Cambridge IGCSE Twenty-First Century Science 0608 — 2009 Oct/Nov Paper 4 · Variant 1
0608/41/O/N/09 · 60 marks · ≈68 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 scheme6 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.






Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
This document consists of 16 printed pages. DC (SHW) 00420 3/09 11453/2 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS International General Certificate of Secondary Education READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. You may use a pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Answer all questions. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. * 3 0 7 1 7 8 4 6 1 4 * 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE 0608/04 Paper 4 October/November 2009 1 hour 30 minutes Candidates answer on the Question Paper. No Additional Materials are required. For Examiner’s Use 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total www.XtremePapers.com
Question paper, page 2
2 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 1 This question is about gases in the air. (a) The table shows three gases. Finish the table by adding the percentage of each gas in unpolluted air. gas percentage in unpolluted air argon nitrogen oxygen [2] (b) Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant gas. Scientists measure the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the air next to a busy highway and a quiet country road. Their results are shown in the table. nitrogen dioxide concentration / micrograms per cubic metre location sample 1 sample 2 sample 3 sample 4 sample 5 mean highway 45 43 43 46 48 45 country road 8 12 9 10 6 9 (i) The scientists use the mean (average) values from their results as best estimates of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in each location. They decide that the best estimate of the nitrogen dioxide concentration from the highway is more reliable than that from the country road. Suggest why this best estimate is more reliable. … … [1] (ii) The scientists decide that there is a real difference between the nitrogen dioxide concentration in the air next to the highway and next to the country road. Show how their results support this decision. … … … [2]
Question paper, page 3
3 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (c) Car exhaust fumes contain nitrogen monoxide. This reacts with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen dioxide. Complete the diagram below to show the molecules of nitrogen dioxide produced in this reaction. + nitrogen monoxide nitrogen dioxide oxygen [2] [Total: 7]
Question paper, page 4
4 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 2 Sewage pipes used to be made from ceramic material. This is made by heating clay in an oven. Ceramic material is hard, inflexible and brittle. Modern sewage pipes are made from poly(ethene) which is tough and flexible. (a) Sewage pipes are laid underground and sometimes crack when the ground moves. Explain why poly(ethene) is better than ceramic material for sewage pipes. … … [1] (b) Some parts of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for sewage pipes made from poly(ethene) are different from those for sewage pipes made from ceramic material. Describe two parts of the LCA that are different for sewage pipes made from these two materials. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (c) Poly(ethene) is also used to make supermarket carrier bags. The LCA for poly(ethene) in sewage pipes is different from that for poly(ethene) in carrier bags. Describe one part of the LCA that is different and explain why. … … … … [2] (d) Poly(ethene) can be made more flexible by adding a plasticizer. The addition of this chemical also lowers the melting point of the polymer. Use ideas about the forces between particles to explain how the plasticizer changes the properties of poly(ethene). … … … … [2] [Total: 7]
Question paper, page 5
5 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use 3 This question is about some of the compounds found in plants. (a) Look at these three chemical formulae: C2H6, C6H12O6, C2H5O2N. Choose the name of each type of compound from this list. amino acid carbohydrate hydrocarbon Write the type of compound in the box below each formula. C2H6 C6H12O6 C2H5O2N [2] (b) To make compounds containing nitrogen, plants absorb soluble nitrogen compounds from the soil. (i) Some farmers add soluble nitrogen compounds to the soil in synthetic fertilisers. Others do no use synthetic fertilisers. Use ideas about social and economic contexts to explain this difference. … … … … [2] (ii) Soluble nitrogen compounds are added to the soil naturally in the nitrogen cycle. Describe two ways that nitrogen compounds are added to the soil as part of the nitrogen cycle. 1 … … 2 … … [2] [Total: 6]
Question paper, page 6
