Cambridge IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (9-1) 0973 — 2024 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
0973/11/O/N/24 · 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 characteristic of living things is described as the removal of toxic materials and…
1 Which characteristic of living things is described as the removal of toxic materials and substances in excess of requirements? A excretion B homeostasis C nutrition D respiration
Mark scheme: A
Q2 · The photographs show some onion cells before and after being placed in a concentrated…
2 The photographs show some onion cells before and after being placed in a concentrated solution of glucose. before after What explains the appearance of the onion cells after placing them into the concentrated solution of glucose? A Glucose has entered the cells by osmosis. B Glucose has left the cells by diffusion. C Water has entered the cells by diffusion. D Water has left the cells by osmosis.
Mark scheme: D
Q3 · Three food tests are carried out on a sample of food
3 Three food tests are carried out on a sample of food. The results are shown. food test final colour Benedict’s blue biuret blue iodine blue-black From these results, which nutrient is in the food? A reducing sugar B protein C starch D fat
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · One method of preventing food spoilage is to store it at 4 C in a refrigerator
4 One method of preventing food spoilage is to store it at 4 C in a refrigerator. Why does storing food at low temperatures help to prevent food spoilage? A It decreases enzyme activity. B It denatures enzymes. C It increases enzyme production. D It kills cells.
Mark scheme: A
Q5 · The diagram shows a plan of the cross-section of a dicotyledonous leaf
5 The diagram shows a plan of the cross-section of a dicotyledonous leaf. P What is the name of the part labelled P? A palisade mesophyll B spongy mesophyll C upper epidermis D vascular bundle
Mark scheme: C
Q6 · What is the dietary importance of fibre?
6 What is the dietary importance of fibre? A It builds and repairs tissue. B It builds strong bones and teeth. C It helps to prevent constipation. D It provides a source of iron.
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · Selexipag is a drug used to treat a condition where the blood pressure going to the lungs…
7 Selexipag is a drug used to treat a condition where the blood pressure going to the lungs is too high. The drug works by widening the blood vessel leading to the lungs to reduce the pressure. Which blood vessel going to the lungs is selexipag widening? A aorta B pulmonary artery C pulmonary vein D vena cava
Mark scheme: B
Q8 · The list shows some processes that occur in the body
8 The list shows some processes that occur in the body. 1 cell division 2 oxygen diffusion 3 protein synthesis 4 temperature regulation Which processes use energy released by respiration? A 1, 3 and 4 B 1 and 2 C 2, 3 and 4 D 3 and 4 only
Mark scheme: A
Q9 · In which order does an impulse pass along neurones during a reflex action?
9 In which order does an impulse pass along neurones during a reflex action? A motor relay sensory B motor sensory relay C sensory motor relay D sensory relay motor
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · Before fertilisation in flowering plants, which structure must the pollen nucleus pass…
10 Before fertilisation in flowering plants, which structure must the pollen nucleus pass through to reach the nucleus in the ovule? A filament B petal C stamen D style
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · Albinism is a genetic condition which results in an absence of pigment in the skin, hair…
11 Albinism is a genetic condition which results in an absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. If two black mice produce an albino offspring, which Punnett square shows the correct cross? A B B b B b B BB Bb B BB Bb B BB Bb b Bb bb key B dominant allele for black C D b recessive allele for albinism B b b b b Bb bb b bb bb b Bb bb b bb bb
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · What is the correct order for the food chain from the information given?
12 What is the correct order for the food chain from the information given? ● beetles are herbivores ● mice eat the beetles ● owls are the tertiary consumers ● the leaves of a plant are the producer A beetles mice owl leaves B leaves beetles mice owl C leaves beetles owl mice D owl mice beetles leaves
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle
13 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. carbon dioxide in the atmosphere X factories and power stations plants animals fossil fuels Which process does X represent? A combustion B decomposition C photosynthesis D respiration
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · Astudent adds 5g of magnesium ribbon to 20 cm?
