Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2017 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
0653/11/O/N/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 characteristics help to define a living organism?
1 Which characteristics help to define a living organism? A diffusion, movement, respiration B excretion, nutrition, sensitivity C excretion, reproduction, transpiration D growth, inspiration, nutrition
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · The diagram shows an image of an insect that has been magnified
2 The diagram shows an image of an insect that has been magnified. 120 mm The magnification is ×5. What is the actual length of the insect? A 0.04 mm B 24 mm C 115 mm D 600 mm
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · What are enzymes made from?
3 What are enzymes made from? A fat B hormones C protein D starch
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Which chemical is used to test for a food substance that contains the elements carbon…
4 Which chemical is used to test for a food substance that contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen? A Benedict’s solution B biuret solution C ethanol D iodine solution
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · Where are guard cells found in a leaf?
5 Where are guard cells found in a leaf? A in the cuticle B in the epidermis C in the palisade layer D in the spongy mesophyll
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · In which order does food pass through parts of the alimentary canal?
6 In which order does food pass through parts of the alimentary canal? A oesophagus → colon → small intestine B small intestine → oesophagus → rectum C small intestine → rectum → anus D stomach → colon → small intestine
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · The photomicrograph shows a sample of human blood
7 The photomicrograph shows a sample of human blood. X What is the function of the cells marked X? A antibody formation B clotting of blood C phagocytosis D transport of oxygen
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · Which word equation represents aerobic respiration?
8 Which word equation represents aerobic respiration? A carbon dioxide + oxygen → glucose + water B carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen C glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water D glucose + water → carbon dioxide + oxygen
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · When someone is scared, adrenaline is released into their bloodstream
9 When someone is scared, adrenaline is released into their bloodstream. What is the effect of adrenaline on their blood glucose concentration and pulse rate? blood glucose pulse rate concentration A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The diagrams show shoots of maize seedlings
10 The diagrams show shoots of maize seedlings. Which shoot shows a geotropic response in which it grows away from the stimulus? A B C D light light gravity gravity
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · The diagram shows a flower
11 The diagram shows a flower. W What is the function of part W? A attracts insects B produces pollen C protects bud D receives pollen
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The diagram represents part of the carbon cycle
12 The diagram represents part of the carbon cycle. 1 atmospheric green plants carbon dioxide 2 3 animals 4 microorganisms Which arrows show where respiration takes place? A 1, 3 and 4 B 1 and 3 only C 2, 3 and 4 D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · Large-scale deforestation of a rain forest occurs in one country
13 Large-scale deforestation of a rain forest occurs in one country. This can have many undesirable effects on the local environment. Which undesirable effect could also directly affect the environment of a country on the other side of the world? A extinction of animal species native to the rain forest B increased carbon dioxide concentration in the air C increased soil erosion on hillsides D reduced drainage leading to flooding
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · The formulae of three substances are shown
14 The formulae of three substances are shown. substance formula methane CH4 water H2O oxygen O2 Which statement is correct? A Methane is made from five different types of atom. B Methane, water and oxygen are molecules. C Only methane and water are molecules. D Oxygen is made from two different types of atom.
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · Which process is used to separate petroleum?
15 Which process is used to separate petroleum? A crystallisation B distillation C filtration D fractional distillation
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · Which row describes chemical changes and physical changes?
16 Which row describes chemical changes and physical changes? chemical changes physical changes A the mass of the products is always new substances are made the same as the mass of the reactants B the mass of the products is always there is no mass change the same as the mass of the reactants C the mass of the products is sometimes new substances are made more or less than the mass of the reactants D the mass of the products is sometimes there is no mass change more or less than the mass of the reactants
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · A compound contains three times as many oxygen atoms as nitrogen atoms
17 A compound contains three times as many oxygen atoms as nitrogen atoms. It contains the same number of sodium atoms as nitrogen atoms. What is its formula? A NaNO3 B Na(NO)3 C Na3(NO)3 D Na3N3O
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · What is produced at the anode during the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide?
18 What is produced at the anode during the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide? A bromide ions B bromine C lead D lead(II) ions
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · The diagram shows gas X burning and heating a liquid
19 The diagram shows gas X burning and heating a liquid. Which row is correct? gas X 0 Oo WwW > gas X hydrogen hydrogen oxygen oxygen the burning of gas X is exothermic x < x liquid flame
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · Carbon reacts with carbon dioxide at high temperatures
20 Carbon reacts with carbon dioxide at high temperatures. carbon + carbon dioxide → carbon monoxide Which statement about the reaction is correct? A Both carbon and carbon dioxide are oxidised. B Both carbon and carbon dioxide are reduced. C The carbon is oxidised and the carbon dioxide is reduced. D The carbon is reduced and the carbon dioxide is oxidised.
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · In which test-tube is an alkaline solution formed?
21 In which test-tube is an alkaline solution formed? A B C D water excess dilute hydrochloric acid sodium sodium calcium zinc hydroxide chloride carbonate
Mark scheme: A
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q22 · Excess magnesium is added to dilute hydrochloric acid containing Universal Indicator
22 Excess magnesium is added to dilute hydrochloric acid containing Universal Indicator. The indicator changes colour and a gas is given off. The gas is tested with limewater. Which row describes the colour change and the result of the limewater test? colour change result of the limewater test A blue to green limewater becomes cloudy B blue to green no change C red to green limewater becomes cloudy D red to green no change
Mark scheme: D
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q23 · Which statement describes the elements across the Periodic Table from left to right?
23 Which statement describes the elements across the Periodic Table from left to right? A Their atoms contain fewer protons. B Their atoms contain the same number of electrons. C They change from gases to solids. D They change from metals to non-metals.
