Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined 0653 — 2021 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 2
0653/22/M/J/21 · 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 row correctly identifies the function of a ciliated cell in the bronchus of a…
1 Which row correctly identifies the function of a ciliated cell in the bronchus of a healthy human? substance being moved direction of movement A air towards bronchioles B air towards trachea C mucus towards bronchioles D mucus towards trachea
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · The diagrams represent four similar animal cells immersed in blood plasma
2 The diagrams represent four similar animal cells immersed in blood plasma. The black dots represent molecules of dissolved oxygen. Which cell will have oxygen molecules diffusing into it most rapidly? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q3 · Which name is given to biological catalysts?
3 Which name is given to biological catalysts? A antibodies B enzymes C hormones D platelets
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · Which row is correct for photosynthesis?
4 Which row is correct for photosynthesis? cells where substrates products photosynthesis occurs A C6H12O6 + 6O2 6H2O + 6CO2 palisade mesophyll B C6H12O6 + 6O2 6H2O + 6CO2 upper epidermis C 6H2O + 6CO2 C6H12O6 + 6O2 palisade mesophyll D 6H2O + 6CO2 C6H12O6 + 6O2 upper epidermis
Mark scheme: C
Q5 · Which disease is associated with malnutrition?
5 Which disease is associated with malnutrition? A AIDS B COPD C lung cancer D scurvy
Mark scheme: D
Q6 · Which part of the alimentary canal carries out digestion and absorption?
6 Which part of the alimentary canal carries out digestion and absorption? A C B D
Mark scheme: B
Q7 · The diagram shows a cross-section of a root hair cell
7 The diagram shows a cross-section of a root hair cell. Y X Which row identifies the part of the cell with the larger surface area and the correct function? part of cell function A X water and glucose uptake B X water and ion uptake C Y water and glucose uptake D Y water and ion uptake
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · What is the maximum number of carbon dioxide molecules produced when four glucose…
8 What is the maximum number of carbon dioxide molecules produced when four glucose molecules are used in aerobic respiration? A 6 B 12 C 24 D 48
Mark scheme: C
Q9 · Which graph shows the correct changes in blood glucose concentration and pulse rate…
9 Which graph shows the correct changes in blood glucose concentration and pulse rate shortly after adrenaline is released into the blood stream? A B key blood glucose pulse rate time time C D time time
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · A shoot tip receives light from one direction only, as shown
10 A shoot tip receives light from one direction only, as shown. Which diagram shows how auxin will distribute and how the shoot will respond? A B C D auxin
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · The diagram shows the human female reproductive system
11 The diagram shows the human female reproductive system. Where does fertilisation usually take place? D C A B
Mark scheme: D
Q12 · The diagram shows a food web
12 The diagram shows a food web. cat sparrowhawk thrush robin frog sparrow slug caterpillar plant Which row shows the correct organism for each trophic level? trophic level 1 trophic level 2 trophic level 3 A cat sparrow plant B caterpillar robin sparrowhawk C plant sparrow cat D sparrowhawk robin caterpillar
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · Which process takes carbon dioxide out of the air?
13 Which process takes carbon dioxide out of the air? A combustion B decomposition C photosynthesis D plant respiration
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which statement about the particles is correct?
14 Which statement about the particles is correct? A 1 1H has the same number of protons as neutrons. B 2 H + has the same number of electrons as neutrons. 1 C OH– contains more protons than electrons. D NH3 has the same number of protons as electrons.
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · What is an example of a physical change?
15 What is an example of a physical change? A carbon dioxide turning limewater milky B the crystallisation of copper(II) sulfate from solution C the electrolysis of molten lead(II) bromide D the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · Which substances are mixtures?
