Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2018 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2
0653/12/M/J/18 · 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 pair of structures is found in a typical plant cell but not in a typical animal…
1 Which pair of structures is found in a typical plant cell but not in a typical animal cell? A cell membrane and chloroplasts B cell membrane and cytoplasm C cell wall and chloroplasts D cell wall and cytoplasm
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · A student investigates the effect of temperature on the digestion of starch by an enzyme
2 A student investigates the effect of temperature on the digestion of starch by an enzyme. The student mixes an enzyme solution with a starch solution. He removes samples of the mixture every two minutes and tests with iodine solution. The experiment is repeated at different temperatures, A, B, C and D. Which row shows the results for the temperature in which starch is digested most quickly? two minutes four minutes six minutes eight minutes A blue-black blue-black blue-black blue-black B blue-black blue-black brown brown C blue-black brown brown brown D brown brown brown brown
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · When biuret solution is added to a food sample it turns purple
3 When biuret solution is added to a food sample it turns purple. What must the food sample contain? A fat B glycerol C protein D vitamin
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Which two chemical substances are required for photosynthesis?
4 Which two chemical substances are required for photosynthesis? A carbon dioxide and glucose B glucose and oxygen C oxygen and water D water and carbon dioxide
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · The diagram shows a section through a human tooth
5 The diagram shows a section through a human tooth. Which part is made of the hardest material? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · The diagram shows a section through a leaf
6 The diagram shows a section through a leaf. Where does water enter the leaf? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · The diagram shows a section through the human heart
7 The diagram shows a section through the human heart. valve 4 valve 3 valve 2 valve 1 What happens to the valves as blood is being pumped to the lungs? valve 1 valve 2 valve 3 valve 4 A closed closed open closed B closed closed open open C open open closed closed D open open closed open
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · Which equation represents aerobic respiration?
8 Which 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 · Adrenaline is sometimes called the ‘fight or flight’ hormone
9 Adrenaline is sometimes called the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. Which is an effect of adrenaline that helps prepare the body to fight or to take flight when frightened? A It increases blood glucose concentration. B It increases the rate of digestion. C It maintains a constant body temperature. D It slows down the heart rate.
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · Which row describes sexual reproduction?
10 Which row describes sexual reproduction? number of offspring genetically involves zygote parents identical to parents production A 1 v v B 1 x x Cc 2 v x D 2 x v
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · The anthers are part of which flower structure?
11 The anthers are part of which flower structure? A carpels B sepals C stamens D stigma
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · The diagram shows a food chain
12 The diagram shows a food chain. maize → mouse → owl Which terms describe the organisms in this food chain? maize mouse owl A consumer carnivore producer B consumer herbivore carnivore C producer carnivore herbivore D producer herbivore carnivore
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Which two gases contribute towards global warming?
13 Which two gases contribute towards global warming? A carbon dioxide and methane B carbon dioxide and nitrogen C nitrogen and water vapour D oxygen and methane
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · The diagrams represent different substances
14 The diagrams represent different substances. P Q R S T Which row describes the substances? only separate mixture of atoms only molecules atoms and molecules A P Q S B Q T R C T P R D T Q P
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · Which method is used to separate a mixture of two liquids?
15 Which method is used to separate a mixture of two liquids? A chromatography B crystallisation C filtration D fractional distillation
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · Which process involves a physical change?
16 Which process involves a physical change? A adding magnesium to nitric acid B burning methane C evaporating petroleum D rusting iron
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · Which statement about the formation of ions is correct?
17 Which statement about the formation of ions is correct? A Anions are formed when atoms gain electrons. B Anions are formed when atoms lose electrons. C Cations are formed when atoms gain protons. D Cations are formed when atoms lose protons.
Mark scheme: A
Q18 · Which formula represents a molecule that contains three different elements?
18 Which formula represents a molecule that contains three different elements? A CO2 B H2O C O3 D NOCl
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · The diagram shows apparatus for electrolysis
19 The diagram shows apparatus for electrolysis. Only one label is correct. electrode + – cathode anode electrolyte Which label on the diagram is correct? A anode B cathode C electrode D electrolyte
Mark scheme: D
Q20 · Which change must take place in an endothermic reaction?
20 Which change must take place in an endothermic reaction? A Bubbles of gas are released. B The mass decreases. C The temperature decreases. D The temperature increases.
Mark scheme: C
Q21 · Magnesium reacts with steam to form magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas
21 Magnesium reacts with steam to form magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas. magnesium + water → magnesium oxide + hydrogen Which statement about this reaction is correct? A Hydrogen gas is reduced. B Magnesium is oxidised. C Magnesium is reduced. D Water is oxidised.
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which chemicals are used in the test for nitrate ions?
22 Which chemicals are used in the test for nitrate ions? A aqueous barium nitrate and dilute nitric acid B aqueous silver nitrate and dilute nitric acid C dilute acid and limewater D aqueous sodium hydroxide and aluminium
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · Part of the Periodic Table is shown
23 Part of the Periodic Table is shown. I II III IV V VI VII VIII V W X Which element forms an anion and which element forms a cation? forms an anion forms a cation A V W B V X C W V D X W
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · Which statement about transition metals is not correct?