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · Lithium and potassium are in Group I of the Periodic Table
24 Lithium and potassium are in Group I of the Periodic Table. Which statement is not correct? A Lithium has a higher melting point than potassium. B Lithium is harder than potassium. C Potassium conducts electricity but lithium does not. D Potassium is more reactive than lithium.
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · Platinite is made by melting and mixing iron and nickel
25 Platinite is made by melting and mixing iron and nickel. Which type of substance is platinite? A alloy B hydrocarbon C ionic compound D transition metal
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · P, Q, R and S are four gases found in clean air
26 P, Q, R and S are four gases found in clean air. P is very unreactive. Q makes up 21% of the air. R makes up 78% of the air. S is formed when fossil fuels are burned. Which row is correct? P Q R S A argon nitrogen oxygen carbon dioxide B argon oxygen nitrogen carbon dioxide C carbon dioxide oxygen nitrogen argon D carbon dioxide nitrogen oxygen argon
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · Which power stations burn fossil fuels?
27 Which power stations burn fossil fuels? 1 a coal-fired power station 2 a nuclear power station 3 an oil-fired power station A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A car travels at various speeds during a short journey
28 A car travels at various speeds during a short journey. The table shows the distances travelled and the times taken during each of four stages P, Q, R and S. stage P Q R S distance travelled / km 1.8 3.6 2.7 2.7 time taken / minutes 2.0 2.0 4.0 3.0 During which two stages is the car travelling at the same average speed? A P and Q B P and S C Q and R D R and S
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · A piece of scientific equipment is taken on a space ship from Earth to a distant planet
29 A piece of scientific equipment is taken on a space ship from Earth to a distant planet. Which property or properties of the equipment must remain the same on the distant planet? key J/ = must be the same X = does not have to be the same
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · Two identical, solid cubes have sides of length 5.0 cm
30 Two identical, solid cubes have sides of length 5.0 cm. The total mass of both cubes together is 2000 g. 5.0 cm What is the density of the material from which the cubes are made? A 8.0 g / cm3 B 16 g / cm3 C 40 g / cm3 D 80 g / cm3
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · Which energy resource is renewable and has the Sun as its source of energy?
31 Which energy resource is renewable and has the Sun as its source of energy? A coal B geothermal C hydroelectric D nuclear
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · When a liquid evaporates, which molecules escape and what happens, if anything, to the…
32 When a liquid evaporates, which molecules escape and what happens, if anything, to the temperature of the remaining liquid? molecules temperature of escaping remaining liquid A less energetic decreases molecules B less energetic stays the same molecules C more energetic decreases molecules D more energetic stays the same molecules
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · A nut and a bolt are made of the same metal
33 A nut and a bolt are made of the same metal. The nut is slightly too small to screw on to the bolt. bolt nut Which action is most likely to make the nut fit the bolt? A Cool the bolt and cool the nut to the same temperature. B Cool the bolt and heat the nut. C Heat the bolt and cool the nut. D Heat the bolt and heat the nut to the same temperature.
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · A double-glazed window consists of two panes of glass with a vacuum between them
34 A double-glazed window consists of two panes of glass with a vacuum between them. The vacuum reduces the amount of thermal energy transferred through the window. vacuum glass glass Which row shows how much thermal energy is transferred through the vacuum by conduction, by convection and by radiation? conduction convection radiation A none none some B none some some C some none none D some some none
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · The diagram shows a section of a rope
35 The diagram shows a section of a rope. Four wave crests pass a point on the rope every second. Each wave crest travels 80 cm in one second. wave crest 20 cm direction 5 cm of wave What is the speed of the wave? A 4.0 cm / s B 5.0 cm / s C 20 cm / s D 80 cm / s
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · The diagram shows an object in front of a plane mirror
36 The diagram shows an object in front of a plane mirror. A ray of light from the object is incident on the mirror, and the angle between the ray and the mirror is 60°. Two positions X and Y are labelled. X 60° Y object What is the angle of reflection, and at which labelled position is an image of the object formed? angle of position reflection / ° of image A 30 X B 30 Y C 60 X D 60 Y
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane
37 Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane. Electromagnetic waves are also used in a television remote controller. Which type of electromagnetic wave is used for each of these purposes? scanning television luggage remote controller A radio waves infra-red waves B radio waves ultraviolet waves C X-rays infra-red waves D X-rays ultraviolet waves
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · Two balloons X and Y are suspended by insulating threads
38 Two balloons X and Y are suspended by insulating threads. They are each held near a negatively charged balloon. The balloons hang as shown. insulating insulating threads threads – – – – – – – – – – – – – X – – Y ––– – – – – – – What is the charge on balloon X and what is the charge on balloon Y? balloon X balloon Y A negative negative B negative positive C positive negative D positive positive
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · The device Z in this circuit is designed to cut off the electricity supply automatically…
39 The device Z in this circuit is designed to cut off the electricity supply automatically if too much current flows. Z What is device Z? A a fuse B a resistor C a switch D an ammeter
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · Four resistors are connected in the arrangement shown
40 Four resistors are connected in the arrangement shown. 3.0 Ω 3.0 Ω 6.0 Ω 6.0 Ω What is a possible value of the combined resistance of this arrangement? A 11 Ω B 12 Ω C 15 Ω D 18 Ω
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.
2Characteristics of living organisms2The characteristic properties of acids and bases2Alloys and their properties1Arrangement of elements1Biological molecules1Blood1Carbon cycle1Density1Digestive system1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Formulas1General properties of waves1Group I properties1Habitat destruction1Kinetic particle model of matter1Leaf structure1Light1Mass and weight1Motion1Physical and chemical changes1Redox1Respiration1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Size of specimens1Thermal properties and temperature1Transfer of thermal energy1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.