16 Which substances are mixtures? 1 air 2 brass 3 sodium chloride A 1 and 2 only B 1 and 3 only C 2 and 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Which products are formed when molten sodium chloride is electrolysed using inert…
17 Which products are formed when molten sodium chloride is electrolysed using inert electrodes? at the anode at the cathode A chlorine hydrogen B chlorine sodium C oxygen hydrogen D oxygen sodium
Mark scheme: B
Q18 · The energy level diagrams for reaction X and for reaction Y are shown
18 The energy level diagrams for reaction X and for reaction Y are shown. reaction X reaction Y energy energy progress of reaction progress of reaction Which statement about the reactions is correct? A Reaction X has a greater activation energy than reaction Y. B Reaction X is endothermic and reaction Y is exothermic. C The overall energy change in reaction X is much greater than in reaction Y. D The temperature increases during reaction X and decreases during reaction Y.
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · In the reaction between an acid and a metal, the rate of reaction decreases as the…
19 In the reaction between an acid and a metal, the rate of reaction decreases as the reaction proceeds. A student suggests three reasons why the rate of this reaction decreases. 1 The concentration of the acid decreases as it gets used up. 2 The energy needed to break bonds is used up as the products form. 3 The surface area of the metal decreases as it gets smaller. Which reasons are correct? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only
Mark scheme: C
Q20 · Which statements about redox reactions are correct?
20 Which statements about redox reactions are correct? 1 An oxidising agent is reduced in a reaction. 2 A reducing agent is oxidised in a reaction. 3 An oxidising agent gains oxygen in a reaction. 4 A reducing agent loses oxygen in a reaction. A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · Excess insoluble solid copper carbonate is mixed with dilute nitric acid
21 Excess insoluble solid copper carbonate is mixed with dilute nitric acid. Aqueous copper nitrate is formed. Which row shows the processes used to obtain pure solid copper nitrate from the reaction mixture? process 1 process 2 process 3 A filter the mixture dry the solid on warm in an oven the filter paper B filter the mixture heat the solution filter the mixture and crystallise and dry C heat the solution cool to crystallise filter the mixture and dry D heat the solution filter the mixture dry the solid
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Which two substances form a white precipitate when they are mixed?
22 Which two substances form a white precipitate when they are mixed? A barium chloride and hydrochloric acid B barium chloride and nitric acid C silver nitrate and hydrochloric acid D silver nitrate and nitric acid
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · Which statement describes how the elements change across a period in the Periodic Table…
23 Which statement describes how the elements change across a period in the Periodic Table from left to right? A They change from elements to compounds. B They change from metals to non-metals. C They change from gases to solids. D They change from non-metals to metals.
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · Which equation represents a correct displacement reaction involving halogens?
24 Which equation represents a correct displacement reaction involving halogens? A 2NaBr + I2 Br2 + 2NaI B 2NaCl + Br2 Cl 2 + 2NaBr C 2NaF + I2 F2 + 2NaI D 2NaI + Cl 2 I2 + 2NaCl
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · Element X is a metal
25 Element X is a metal. X is more reactive than aluminium. Which method is used to obtain X? A electrolysis of a molten salt of X B electrolysis of an aqueous solution of a salt of X C heating the oxide of X with carbon D heating the oxide of X with hydrogen
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · Which statement about greenhouse gases is correct?
26 Which statement about greenhouse gases is correct? A They are gases in Group VIII of the Periodic Table. B They cause acid rain. C They contribute to climate change. D They make up most of the atmosphere.
Mark scheme: C
Q27 · Which type of compound contains only carbon and hydrogen?
27 Which type of compound contains only carbon and hydrogen? A carbohydrate B carbonate C hydrocarbon D hydroxide
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · Which row shows apparatus used to measure length, time and volume?
28 Which row shows apparatus used to measure length, time and volume? length time volume A measuring cylinder metre rule stop-clock B measuring cylinder stop-clock metre rule C metre rule measuring cylinder stop-clock D metre rule stop-clock measuring cylinder
Mark scheme: D
More questions on Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Question 29
29 Diagram 1 is a distance–time graph. Diagram 2 and diagram 3 are speed–time graphs. distance speed speed 0 0 0 0 time 0 time 0 time diagram 1 diagram 2 diagram 3 Which of the diagrams represents the motion of an object moving with a non-zero constant acceleration? A 1 and 3 B 1 only C 2 only D 3 only
Mark scheme: D
Q30 · An athlete of mass 62 kg jumps through a vertical height of 1.25 m
30 An athlete of mass 62 kg jumps through a vertical height of 1.25 m. As he moves upwards, all his initial kinetic energy is transferred to gravitational potential energy. The gravitational field strength g is 10 N / kg. What is the initial speed of the athlete? A 2.5 m / s B 3.5 m / s C 5.0 m / s D 12.4 m / s
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · What is the main source of the energy released from the Sun?
