Cambridge IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (Double) 0654 — 2015 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2
0654/12/M/J/15 · 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 paper20 pages




















Mark scheme2 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.


Questions as text
Q1 · The diagram shows a palisade cell from a leaf
1 The diagram shows a palisade cell from a leaf. Which labelled structure is a membrane? A B D C
Mark scheme: D
Q2 · Which of these types of substances contains molecules that do not diffuse?
2 Which of these types of substances contains molecules that do not diffuse? A gases B solids C solutes D solvents
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · Which graph shows the effect of temperature on the rate of enzyme activity for a human…
3 Which graph shows the effect of temperature on the rate of enzyme activity for a human enzyme? A B rate of rate of enzyme enzyme activity activity 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 temperature / °C temperature / °C C D rate of rate of enzyme enzyme activity activity 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 temperature / °C temperature / °C
Mark scheme: B
Q4 · In a balanced diet, which constituents provide most energy?
4 In a balanced diet, which constituents provide most energy? A carbohydrate and protein B fat and carbohydrate C fat and fibre D vitamins and protein
Mark scheme: B
Q5 · The arrow shows urea leaving a cell and passing into structure P
5 The arrow shows urea leaving a cell and passing into structure P. P What is P? A a capillary B an artery C a vein D the small intestine
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · The diagram shows samples of blood from two different people as seen under a microscope
6 The diagram shows samples of blood from two different people as seen under a microscope. person X person Y Compared with the blood of person Y, the blood of person X can A carry out more phagocytosis. B clot more easily. C produce more antibodies. D transport more oxygen.
Mark scheme: D
Q7 · Which process in living organisms does not use energy from respiration?
7 Which process in living organisms does not use energy from respiration? A growth B movement C photosynthesis D temperature maintenance
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · A person touches a hot object which triggers a reflex action
8 A person touches a hot object which triggers a reflex action. In which order does the signal travel in the reflex arc? A relay neurone → spinal cord → sensory neurone B sensory neurone → spinal cord → motor neurone C spinal cord → sensory neurone → stimulus D stimulus → motor neurone → spinal cord
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which statement about reproduction is correct?
9 Which statement about reproduction is correct? A Asexual reproduction involves the formation of haploid zygotes. B Asexual reproduction produces offspring from two parents. C Sexual reproduction involves the formation of diploid gametes. D Sexual reproduction produces offspring that are genetically dissimilar.
Mark scheme: D
Q10 · The diagram shows the female reproductive system
10 The diagram shows the female reproductive system. X X Sometimes the tubes at X can become blocked. What is the result of this? A Eggs cannot reach the uterus. B Menstruation is prevented. C Ovulation is prevented. D Sperms cannot reach the uterus.
Mark scheme: A
Q11 · Which process is responsible for the flow of energy along a food chain?
11 Which process is responsible for the flow of energy along a food chain? A excretion B feeding C respiration D seed dispersal
Mark scheme: B
Q12 · What can directly result from deforestation?
