Cambridge IGCSE Sciences - Co-ordinated (Double) 0654 — 2024 May/June Paper 1 · Variant 2
0654/12/M/J/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 two characteristics of living organisms are demonstrated by gravitropism?
1 Which two characteristics of living organisms are demonstrated by gravitropism? A growth and nutrition B growth and sensitivity C respiration and nutrition D respiration and sensitivity
Mark scheme: B
Q2 · By which process does oxygen pass from the alveoli to the blood capillaries in the lungs?
2 By which process does oxygen pass from the alveoli to the blood capillaries in the lungs? A diffusion B osmosis C secretion D transpiration
Mark scheme: A
Q3 · What are the products when oils are digested?
3 What are the products when oils are digested? A amino acids and glycerol B fats and amino acids C fatty acids and glycerol D fatty acids and sugars
Mark scheme: C
Q4 · The diagram shows part of the human alimentary canal and associated organs
4 The diagram shows part of the human alimentary canal and associated organs. 1 4 3 2 Which labels identify the liver, pancreas and stomach? liver pancreas stomach A 2 1 3 B 2 3 1 C 4 2 3 D 4 2 1
Mark scheme: D
Q5 · The diagram shows the cross-section of part of a leaf with cells labelled W, X, Y and Z
5 The diagram shows the cross-section of part of a leaf with cells labelled W, X, Y and Z. X W Z Y Which cells lose most water and which cells absorb most carbon dioxide during the daytime? A W and X B X and Y C Y and Z D W and Z
Mark scheme: A
Q6 · A scientist places equal volumes of starch and saliva into a test-tube
6 A scientist places equal volumes of starch and saliva into a test-tube. After 30 minutes, the mixture in the test-tube is tested with iodine solution. The iodine solution remains brown. Which process does this experiment demonstrate? A absorption B assimilation C digestion D ingestion
Mark scheme: C
Q7 · The diagram shows some blood viewed under a light microscope
7 The diagram shows some blood viewed under a light microscope. How many red blood cells are shown? A 1 B 2 C 5 D 7
Mark scheme: D
Q8 · Which statement about the composition of expired air, compared with inspired air, is…
8 Which statement about the composition of expired air, compared with inspired air, is correct? A The percentage of carbon dioxide is decreased and the percentage of water vapour is increased. B The percentage of carbon dioxide is increased and the percentage of water vapour is increased. C The percentage of oxygen is decreased and the percentage of carbon dioxide is decreased. D The percentage of oxygen is increased and the percentage of carbon dioxide is decreased.
Mark scheme: B
Q9 · Which row about hormones is correct?
9 Which row about hormones is correct? means of transport where produced site of action A alimentary canal glands target organs B alimentary canal organs all organs C blood glands target organs D blood organs all organs
Mark scheme: C
Q10 · The diagram shows the human female reproductive system
10 The diagram shows the human female reproductive system. Where is the embryo normally implanted to enable it to develop into a healthy fetus? A D B C
Mark scheme: D
Q11 · Which statement describes a heterozygous genotype?
11 Which statement describes a heterozygous genotype? A not pure breeding with two different alleles B not pure breeding with two identical alleles C pure breeding with two different alleles D pure breeding with two identical alleles
Mark scheme: A
Q12 · Which statement about organisms in a food chain is correct?
12 Which statement about organisms in a food chain is correct? A A carnivore is an organism that gets its energy by eating plants. B A consumer is an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms. C A herbivore is an organism that gets its energy by eating animals. D A producer is an organism that gets its energy from dead or waste matter.
Mark scheme: B
Q13 · The diagram shows gas exchange by two groups of organisms during the hours of darkness
13 The diagram shows gas exchange by two groups of organisms during the hours of darkness. the atmosphere P S Q R producers consumers Which letters represent gases that are part of the carbon cycle? A P and Q B P and R C P and S D Q and S
Mark scheme: B
Q14 · Which statement about atoms is correct?
14 Which statement about atoms is correct? A All atoms contain equal numbers of neutrons and protons. B All atoms of the same element have the same number of neutrons. C The Periodic Table lists atoms in order of increasing mass number. D The smallest unit of an element is an atom.
