Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2017 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 2
0653/22/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 paper20 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 a palisade cell
2 The diagram shows a palisade cell. Which structure converts energy from light into chemical energy? D C A B
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · What is the role of microorganisms in the manufacture of yoghurt?
3 What is the role of microorganisms in the manufacture of yoghurt? A to turn lactic acid into lactose sugar and lower the pH B to turn lactic acid into lactose sugar and raise the pH C to turn lactose sugar into lactic acid and lower the pH D to turn lactose sugar into lactic acid and raise the pH
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · In which order does food pass through parts of the alimentary canal?
4 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
Q5 · These four conditions may be a result of malnutrition
5 These four conditions may be a result of malnutrition. 1 constipation 2 coronary heart disease 3 obesity 4 starvation Which conditions are a direct result of an imbalance between energy intake and energy output? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · What are the functions of root hairs?
6 What are the functions of root hairs? uptake of ions uptake of sugar uptake of water 0 Oo WwW > v v x x x x v v KO 4
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · When we cut ourselves, blood comes out of the wound
7 When we cut ourselves, blood comes out of the wound. Which constituent of blood is most important in the formation of a blood clot? A plasma B platelets C red blood cells D white blood cells
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · What is the equation for aerobic respiration?
8 What is the equation for aerobic respiration? A 6CO2 + 6O2 → C6H12O6 + 6H2O B 6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2 C C6H12O6 + 6H2O → 6CO2 + 6O2 D C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
Mark scheme: D
Q9 · The depth and rate of breathing can be measured by a spirometer, and recorded in the form…
9 The depth and rate of breathing can be measured by a spirometer, and recorded in the form of a graph. Graph X shows the depth and rate of breathing of a person at rest. graph X 4.0 3.5 volume of air in 3.0 lungs / dm3 2.5 2.0 0 30 time / s Which graph shows the depth and rate of breathing when the same person is running? A B 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.5 volume volume of air in 3.0 of air in 3.0 lungs / dm3 lungs / dm3 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 0 30 0 30 time / s time / s C D 4.0 4.0 3.5 3.5 volume volume of air in 3.0 of air in 3.0 lungs / dm3 lungs / dm3 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 0 30 0 30 time / s time / s
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A student carried out an experiment to test geotropism
10 A student carried out an experiment to test geotropism. A bean seed was pinned to a card with wet cotton wool, as shown. card card wet cotton wool wet cotton wool bean seed bean seed pin pin gravity Every day the card was turned 90° clockwise. After a few days the student drew the results of the root growth. Which diagram shows the student’s result? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · During pregnancy, the fetus is contained within the amniotic sac
11 During pregnancy, the fetus is contained within the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac contains amniotic fluid. What is the function of the amniotic fluid? A It protects the fetus against knocks and bumps. B It provides the fetus with oxygen and nutrients. C It removes the fetal waste products. D It supplies the fetus with blood.
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · The diagram shows a food web
12 The diagram shows a food web. hawk song bird spider locust beetle tree grass Which statement about this food web is correct? A Some of the energy from the grass eventually passes to the hawk. B The producers get their energy from the soil. C There are more carnivores shown than herbivores. D There are six consumers shown.
Mark scheme: A
Q13 · Which graph shows the effect of large-scale deforestation on the changes in the…
13 Which graph shows the effect of large-scale deforestation on the changes in the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air? A B O2 changes in changes in concentration concentration O2 CO2 CO2 time after deforestation time after deforestation C D O2 changes in O2 changes in concentration concentration CO2 CO2 time after deforestation time after deforestation
Mark scheme: C
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 · What is the correct sequence that takes place during fractional distillation?
15 What is the correct sequence that takes place during fractional distillation? A evaporate → condense → collect → heat B evaporate → condense → heat → collect C heat → condense → collect → evaporate D heat → evaporate → condense → collect
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · Which substances react to produce a mixture of an element and a compound?
16 Which substances react to produce a mixture of an element and a compound? A copper oxide and carbon B hydrochloric acid and sodium carbonate C hydrogen and oxygen D nitric acid and sodium hydroxide
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The electronic structure of a sodium atom is 2,8,1
17 The electronic structure of a sodium atom is 2,8,1. The electronic structure of a sodium ion is 2,8. Which statement is not correct? A Sodium ions form metallic bonds. B The electronic structure of a sodium ion is more stable than that of a sodium atom. C The sodium atom loses one electron to become an ion. D The sodium ion has a noble gas electronic structure.
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · The symbols for some ions are shown
18 The symbols for some ions are shown. name of ion symbol silver Ag+ nitrate NO3 – magnesium Mg2+ chloride Cl – Which symbol equation is correct? A AgNO3 + MgCl → AgCl + MgNO3 B Ag2NO3 + MgCl → Ag2Cl + MgNO3 C 2AgNO3 + MgCl2 → 2AgCl + Mg(NO3)2 D 2AgNO3 + Mg2Cl → 2AgCl + 2MgNO3
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · What is formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride?