12 What can directly result from deforestation? build-up of atmospheric flooding methane loss of species 0 OD > «x « & ~~ { & & \ \ x x
Mark scheme: C
Q13 · In the carbon cycle, which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
13 In the carbon cycle, which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? A combustion B decomposition C photosynthesis D respiration
Mark scheme: C
Q14 · The colours in an ink can be separated by chromatography
14 The colours in an ink can be separated by chromatography. Which diagram shows the correct way to set up the apparatus? A B spot of ink spot of ink solvent solvent C D spot of ink spot of ink solvent solvent
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · The positions of four elements are shown on the outline of part of the Periodic Table
15 The positions of four elements are shown on the outline of part of the Periodic Table. Which element forms an ion with a charge of 2+? A B C D
Mark scheme: B
Q16 · When dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed using inert electrodes two gases are produced
16 When dilute sulfuric acid is electrolysed using inert electrodes two gases are produced. Which two gases are formed? A hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide B hydrogen and oxygen C hydrogen and sulfur dioxide D oxygen and sulfur dioxide
Mark scheme: B
Q17 · When sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are mixed they react immediately
17 When sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are mixed they react immediately. The graph shows how the temperature of the mixture changes over time. 35 30 25 temperature 20 / °C 15 10 5 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 time / s Which type of chemical reaction takes place? A both endothermic and exothermic B endothermic C exothermic D neither endothermic nor exothermic
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · Pure iron can be extracted from iron oxide using carbon monoxide
18 Pure iron can be extracted from iron oxide using carbon monoxide. The equation for the reaction is iron oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon dioxide Which row shows what happens to the iron oxide and carbon monoxide? carbon iron oxide monoxide A oxidised oxidised B oxidised reduced C reduced oxidised D reduced reduced
Mark scheme: C
Q19 · Hydrogen and oxygen react explosively to form water
19 Hydrogen and oxygen react explosively to form water. Which words describe this reaction? combustion oxidation A v v B v x Cc x v D x x key v/=yes X =no
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · Which processes are used to obtain crystals of sodium chloride from a mixture of sodium…
20 Which processes are used to obtain crystals of sodium chloride from a mixture of sodium chloride and sand in water? first stage second stage A crystallise neutralise B evaporate filter C filter dissolve D filter evaporate
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · What is observed when aqueous barium ions are added to sulfuric acid?
21 What is observed when aqueous barium ions are added to sulfuric acid? A blue precipitate B brown gas C colourless gas D white precipitate
Mark scheme: D
Q22 · Elements X, Y and Z are the first three members of a group in the Periodic Table
22 Elements X, Y and Z are the first three members of a group in the Periodic Table. The elements are soft. The elements react vigorously with water to produce hydrogen. In which group of the Periodic Table are X, Y and Z found? A Group 0 B Group I C Group II D Group VII
Mark scheme: B
Q23 · The table shows information about some minerals
23 The table shows information about some minerals. mineral chemical formula bauxite Al 2O3 galena PbS hematite Fe2O3 rutile TiO2 Which minerals contain a transition element? A bauxite and galena B bauxite and hematite C galena and rutile D hematite and rutile
Mark scheme: D
Q24 · Air is a mixture of gases
24 Air is a mixture of gases. The diagram shows the composition of air. gas X gas Y gas Z What are gases X, Y and Z? gas X gas Y gas Z A N2 O2 noble gases, CO2, H2O B noble gases, CO2, H2O N2 O2 C noble gases, CO2, H2O O2 N2 D O2 noble gases, CO2, H2O N2
Mark scheme: C
Q25 · When limestone is heated, the following reaction takes place
25 When limestone is heated, the following reaction takes place. limestone → lime + carbon dioxide What are the chemical names of limestone and lime and which type of reaction does the limestone undergo? limestone lime type of reaction A calcium carbonate calcium oxide reduction B calcium carbonate calcium oxide thermal decomposition C calcium oxide calcium carbonate reduction D calcium oxide calcium carbonate thermal decomposition
Mark scheme: B
Q26 · The hydrocarbon dodecane has the formula C12H26
26 The hydrocarbon dodecane has the formula C12H26. Dodecane forms ethene and some ethane when it is heated. What is the name of the process? A cracking B distillation C evaporation D fractional distillation
Mark scheme: A
Q27 · A fuel used for cooking food is the hydrocarbon …1… that burns in an …2… reaction
27 A fuel used for cooking food is the hydrocarbon …1… that burns in an …2… reaction. Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A coke endothermic B coke exothermic C methane endothermic D methane exothermic
Mark scheme: D
Q28 · The circuit of a motor racing track is 3.0 km in length
28 The circuit of a motor racing track is 3.0 km in length. In a race, a car goes 25 times round the circuit in 30 minutes. What is the average speed of the car? A 75 km / hour B 90 km / hour C 150 km / hour D 750 km / hour
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The diagrams show four solid blocks with the same mass
29 The diagrams show four solid blocks with the same mass. Which block is made from the least dense material? A B 8.0 cm 3.0 cm 1.0 cm 3.0 cm 2.0 cm 2.0 cm C D 5.0 cm 2.0 cm 4.0 cm 3.0 cm 2.0 cm 2.0 cm
Mark scheme: C
Q30 · A train travels along a horizontal track at constant speed
30 A train travels along a horizontal track at constant speed. Two of the forces acting on the train are shown in the diagram. backwards force forwards force 20 000 N 60 000 N A force of air resistance is also acting on the train to give it a resultant force of zero. What is this air resistance force? A 40 000 N backwards B 80 000 N backwards C 40 000 N forwards D 80 000 N forwards
Mark scheme: A
Q31 · What is the source of the energy converted by a hydro-electric power station?
