation function A large surface area uptake of water and glucose B large surface area uptake of water and ions C small surface area uptake of water and glucose D small surface area uptake of water and ions
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · The diagram shows a section through the heart
7 The diagram shows a section through the heart. 1 2 The ventricles contract and blood is forced into the arteries. What is the state of valves 1 and 2 when this happens? valve 1 valve 2 A closed closed B closed open C open closed D open open
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · The diagram shows apparatus at the start of a breathing experiment
8 The diagram shows apparatus at the start of a breathing experiment. mouthpiece limewater tube X tube Y A person breathes in and out through the mouthpiece for a short time. Which row shows the results? limewater in tube X limewater in tube Y A stays clear stays clear B stays clear turns cloudy C turns cloudy stays clear D turns cloudy turns cloudy
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which component of tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer?
9 Which component of tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer? A carbon dioxide B carbon monoxide C nicotine D tar
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The diagram shows a section through a flower
10 The diagram shows a section through a flower. Q Which row correctly identifies structure Q and the method of pollination in the flower? method of structure Q pollination A anther insect B anther wind C stigma insect D stigma wind
Mark scheme: C
Q11 · What effect does HIV have on the components of blood?
11 What effect does HIV have on the components of blood? A Blood does not clot as quickly. B Plasma can no longer carry hormones. C Red blood cells carry less oxygen. D White blood cells make fewer antibodies.
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · Which statement about decomposers is not correct?
12 Which statement about decomposers is not correct? A They are the final stage of food chains. B They break down dead organic matter. C They produce oxygen. D They release heat energy into the environment.
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · What is an undesirable effect of overuse of fertilisers in agriculture?
13 What is an undesirable effect of overuse of fertilisers in agriculture? A acid rain B deforestation C eutrophication D global warming
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which diagram shows how a mixture of dyes in a food colouring are separated?
14 Which diagram shows how a mixture of dyes in a food colouring are separated? A B filter paper filter paper spot of food colouring food colouring water solution C D spot of food colouring filter paper filter paper spot of food colouring water water
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · Which elements react together to give positive ions and negative ions that have the same…
15 Which elements react together to give positive ions and negative ions that have the same electronic structure as argon? A calcium and chlorine B calcium and fluorine C magnesium and chlorine D magnesium and fluorine
Mark scheme: A
Q16 · Which dot-and-cross diagram represents the arrangement of outer-shell electrons in a…
16 Which dot-and-cross diagram represents the arrangement of outer-shell electrons in a molecule of nitrogen? A B N N N N C D N N N N
Mark scheme: D
Q17 · Aluminium ions have the formula Al 3+
17 Aluminium ions have the formula Al 3+. Oxide ions have the formula O2–. What is the formula of aluminium oxide? A Al O B Al O2 C Al 2O3 D Al 3O2
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Molten sodium chloride is electrolysed
18 Molten sodium chloride is electrolysed. What are the electrode products? at the anode at the cathode A chlorine hydrogen B chlorine sodium C hydrogen chlorine D sodium chlorine
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · Which statement describes an exothermic reaction?
19 Which statement describes an exothermic reaction? A It gives out thermal energy. B It needs energy to start it. C It neither gives out nor takes in energy. D It takes in energy.
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · Apparatus used to measure the rate of a reaction, which produces a gas, is shown
20 Apparatus used to measure the rate of a reaction, which produces a gas, is shown. cotton wool acid marble 51.2 g balance Which other piece of apparatus is needed? A beaker B gas syringe C stopclock D thermometer
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · Iron is extracted from its ore using carbon monoxide
21 Iron is extracted from its ore using carbon monoxide. The word equation is shown. iron(III) oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon dioxide Which statement is correct? A Carbon monoxide is oxidised by gaining oxygen. B Carbon monoxide is reduced by losing oxygen. C Iron(III) oxide is oxidised by losing oxygen. D Iron(III) oxide is reduced by gaining oxygen.
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Which method can be used to make pure solid sodium nitrate, NaNO3?
22 Which method can be used to make pure solid sodium nitrate, NaNO3? A Add aqueous sodium hydroxide to a conical flask, titrate with dilute nitric acid, then crystallise. B Dissolve solid sodium chloride in dilute nitric acid, leave for 10 minutes and then crystallise. C Heat sodium with nitrogen and oxygen. Let the mixture cool, then collect the solid that is made. D Mix copper nitrate and sodium chloride solutions then filter the mixture and collect the sodium nitrate from the filter paper.
Mark scheme: A
Q23 · Information about an element in the Periodic Table is shown
23 Information about an element in the Periodic Table is shown. Which row describes an element in the Periodic Table? number of group number electrons in metal / non-metal outer shell A I 1 metal B II 2 non-metal C VI 2 non-metal D VIII 8 metal
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · What is an alloy?
24 What is an alloy? A a compound containing two metallic elements B a compound containing two non-metallic elements C a mixture containing two metallic elements D a mixture containing two non-metallic elements
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Which pie chart shows the proportions of gases in clean air?
25 Which pie chart shows the proportions of gases in clean air? A B C D N2 N2 O2 N2 N2 O2 other O2 CO2 gases O2 CO2 CO2 other other CO2 other gases gases gases
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · Which process does not contribute to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the air?
