Cambridge IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (Double) 0654 — 2023 Oct/Nov Paper 1 · Variant 1
0654/11/O/N/23 · 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 a living organism releases energy for growth?
1 Which characteristic of a living organism releases energy for growth? A excretion B reproduction C respiration D sensitivity
Mark scheme: C
Q2 · A student draws a diagram of a chicken’s egg and includes the magnification, m, of the…
2 A student draws a diagram of a chicken’s egg and includes the magnification, m, of the drawing. The student writes m = 2. The image length on the diagram is 140 mm. What is the length of the actual chicken’s egg? A 35 mm B 70 mm C 140 mm D 280 mm
Mark scheme: B
Q3 · Which colour does Benedict’s solution change to when heated with a reducing sugar?
3 Which colour does Benedict’s solution change to when heated with a reducing sugar? A blue B blue-black C orange D purple
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · Which graph shows the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?
4 Which graph shows the effect of temperature on enzyme activity? A B enzyme enzyme activity activity temperature temperature C D enzyme enzyme activity activity temperature temperature
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · Which conditions will result in the highest rate of photosynthesis?
5 Which conditions will result in the highest rate of photosynthesis? carbon dioxide light intensity concentration A high high B high low C low high D low low
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · Which row about food groups is correct?
6 Which row about food groups is correct? food group main function food source examples A carbohydrate provide energy bread, pasta, rice B fat tissue growth and repair bread, pasta, rice C fibre tissue growth and repair fish, meat, seeds D protein provide energy fish, meat, seeds
Mark scheme: A
Q7 · Which label shows the position of the xylem in the cross-section of the root of a…
7 Which label shows the position of the xylem in the cross-section of the root of a dicotyledonous plant? B A C D
Mark scheme: C
Q8 · The apparatus shown is set up and left for 10 minutes
8 The apparatus shown is set up and left for 10 minutes. The insects are able to move around in the test-tube but the wire mesh prevents them from falling into the sodium hydroxide. graduated scale thermometer coloured oil droplet water bath insects wire mesh sodium hydroxide (to absorb carbon dioxide) In which direction does the oil droplet move and why? direction of effect of respiration oil droplet of insects A to the left use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen B to the left use up oxygen and release carbon dioxide C to the right use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen D to the right use up oxygen and release carbon dioxide
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · One response to a frightening situation is an increase in heart rate caused by the…
9 One response to a frightening situation is an increase in heart rate caused by the release of adrenaline. Which statement about adrenaline is correct? A It is an enzyme produced by an organ and travels in the blood to the heart. B It is an enzyme produced by an organ and travels down a nerve to the brain. C It is a hormone produced by a gland and travels in the blood to the heart. D It is a hormone produced by a gland and travels down a nerve to the brain.
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · Which part of the male reproductive system is correctly matched to its function?
10 Which part of the male reproductive system is correctly matched to its function? part function A prostate gland transfers sperm to the urethra B scrotum holds the testes outside of body C testes secrete fluids for sperm to swim in D urethra transfers semen to ovary
Mark scheme: B
Q11 · Continuous variation is defined as a ......1.....
11 Continuous variation is defined as a ......1...... of phenotypes ......2...... . Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2? 1 2 A limited number between two extremes B limited number with no intermediates C range between two extremes D range with no intermediates
Mark scheme: C
Q12 · In a food chain, what do all living organisms get from their food?
12 In a food chain, what do all living organisms get from their food? A a supply of water B oxygen for respiration C protection from disease D the energy they need
Mark scheme: D
Q13 · Forests are cut down and burnt in deforestation programmes
13 Forests are cut down and burnt in deforestation programmes. As a result of this, which gas in the atmosphere increases in concentration? A carbon dioxide B hydrogen C nitrogen D oxygen
Mark scheme: A
Q14 · Dye X is a mixture of different coloured substances
14 Dye X is a mixture of different coloured substances. Chromatography is used to compare X with three other mixtures, P, Q and R. The results are shown. X P Q R Which mixtures contain dye X? A P, Q and R B P and Q only C P only D R only
Mark scheme: C
Q15 · What do the chemical symbols N2 and Ni represent?
