Characteristics and classification of living organisms — IGCSE Biology (0970) questions by topic
Characteristics and classification questions name the genus of a chimpanzee species, sort animals into the correct arthropod groupings, identify life processes such as excretion and respiration shown by a photographed margay, and count how many of four pictured arthropods are actually insects.
State, choose, identify, describe and complete lead 40 real questions worth 1 to 17 marks from 2023 to 2025 papers. Classification questions like these reward knowing the precise defining features of each group, so submitting an answer for instant marking flags exactly which feature, such as leg number or body segmentation, has been misapplied to the wrong group.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
The diagram shows how a seed changes after it is planted in soil and watered. The sequence shows four stages: a dormant seed in the soil, then the seed with a small root (radicle)…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which row describes each part of the binominal system name for humans (Homo sapiens)? Homo sapiens --- --- --- A genus kingdom B genus species C species genus D species kingdom
Answer this question and get it marked →What are the characteristics of fish? maintain a constant body temperature eggs covered in jelly external ears present scales present --- --- --- --- --- A yes no yes no B yes yes…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
When a herbivore sees a carnivore, which characteristic of living things is involved? A excretion B growth C reproduction D sensitivity
Answer this question and get it marked →Which organism has been named using the binomial system? A Brown seaweed B Polar bear C Red fox D Vulpes vulpes
Answer this question and get it marked →Which list contains only arthropods? A amphibians, insects, myriapods B arachnids, crustaceans, myriapods C crustaceans, insects, fish D insects, myriapods, reptiles
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
Which characteristic of living things requires carbon dioxide to diffuse into a leaf? A excretion B movement C nutrition D respiration
Answer this question and get it marked →Which set of features is characteristic only of birds? A hair and wings B hard-shelled eggs and feathers C scales and soft-shelled eggs D wings and soft-shelled eggs
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
The photograph shows an animal called a margay. (A photograph shows a margay, a spotted wild cat, resting on a tree branch.) Four processes that occur in the margay are listed. -…
Answer this question and get it marked →A single-celled organism has chloroplasts, a cell wall and a nucleus. Which kingdom is this organism placed in? A fungus B plant C prokaryote D protoctist
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 31
Reproduction is one characteristic of living organisms. State two other characteristics.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 32
Fig. 7.1 is a photograph of an Asian elephant, Elephas maximus. [Fig. 7.1: Photograph of an Asian elephant standing in water at the edge of vegetation.] State the genus name for…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
The photograph shows an elephant hawk-moth. Using the features visible in the photograph, to which group of arthropods does the elephant hawk-moth belong? A arachnids B…
Answer this question and get it marked →What does the term species mean? A a group of animals that reproduce asexually B a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring C all the plants that live in…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
The diagram shows an animal. Use the key to identify the animal. 1 has two wings → go to 2; has four wings → go to 3 2 has antennae much shorter than legs → A; has antennae about…
Answer this question and get it marked →Donkeys and zebras are different species. They can breed to produce an animal called a zedonk. Zedonks are not fertile. Which statement is correct? A Zedonks and donkeys are the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Crabs are arthropods with 10 jointed legs and two pairs of antennae. To which arthropod class do they belong? A arachnids B crustaceans C insects D myriapods
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 22
What is the first part of the scientific name of an organism, using the binomial system? A genus B group C kingdom D species
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 41
Fig. 1.1 is a photograph of a fish. Fig. 1.2 is a photograph of an amphibian. State two visible features that distinguish the fish in Fig. 1.1 from the amphibian in Fig. 1.2.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 42
Fig. 5.1 is a photograph of a koala. Koalas are marsupial mammals that give birth to offspring that are incompletely developed. The offspring develops further for several months…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
The table shows the scientific names and the common names of four plants. scientific name common name --- --- Althaea officinalis marsh mallow Hottonia palustris water violet…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows an arthropod with many body segments and many pairs of legs. Which group does this arthropod belong to?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Which organisms carry out respiration, growth, movement and excretion?
Answer this question and get it marked →The chimpanzee belongs to the species Pan troglodytes. What is the genus of this species?
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a tree leaf with multiple leaflets arranged along a central stalk, with jagged leaf edges. Use the key to identify the tree species to which the leaf belongs.…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 32
A population of a species of fish was accidentally introduced into a lake. State two features that can be used to classify this introduced species as a fish. 1 2
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 42
Organisms from the genus Chlorella are protoctists. State the additional information required to name Chlorella according to the binomial system.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
The scientific name for the golden eagle is Aquila chrysaetos. What is the genus of the golden eagle? A Aquila B chrysaetos C eagle D golden
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows four arthropods (Pediculus ×20, Anopheles ×10, Dermacentor ×7, Carcinus ×0.5). How many of these arthropods are insects? A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Some statements about species are given. 1 Members of a species all look identical. 2 Members of a species belong to the same genus. 3 Members of a species can produce fertile…
Answer this question and get it marked →The table shows some features of different animals (wings, hair, scales) for rows A–D, with shaded cells indicating the feature is present. Which animal is a reptile? A B C D
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
The scientific name for the golden eagle is Aquila chrysaetos. What is the genus of the golden eagle? A Aquila B chrysaetos C eagle D golden
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
Some statements about species are given. 1 Members of a species all look identical. 2 Members of a species belong to the same genus. 3 Members of a species can produce fertile…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 31
Describe the meaning of the term species.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 32
Fig. 1.1 shows a photograph of a pseudoscorpion, with the part labelled A. State two features, visible in Fig. 1.1, that can be used to classify this organism as an arachnid.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Using the binomial system, the Arctic fox is called Vulpes lagopus. Which row is correct? Columns: Vulpes; lagopus. A genus; kingdom B genus; species C species; genus D species;…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams show four different types of arthropod, each labelled with an arthropod group (crustacean, insect, myriapod, arachnid). Which organism is labelled with its correct…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Using the binomial system, the Arctic fox is called Vulpes lagopus. Which row is correct? Columns: Vulpes; lagopus. A genus; kingdom B genus; species C species; genus D species;…
Answer this question and get it marked →Which feature is found in viruses? A cell wall B mitochondria C nucleus D protein coat
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
All living organisms can be classified into groups by the features they share. Complete the sentences about classifying organisms. A species is a group of organisms that reproduce…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Biology topics
- Human nutrition (75)
- Organisms and their environment (64)
- Coordination and response (62)
- Reproduction (53)
- Organisation of the organism (cells) (50)
- Plant nutrition (42)
- Variation and selection (40)
- Transport in animals (39)
- Inheritance (39)
- Movement into and out of cells (38)
- Transport in plants (38)
- Respiration (32)