Mark scheme: D
Q15 · Which substances exist as covalent molecules?
15 Which substances exist as covalent molecules? 1 helium 2 chlorine 3 sodium chloride 4 ethanol A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: C
Q16 · Which diagram shows the structure of graphite?
16 Which diagram shows the structure of graphite? A B C D
Mark scheme: A
Q17 · Which oxides of nitrogen have the same ratio of nitrogen atoms to oxygen atoms?
17 Which oxides of nitrogen have the same ratio of nitrogen atoms to oxygen atoms? 1 N2O 2 NO 3 NO2 4 N2O4 A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4
Mark scheme: D
Q18 · Hydrogen gas is given off when zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid
18 Hydrogen gas is given off when zinc reacts with dilute sulfuric acid. Which piece of apparatus is used to collect the hydrogen gas and measure its volume? A balance B gas syringe C pipette D test-tube
Mark scheme: B
Q19 · The equation for the reaction between iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3, and carbon is shown
19 The equation for the reaction between iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3, and carbon is shown. 2Fe2O3 + 3C 4Fe + 3CO2 Which statement about this reaction is correct? A C is oxidised. B CO2 is reduced. C Fe is oxidised. D Fe2O3 is oxidised.
Mark scheme: A
Q20 · The waste from a factory is acidic
20 The waste from a factory is acidic. The factory treats the waste with limestone. Which row shows the pH of the waste before and after treatment? before after A 6 5 B 6 7 C 8 7 D 8 9
Mark scheme: B
More questions on The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Q21 · White solid X reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid
21 White solid X reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid. A gas is produced which turns limewater milky. A flame test is done on solid X and produces a red coloured flame. What is X? A lithium carbonate B lithium chloride C potassium carbonate D potassium chloride
Mark scheme: A
Q22 · Different minerals contain different elements
22 Different minerals contain different elements. Which mineral contains three non-metallic elements? mineral formula A chalcopyrite CuFeS2 B cryolite Na3Al F6 C gypsum CaSO4•2H2O D ilmenite FeTiO3
Mark scheme: C
Q23 · Manganese is a transition element
23 Manganese is a transition element. What is a property of manganese? A high melting point B low density C thermal insulator D transparent
Mark scheme: A
Q24 · Which process is used to increase the hardness of a metal?
24 Which process is used to increase the hardness of a metal? A Mix the metal with a gas. B Mix the metal with another element. C Mix the metal with a polymer. D Mix the metal with its ore.
Mark scheme: B
Q25 · Which compound contains two of the three elements needed in a fertiliser used for plant…
25 Which compound contains two of the three elements needed in a fertiliser used for plant growth? A potassium carbonate B potassium chloride C potassium nitrate D potassium sulfate
Mark scheme: C
Q26 · Which type of reaction is used to manufacture lime from limestone?
26 Which type of reaction is used to manufacture lime from limestone? A addition polymerisation B cracking C neutralisation D thermal decomposition
Mark scheme: D
Q27 · Poly(ethene) is made from ethene by addition polymerisation
27 Poly(ethene) is made from ethene by addition polymerisation. Which word describes ethene in this process? A fuel B catalyst C monomer D solvent
Mark scheme: C
Q28 · The graph shows how the speed of an object varies with time
28 The graph shows how the speed of an object varies with time. The speed of the object is v at time t. v speed 0 0 t time Which expression gives the distance travelled by the object in time t ? 1 v v 1 A B t C 2vt D vt 2 t
Mark scheme: C
Q29 · The diagram shows a block of metal of mass 72 g
29 The diagram shows a block of metal of mass 72 g. 2.0 cm 3.0 cm 4.0 cm What is the density of the metal? A 3.0 g / cm3 B 6.0 g / cm3 C 9.0 g / cm3 D 12 g / cm3
Mark scheme: A
Q30 · Which statement about a resultant force is correct?
30 Which statement about a resultant force is correct? A An object must have a resultant force acting on it if it is moving. B An object must have a resultant force acting on it if it is slowing down. C Two forces must be in the same direction to produce a resultant force. D Two forces must have the same magnitude to produce a resultant force.
