Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2018 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 3
0653/23/O/N/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 · The diagram shows a typical plant cell
1 The diagram shows a typical plant cell. Which part of the cell contains the genetic information of the cell? A D B C
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · Which process depends on diffusion?
2 Which process depends on diffusion? A circulation B digestion C gaseous exchange D phagocytosis
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · A human enzyme breaks down starch into simple sugars
3 A human enzyme breaks down starch into simple sugars. A solution of this human enzyme was heated to 90 °C for 30 minutes. 2 cm3 of this human enzyme solution was added to starch solution in several different test-tubes. The test-tubes were kept at different temperatures for 15 minutes. Which graph shows the amount of sugar produced in the test-tubes? A B amount amount of sugar of sugar temperature / °C temperature / °C C D amount amount of sugar of sugar temperature / °C temperature / °C
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · The diagram shows a leaf that was tested for starch using iodine solution
4 The diagram shows a leaf that was tested for starch using iodine solution. green area white area Which row shows the results for this leaf and explains the results? green area of white area of explanation leaf after test leaf after test A blue-black blue-black chlorophyll is found in all parts of the leaf B blue-black brown chlorophyll is found in only part of the leaf C brown brown chlorophyll is found in all parts of the leaf D brown blue-black chlorophyll is found in only part of the leaf
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · A doctor advises a man to change his diet and reduce his intake of saturated fat and salt
5 A doctor advises a man to change his diet and reduce his intake of saturated fat and salt. Which condition is the man most likely to be suffering from? A constipation B coronary heart disease C dental decay D starvation
Mark scheme: B
Q6 · The diagram shows a cross-section of a root hair cell
6 The diagram shows a cross-section of a root hair cell. Which row describes the root hair cell and its function? animal cell or plant cell function A animal cell water and glucose uptake B animal cell water and ion uptake C plant cell water and glucose uptake D plant cell water and ion uptake
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · Which blood vessel contains blood at the highest pressure?
7 Which blood vessel contains blood at the highest pressure? lungs B C A D rest of body
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · The diagram shows two different types of cell which line the trachea in the gas exchange…
8 The diagram shows two different types of cell which line the trachea in the gas exchange system. Y X What is the role of X and Y? X Y A produces mucus traps pathogens B produces mucus moves pathogens towards the mouth C moves pathogens towards the mouth traps pathogens D moves pathogens towards the mouth moves pathogens towards the mouth
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which statement about adrenaline is not correct?
9 Which statement about adrenaline is not correct? A It decreases blood glucose concentration. B It is carried by the blood. C It is produced by a gland. D The heart is one of its target organs.
Mark scheme: A
Q10 · In an investigation, four test-tubes containing seeds were set up as shown in the diagram
10 In an investigation, four test-tubes containing seeds were set up as shown in the diagram. After several days, which test-tube will contain the most germinated seeds? A B C D dry cotton wool black box seeds seeds gauze damp damp solution dry cotton cotton that cotton wool wool absorbs wool 1 °C 20 °C 20 °C 1 °C oxygen
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · During pregnancy in humans, gas exchange occurs between a mother and her fetus
11 During pregnancy in humans, gas exchange occurs between a mother and her fetus. Where does this gas exchange occur? A amniotic fluid B amniotic sac C placenta D umbilical cord
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · What is the definition of a trophic level?
12 What is the definition of a trophic level? A It shows how an organism loses energy. B It shows the position of an organism in a food chain. C It shows the consumers of an organism. D It shows the food eaten by an organism.
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · Which are possible harmful effects of deforestation?
13 Which are possible harmful effects of deforestation? global warming species extinction A v v B v x Cc x v D x x
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Sucrose is a covalent compound
14 Sucrose is a covalent compound. It is a solid at room temperature. Which statement about sucrose is correct? A It is made of atoms that are close together and in continuous random motion. B It is made of atoms that are far apart and vibrating about a fixed point. C It is made of molecules that are close together and vibrating about a fixed point. D It is made of molecules that are far apart and in continuous random motion.
