C3.1· 72 questions · 72 marks · 86 min · 2005–2025· Multiple choice
Every Cambridge IGCSE Science - Combined Paper 1 question on formulas, laid out as 15 A4 pages with the mark scheme below. Nothing is left out. Free to read, no account.





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15 / 15Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.
Pastlit
Science - Combined 0653 · Formulas — Paper 1
IGCSE · topical answer key — answer key (teacher use)
Question
Answer
Marks
Pastlit
Science - Combined 0653 · Formulas — Paper 1
IGCSE · topical answer key — answer key (teacher use)
Question
Answer
Marks
| Question | Answer | Marks | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2005 |
| 2 | C | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2007 |
| 3 | B | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2008 |
| 4 | A | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2008 |
| 5 | B | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2008 |
| 6 | C | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2009 |
| 7 | B | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2010 |
| 8 | B | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2010 |
| 9 | B | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2010 |
| 10 | A | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2010 |
| 11 | A | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2010 |
| 12 | A | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2010 |
| 13 | B | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2011 |
| 14 | B | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2011 |
| 15 | A | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2011 |
| 16 | A | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2011 |
| 17 | A | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2011 |
| 18 | see sheet | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2012 |
| 19 | C | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2013 |
| 20 | C | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2013 |
| 21 | A | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2014 |
| 22 | A | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2014 |
| 23 | C | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2014 |
| 24 | A | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2014 |
| 25 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2014 |
| 26 | D | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2014 |
| 27 | C | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2014 |
| 28 | C | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2015 |
| 29 | D | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2015 |
| 30 | B | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2015 |
| 31 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2015 |
| 32 | C | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2016 |
| 33 | B | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2016 |
| 34 | B | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2016 |
| 35 | A | 1 | 0653/12 Feb/March 2017 |
| 36 | A | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2017 |
| 37 | B | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2017 |
| 38 | D | 1 | 0653/12 Feb/March 2018 |
| 39 | C | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2018 |
| 40 | D | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2018 |
| 41 | D | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2018 |
| 42 | A | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2018 |
| 43 | C | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2019 |
| 44 | C | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2019 |
| 45 | C | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2019 |
| 46 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2019 |
| 47 | D | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2019 |
| 48 | D | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2019 |
| 49 | B | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2020 |
| 50 | B | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2020 |
| 51 | C | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2020 |
| 52 | B | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2021 |
| 53 | B | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2022 |
| 54 | B | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2022 |
| 55 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2022 |
| 56 | B | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2022 |
| 57 | B | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2022 |