Mark scheme: B
Q31 · What is the energy source for a wind turbine that is producing electricity?
31 What is the energy source for a wind turbine that is producing electricity? A chemical potential energy of wind B gravitational potential energy of wind C kinetic energy of wind D thermal energy of wind
Mark scheme: C
Q32 · A copper disc has a hole at its centre that is slightly too small to fit over a copper…
32 A copper disc has a hole at its centre that is slightly too small to fit over a copper cylinder. copper disc copper cylinder How can the disc be fitted over the cylinder? A Cool the disc and then fit it over the cylinder. B Cool the disc, heat the cylinder and then fit the disc over the cylinder. C Heat the cylinder and then fit it through the hole in the disc. D Heat the disc and then fit it over the cylinder.
Mark scheme: D
Q33 · The diagram shows a ray of light travelling from glass into air
33 The diagram shows a ray of light travelling from glass into air. Which labelled arrow shows the path of the light in the air? B A C D air glass ray of light
Mark scheme: D
Q34 · The diagrams represent two different sound waves, P and Q, drawn to the same scale
34 The diagrams represent two different sound waves, P and Q, drawn to the same scale. wave P displacement time wave Q displacement time How do the loudness and the pitch of the sounds compare? higher- louder pitched sound sound A P P B P Q C Q P D Q Q
Mark scheme: D
Q35 · When two different, uncharged, insulating materials are rubbed together, one becomes…
35 When two different, uncharged, insulating materials are rubbed together, one becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged. What happens to cause the materials to become charged? positively charged material negatively charged material A gains protons gains electrons B gains protons loses protons C loses electrons gains electrons D loses electrons loses protons
Mark scheme: C
Q36 · For which quantities is the unit the volt?
36 For which quantities is the unit the volt? A current and potential difference (p.d.) B electromotive force (e.m.f.) and potential difference (p.d.) C electromotive force (e.m.f.) and resistance D potential difference (p.d.) and resistance
Mark scheme: B
Q37 · A 2.0 resistor and a 1.0 resistor are connected in series with a cell
37 A 2.0 resistor and a 1.0 resistor are connected in series with a cell. 2.0 Ω 1.0 Ω Which statement about current in the circuit is correct? A The current in the 2.0 resistor is double the current in the 1.0 resistor. B The current in the 2.0 resistor is equal to the current in the 1.0 resistor. C The current in the 2.0 resistor is half the current in the 1.0 resistor. D The current in the cell is larger than the current in either resistor.
Mark scheme: B
Q38 · A coil lies between the poles of a magnet
38 A coil lies between the poles of a magnet. There is a current in the coil and this causes a turning effect. Which change does not increase the turning effect on the coil? A changing the direction of the current B increasing the current C using a stronger magnet D using more turns in the coil
Mark scheme: A
Q39 · An atom of an isotope of strontium (Sr) has a proton number of 38 and contains 52 neutrons
39 An atom of an isotope of strontium (Sr) has a proton number of 38 and contains 52 neutrons. What is the nuclide notation for this isotope? A 52 Sr B 90 Sr C 38 Sr D 90 Sr 38 38 52 52
Mark scheme: B
Q40 · The graph shows the decay curve for a radioactive substance
40 The graph shows the decay curve for a radioactive substance. 800 emissions 700 per minute 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 time / hours What is the half-life of this substance? A 2.0 hours B 3.2 hours C 5.0 hours D 10 hours
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 Table1Blood1Carbon cycle1Characteristics of living organisms1Chromosomes and genes1Density1Diffusion1Digestion1Digestive system1Electrical circuits1Electrical quantities1Electromagnetic effects1Elements, compounds and mixtures1Energy, work and power1Enzymes1Experimental design1Food chains and food webs1Forces1Formulas1Gas exchange in humans1Giant covalent structures1Hormones1Identification of ions and gases1Leaf structure1Light1Motion1Physical and chemical changes1Polymers1Preparation of salts1Radioactivity1Redox1Sexual reproduction in humans1Simple molecules and covalent bonds1Simple phenomena of magnetism1Sound1The characteristic properties of acids and bases1The nucleus1Thermal properties and temperature1Transition elements1What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2024 May/June, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.