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · Which diagram shows how apparatus is used to separate the different colours in an ink?
15 Which diagram shows how apparatus is used to separate the different colours in an ink? A B chromatography paper chromatography paper pencil line ink spot ink spot pencil line water water C D chromatography chromatography paper paper ink line ink spot pencil line ink spot water water
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · Which is the electronic structure of a noble gas?
16 Which is the electronic structure of a noble gas? A 2,6 B 2,8 C 2,8,1 D 2,8,7
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · What is the formula of nitric acid?
17 What is the formula of nitric acid? A HCl B HNO3 C NaOH D NH3
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · During the electrolysis of molten potassium chloride, which particles in the electrolyte…
18 During the electrolysis of molten potassium chloride, which particles in the electrolyte move towards the cathode? A electrons B chloride ions C chlorine molecules D potassium ions
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · The temperature of some water is recorded
19 The temperature of some water is recorded. Sodium chloride is dissolved in the water and the temperature of the solution is recorded. temperature of water = 20 °C temperature of solution = 18 °C Which statement about the process is correct? A It is endothermic because chemical energy is changed into heat energy. B It is endothermic because heat energy is changed into chemical energy. C It is exothermic because chemical energy is changed into heat energy. D It is exothermic because heat energy is changed into chemical energy.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Substance X increases the rate of a chemical reaction, but it remains unchanged at the…
20 Substance X increases the rate of a chemical reaction, but it remains unchanged at the end of the reaction. Which word describes substance X? A catalyst B electrolyte C product D unreactive
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · Iron oxide reacts with carbon monoxide
21 Iron oxide reacts with carbon monoxide. The word equation for the reaction is: iron oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon dioxide Which statement is not correct? A Carbon is neither oxidised nor reduced. B Carbon is oxidised. C Iron is reduced. D This is a redox reaction.
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Rubidium is an element below potassium in Group I of the Periodic Table
22 Rubidium is an element below potassium in Group I of the Periodic Table. Which property of rubidium is not correct? A Rubidium is a soft metal. B Rubidium is less reactive than potassium. C Rubidium melts at a lower temperature than potassium. D Rubidium reacts with water forming hydrogen.
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · The positions of four elements are shown in the outline of the Periodic Table
23 The positions of four elements are shown in the outline of the Periodic Table. Which element has a high melting point and forms coloured compounds? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · Which gas is used to fill weather balloons?
24 Which gas is used to fill weather balloons? A argon B carbon dioxide C helium D nitrogen
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · What is observed when magnesium ribbon is placed into aqueous copper sulfate?
25 What is observed when magnesium ribbon is placed into aqueous copper sulfate? A The blue solution gets darker and a brown solid appears. B The blue solution gets darker and no solid is visible. C The blue solution gets paler and a brown solid appears. D The blue solution gets paler and no solid is visible.
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · Gasoline is a hydrocarbon fuel obtained from petroleum
26 Gasoline is a hydrocarbon fuel obtained from petroleum. Which statement is correct? A Gasoline burns to form carbon dioxide and water. B Gasoline contains the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. C Gasoline is used as a fuel in diesel engines. D The combustion of gasoline is an endothermic reaction.
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · Which substance rapidly decolourises bromine?
27 Which substance rapidly decolourises bromine? A B C D H H H H H H H H H H C H H C C H H C C C H C C C OH H H H H H H H H
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · The graph shows the motion of a cyclist over a period of 30 s
28 The graph shows the motion of a cyclist over a period of 30 s. 7 speed m / s 3 0 0 20 30 time / s Which distance does she travel? A 90 m B 105 m C 115 m D 120 m
Mark scheme: D
Q29 · A cube of aluminium has sides of length 1.0 cm
29 A cube of aluminium has sides of length 1.0 cm. 1.0 cm 1.0 cm 1.0 cm Compared with this cube, which statement about a cube of aluminium with sides of 2.0 cm is correct? A It has the same density. B It has the same mass. C It has twice the density. D It has twice the mass.