15 What do the chemical symbols N2 and Ni represent? N2 Ni A a compound a compound B a compound an element C an element a compound D an element an element
Mark scheme: D
Q16 · The nucleon number of a hydrogen atom is 1
16 The nucleon number of a hydrogen atom is 1. What is present inside the nucleus of this atom? A one proton and one electron B one proton and one neutron C one proton only D one neutron only
Mark scheme: C
Q17 · The diagram represents an ionic compound formed from three types of atom
17 The diagram represents an ionic compound formed from three types of atom. key oxygen sodium sulfur What is the chemical formula for this compound? A Na2S4O B NaO4S2 C Na2SO4 D S4O2Na
Mark scheme: C
Q18 · The diagram shows the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid using inert electrodes
18 The diagram shows the electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid using inert electrodes. dilute sulfuric acid – + 6 V d.c. Which substance is produced by electrolysis at the negative electrode? A hydrogen B oxygen C sulfur dioxide D water vapour
Mark scheme: A
Q19 · When petrol burns in a car engine, carbon monoxide, CO, and nitrogen monoxide, NO, are…
19 When petrol burns in a car engine, carbon monoxide, CO, and nitrogen monoxide, NO, are produced. These gases pass through a catalytic converter where carbon monoxide reacts with nitrogen monoxide. The equation for the reaction is shown. carbon monoxide + nitrogen monoxide nitrogen + carbon dioxide Which statement is not correct? A Carbon monoxide is oxidised in the catalytic converter. B Carbon monoxide is produced by the complete combustion of petrol. C Nitrogen from the air is oxidised in the car engine. D Nitrogen monoxide is reduced in the catalytic converter.
Mark scheme: B
Q20 · Four different oxides are listed
20 Four different oxides are listed. 1 calcium oxide 2 lithium oxide 3 nitrogen oxide 4 phosphorus oxide Which oxides are acidic oxides? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q21 · Substance X is mixed with aqueous sodium hydroxide
21 Substance X is mixed with aqueous sodium hydroxide. A green precipitate is produced. Which metal ion is present in X? A Cu2+ B Fe2+ C Fe3+ D Zn2+
Mark scheme: B
Q22 · Potassium is in Group I of the Periodic Table
22 Potassium is in Group I of the Periodic Table. Which statement about potassium is correct? A It is a relatively hard metal. B It is less dense than lithium. C It has a higher melting point than sodium. D It reacts more vigorously with water than sodium.
Mark scheme: D
Q23 · What is a use for argon?
23 What is a use for argon? A as a catalyst B in alloys C in lamps D neutralising chemical waste
Mark scheme: C
Q24 · Which metal is extracted from its ore by electrolysis?
24 Which metal is extracted from its ore by electrolysis? A aluminium B copper C gold D iron
Mark scheme: A
Q25 · Which gas is present in clean air?
25 Which gas is present in clean air? A carbon dioxide B carbon monoxide C nitrogen dioxide D sulfur dioxide
Mark scheme: A
Q26 · Which statement about petroleum is correct?
26 Which statement about petroleum is correct? A It contains mostly alkene molecules. B It is a mixture of hydrocarbons. C It is separated into fractions by cracking. D Its main constituent is methane.
Mark scheme: B
Q27 · Which statement about poly(ethene) is correct?
27 Which statement about poly(ethene) is correct? A It always contains less than 12 carbon atoms. B It is formed from ethane. C It is formed from ethene. D It occurs naturally.