26 Which process does not contribute to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the air? A burning petrol and diesel in cars B combustion of the sulfur compounds in petrol and diesel C destroying rainforests D releasing waste gases from coal-fired power stations
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · Which substance rapidly turns bromine from orange to colourless?
27 Which substance rapidly turns bromine from orange to colourless? A ethane B ethanol C ethene D methane
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A car is travelling on a straight road at a speed of 2.0 m / s
28 A car is travelling on a straight road at a speed of 2.0 m / s. It starts to accelerate constantly at 3.0 m / s2. How long does it take for the speed of the car to reach 8.0 m / s? A 0.50 s B 2.0 s C 2.7 s D 18 s
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · Which row shows the unit for force, the unit for mass and the unit for weight?
29 Which row shows the unit for force, the unit for mass and the unit for weight? force mass weight A kg kg N B kg N kg C N kg N D N N kg
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · A spring obeys Hooke’s law
30 A spring obeys Hooke’s law. A load of 10 N hangs from the spring and causes the spring to extend by 12 mm. Two springs, identical to the first one, are now joined as shown. A load of 5.0 N is hung from the springs. springs 5.0 N What is the total extension of the combination of the two springs? A 3.0 mm B 6.0 mm C 12 mm D 24 mm
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A brick of mass of 3.0 kg rests on a shelf
31 A brick of mass of 3.0 kg rests on a shelf. The brick drops off the shelf. The brick hits the ground at a speed of 8.0 m / s. Air resistance can be ignored. The acceleration of free fall g is 10 m / s2. How much kinetic energy did the brick have just before it hit the ground, and how much potential energy did the brick have when it was on the shelf? kinetic energy potential before hitting energy on shelf ground / J / J A 24 24 B 24 96 C 96 0 D 96 96
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · The molecules in a substance vibrate about fixed positions
32 The molecules in a substance vibrate about fixed positions. The substance is now cooled. Which row gives the state of the substance and the effect of cooling on the distance between its molecules? state of effect on distance substance between molecules A liquid decreases B liquid increases C solid decreases D solid increases
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · A solid is heated and it melts
33 A solid is heated and it melts. The liquid that is produced is then heated and it boils. What happens to the temperature of the solid while it is melting, and what happens to the temperature of the liquid while it is boiling? temperature of solid temperature of liquid A increases increases B increases remains constant C remains constant increases D remains constant remains constant
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · A cooling unit is to be fitted in a tank of water to cool all the water
34 A cooling unit is to be fitted in a tank of water to cool all the water. What is the best position for the unit to be fitted, and what is the main method of thermal energy transfer in the water? position to fit main method of cooling unit thermal energy transfer A at the bottom conduction B at the bottom convection C at the top conduction D at the top convection
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · A microwave oven emits radiation with a frequency of 2.5 × 109 Hz
35 A microwave oven emits radiation with a frequency of 2.5 × 109 Hz. What is the wavelength of these waves? The speed of light is 3.0 × 108 m / s. A 0.0075 m B 0.12 m C 7.5 m D 120 m
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · The diagram shows part of the electromagnetic spectrum
36 The diagram shows part of the electromagnetic spectrum. gamma-rays P ultraviolet Q infra-red Which row shows the missing types of radiation at P and Q? at P at Q A radio waves microwaves B radio waves visible light C X-rays microwaves D X-rays visible light
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · An electronic circuit in a fire alarm makes a loudspeaker vibrate alternately at two…
37 An electronic circuit in a fire alarm makes a loudspeaker vibrate alternately at two different frequencies. Which pair of frequencies is suitable to use in the alarm to alert people to the danger of fire? A 1.5 Hz and 15 Hz B 15 Hz and 150 000 Hz C 150 Hz and 15 000 Hz D 150 000 Hz and 15 000 000 Hz
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · The table gives the lengths and the diameters of four different wires made from the same…
38 The table gives the lengths and the diameters of four different wires made from the same metal. Which wire has the smallest resistance? length of diameter of wire / m wire / mm A 3.0 3.0 B 3.0 4.0 C 4.0 3.0 D 4.0 4.0
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · There is a current of 20 mA in an electrical component when there is a p.d
39 There is a current of 20 mA in an electrical component when there is a p.d. of 10 V across it. How much energy is transferred by the component in 30 minutes? A 6.0 J B 360 J C 6000 J D 360 000 J
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · The diagram shows a circuit containing a battery, three resistors and four voltmeters
40 The diagram shows a circuit containing a battery, three resistors and four voltmeters. Which voltmeter has the greatest reading? V B A V V V D C
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.
2Electrical quantities2Alkenes1Alloys and their properties1Arrangement of elements1Cell structure1Characteristics of living organisms1Chromatography1Conservation1Digestive system1Diseases and immunity1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Formulas1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Heart1Ions and ionic bonds1Kinetic particle model of matter1Mass and weight1Motion1Photosynthesis1Preparation of salts1Rate of reaction1Redox1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Sound1Thermal properties and temperature1Transfer of thermal energy1Water uptake1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 May/June, Paper 2 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.