31 What is the source of the energy converted by a hydro-electric power station? A chemical energy of oil B gravitational energy of falling water C kinetic energy of waves D thermal energy of hot rocks
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Which is the best description of the molecules in a solid at 0 °C?
32 Which is the best description of the molecules in a solid at 0 °C? A close together and moving from one position to another and changing places with other molecules B close together and vibrating about a fixed position C far apart and moving from one position to another and changing places with other molecules D far apart and not moving at all
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · There is a vacuum between the double walls of a vacuum flask
33 There is a vacuum between the double walls of a vacuum flask. Which types of heat transfer are reduced by the vacuum? A conduction, convection and radiation B conduction and convection only C conduction and radiation only D convection and radiation only
Mark scheme: B
Q34 · The diagrams show examples of wave motion
34 The diagrams show examples of wave motion. 1 2 ripple tank drum waves on water waves in air 3 4 waves on a rope waves in a spring (as shown) Which waves are longitudinal? A 1 only B 2 and 3 only C 2, 3 and 4 only D 2 and 4 only
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · The diagram shows two rays of light passing through a converging lens
35 The diagram shows two rays of light passing through a converging lens. object Which type of image is formed? A inverted and larger than the object B inverted and smaller than the object C upright (erect) and larger than the object D upright (erect) and smaller than the object
Mark scheme: A
Q36 · An explosion experiment is carried out on Earth
36 An explosion experiment is carried out on Earth. The experiment is repeated by an astronaut in space where there is no gas or air. How does the explosion sound to the astronaut in space? A slightly louder than on Earth B the same loudness as on Earth C slightly quieter than on Earth D completely silent
Mark scheme: D
Q37 · A student makes a permanent magnet using a piece of metal and a magnetising coil
37 A student makes a permanent magnet using a piece of metal and a magnetising coil. Which metal should she use? A aluminium B copper C iron D steel
Mark scheme: D
Q38 · What is the symbol for a fuse?
38 What is the symbol for a fuse? A B C D
Mark scheme: C
Q39 · The diagram shows a battery connected to two resistors
39 The diagram shows a battery connected to two resistors. Three ammeters M1, M2 and M3 are connected in the circuit. M1 A A M3 A M2 Meter M1 reads 1.0 A. What are the readings on M2 and on M3? reading on reading on M2 / A M3 / A A 0.5 0.0 B 0.5 0.5 C 0.5 1.0 D 1.0 1.0
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect?
40 Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect? A infra-red rays B α–particles C β–particles D γ–rays
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.
2Air quality and climate1Alkenes1Blood1Blood vessels1Carbon cycle1Cell structure1Chromatography1Coordination and response1Density1Diet1Diffusion1Electrical circuits1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Energy flow1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Exothermic and endothermic reactions1Forces1Fuels1General properties of waves1Group I properties1Habitat destruction1Identification of ions and gases1Ions and ionic bonds1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Motion1Oxides1Radioactivity1Respiration1Separation and purification1Sexual reproduction1Sexual reproduction in humans1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1Transfer of thermal energy1Transition elements1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2015 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.