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · The speed–time graph represents part of a car journey
28 The speed–time graph represents part of a car journey. 18 speed m / s 10 0 0 5 time / s How far does the car travel in the part of the journey shown? A 20 m B 45 m C 70 m D 90 m
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The mass of an empty measuring cylinder is 15 g
29 The mass of an empty measuring cylinder is 15 g. Liquid is poured into it and the total mass is now 95 g. The reading on the measuring cylinder is shown. cm3 measuring cylinder 60 liquid 50 What is the density of the liquid? A 1.3 g / cm3 B 1.4 g / cm3 C 1.5 g / cm3 D 1.7 g / cm3
Mark scheme: B
Q30 · The diagram shows a child of weight 240 N sitting on a see-saw (teeter-totter) at a…
30 The diagram shows a child of weight 240 N sitting on a see-saw (teeter-totter) at a distance of 1.6 m from the pivot. 1.6 m child pivot 240 N What is the moment of the weight of the child about the pivot, with the correct unit? A 150 N m B 150 N / m C 384 N m D 384 N / m
Mark scheme: C
Q31 · Which two energy sources are both non-renewable?
31 Which two energy sources are both non-renewable? A oil and geothermal resources B oil and natural gas C tides and geothermal resources D tides and wind
Mark scheme: B
Q32 · Someone wearing wet clothes can feel cold even on a warm day
32 Someone wearing wet clothes can feel cold even on a warm day. Why do they feel cold? A Water gives out heat as it evaporates. B Water takes in heat as it evaporates. C Water vapour gives out heat as it condenses. D Water vapour takes in heat as it condenses.
Mark scheme: B
Q33 · How is thermal energy transferred from the Sun through the vacuum of space?
33 How is thermal energy transferred from the Sun through the vacuum of space? A by conduction and convection B by convection and radiation C by convection only D by radiation only
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · A ray of light enters a parallel-sided glass block
34 A ray of light enters a parallel-sided glass block. At which labelled point does the ray leave the block? A B C D glass block ray of light
Mark scheme: B
Q35 · Which change to a sound wave makes the sound louder?
35 Which change to a sound wave makes the sound louder? A decreasing the amplitude B decreasing the wavelength C increasing the amplitude D increasing the wavelength
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · Three charged balls P, Q and R are suspended by insulating threads
36 Three charged balls P, Q and R are suspended by insulating threads. Ball P is negatively charged. Ball Q is brought close to ball P. The balls move away from each other. insulating thread P – Q Ball Q is now brought close to ball R. The balls move closer to each other. Q R What are the signs of the charges on ball Q and ball R? ball Q ball R A negative negative B negative positive C positive negative D positive positive
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · Which two electrical quantities are measured in the same unit?
37 Which two electrical quantities are measured in the same unit? A current and potential difference (p.d.) B current and electromotive force (e.m.f.) C potential difference (p.d.) and electromotive force (e.m.f.) D potential difference (p.d.) and resistance
Mark scheme: C
Q38 · A battery is connected in a circuit to a 3.0 resistor, a 6.0 resistor and two…
38 A battery is connected in a circuit to a 3.0 resistor, a 6.0 resistor and two ammeters P and Q. A Q P 3.0 Ω A 6.0 Ω What is the combined resistance of the two resistors and which ammeter has the greater reading? combined ammeter with resistance / greater reading A less than 3.0 P B less than 3.0 Q C 9.0 P D 9.0 Q
Mark scheme: B
Q39 · The current in an electric kettle used to boil water is 9.0 A
39 The current in an electric kettle used to boil water is 9.0 A. What is the most appropriate rating of fuse to use with this kettle? A 1 A B 3 A C 8 A D 13 A
Mark scheme: D
Q40 · A nuclide of hydrogen is represented by H
40 A nuclide of hydrogen is represented by H. 3 1 Which row shows the number of protons and the number of neutrons in this nuclide? protons neutrons A 1 2 B 1 3 C 2 1 D 3 1
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.
1Atomic structure and the Periodic Table1Biological molecules1Carbon cycle1Characteristics of living organisms1Chromatography1Density1Diet1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electrical safety1Electrolysis1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Energy flow1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Extraction of metals1Forces1Formulas1Fuels1Group I properties1Hormones1Identification of ions and gases1Kinetic particle model of matter1Light1Motion1Noble gases1Oxides1Photosynthesis1Polymers1Redox1Respiration1Sexual reproduction in humans1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Size of specimens1Sound1The nucleus1Transfer of thermal energy1Variation1Xylem and phloem1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 Oct/Nov, Paper 1 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.