31 What is the main source of the energy released from the Sun? A fission of helium nuclei to form hydrogen nuclei B fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei C hydrogen atoms combining to form hydrogen molecules D hydrogen atoms reacting with oxygen atoms to form water molecules
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Cold water evaporates as molecules leave it
32 Cold water evaporates as molecules leave it. Which molecules leave the water and from which part of the water do they leave? molecules that where they leave the water leave from A least energetic the surface only B least energetic throughout the water C most energetic the surface only D most energetic throughout the water
Mark scheme: C
Q33 · A metal rod with a wooden handle is placed with the end of the metal rod in a flame
33 A metal rod with a wooden handle is placed with the end of the metal rod in a flame. metal rod wooden handle How does heat pass through the metal and how does heat pass through the wood? heat passes through the metal heat passes through the wood A by movement of electrons by molecular vibrations only and by molecular vibrations B by movement of electrons by movement of electrons and by molecular vibrations and by molecular vibrations C by molecular vibrations only by molecular vibrations only D by movement of electrons only by movement of electrons and by molecular vibrations
Mark scheme: A
Q34 · Which equation relates wave speed v, frequency f and wavelength ?
34 Which equation relates wave speed v, frequency f and wavelength ? v = f v = f v 2 = f v 2 = f A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q35 · The diagram shows rays of light from an object being reflected by a plane mirror
35 The diagram shows rays of light from an object being reflected by a plane mirror. plane mirror X object Y At which labelled point is the image formed, and is the image real or virtual? image real or virtual A at X real B at X virtual C at Y real D at Y virtual
Mark scheme: D
Q36 · The table shows the speed of sound in three different substances X, Y and Z
36 The table shows the speed of sound in three different substances X, Y and Z. One substance is a solid, one is a liquid and one is a gas. speed of sound substance m/s X 3600 Y 1500 Z 267 Which row shows the states of the three substances? solid liquid gas A X Y Z B X Z Y C Z X Y D Z Y X
Mark scheme: A
Q37 · The diagram represents a circuit that includes a battery, an ammeter, a voltmeter and a…
37 The diagram represents a circuit that includes a battery, an ammeter, a voltmeter and a variable resistor. A V What happens to the readings on the meters as the resistance of the variable resistor is increased? ammeter reading voltmeter reading A decreases decreases B decreases stays constant C increases decreases D increases stays constant
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · Four copper wires have different lengths and different cross-sectional areas
38 Four copper wires have different lengths and different cross-sectional areas. Which wire has the smallest resistance? length / cm cross-sectional area / mm2 A 50 0.025 B 50 0.050 C 100 0.025 D 100 0.050
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · A lamp is labelled 12 V, 25 W
39 A lamp is labelled 12 V, 25 W. How much electrical energy does the lamp transfer in 4.0 minutes when it is operating at its normal brightness? A 100 J B 1200 J C 6000 J D 72 000 J
Mark scheme: C
Q40 · An air conditioner and a television are both connected to the same electrical circuit
40 An air conditioner and a television are both connected to the same electrical circuit. X power air television supply conditioner The current in the air conditioner is 9.0 A and the current in the television is 2.0 A. Several different fuses are available. Which fuse should be connected at X? A 1 A B 3 A C 7 A D 13 A
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.
2Photosynthesis2Air quality and climate1Arrangement of elements1Atomic structure and the Periodic Table1Carbon cycle1Diet1Diffusion1Digestion1Drugs1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Extraction of metals1Food chains and food webs1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Group VII properties1Identification of ions and gases1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Motion1Physical and chemical changes1Physical quantities and measurement techniques1Rate of reaction1Redox1Respiration1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction in humans1Sound1Stars and the Universe1Terminology1Transfer of thermal energy1Water uptake1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 May/June, Paper 2 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.