Cambridge IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (9-1) 0973 — 2021 Oct/Nov Paper 2 · Variant 1
0973/21/O/N/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 · The list shows some requirements of living things
1 The list shows some requirements of living things. 1 light 2 carbon dioxide 3 water 4 mineral ions What do plants need to make glucose? A 1 and 2 only B 2 and 3 only C 3 and 4 D 1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · Which structure is only found in plant cells?
2 Which structure is only found in plant cells? A cell membrane B cytoplasm C nucleus D vacuole
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Which molecule contains carbon?
3 Which molecule contains carbon? A ammonia B fat C sulfuric acid D water
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · An investigation was carried out to see the effect of pH on the activity of an enzyme…
4 An investigation was carried out to see the effect of pH on the activity of an enzyme found in the human alimentary canal. The graph shows the results obtained. activity of enzyme 1 2 3 pH What is the enzyme? A a protease found in the mouth B a protease found in the stomach C an amylase found in the mouth D an amylase found in the stomach
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · What will cause plant leaves to turn yellow?
5 What will cause plant leaves to turn yellow? A a lack of magnesium in the soil B a lack of starch in the leaves C a reduction in the rate of photosynthesis D a reduction in the rate of respiration
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · Which nutrient is well provided by citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons?
6 Which nutrient is well provided by citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons? A carbohydrate B protein C vitamin C D vitamin D
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · Which row shows the state of the heart valves whilst the atria are contracting and the…
7 Which row shows the state of the heart valves whilst the atria are contracting and the ventricles are relaxing? valves between valves between the atria and the the ventricles and ventricles the arteries A open closed B closed open C open open D closed closed
Mark scheme: A
Q8 · Which diagram shows the rate and depth of breathing of a person before and during…
8 Which diagram shows the rate and depth of breathing of a person before and during exercise? A B before during before during C D before during before during
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · A person touches a hot object with their hand
9 A person touches a hot object with their hand. They quickly pull their hand away. Which statement is correct? A The effector is their hand. B The effector is the hot object. C The receptor is in the muscles of their arm. D The receptor is in the skin of their hand.
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · What is a characteristic of an insect-pollinated flower compared with a wind-pollinated…
10 What is a characteristic of an insect-pollinated flower compared with a wind-pollinated flower? insect-pollinated wind-pollinated A anthers inside flower anthers outside flower B petals small petals large C smooth pollen sticky pollen D stigma outside flower stigma inside flower
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · Wing length in fruit flies is controlled by a single pair of alleles
11 Wing length in fruit flies is controlled by a single pair of alleles. The diagram shows the results of crosses between fruit flies. 1 2 key male with short wings male with long wings 3 4 5 6 7 female with short wings female with long wings 8 9 What is the probability of individuals 6 and 7 producing another offspring with long wings? A 12.5% B 25% C 50% D 75%
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · What is an ecosystem?
12 What is an ecosystem? A a chart showing the flow of energy from one organism to another B a diagram giving the energy level of an organism in its environment C a network of interconnected organisms D a unit containing all of the organisms and their environment
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · The diagram shows a simplified carbon cycle
13 The diagram shows a simplified carbon cycle. Which labelled arrow represents respiration? CO2 B C A green D animals plants fossil fuels
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Which row identifies physical changes and chemical changes?