6 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 4 This question is about the theory of continental drift. (a) In 1915, Alfred Wegener suggested his theory of continental drift. He based his theory on a number of observations he and other scientists made. Write down two observations which Wegener used to support his theory. Observation 1 … … Observation 2 … … [2] (b) In 1915, other scientists did not agree with Wegener’s theory of continental drift. Suggest one reason why they did not agree with Wegener’s theory. … … [1] (c) Wegener’s theory is now accepted as being true. It was supported by the discovery that some sea-floors are getting larger. This is called sea-floor spreading. State a typical distance that a sea-floor would spread in a year. typical sea-floor spread = … [1]
Question paper, page 7
7 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (d) The evidence for sea-floor spreading was provided by magnetic ‘stripes’ of rocks on the sea-floor near mid-ocean ridges. In the diagram below, the black stripes are magnetised in one direction, and the white stripes are magnetised in the opposite direction. mid-ocean ridge (i) Explain what has happened to the rocks to give the differences in magnetism shown by the black and white stripes. In your answer, you should explain what is happening at the mid-ocean ridge. … … … [2] (ii) Explain how the diagram provides evidence for sea-floor spreading. … … … [2] [Total: 8]
Question paper, page 8
8 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 5 Mobile phones are getting more and more popular throughout the world, but some people are concerned that their microwave radiation may be harmful. Read these different people’s views on mobile phones. Everyone I know has a mobile phone, and none of them has any health problems. Chen No-one can be certain that mobile phones are safe. I’m not going to have one myself. Aruna Microwaves cannot split molecules into bits. The only way they can harm you is by heating. They are too weak to heat you much. Bilal I need my mobile phone for important calls. I don’t use it very much. David (a) Which two of these people mention a way to reduce the possible risk from mobile phone radiation? Put ticks (✓) in the boxes next to the two correct names. Aruna Bilal Chen David [2] (b) Which one of these people says that the benefits of having a mobile phone are greater than the risks they might cause? Put a tick (✓) in the box next to the correct name. Aruna Bilal Chen David [1]
Question paper, page 9
9 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (c) Which one of these people is applying the precautionary principle? Put a tick (✓) in the box next to the correct name. Aruna Bilal Chen David [1] (d) Which one of these people is telling us that microwaves are not ionizing? Put a tick (✓) in the box next to the correct name. Aruna Bilal Chen David [1] [Total: 5]
Question paper, page 10
10 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 6 This question is about nuclear waste. (a) Two of the commonest radioactive isotopes in nuclear waste are strontium-90 and caesium-137. These have very similar half-lives. The activity of caesium-137 is shown in this graph. 0 0 time in years activity in counts per second 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 500 1000 1500 2000 (i) Use the graph to describe what happens to the activity of caesium-137 with time. … … … [2] (ii) Use the graph to find the half-life of caesium-137. Show your working on the graph or in this space. half-life of caesium-137 = … years [1]
Question paper, page 11
11 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (b) One long-lived isotope produced in nuclear fission is technetium-99, which has a half-life of 200 000 years. Calculate the time taken for the activity of a sample of technetium-99 to drop to one-eighth (12.5%) of its original activity. You should show your working. time taken = … years [2] (c) Intermediate level waste produced in nuclear power stations may be radioactive for thousands of years. Governments of countries producing nuclear waste have to make decisions about how to dispose of this intermediate level waste. Methods that have been suggested include • firing it into space in rockets • burying it deep underground • keeping it in storage containers at ground level. Choose one of these disposal methods and give arguments for and against it. You should include whether it can be done and whether it should be done. … … … … … … [3] [Total: 8]
Question paper, page 12
12 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 7 Stem cell research is a rapidly advancing field of science. It uses cells taken from embryos that are only a few days old. The stem cells can be used to treat illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease. (a) What feature of embryonic stem cells makes them useful? … … … [1] (b) Read these statements, made by five different people. A An embryo has the same human rights as any person. B Stem cell research could provide valuable treatments for millions of people with incurable diseases. C Stem cell research is a very interesting area of science. D The embryos used are those left over from fertility treatments so they would be discarded anyway. E Most human embryos do not develop beyond two weeks. Which of these statements, A, B, C, D or E suggests that (i) the right decision is the one which leads to the best outcome for the majority of people involved, … [1] (ii) certain actions are never justified because they are wrong. … [1]