19 What is formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride? A chlorine B copper C hydrogen D oxygen
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · The diagram shows gas X burning and heating a liquid
20 The diagram shows gas X burning and heating a liquid. Which row is correct? gas X the burning of gas X gas X is exothermic A hydrogen v B hydrogen x Cc oxygen v D oxygen x liquid flame
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · What is the effect of increasing the temperature on the collisions between reacting…
21 What is the effect of increasing the temperature on the collisions between reacting particles during a chemical reaction? number of collisions energy of collisions per second A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · The word equation for the reaction between hydrogen and copper oxide is shown
22 The word equation for the reaction between hydrogen and copper oxide is shown. hydrogen + copper oxide → copper + water Which substance, shown in the word equation, is reduced in the reaction? A copper B copper oxide C hydrogen D water
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · Excess aqueous barium nitrate is added to dilute sulfuric acid to produce barium sulfate
23 Excess aqueous barium nitrate is added to dilute sulfuric acid to produce barium sulfate. How is barium sulfate obtained from the reaction mixture? A electrolysis B evaporation C filtration D fractional distillation
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · Weather balloons are used to carry scientific instruments into the atmosphere
24 Weather balloons are used to carry scientific instruments into the atmosphere. Which gas is used to fill the balloons? A argon B helium C krypton D xenon
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which reaction does not take place in the blast furnace?
25 Which reaction does not take place in the blast furnace? A Calcium carbonate decomposes to make calcium oxide. B Carbon dioxide reacts with carbon to make carbon monoxide. C Carbon monoxide reacts with iron oxide to make iron. D Limestone reacts with iron oxide to make slag.
Mark scheme: D
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 · In the fractional distillation of petroleum, fractions X and Y are removed at the…
27 In the fractional distillation of petroleum, fractions X and Y are removed at the positions shown. fraction X fraction Y petroleum Which row describes the molecular sizes and the intermolecular attractive forces in fractions X and Y? molecular sizes intermolecular attractive forces A X larger than Y X greater than Y B X larger than Y Y greater than X C Y larger than X X greater than Y D Y larger than X Y greater than X
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · The speed-time graph shown is for a bus travelling between stops
28 The speed-time graph shown is for a bus travelling between stops. Where on the graph is the acceleration of the bus greatest? C speed B A D 0 0 time
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · The table gives the volumes and masses of four objects
29 The table gives the volumes and masses of four objects. Which object has the greatest density? mass / g volume / cm3 A 5.4 2.0 B 13 3.0 C 15 6.0 D 18 5.0
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · A student stretches a steel spring by hanging a load on it
30 A student stretches a steel spring by hanging a load on it. The measurements for the extension of the spring are shown in the table. load / N 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 extension / cm 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 What is the value for the spring constant k of the spring? A 0.50 N / cm B 1.0 N / cm C 2.0 N / cm D 18 N / cm
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A 600 W motor is 75% efficient
31 A 600 W motor is 75% efficient. The motor is used to do 3600 J of useful work. How long does it take the motor to do this work? A 4.5 s B 6.0 s C 8.0 s D 24 s
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · Which description is correct for the molecules of a gas with a temperature that is rising?
32 Which description is correct for the molecules of a gas with a temperature that is rising? force between average speed molecules of molecules A negligible decreasing B negligible increasing C strong decreasing D strong increasing
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · The diagram shows a heater above a thermometer
33 The diagram shows a heater above a thermometer. The thermometer bulb is in the position shown. heater air thermometer thermometer bulb Which row shows how the heat energy from the heater reaches the thermometer bulb? conduction convection radiation A no no yes B no yes no C no yes yes D yes yes no
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · The diagram shows a section of a rope
34 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
Q35 · Two plane mirrors are placed at 90° to each other
35 Two plane mirrors are placed at 90° to each other. A ray of light strikes one mirror at an angle of incidence of 60°. Which diagram shows this ray and its path after reflection? A B 60° 60° 60° 60° C D 60° 60° 60° 60°
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · Electromagnetic waves are used to scan passengers’ luggage before they board an aeroplane
36 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
Q37 · The diagram represents a wave in air
37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · A piece of wire has electrical resistance
38 A piece of wire has electrical resistance. The wire is stretched so that it becomes longer and thinner. What, if anything, happens to its resistance? A It could increase or decrease depending on how much it is stretched. B It does not change because its smaller diameter cancels the effect of its greater length. C It must decrease. D It must increase.
Mark scheme: D
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 · The diagram shows three resistors connected to a 12 V battery
40 The diagram shows three resistors connected to a 12 V battery. The current at two points in the circuit and the p.d. across one resistor are shown. Another resistor is labelled R. 12 V 3.0 A 3.0 V R 2.0 A What is the current in resistor R and what is the p.d. across resistor R? current in p.d. across resistor R / A resistor R / V A 1.0 3.0 B 1.0 9.0 C 2.0 3.0 D 2.0 9.0
Mark scheme: B
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 climate1Blood1Characteristics of living organisms1Density1Diet1Digestive system1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Energy, work and power1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Extraction of metals1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Formulas1Fuels1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Habitat destruction1Ions and ionic bonds1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Motion1Noble gases1Photosynthesis1Physical and chemical changes1Rate of reaction1Redox1Respiration1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Sound1Transfer of thermal energy1Water uptake1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2017 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.