14 Astudent adds 5g of magnesium ribbon to 20 cm? of dilute hydrochloric acid in a beaker. The student measures how long it takes for the effervescence to stop. Which pieces of apparatus does the student use in this experiment? balance vevlinder stop-clock | thermometer A Jv Jv x Jv B Jv x J Jv Cc Jv Jv J x D x Jv J Jv key / = uses the apparatus X = does not use the apparatus
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · Sea water is a mixture that contains sodium chloride dissolved in water
15 Sea water is a mixture that contains sodium chloride dissolved in water. Which row describes sea water? solvent solute solution A water sea water sodium chloride B sea water sodium chloride water C water sodium chloride sea water D sodium chloride water sea water
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · What is the dot-and-cross diagram for a water molecule?
16 What is the dot-and-cross diagram for a water molecule? A B C D O O O O H H H H H H H H
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · The electronic structures of carbon and of hydrogen are shown
17 The electronic structures of carbon and of hydrogen are shown. C H What is the formula of a compound formed between carbon and hydrogen? A CH2 B CH3 C C4H D CH4
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Which elements are formed at the electrodes during the electrolysis of concentrated…
18 Which elements are formed at the electrodes during the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous sodium chloride? anode cathode A chlorine sodium B chlorine hydrogen C hydrogen chlorine D sodium chlorine
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · Four different substances are added to the same acid of the same concentration in…
19 Four different substances are added to the same acid of the same concentration in reactions W, X, Y and Z. The initial temperature of the acid before each reaction is 21 C. The final temperatures of the mixtures are measured. The results are shown. reaction W X Y Z final temperature / C 28 19 26 17 Which row is correct? most most endothermic exothermic reaction reaction A W Z B Z W C X Y D Y X
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with solid calcium carbonate
20 Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with solid calcium carbonate. Which change decreases the rate of the reaction? A decreasing the concentration of the hydrochloric acid B decreasing the size of the calcium carbonate pieces C increasing the surface area of the calcium carbonate D increasing the temperature of the acid
Mark scheme: A
Q21 · Which statement about oxidation is correct?
21 Which statement about oxidation is correct? A It occurs when an element or compound chemically combines with oxygen. B It occurs when an element or compound forms a mixture with oxygen. C It occurs when an element or compound is separated from a mixture with oxygen. D It occurs when a compound loses oxygen.
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Which substance is classified as an acidic oxide?
22 Which substance is classified as an acidic oxide? A calcium oxide B carbon dioxide C lithium oxide D sodium oxide
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · The results of two tests on compound P are shown
23 The results of two tests on compound P are shown. test observation flame test red flame addition of acidified silver nitrate white precipitate What is P? A lithium bromide B lithium chloride C sodium bromide D sodium chloride
Mark scheme: B
Q24 · What is not a property of transition elements?
24 What is not a property of transition elements? A form coloured compounds B good electrical conductivity C high melting point D low density
Mark scheme: D
Q25 · What is the order of reactivity of metals, from highest to lowest?
25 What is the order of reactivity of metals, from highest to lowest? A aluminium calcium copper iron B calcium iron copper aluminium C calcium magnesium iron copper D aluminium magnesium iron copper
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · A colourless liquid is tested with blue cobalt(II) chloride paper
26 A colourless liquid is tested with blue cobalt(II) chloride paper. The blue paper turns pink. What does this test prove that the liquid contains? A an acid B an alkali C ethanol D water
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · What are the products of the complete combustion of ethanol?