Question paper, page 13
13 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (c) Identical twins are natural clones. Scientists can also clone whole animals artificially. Describe how the process of artificial cloning is carried out. … … … … … [2] [Total: 5]
Question paper, page 14
14 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use 8 Microorganisms may enter the body and cause illness. Vaccinations provide protection against these microorganisms. A vaccination is when a safe form of the disease-causing microorganism is put into someone’s body. (a) Describe how vaccinations provide protection from microorganisms in the body. … … … [2] (b) Read this article. Number of measles cases soars due to fears over MMR jab The number of new cases of measles in the UK has risen to almost 20 times higher than a decade ago. Measles is a highly infectious illness which can cause severe disability or death. This rise is thought to be due to the relatively low uptake of the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine over the last decade. A large number of children are not fully vaccinated against these diseases and measles is spreading easily amongst these children. There is now the real risk of a measles epidemic. Earlier research had suggested a link between the MMR jab and the developmental disability autism, although this link has now been disproved. Use the article to help you answer the following questions. (i) Suggest one reason for and one reason against having your child immunised with the MMR jab. … … … [1] (ii) Explain why the article says ‘There is now the real risk of a measles epidemic’. … … … [1]
Question paper, page 15
15 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 [Turn over For Examiner’s Use (iii) For society as a whole, there is huge benefit if all children receive the MMR vaccination. Suggest why governments may not make the MMR vaccination compulsory for all children. … … [1] (c) The article mentions a link between the MMR vaccination and autism. The graph shows the number of cases of autism in children and the percentage of children receiving the MMR vaccination over the same time period. 1400 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 number of cases of autism in children % of children receiving the MMR vaccination year 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 Suggest whether this graph shows a correlation between the MMR vaccination and autism. Explain your answer. … … … [2] (d) HIV is the virus which causes AIDS. Why is it difficult to develop an effective vaccine against the HIV virus? … … … [2] [Total: 9]
Question paper, page 16
16 0608/04/O/N/09 © UCLES 2009 For Examiner’s Use Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge. 9 In 1831, Charles Darwin sailed around the world on the ship HMS Beagle. The journey took 5 years. During this time, he looked at many different plants and animals. Darwin later proposed ideas to explain his observations. (a) Which of the following statements are data, D, and which are explanations, E? Write the correct letter, D or E, in the box next to each statement. D or E All living things change over time by a process called evolution. Fossils in older rocks are different from those in younger ones. Individuals of the same species are all different. Some species become extinct. [2] (b) Darwin proposed that evolution happens by a process called natural selection. Describe the process of natural selection. Use the following terms in your answer. • competition • reproduction • variation … … … … … [3] [Total: 5]
Mark scheme, page 1
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS International General Certificate of Secondary Education MARK SCHEME for the October/November 2009 question paper for the guidance of teachers 0608 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE 0608/04 Paper 4 (Written – Extended), maximum raw mark 60 This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes must be read in conjunction with the question papers and the report on the examination. • CIE will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes. CIE is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2009 question papers for most IGCSE, GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level syllabuses. www.XtremePapers.com
Mark scheme, page 2
Page 2 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper IGCSE – October/November 2009 0608 04 © UCLES 2009 1 (a) 1 78 21 all correct = 2 two or one correct = 1 [2] (b) (i) the range is smaller / the values are closer [1] (ii) the mean for the highway/45 is not within the range for the country road/6 to 9; the mean for the country road/9 is not within the range for the highway/43 to 48 allow ‘the ranges do not overlap’ for one mark [2] (c) one mark for each molecule, circles must touch [2] [Total: 7] 2 (a) polythene is more flexible so less likely to crack ora [1] (b) energy needed to make material; environmental impact of making material; energy needed to make pipe from material; environmental impact of making pipe from material; environmental impact of disposing of pipe any two [2] (c) description: energy/environmental impact of making product from material / energy/environmental impact of using the product; explanation: product has different shape/thickness/size/amount of material / product is used in different way/lasts different length of time accept valid alternatives [2] (d) particles/chains held together by forces; plasticizer molecules get between chains and make forces weaker [2] [Total: 7]