| 58 | D | 1 | 0653/12 Feb/March 2023 |
| 59 | B | 1 | 0653/12 Feb/March 2023 |
| 60 | C | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2023 |
| 61 | C | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2023 |
| 62 | D | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2023 |
| 63 | B | 1 | 0653/12 Oct/Nov 2023 |
| 64 | B | 1 | 0653/13 Oct/Nov 2023 |
| 65 | C | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2024 |
| 66 | D | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2024 |
| 67 | B | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2024 |
| 68 | B | 1 | 0653/13 May/June 2024 |
| 69 | C | 1 | 0653/11 Oct/Nov 2024 |
| 70 | A | 1 | 0653/11 May/June 2025 |
| 71 | A | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2025 |
| 72 | A | 1 | 0653/12 May/June 2025 |
27 Which equation shows the complete combustion of ethane, C2H6? A C2H6 + 3O2 → CO + CO2 + 3H2O B 2C2H6 + 3O2 → 4C + 6H2O C 2C2H6 + 5O2 → 4CO + 6H2O D 2C2H6 + 7O2 → 4CO2 + 6H2O
1 marks
Answer: D
19 An oxide of lead is changed to lead by heating it with carbon. Pb xO y + 2C 3Pb + 2CO2 What is the formula of this oxide of lead? A Pb2O3 B Pb3O2 C Pb3O4 D Pb4O3
1 marks
Answer: C
17 What does a word equation show? the changes that the speed of occur in a reaction a reaction A v v B v x Cc x v D x x
1 marks
Answer: B
18 Which formula contains the most elements? A NaOH B Rb2S C SiCl 4 D SnO2
1 marks
Answer: A
19 Urea, (NH2)2CO, is used as a fertiliser. How many atoms or molecules are combined in urea? A atoms: nitrogen, 1; hydrogen, 2; carbon, 2; oxygen, 2 B atoms: nitrogen, 2; hydrogen, 4; carbon, 1; oxygen, 1 C molecules: ammonia, 1; carbon monoxide, 2 D molecules: ammonia, 2; carbon monoxide, 1
1 marks
Answer: B
18 A molecule of phosphoric acid contains three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms. What is the correct formula for this molecule? A 3HP4O B 3HPO4 C H3PO4 D H3(PO)4
1 marks
Answer: C
18 The salt ammonium dichromate(VI) readily decomposes when heated. (NH4)2Cr2O7 → Cr2O3 + x N2 + y H2O Which values of x and y make this equation balanced? x y A 1 2 B 1 4 C 2 2 D 2 4
1 marks
Answer: B
19 The salt ammonium dichromate(VI) readily decomposes when heated. (NH4)2Cr2O7 → Cr2O3 + x N2 + y H2O Which values of x and y make this equation balanced? x y A 1 2 B 1 4 C 2 2 D 2 4
1 marks
Answer: B
19 The salt ammonium dichromate(VI) readily decomposes when heated. (NH4)2Cr2O7 → Cr2O3 + x N2 + y H2O Which values of x and y make this equation balanced? x y A 1 2 B 1 4 C 2 2 D 2 4
1 marks
Answer: B
18 The equation represents the reaction of aluminium with sulfuric acid. x Al + 3H2SO4 → Al 2(SO4)3 + y H2 What are the correct values of x and y ? x y A 2 3 B 2 6 C 3 3 D 3 6
1 marks
Answer: A
19 The equation represents the reaction of aluminium with sulfuric acid. x Al + 3H2SO4 → Al 2(SO4)3 + y H2 What are the correct values of x and y ? x y A 2 3 B 2 6 C 3 3 D 3 6
1 marks
Answer: A
20 The equation represents the reaction of aluminium with sulfuric acid. x Al + 3H2SO4 → Al 2(SO4)3 + y H2 What are the correct values of x and y ? x y A 2 3 B 2 6 C 3 3 D 3 6
1 marks
Answer: A
17 Which equation is correctly balanced and shows the correct formulae? A H2 + Cl 2 → H2Cl 2 B H2 + Cl 2 → 2HCl C 2H + 2Cl 2 → H2Cl 2 D 2H + Cl 2 → 2HCl 2
1 marks
Answer: B
15 Which equation is correctly balanced and shows the correct formulae? A H2 + Cl 2 → H2Cl 2 B H2 + Cl 2 → 2HCl C 2H + 2Cl 2 → H2Cl 2 D 2H + Cl 2 → 2HCl 2
1 marks
Answer: B
17 Which equation is correctly balanced? A 2Al + 3Cl 2 → 2Al Cl 3 B Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO2 C KCl + Br2 → KBr + Cl 2 D Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
1 marks
Answer: A
18 Which equation is correctly balanced? A 2Al + 3Cl 2 → 2Al Cl 3 B Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO2 C KCl + Br2 → KBr + Cl 2 D Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
1 marks
Answer: A
19 Which equation is correctly balanced? A 2Al + 3Cl 2 → 2Al Cl 3 B Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO2 C KCl + Br2 → KBr + Cl 2 D Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
1 marks
Answer: A
16 Information about two minerals is given below. name of mineral formula anorthite CaAl 2Si2O8 orthoclase KAl Si3O8 Which information about anorthite and orthoclase is correct? A Both of them contain the same number of atoms of aluminium. B Both of them contain the same number of atoms of oxygen. C Orthoclase contains the same number of atoms of both aluminium and silicon. D Orthoclase contains twice as many atoms of aluminium as anorthite.