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · A stretching force is applied to a copper wire
30 A stretching force is applied to a copper wire. The wire obeys Hooke’s Law until it reaches the limit of proportionality. Which is the extension-load graph for the wire and shows the limit of proportionality labelled P? A B extension extension P P 0 0 0 load 0 load C D P extension extension P 0 0 0 load 0 load
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · A brick of mass 4.0 kg rests on a window ledge
31 A brick of mass 4.0 kg rests on a window ledge. It falls off the window ledge and drops through a height of 5.0 m to the ground. The acceleration of free fall g is 10 m / s2. Air resistance can be ignored. Which row states the kinetic energy and the speed of the brick just before it hits the ground? kinetic energy speed of brick of brick / J m / s A 20 2.2 B 20 3.2 C 200 7.1 D 200 10
Mark scheme: D
Q32 · A liquid evaporates when molecules leave its surface
32 A liquid evaporates when molecules leave its surface. Which molecules leave the surface, and what happens to the temperature of the remaining liquid? A The more energetic molecules leave and the temperature falls. B The more energetic molecules leave and the temperature rises. C The less energetic molecules leave and the temperature falls. D The less energetic molecules leave and the temperature rises.
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · Convection is a process by which thermal energy is transferred from one place to another
33 Convection is a process by which thermal energy is transferred from one place to another. Where can convection take place? A in a gas and in a vacuum B in a liquid and in a gas C in a liquid and in a solid D in a solid and in a vacuum
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · A musical instrument produces a note of frequency 170 Hz
34 A musical instrument produces a note of frequency 170 Hz. The sound wave produced travels through the air at a speed of 340 m / s. Which row describes the sound wave? nature of wavelength / m wave A longitudinal 0.50 B longitudinal 2.0 C transverse 0.50 D transverse 2.0
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · A girl stands in front of a plane mirror and observes her image
35 A girl stands in front of a plane mirror and observes her image. She walks 2.0 m towards the mirror. What is the change in the distance between the girl and her image? A 0 m B 1.0 m C 2.0 m D 4.0 m
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · The diagrams represent four different sound waves
36 The diagrams represent four different sound waves. The scales are the same in all the diagrams. Which sound has the lowest pitch? A B time time C D time time
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Three pieces of resistance wire X, Y and Z are made of the same metal
37 Three pieces of resistance wire X, Y and Z are made of the same metal. The diagram shows the lengths and the diameters of the wires. X Y Z l l d 2l 2d d What is the order of the wires when they are placed in order of increasing resistance, least resistance first? A Y → X → Z B Y → Z → X C Z → X → Y D Z → Y → X
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · A lamp has a potential difference V across it that causes a current I in it
38 A lamp has a potential difference V across it that causes a current I in it. Which equation gives the power P produced by the lamp? I V A P = V B P = I C P = IV D P = I + V
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · A kettle is connected to a power supply as shown
39 A kettle is connected to a power supply as shown. X power kettle supply If too much current flows, a component connected at X automatically disconnects the power supply. Which symbol represents the component at X? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q40 · A student sets up the circuit shown in the diagram
40 A student sets up the circuit shown in the diagram. The ammeter reads 0.60 A and the voltmeter reads 3.0 V. A 0.60 A V 3.0 V The student now takes two resistors that are identical to the original resistor. She connects them in series with the original resistor. A V What are the new readings on the ammeter and the voltmeter? ammeter / A voltmeter / V A 0.20 1.0 B 0.20 3.0 C 0.60 1.0 D 0.60 3.0
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.
2Noble gases2Alkenes1Cell structure1Chromatography1Circulatory systems1Density1Diet1Diffusion1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Formulas1Fuels1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Group I properties1Habitat destruction1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Motion1Photosynthesis1Rate of reaction1Reactivity series1Redox1Respiration1Sexual reproduction in humans1Solids, liquids and gases1Sound1Transfer of thermal energy1Transition elements1Water uptake1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2018 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.