IGCSE Science - Combined (0653) — May–June 2025, Paper 21

40 questions · every question answerable online with instant point-by-point AI marking against the official mark scheme.

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Question 1 · 1 mark · Movement in and out of cells - osmosis

Osmosis can be defined as the net movement of ......1...... molecules from a region of ......2...... water potential to a region of ......3...... water potential, through a…

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Question 2 · 1 mark · Plant nutrition and transport - water uptake

The diagrams show four root hair cells. Each cell is surrounded by soil with the same volume of water present. Which root hair cell absorbs water the most rapidly? A a root hair…

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Question 3 · 1 mark · Enzymes

Which statement explains how an increase in pH affects enzyme activity? A The active site changes shape. B The substrate is denatured. C There is an increase in the kinetic…

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Question 4 · 1 mark · Photosynthesis

What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis? A CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2 B CO2 + 6H2O → 6C6H12O6 + O2 C 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 D 6CO2 + 12H2O → 6C6H12O6 + 6O2

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Question 5 · 1 mark · Photosynthesis - leaf structure

The diagram shows a transverse section through a leaf, with four labelled layers: layer 1 (waxy cuticle on the upper surface), layer 2 (upper epidermis), layer 3 (palisade…

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Question 6 · 1 mark · Animal nutrition - digestion

What is the purpose of physical digestion? A break down food into smaller pieces B break down insoluble food into soluble molecules C change food so that it can be absorbed into…

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Question 7 · 1 mark · Animal nutrition - absorption

The diagram shows the human alimentary canal and other organs, with four labelled positions: A (stomach), B (pancreas region), C (small intestine) and D (large intestine). Which…

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Question 8 · 1 mark · Respiration - aerobic respiration

Which row describes aerobic respiration? Key: ✓ = true, ✗ = false nutrient molecules broken down produces water releases energy --- --- --- --- A ✓ ✓ ✓ B ✓ ✓ ✗ C ✓ ✗ ✓ D ✗ ✓ ✓

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Question 9 · 1 mark · Reproduction in plants - pollination

Which row about the anther and stigma of a wind-pollinated flower is correct? anther position stigma position stigma description --- --- --- --- A inside flower inside flower…

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Question 10 · 1 mark · Humans and the environment - deforestation

Which row shows the effect of deforestation on oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere? oxygen concentration carbon dioxide concentration --- --- --- A…

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Question 11 · 1 mark · Organisms and their environment - ecosystems

Which term describes an area that contains all the organisms and their environment interacting together? A community B ecosystem C food chain D food web

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Question 12 · 1 mark · Disease and immunity - active immunity

Which row shows how active immunity is gained? Key: ✓ = yes, ✗ = no from antibodies supplied in an injection by vaccination after an infection by a pathogen --- --- --- --- A ✓ ✗…

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Question 13 · 1 mark · Disease and immunity - antibiotics

Which statements about antibiotics are correct? 1 An antibiotic is a drug. 2 Antibiotics kill bacteria and viruses. 3 MRSA is a type of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. A 1 and…

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Question 14 · 1 mark · Atoms, elements and compounds - elements and mixtures

Which diagram represents a mixture of elements? A particles each made of two identical (open) atoms joined together, all the same kind B a mixture of different molecules,…

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Question 15 · 1 mark · Atomic structure - atomic and mass number

A neutral atom of chlorine contains 17 electrons and 18 neutrons. What is the atomic number and what is the mass number of this atom? atomic number mass number --- --- --- A 17 35…

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Question 16 · 1 mark · The Periodic Table - periods and groups

The elements in Period 2 and Period 3 of the Periodic Table are shown. Period 2: Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne Period 3: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar Which statement about atoms of…

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Question 17 · 1 mark · Bonding - ion formation

Which statement describes the formation of ions? A Metal atoms gain electrons to form cations and non-metal atoms lose electrons to form anions. B Metal atoms gain electrons to…

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Question 18 · 1 mark · Stoichiometry - chemical formulae

The formula of sodium phosphate is Na3PO4. The formula of calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2. Which row shows the formula for calcium phosphate and the formula for sodium nitrate?…

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Question 19 · 1 mark · Electrolysis - electrolysis of aqueous solutions

Which row shows what forms at the electrodes during electrolysis of an aqueous compound? anode cathode --- --- --- A metal non-metal B non-metal metal C hydrogen metal D hydrogen…

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Question 20 · 1 mark · Energetics - exothermic and endothermic reactions