Mark scheme, page 3
Page 3 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper IGCSE – October/November 2009 0608 04 © UCLES 2009 3 (a) hydrocarbon carbohydrate amino acid all correct = 2 two or one correct = 1 [2] (b) (i) farmers growing organic produce do not use synthetic fertiliser; they can get a higher price for organic produce; or farmers in developing countries do not use synthetic fertiliser; they cannot afford it; accept valid alternatives [2] (ii) by action of lightning forming nitrogen oxides; by nitrifying/nitrogen fixing bacteria in roots of legumes/in the soil; [2] [Total: 6] 4 (a) Any two of the following ‘fits’ or ‘matches’: continents; fossils; mountain chains; rocks types One mark for each correct response. If more than 2 given, mark first two only. [2] (b) Any one of: cannot detect continents move; Wegener was an outsider to the community of geologists; too big an idea on limited evidence; simpler explanations worked as well. [1] (c) 10 cm Allow between 1 cm and 50 cm [1] (d) (i) hot magma rises (at ridge) and solidifies; Earth’s magnetic field changes from time to time; magnetisation ‘frozen in’ when magma solidifies; rocks pushed outwards by fresh magma rising Any two points [2] (ii) thin and thick stripes (roughly) symmetrical about the ridge; implies that ‘pairs’ of stripes were created at the same time (and spread out). [2] [Total: 8]
Mark scheme, page 4
Page 4 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper IGCSE – October/November 2009 0608 04 © UCLES 2009 5 (a) Aruna Bilal Chen David One mark each. Deduct a mark for each extra tick. [2] (b) Aruna Bilal Chen David [1] (c) Aruna Bilal Chen David [1] (d) Aruna Bilal Chen David [1] [Total: 5] 6 (a) (i) goes down (1); change gets less and less with time (1) [2] (ii) 30 years Must have indication on graph or explanation in space [1] (b) evidence of halving in 200 000 years (1); 3 half lives, so 600 000 years (1) [2] (c) space: for: well away from Earth / permanent disposal; against: accident on take-off would spread waste widely / very costly underground: for: far from people / will be safe for millions of years; against: could leak into environment / vulnerable to earthquakes / unpopular with local residents on surface: for: cheap and easy to transport / can be supervised against: vulnerable to earthquakes / terrorists etc could target them / can corrode and leak / unpopular with local residents Conclusion: answer must weigh up for and against and come to a reasoned decision Needs 1 for, 1 against and 1 conclusion mark [3] [Total: 8]
Mark scheme, page 5
Page 5 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper IGCSE – October/November 2009 0608 04 © UCLES 2009 7 (a) unspecialised cells so can develop into any type of cell [1] (b) (i) B [1] (ii) A [1] (c) nucleus removed from egg cell; nucleus from adult body cell transferred to the empty egg cell; [2] [Total: 5] 8 (a) white blood cells produce antibodies against the safe form of the disease / white blood cells retain a ‘memory’ of the disease; if the ‘real’ disease is encountered these white cells can quickly produce antibodies against it [2] (b) (i) For: measles can cause disability or death / reduces disease in population; Against: a perceived risk of autism / pain/trauma to child need one for and one against for mark accept any reasonable ideas [1] (ii) not a high enough % of population are vaccinated; [1] (iii) personal choice / not right to force people / people should be allowed to decide for themselves / some people may be inaccessible / may be too expensive [1] (c) (no) because: number of cases of autism rises steeply whereas % of vaccinations does not really fluctuate/ is approximately consistent; if there was a correlation you would see a similar rise in both autism and vaccinations [2] (d) virus has a high mutation rate / virus mutates quickly; white blood cells will not recognise new form of virus / virus damages immune system [2] [Total: 9]
Mark scheme, page 6
Page 6 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper IGCSE – October/November 2009 0608 04 © UCLES 2009 9 (a) E D D D all correct = 2 3/2 correct = 1 1 correct = 0 [2] (b) there is variation within a species/among offspring; there is competition between individuals for resources/named resource; some individuals are better adapted, more so are likely to survive to reproduce [3] [Total: 5]
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2009 Oct/Nov, Paper 4 · Variant 1. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.