27 What are the products of the complete combustion of ethanol? A carbon and hydrogen B carbon dioxide and hydrogen C carbon dioxide and water D carbon monoxide and water
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · A person runs 5000 m in 1200 s and then walks a further 3000 m in 1800 s
28 A person runs 5000 m in 1200 s and then walks a further 3000 m in 1800 s. What is their average speed for this journey? A 1.7 m / s B 2.7 m / s C 2.9 m / s D 5.8 m / s
Mark scheme: B
Q29 · The diagram shows the two forces acting on a skydiver
29 The diagram shows the two forces acting on a skydiver. 300 N 700 N What is the resultant force on the skydiver? A 400 N downwards B 400 N upwards C 1000 N downwards D 1000 N upwards
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · When a ball is kicked vertically upwards, its initial kinetic energy is 12 J
30 When a ball is kicked vertically upwards, its initial kinetic energy is 12 J. When the ball arrives back at its starting point, its kinetic energy is 8.0 J. Which statement explains the change in the kinetic energy of the ball? A 4.0 J of work is done to increase the gravitational potential energy of the ball. B 4.0 J of work is done to overcome air resistance. C 20 J of work is done to increase the gravitational potential energy of the ball. D 20 J of work is done to overcome air resistance.
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · A motor lifts a load vertically upwards at constant speed
31 A motor lifts a load vertically upwards at constant speed. The weight of the load is known. Which of the other quantities in the table must be known to determine the useful power output of the motor? height lifted | “ne fo im A J Jv key B Jv x /¥ = this quantity is needed Cc x v X = this quantity is not needed D x x
Mark scheme: A
Q32 · Which material is a poor thermal conductor?
32 Which material is a poor thermal conductor? A air B aluminium C copper D iron
Mark scheme: A
Q33 · A ray of light travels from air into a parallel-sided glass block and then back into air
33 A ray of light travels from air into a parallel-sided glass block and then back into air. Which diagram shows the path of the light? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q34 · Which electromagnetic waves have the lowest frequency?
34 Which electromagnetic waves have the lowest frequency? A gamma B infrared C ultraviolet D radio
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · Object P is positively charged and object Q is negatively charged
35 Object P is positively charged and object Q is negatively charged. Which row describes the force between P and Q and explains how they became charged? force between charge on P charge on Q P and Q caused by caused by A attractive gaining electrons losing electrons B attractive losing electrons gaining electrons C repulsive gaining electrons losing electrons D repulsive losing electrons gaining electrons
Mark scheme: B
Q36 · A lamp is connected to a 3.0 V battery
36 A lamp is connected to a 3.0 V battery. The resistance of the lamp is 60 . What is the current in the lamp? A 0.050 mA B 20 mA C 50 mA D 180 mA
Mark scheme: C
Q37 · The diagram shows two resistors connected in parallel to a battery
37 The diagram shows two resistors connected in parallel to a battery. The circuit contains a voltmeter and an ammeter. V A A third resistor is now connected in parallel with these two resistors. What happens to the voltmeter reading and what happens to the ammeter reading? ammeter reading voltmeter reading A decreases increases B decreases stays the same C increases increases D increases stays the same
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · Which diagram shows the pattern and the direction of the magnetic field around a straight…
38 Which diagram shows the pattern and the direction of the magnetic field around a straight wire that is carrying a current into the page? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · An element has two isotopes
39 An element has two isotopes. Which statement about the nuclei of atoms of these isotopes is correct? A They have equal numbers of neutrons but different numbers of electrons. B They have equal numbers of neutrons but different numbers of protons. C They have equal numbers of protons but different numbers of electrons. D They have equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · The graph shows how the rate of emission of radiation from a radioactive sample changes…
40 The graph shows how the rate of emission of radiation from a radioactive sample changes with time. 80 rate of emission 70 emissions / minute 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 time / years What is the half-life of this sample? A 40 minutes B 2.0 years C 5.0 years D 10 years
Mark scheme: B
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.
2Rate of reaction2Simple molecules and covalent bonds2Alcohols1Biological molecules1Blood vessels1Carbon cycle1Characteristics of living organisms1Coordination and response1Diet1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrolysis1Electromagnetic effects1Electromagnetic spectrum1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Identification of ions and gases1Isotopes1Leaf structure1Light1Monohybrid inheritance1Motion1Osmosis1Oxides1Radioactivity1Reactivity series1Redox1Respiration1Sexual reproduction in plants1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Transfer of thermal energy1Transition elements1Water1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.