14 Which row identifies physical changes and chemical changes? physical changes chemical changes A cooking an egg and rusting of iron ice melting B ice melting and burning wood water boiling C mixing sand and water baking a cake and water boiling D rusting of iron and solid dissolving and baking a cake ethanol evaporating
Mark scheme: B
Q15 · Carbon dioxide is produced in a reaction
15 Carbon dioxide is produced in a reaction. It is collected in a gas syringe. The readings on the gas syringe are shown. reading / cm3 initial 7 final 43 What is the mass of carbon dioxide gas produced? A 0.0015 g B 0.0018 g C 0.0660 g D 0.0788 g
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · The diagram shows the electrolysis of a compound
16 The diagram shows the electrolysis of a compound. switch + – P Q electrolyte When the switch is closed, the solution around electrode P turns orange because a halogen is formed. The positive electrode P is called the ……1……, and the halogen is ……2…… . Which words complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A anode bromine B anode chlorine C cathode bromine D cathode chlorine
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Excess magnesium reacts with 25 cm3 of 0.1 mol / dm3 hydrochloric acid
17 Excess magnesium reacts with 25 cm3 of 0.1 mol / dm3 hydrochloric acid. The dashed line shows the volume of gas made over time. The experiment is repeated using excess magnesium and 25 cm3 of 0.05 mol / dm3 hydrochloric acid. Which line shows the results for this experiment? A B C volume of original experiment gas / cm3 D 0 0 time / s
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Which equation represents a redox reaction?
18 Which equation represents a redox reaction? A CaCO3 CaO + CO2 B Cu(OH)2 CuO + H2O C LiOH + HCl LiCl + H2O D 2Na + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2
Mark scheme: D
Q19 · Nitrous oxide, N2O, is a neutral oxide
19 Nitrous oxide, N2O, is a neutral oxide. Which statement about nitrous oxide is correct? A It does not react with acids or with alkalis. B It reacts only with acids. C It reacts only with alkalis. D It reacts with both acids and alkalis.
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · When a small piece of potassium is placed in water, hydrogen gas is given off very quickly
20 When a small piece of potassium is placed in water, hydrogen gas is given off very quickly. Which element reacts in a similar way? A copper B iron C magnesium D sodium
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · Why does the steel used to make a drill contain manganese?
21 Why does the steel used to make a drill contain manganese? A to increase the density of the steel B to increase the hardness of the steel C to increase the malleability of the steel D to increase the melting point of the steel
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · A block of zinc is attached to an underground steel pipe as shown
22 A block of zinc is attached to an underground steel pipe as shown. zinc block steel pipe The zinc stops the steel rusting by sacrificial protection. Which statement is not correct? A Zinc is more reactive than the iron in steel. B Zinc is oxidised in preference to the iron in steel. C Zinc prevents oxygen from reaching the steel. D Zinc transfers electrons to the iron in the steel.
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · Which row identifies a gas removed from exhaust emissions and a gas produced by a…
23 Which row identifies a gas removed from exhaust emissions and a gas produced by a catalytic converter? gas removed gas produced A carbon dioxide carbon monoxide B carbon dioxide oxygen C nitrogen monoxide carbon monoxide D nitrogen monoxide oxygen
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · The Contact process is used to manufacture sulfuric acid
24 The Contact process is used to manufacture sulfuric acid. Which step in the Contact process is reversible? A sulfur reacting with oxygen B sulfur dioxide reacting with oxygen C sulfuric acid reacting with sulfur trioxide D oleum, H2S2O7, reacting with water
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Calcium carbonate (limestone) is a base
25 Calcium carbonate (limestone) is a base. Which uses of limestone depend on it acting as a base? 1 making lime 2 neutralising acid waste 3 stone buildings 4 treatment of soil A 1 and 2 B 2 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: C
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q26 · Four molecules are shown
26 Four molecules are shown. Which structure represents ethanol? A B C D H H H H H H H H H H C C OH H C C C OH C C H C C H H H H H H H OH H H
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · The cracking of decane molecules is represented by the equation shown
27 The cracking of decane molecules is represented by the equation shown. C10H22 Y + 2C3H6 What is Y? A C4H8 B C4H10 C C7H14 D C7H16
Mark scheme: B
Q28 · A student is investigating the extension of a spring
28 A student is investigating the extension of a spring. The diagrams show the spring before and after a 0.20 N load is added. cm cm 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 0.20 N load 5 5 6 6 What is the spring constant of the spring? A 0.070 N / cm B 0.16 N / cm C 0.25 N / cm D 4.0 N / cm
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The table gives the weight and total area of contact with the ground of four animals
29 The table gives the weight and total area of contact with the ground of four animals. Which animal exerts the least pressure on the ground? area of animal weight / N contact / cm2 A beaver 270 220 B cat 41 29 C duck 16 72 D mouse 0.19 0.12
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · A ball falls vertically downwards
30 A ball falls vertically downwards. Which energy transfer takes place as the ball accelerates downwards? A gravitational potential to elastic potential (strain) B gravitational potential to kinetic C elastic potential (strain) to kinetic D kinetic to gravitational potential
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A 250 W electric motor lifts a 50 N load through a height of 4.0 m in 3.0 s
31 A 250 W electric motor lifts a 50 N load through a height of 4.0 m in 3.0 s. What is the efficiency of this system of lifting the load? A 15% B 27% C 38% D 67%
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which labelled arrow on the diagram represents condensation?