1 marks
26 The diagram shows a molecule of a compound of silicon and hydrogen. H H H Si Si H H H What is the molecular formula of this compound? A SiH3 B SiH4 C Si2H6 D Si6H2
1 marks
Answer: C
26 The diagram shows a molecule of a compound of silicon and hydrogen. H H H Si Si H H H What is the molecular formula of this compound? A SiH3 B SiH4 C Si2H6 D Si6H2
1 marks
Answer: C
19 A molecule of phosphoric acid contains three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms. What is the formula of this molecule? A H3PO4 B H3(PO)4 C 3HPO4 D 3HP4O
1 marks
Answer: A
18 A molecule of phosphoric acid contains three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms. What is the formula of this molecule? A H3PO4 B H3(PO)4 C 3HPO4 D 3HP4O
1 marks
Answer: A
19 The formula for iron(III) sulfate is Fe2(SO4)3. What is the total number of atoms in this formula? A 3 B 7 C 17 D 26
1 marks
Answer: C
18 A molecule of phosphoric acid contains three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms. What is the formula of this molecule? A H3PO4 B H3(PO)4 C 3HPO4 D 3HP4O
1 marks
Answer: A
15 The fertiliser ammonium sulfate has the formula (NH4)2SO4. How many atoms of each element are present? number of number of number of number of hydrogen atoms nitrogen atoms oxygen atoms sulfur atoms A 4 1 1 1 B 4 2 4 1 C 8 1 4 1 D 8 2 4 1
1 marks
Answer: D
16 The fertiliser ammonium sulfate has the formula (NH4)2SO4. How many atoms of each element are present? number of number of number of number of hydrogen atoms nitrogen atoms oxygen atoms sulfur atoms A 4 1 1 1 B 4 2 4 1 C 8 1 4 1 D 8 2 4 1
1 marks
Answer: D
15 The formulae of two minerals are given below. name of mineral formula andalusite Al2SiO5 olivine Fe2Mg2SiO4 Which statement about the formulae of andalusite and olivine is correct? A They contain the same metals. B They contain the same number of oxygen atoms. C They contain the same number of silicon atoms. D They contain the same total number of atoms.
1 marks
Answer: C
14 How many atoms of hydrogen are present in three molecules of ammonia, NH3. A 3 B 6 C 9 D 12
1 marks
Answer: C
14 The structures of three molecules are shown. water ethanol methane How many atoms are in each of these molecules? water ethanol methane A 2 3 2 B 2 4 5 C 3 3 2 D 3 9 5
1 marks
Answer: D
17 Sodium nitrate contains one atom of sodium, one atom of nitrogen and three atoms of oxygen. What is the formula of sodium nitrate? A NaN3O B NaNO3 C SN3O D SNO3
1 marks
Answer: B
17 The structure of a compound is shown. H H H O O O H C C C H H H H What is the formula of this compound? A C3H5O3 B C3H6O3 C C3H8O D C3H8O3
1 marks
Answer: D
16 A model of a molecule is shown. key hydrogen sulfur Which row describes this molecule? type of formula substance A HS compound B HS mixture C H2S2 compound D H2S2 mixture
1 marks
Answer: C
18 What does a word equation show? the changes that the speed of occur in a reaction a reaction A Jv Jv B Jv x Cc x v D x x
1 marks
Answer: B
18 What does a word equation show? the changes that the speed of occur in a reaction a reaction
1 marks
Answer: B
18 Which row shows the formulae of sodium hydroxide and of potassium hydroxide? sodium potassium hydroxide hydroxide A NaOH KOH B NaOH POH C SOH KOH D SOH POH
1 marks
Answer: A
17 A compound contains three times as many oxygen atoms as nitrogen atoms. It contains the same number of sodium atoms as nitrogen atoms. What is its formula? A NaNO3 B Na(NO)3 C Na3(NO)3 D Na3N3O
1 marks
Answer: A
17 One molecule of a compound contains twice as many carbon atoms as oxygen atoms, and three times as many hydrogen atoms as carbon atoms. What is the formula of this compound? A C2H3O B C2H6O C C2H6O2 D C4H6O2
1 marks
Answer: B
18 What is the formula of sulfuric acid? A HSO3 B HSO4 C H2SO3 D H2SO4
1 marks
Answer: D
18 The diagram represents molecules of phosphine. H H H P P H H H H H H P P H H H What is the formula of a molecule of phosphine? A HP B HP3 C PH3 D P4H12
1 marks
Answer: C
18 Which formula represents a molecule that contains three different elements? A CO2 B H2O C O3 D NOCl
1 marks
Answer: D
18 Which formula represents a molecule that contains three different elements? A CO2 B H2O C O3 D NOCl
1 marks
Answer: D
16 On which label does the formula match the name of the acid? A B C D hydrochloric hydrochloric sulfuric sulfuric acid acid acid acid HCl H2SO4 HNO3 Na2SO4
1 marks
Answer: A
17 Aluminium sulfate contains two aluminium atoms, three sulfur atoms and twelve oxygen atoms. What is the formula of aluminium sulfate? A 2Al 3S6O B 2Al S3O12 C Al 2(SO4)3 D Al 23(SO4)
1 marks
Answer: C
17 The equation for the combustion of ethene is shown. C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O Which statement about this reaction is not correct? A More oxygen molecules than ethene molecules are used. B The number of carbon dioxide molecules formed is equal to the number of water molecules formed. C The number of carbon dioxide molecules formed is the same as the number of ethene molecules used. D The total number of molecules formed is the same as the total number of molecules used.