24 Which statement about transition metals is not correct? A They are often used as catalysts. B They form colourless compounds. C They have high densities. D They have high melting points.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Constantan is a mixture of copper and another metal
25 Constantan is a mixture of copper and another metal. Which type of substance is constantan? A a compound B a molecule C a salt D an alloy
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · A sample of clean air is bubbled through sodium hydroxide to remove carbon dioxide
26 A sample of clean air is bubbled through sodium hydroxide to remove carbon dioxide. It is then passed over heated copper to remove oxygen. Which gases are left in the air at the end of the experiment? A nitrogen, noble gases and water vapour B nitrogen and noble gases only C nitrogen only D noble gases and water vapour only
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · What are the products of the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon?
27 What are the products of the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon? A carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water B carbon dioxide and water only C carbon dioxide only D carbon monoxide and water only
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · A vehicle takes 30 minutes to travel a distance of 60 km
28 A vehicle takes 30 minutes to travel a distance of 60 km. What is the average speed of the vehicle? A 2.0 km / hour B 30 km / hour C 120 km / hour D 1800 km / hour
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The diagram shows a solid rectangular block with the dimensions shown
29 The diagram shows a solid rectangular block with the dimensions shown. The block is made from a material of density 4.0 g / cm3. 2.0 cm 1.0 cm 4.0 cm What is the mass of the block? A 0.50 g B 1.0 g C 16 g D 32 g
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · A ball moves along hard, horizontal ground
30 A ball moves along hard, horizontal ground. The ball reaches a horizontal patch of mud. The mud causes the ball to stop. What is the main energy change as the ball moves in the mud? A gravitational energy to kinetic energy B gravitational energy to thermal energy C kinetic energy to gravitational energy D kinetic energy to thermal energy
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · A train is travelling along a straight, horizontal track at constant speed
31 A train is travelling along a straight, horizontal track at constant speed. The work done by the train is recorded as it travels through a measured distance. Which quantity can be calculated using only these two pieces of information? A force exerted by the train B speed of the train C time taken to travel this distance D weight of the train
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · A liquid at room temperature is in an open dish
32 A liquid at room temperature is in an open dish. The liquid is evaporating. Which statement about the evaporation is correct? A It causes the liquid’s surroundings to become warmer. B It happens only at the surface of the liquid. C It happens only when the room reaches a certain temperature. D It involves the molecules with the least energy escaping from the liquid.
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · On a summer’s day, hot air rises above hot roofs
33 On a summer’s day, hot air rises above hot roofs. What is the name of this process? A concentration B condensation C conduction D convection
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · The diagram shows a ray of light as it enters a glass block
34 The diagram shows a ray of light as it enters a glass block. Which labelled angle is the angle of refraction? ray of light A B D C glass block
Mark scheme: C
Q35 · The diagram represents two parallel rays of light striking a converging lens
35 The diagram represents two parallel rays of light striking a converging lens. The rays pass through the lens. Through which labelled point do both rays pass? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · Infra-red waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves and visible light are all electromagnetic…
36 Infra-red waves, microwaves, ultraviolet waves and visible light are all electromagnetic waves. Which of these has the smallest wavelength? A infra-red B microwaves C ultraviolet D visible light
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · A singer sings two different notes
37 A singer sings two different notes. The first note is quiet and high-pitched. The second note is louder and lower-pitched. Which row describes how the amplitude and the frequency of the second note compare with the amplitude and the frequency of the first note? amplitude frequency A greater greater B greater smaller C smaller greater D smaller smaller
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A negative ion X is close to a positive ion and another negative ion
38 A negative ion X is close to a positive ion and another negative ion. Electrical forces act on ion X because of the charges in the other two ions. Which diagram shows the directions of the two forces acting on ion X? A B C D positive ion + + + + – ion X – ion X – ion X – ion X – – – – negative ion
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · A lamp can be dimmed or switched off
39 A lamp can be dimmed or switched off. Its circuit is protected by a fuse. Which diagram shows this circuit? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · The diagram shows a circuit containing three identical resistors and three ammeters X, Y…
40 The diagram shows a circuit containing three identical resistors and three ammeters X, Y and Z. A Z 6.0 A A X A Y The reading on ammeter X is 6.0 A. What are the readings on ammeters Y and Z? reading on reading on ammeter Y / A ammeter Z / A A 2.0 4.0 B 3.0 3.0 C 4.0 2.0 D 6.0 6.0
Mark scheme: D
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.
2Energy, work and power2Light2Alloys and their properties1Atomic structure and the Periodic Table1Biological molecules1Cell structure1Density1Digestive system1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic spectrum1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Food chains and food webs1Fuels1Heart1Identification of ions and gases1Ions and ionic bonds1Kinetic particle model of matter1Motion1Photosynthesis1Physical and chemical changes1Redox1Respiration1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Sound1Transfer of thermal energy1Transition elements1Transpiration1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.