32 Which labelled arrow on the diagram represents condensation? A liquid gas B C D solid
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · A sealed cylinder contains gas
33 A sealed cylinder contains gas. The average speed of the molecules of the gas increases but the average distance between them remains the same. How does this affect the pressure of the gas and its volume? pressure volume A decreases increases B decreases no change C increases increases D increases no change
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · Four loudspeakers vibrate at different frequencies
34 Four loudspeakers vibrate at different frequencies. Which frequency produces a sound with the largest wavelength and can be heard by a human? A 15 Hz B 150 Hz C 2.5 kHz D 25 kHz
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror
35 The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror. ray of light 20° plane mirror What is the angle of reflection? A 20 B 40 C 70 D 90
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · Which diagram shows a converging lens forming a real image of an object O?
36 Which diagram shows a converging lens forming a real image of an object O? A B O O C D O O
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The diagram represents a wave in air
37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q wave direction Which type of wave is represented, and in which direction do the molecules vibrate? direction type of wave of vibration A longitudinal B longitudinal C transverse D transverse
Mark scheme: A
Q38 · A rod is rubbed with a dry piece of cloth
38 A rod is rubbed with a dry piece of cloth. A scientist holds the rod in her hand and brings it close to a negatively charged plastic strip. The strip is suspended by an insulating thread. As the rod approaches the plastic strip, the strip moves towards the rod. insulating thread charged plastic – – – – – –– strip – – – – – – – – – – – – strip moves – towards rod hand rod Which statement is correct? A The rod is a negatively charged electrical conductor. B The rod is a negatively charged electrical insulator. C The rod is a positively charged electrical conductor. D The rod is a positively charged electrical insulator.
Mark scheme: D
Q39 · The diagram shows a wire carrying an electric current in the direction shown
39 The diagram shows a wire carrying an electric current in the direction shown. The wire is at right angles to a magnetic field that is directed into the page. A force acts on the wire because of the current and the magnetic field. In which labelled direction does this force act? wire carrying current A D B C magnetic field into page
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · The table gives information about the deflection of radiation in an electric field and in…
40 The table gives information about the deflection of radiation in an electric field and in a magnetic field. Which row is correct? deflected in deflected in radiation electric field magnetic field A alpha yes yes B alpha no no C gamma yes no D gamma yes yes
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.
2Kinetic particle model of matter2Light2Photosynthesis2Rate of reaction2Air quality and climate1Alcohols1Alloys and their properties1Biological molecules1Carbon cycle1Cell structure1Coordination and response1Corrosion of metals1Diet1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic effects1Enzymes1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Fuels1Gas exchange in humans1General properties of waves1Group I properties1Heart1Monohybrid inheritance1Oxides1Physical and chemical changes1Pressure1Radioactivity1Redox1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1The characteristic properties of acids and bases1The mole and the Avogadro constant1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2021 Oct/Nov, Paper 2 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.