1 marks
Answer: C
16 The equation for the reaction between magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid is shown. Mg + xHCl → MgCl 2 + yH2 What are the values of x and y? x y A 1 1 B 1 2 C 2 1 D 2 2
1 marks
Answer: C
17 The fertiliser ammonium sulfate has the formula (NH4)2SO4. How many atoms of each element are present in the formula? number of number of number of number of hydrogen atoms nitrogen atoms oxygen atoms sulfur atoms A 4 1 1 1 B 4 2 4 1 C 8 1 4 1 D 8 2 4 1
1 marks
Answer: D
17 The fertiliser ammonium sulfate has the formula (NH4)2SO4. How many atoms of each element are present in the formula? number of number of number of number of hydrogen atoms nitrogen atoms oxygen atoms sulfur atoms A 4 1 1 1 B 4 2 4 1 C 8 1 4 1 D 8 2 4 1
1 marks
Answer: D
17 The fertiliser ammonium sulfate has the formula (NH4)2SO4. How many atoms of each element are present in the formula? number of number of number of number of hydrogen atoms nitrogen atoms oxygen atoms sulfur atoms A 4 1 1 1 B 4 2 4 1 C 8 1 4 1 D 8 2 4 1
1 marks
Answer: D
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
1 marks
Answer: B
17 Which equation is balanced? A Cu + O2 CuO B 2CO + O2 2CO2 C 2Mg + 2HCl MgCl 2 + H2 D 2N2 + 3H2 2NH3
1 marks
Answer: B
17 Which equation for the complete combustion of propane, C3H8, is correct? A C3H8 + 2O2 3C + 4H2O B 2C3H8 + 3O2 6CO + 8H2 C C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O D C3H8 + 3O2 3CO2 + 4H2
1 marks
Answer: C
18 The equation for the complete combustion of ethane, C2H6, is shown. 2C2H6 + 7O2 4CO2 + 6H2O What is the total number of product molecules formed per molecule of ethane in this reaction? A 2 B 5 C 6 D 10
1 marks
Answer: B
18 What is the chemical formula of nitric acid? A HCl B HNO3 C H2SO4 D NH3
1 marks
Answer: B
18 Which row shows the correct formula for the named acid? acid formula A nitric acid HCl B nitric acid HNO3 C sulfuric acid HCl D sulfuric acid HNO3
1 marks
Answer: B
15 The equation for the reaction between sodium and water is shown. wNa + xH2O yNaOH + zH2 Which values of w, x, y and z balance this equation? w x y z A 1 1 1 1 B 1 2 1 2 C 2 1 2 1 D 2 2 2 1
1 marks
Answer: D
15 In boron chloride, 25% of the atoms are boron. What is the formula of boron chloride? A BCl B BCl 3 C B2Cl 3 D B3Cl
1 marks
Answer: B
15 In boron chloride, 25% of the atoms are boron. What is the formula of boron chloride? A BCl B BCl 3 C B2Cl 3 D B3Cl
1 marks
Answer: B
14 The structures of three molecules are shown. water ethanol methane How many atoms are in each molecule? water ethanol methane A 2 3 2 B 2 4 5 C 3 3 2 D 3 9 5
1 marks
Answer: D
15 Which symbol equation is balanced? A H2 + Cl 2 HCl B Mg + 2HCl MgCl 2 + H2 C CH4 + O2 CO2 + 2H2O D Mg + O2 2MgO
1 marks
Answer: B
17 Which row shows the formula of sulfuric acid and the number of different elements it contains? number of formula elements A H2SO3 3 B H2SO3 6 C H2SO4 3 D H2SO4 7
1 marks
Answer: C