The reaction pathway diagrams for reaction X and for reaction Y are shown. In reaction X the products are at a lower energy than the reactants (energy released). In reaction Y the…

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Question 21 · 1 mark · Rate of reaction - catalysts

Which statement about catalysts is correct? A Catalysts decrease the rate of reaction. B Catalysts increase the concentration of reactants. C Catalysts are unchanged at the end of…

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Question 22 · 1 mark · Chemical changes - physical and chemical change

Which processes involve a chemical change? 1 cracking of an alkane 2 polymerisation of ethene 3 corrosion of iron A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

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Question 23 · 1 mark · Separation techniques - chromatography

A chromatogram of dyes X, Y and Z is shown. The baseline is at 0 cm and the solvent front is at 8 cm. Dye X has one spot at 4 cm. Dye Y has spots at about 2.5 cm and 7 cm. Dye Z…

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Question 24 · 1 mark · Preparation of salts - soluble salt from insoluble base

An excess of an insoluble metal carbonate is mixed with an acid. A salt is produced. Which row shows steps to obtain a pure salt from the reaction mixture? step 1 step 2 --- ---…

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Question 25 · 1 mark · Organic chemistry - reactions of alkenes

Which type of reaction occurs when alkenes react with bromine? A addition B combustion C displacement D polymerisation

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Question 26 · 1 mark · Metals - extraction of iron

Which substances are initially placed in the blast furnace during the production of iron? 1 carbon 2 carbon monoxide 3 hematite A 1 and 3 B 1 only C 2 and 3 D 3 only

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Question 27 · 1 mark · Air quality and climate - reducing climate change

Which row correctly explains a strategy to reduce the effects of climate change? strategy explanation --- --- --- A plant more trees trees use up land for growing crops B reduce…

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Question 28 · 1 mark · Motion - speed-time graphs

The graph shows how the speed of a car changes with time. The car travels at constant speed from 0 to 5 s, then accelerates (a straight line) from 5 s to 20 s, then brakes to a…

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Question 29 · 1 mark · Forces - resultant force and acceleration

The diagrams show all the forces acting on different objects. The masses of the objects are shown. Which object has an acceleration of 3.0 m/s^2? A mass 27 kg, with a 3.0 N force…

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Question 30 · 1 mark · Forces - weight, mass and gravitational field strength

Which row shows what the weight of an object depends on? Key: ✓ = depends on this, ✗ = does not depend on this mass gravitational field strength --- --- --- A ✓ ✓ B ✓ ✗ C ✗ ✓ D ✗ ✗

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Question 31 · 1 mark · States of matter - particle model of gases

The temperature of a gas increases. Which row is correct for the particles of the gas? force between particles average speed of particles --- --- --- A strong decreases B strong…

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Question 32 · 1 mark · Thermal physics - evaporation

The diagrams show two identical wide beakers and two identical narrow measuring cylinders. One of the beakers and one of the measuring cylinders contain hot water. The other…

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Question 33 · 1 mark · Thermal physics - thermal conduction

Which row shows the main method of thermal conduction in metallic and in non-metallic solids? metallic solids non-metallic solids --- --- --- A molecular vibrations molecular…

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Question 34 · 1 mark · Waves - amplitude and frequency

A student moves one end of a long rope up and down through a short distance. A transverse wave travels along the rope in the direction shown. The student now moves the rope up and…

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Question 35 · 1 mark · Light - reflection

The diagram shows a ray of light reflected at a plane mirror, X. The reflected ray strikes another plane mirror, Y. Mirror Y is at 90° to mirror X. The angle between the incident…

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Question 36 · 1 mark · Sound - speed of sound in different media

Sound travels in solids, liquids and gases. The speed of sound is different in each state. Which row shows the state with the lowest and highest speed? lowest speed highest speed…

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Question 37 · 1 mark · Electrical quantities - charge

In which unit is charge measured? A ampere B coulomb C volt D watt

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Question 38 · 1 mark · Electrical quantities - electrical power and energy

There is a current of 2.0 A in a resistor of resistance 7.5 Ω. What is the power and energy transferred in the resistor in 5.0 s? power / W energy / J --- --- --- A 15 3.0 B 15 75…

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Question 39 · 1 mark · Electric circuits - measuring resistance

A student determines the resistance of resistor R. Which circuit is used to obtain the readings needed? A an ammeter connected in series with R and a voltmeter connected in…

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Question 40 · 1 mark · Space physics - life cycle of stars

What is a possible set of stages in the life cycle of stars? A protostar → black hole → red supergiant B protostar → interstellar cloud of gas and dust → new stars C supernova →…

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