Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2020 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 1
0653/11/M/J/20 · 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 · What are three characteristics of living organisms?
1 What are three characteristics of living organisms? characteristic 1 characteristic 2 characteristic 3 A breathing reproduction sensitivity B digestion growth movement C excretion nutrition transpiration D nutrition reproduction sensitivity
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · Which substance is required for photosynthesis to occur?
2 Which substance is required for photosynthesis to occur? A chlorophyll B glucose C haemoglobin D oxygen
Mark scheme: A
Q3 · The cytoplasm of a plant cell contains a 15% sugar solution
3 The cytoplasm of a plant cell contains a 15% sugar solution. The plant cell is placed in sugar solutions of different concentrations. In which solution would there be a net diffusion of water out of the cell? A 5% sugar solution B 10% sugar solution C 15% sugar solution D 20% sugar solution
Mark scheme: D
Q4 · Which row shows what starch molecules and protein molecules are made from?
4 Which row shows what starch molecules and protein molecules are made from? starch proteins A glucose amino acids B glucose fatty acids C glycerol amino acids D glycerol fatty acids
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · An enzyme can stop working at certain temperatures
5 An enzyme can stop working at certain temperatures. Which enzyme stops working when the temperature reaches 50 °C? A B enzyme enzyme activity activity 0 50 0 50 temperature / °C temperature / °C C D enzyme enzyme activity activity 0 50 0 50 temperature / °C temperature / °C
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · The diagram shows a section through part of a leaf as seen under a light microscope
6 The diagram shows a section through part of a leaf as seen under a light microscope. 1 2 What are the labelled parts? 1 2 A cuticle phloem B cuticle xylem C epidermis phloem D epidermis xylem
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · Which features are found in a typical animal cell?
7 Which features are found in a typical animal cell? cell membrane cell wall | chloroplast | cytoplasm nucleus vacuole A Jv WA V J x x B v x x J W, V Cc v x x Wa W, x D x JV Vv x x V
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · In the equation for aerobic respiration, what is X?
8 In the equation for aerobic respiration, what is X? glucose + oxygen → X + water A amino acids B carbon dioxide C oxygen D starch
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Four people have the same resting pulse rate and the same blood glucose concentration
9 Four people have the same resting pulse rate and the same blood glucose concentration. The table shows their pulse rates and blood glucose concentrations later on the same day. Which person has the highest concentration of adrenaline in their blood? blood glucose pulse rate / beats concentration per minute /mg per dm3 A 70 65 B 70 100 C 120 65 D 120 100
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The diagram shows the root of a plant exposed to light and gravity, and the same root a…
10 The diagram shows the root of a plant exposed to light and gravity, and the same root a day later. light gravity Light does not influence the growth of roots in this plant. Which row shows how the root has responded? gravitropism phototropism A grows away from the stimulus no response B grows towards the stimulus no response C no response grows away from the stimulus D no response grows towards the stimulus
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · Which is a definition of asexual reproduction?
11 Which is a definition of asexual reproduction? A production of genetically different offspring from one parent B production of genetically different offspring from two parents C production of genetically identical offspring from one parent D production of genetically identical offspring from two parents
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · Which part of the male reproductive system in humans produces sperm?
12 Which part of the male reproductive system in humans produces sperm? A penis B scrotum C testes D urethra
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · What is an undesirable effect of deforestation?
13 What is an undesirable effect of deforestation? A a decrease in flooding B an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide C an increase in the number of habitats for organisms D an increase in the number of species
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · Which row identifies a substance that exists only as separate atoms and a substance that…
14 Which row identifies a substance that exists only as separate atoms and a substance that exists as a molecule? separate atoms molecule A helium methane B hydrogen helium C neon argon D oxygen carbon dioxide
Mark scheme: A
Q15 · Which processes are involved in the separation of petroleum into useful fractions?
15 Which processes are involved in the separation of petroleum into useful fractions? A condensation and crystallisation B condensation only C evaporation and condensation D evaporation only
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Salt, sand and water are stirred together in a beaker
16 Salt, sand and water are stirred together in a beaker. The salt dissolves in the water. What does the beaker contain? A a mixture of a solution and a solid B a mixture of three elements C only one compound and one solid D only one compound containing three elements
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Which ion is formed from a metal?
17 Which ion is formed from a metal? A Cl – B H+ C Na+ D NH4 +
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Calcium hydroxide contains one calcium atom, two oxygen atoms and two hydrogen atoms
18 Calcium hydroxide contains one calcium atom, two oxygen atoms and two hydrogen atoms. What is the correct formula of calcium hydroxide? A CaOH B Ca(OH)2 C CaOH2 D CaO2H2
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · Dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed using inert electrodes
19 Dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed using inert electrodes. What is formed at the anode? A hydrogen B hydrogen sulfide C oxygen D sulfur dioxide
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · Solid sodium carbonate is added to vinegar in a beaker and stirred
20 Solid sodium carbonate is added to vinegar in a beaker and stirred. sodium carbonate beaker vinegar watch glass water The water in the watch glass freezes. Which statement about the reaction explains why the water freezes? A It is a redox reaction. B It is an endothermic reaction. C It is catalysed by sodium carbonate. D It is thermal decomposition.