16 A compound contains twice as many atoms of caesium, Cs, as atoms of carbon. The compound contains three times as many atoms of oxygen as atoms of carbon. What is the formula of the compound? A CsCO3 B Cs2CO C Cs2CO3 D 2CsC3O
1 marks
Answer: C
23 Read the sentences about calcium, copper and bromine. Calcium, copper and bromine are in the same period of the Periodic Table. The metals react with bromine to form calcium bromide and copper(II) bromide. From the position of these elements in the Periodic Table, it can be predicted that the bonding in the metal bromides is … 1 … and that … 2 … coloured. The formula of calcium bromide is … 3 … . Which words correctly complete gaps 1, 2 and 3? 1 2 3 A covalent both bromides are CaBr B covalent only copper(II) bromide is CaBr2 C ionic both bromides are CaBr D ionic only copper(II) bromide is CaBr2
1 marks
Answer: D
16 Compound X contains one iron atom. It also contains the same number of sulfur atoms as iron atoms and four times as many oxygen atoms as sulfur atoms. What is the formula of compound X? A Fe(SO)4 B FeSO4 C FeS4O D Fe4S4O
1 marks
Answer: B
16 Compound X contains one iron atom. It also contains the same number of sulfur atoms as iron atoms and four times as many oxygen atoms as sulfur atoms. What is the formula of compound X? A Fe(SO)4 B FeSO4 C FeS4O D Fe4S4O
1 marks
Answer: B
17 Sodium chloride is represented by NaCl. What is this representation called? A a dot-and-cross diagram B an equation C a formula D a symbol
1 marks
Answer: C
14 The diagram shows representations of some substances. N N H O H O C O O O H O H Which row identifies the total number of atoms and the total number of molecules in this diagram? number of number of atoms molecules A 4 5 B 10 4 C 13 4 D 13 5
1 marks
Answer: D
17 What is the formula of nitric acid? A HCl B HNO3 C NaOH D NH3
1 marks
Answer: B
18 Urea, (NH2)2CO, is used as a fertiliser. How many atoms or molecules are represented by the formula for urea? A atoms: nitrogen, 1; hydrogen, 2; carbon, 2; oxygen, 2 B atoms: nitrogen, 2; hydrogen, 4; carbon, 1; oxygen, 1 C molecules: ammonia, 1; carbon monoxide, 2 D molecules: ammonia, 2; carbon monoxide, 1
1 marks
Answer: B
15 Aluminium sulfate contains two aluminium atoms, three sulfur atoms and twelve oxygen atoms. What is the formula of aluminium sulfate? A 2Al 3S6O B 2Al S3O12 C Al 2(SO4)3 D Al 23(SO4)
1 marks
Answer: C
16 The unbalanced equation for the reaction between aqueous sodium hydroxide and dilute sulfuric acid is shown. wNaOH + xH2SO4 yNa2SO4 + zH2O Which values of w, x, y and z balance the equation? w x y z A 2 1 1 2 B 2 1 2 1 C 1 1 1 1 D 1 2 1 1
1 marks
Answer: A
16 The ratio of the atoms Na : C : O in sodium carbonate is 2 : 1 : 3. What is the formula of sodium carbonate? A Na2CO3 B Na2(CO)3 C 2NaCO3 D 2Na2(CO3)2
1 marks
Answer: A
17 Which equation is balanced? A 2CO + O2 2CO2 B Cu + O2 CuO C 2Mg + 2HCl MgCl 2 + H2 D 2N2 + 3H2 2NH3
1 marks
Answer: A