Mark scheme: B
Q21 · A solid reacts with a solution
21 A solid reacts with a solution. Which change decreases the rate of the reaction? A adding a catalyst B using a higher concentration of the solution C using a lower temperature D using smaller pieces of the solid
Mark scheme: C
Q22 · Calcium oxide is added to water containing universal indicator
22 Calcium oxide is added to water containing universal indicator. The universal indicator turns blue. What is the pH of the solution? A 1 B 6 C 7 D 11
Mark scheme: D
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q23 · Solution X is mixed with nitric acid and aqueous barium nitrate
23 Solution X is mixed with nitric acid and aqueous barium nitrate. A white precipitate is formed. Which ion is present in solution X? A carbonate B chloride C nitrate D sulfate
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · Element R reacts with chlorine to form a coloured ionic compound with the formula RCl 3
24 Element R reacts with chlorine to form a coloured ionic compound with the formula RCl 3. RCl 3 acts as a catalyst in some reactions. Which statement about element R is correct? A It conducts electricity only when molten. B It is a transition element. C It has a low melting point. D It has a low density.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Copper can be made from copper oxide by reacting it with carbon at a high temperature
25 Copper can be made from copper oxide by reacting it with carbon at a high temperature. Why is carbon used? A It does not react with copper. B It is a conductor of electricity. C It is a high melting point solid. D It is more reactive than copper.
Mark scheme: D
Q26 · Which volume of air contains about 20 cm3 of oxygen?
26 Which volume of air contains about 20 cm3 of oxygen? A 25 cm3 B 50 cm3 C 80 cm3 D 100 cm3
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · Which reaction involves combustion?
27 Which reaction involves combustion? A calcium carbonate → calcium oxide + carbon dioxide B methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water C sodium carbonate + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + water + carbon dioxide D sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + water
Mark scheme: B
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 solid, rectangular block of wood has length 4.0 cm, width 5.0 cm and height 6.0 cm
29 A solid, rectangular block of wood has length 4.0 cm, width 5.0 cm and height 6.0 cm. The mass of the block is 90 g. What is the density of the wood? A 0.75 g / cm3 B 1.3 g / cm3 C 4.5 g / cm3 D 6.0 g / cm3
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · An object is travelling in a straight line at constant speed
30 An object is travelling in a straight line at constant speed. Which statement describes the resultant force on the object? A It acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the object. B It acts in the same direction as the motion of the object. C It is constant, but not zero. D It is zero.
Mark scheme: D
Q31 · A load hangs on a spring at point Q
31 A load hangs on a spring at point Q. The load is now pulled down to point R and released. It moves up and down between its highest point P and its lowest point R. P load Q R Which statement describes the kinetic energy of the load? A It is equal at points P, Q and R. B It is greatest at point P. C It is greatest at point Q. D It is greatest at point R.
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · Electricity is generated using wind
32 Electricity is generated using wind. Which device is used in the process? A dam B nuclear reactor C solar panel D turbine
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · The molecules in a substance are close together but free to change positions with each…
33 The molecules in a substance are close together but free to change positions with each other. Which substance at 20 °C matches this description? A air B copper C iron D water
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · In diagram 1, a candle heats air and the heated air causes a decoration to spin
34 In diagram 1, a candle heats air and the heated air causes a decoration to spin. Diagram 2 shows the Earth being warmed due to heat produced by the Sun. diagram 1 diagram 2 spinning decoration Sun Earth candle What is the main method of heat transfer involved in each case? candle to decoration Sun to Earth A convection convection B convection radiation C radiation convection D radiation radiation
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · Which diagram of a converging lens is correctly labelled?
35 Which diagram of a converging lens is correctly labelled? A B converging lens converging lens focal length focal principal principal length focus focus C D converging lens converging lens principal focal principal focal focus length focus length
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · The sound from a drum is loud and has a low pitch
36 The sound from a drum is loud and has a low pitch. Which row describes the amplitude and the frequency of the sound wave? amplitude frequency A large high B large low C small high D small low
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Which list contains only electrical insulators?
37 Which list contains only electrical insulators? A air, rubber, copper B iron, plastic, glass C plastic, glass, air D steel, gold, aluminium
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · A potential difference (p.d.) of 10 V produces a current of 2.0 A in a resistor
38 A potential difference (p.d.) of 10 V produces a current of 2.0 A in a resistor. What is the resistance of the resistor? A 0.050 Ω B 0.20 Ω C 5.0 Ω D 20 Ω
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · Four circuits contain identical cells, identical lamps and identical resistors
39 Four circuits contain identical cells, identical lamps and identical resistors. Which lamp glows most brightly? A B C D
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · The charger for a laptop computer is connected by a cable to the mains supply through a…
40 The charger for a laptop computer is connected by a cable to the mains supply through a plug. The plug contains a 13 A fuse. The cable is designed to carry a current of 2 A. A fault develops and the current in the cable increases to 5 A. laptop plug computer connecting cable What is a possible danger caused by this larger current? A A large amount of electrical energy is wasted. B Somebody receives an electric shock. C The fuse blows and starts a fire. D The cable overheats and starts a fire.
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.
2Electrical quantities2Elements, compounds and mixtures2Energy, work and power2Fuels2Air quality and climate1Biological molecules1Cell structure1Density1Electrical circuits1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Extraction of metals1Forces1Formulas1Habitat destruction1Heart1Identification of ions and gases1Ions and ionic bonds1Kinetic particle model of matter1Leaf structure1Light1Motion1Osmosis1Photosynthesis1Rate of reaction1Respiration1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sexual reproduction in plants1Sound1The characteristic properties of acids and bases1Transfer of thermal energy1Transition elements1