Metals — IGCSE Science - Combined (0653) questions by topic
Reactivity comparisons drive this topic: predicting products of metal-acid reactions, identifying which substance reduces iron oxide in the blast furnace, and choosing suitable apparatus to time gas production. Suggest, state and identify are the leading command words, with suggest often wanting a comparison between two named metals rather than a single description.
These 18 real questions, drawn from 2023 to 2025 papers, carry 1 to 9 marks, so quick multiple-choice recall sits alongside short comparative answers. Practising with instant marking suits this topic well, since it catches straight away when a reactivity comparison names only one metal instead of comparing both, which the mark scheme requires.
What examiners look for
- A frequent error picks iron, the least reactive metal listed, when a more reactive metal is required for the comparison.
- Reports criticise answers that simply state copper is unreactive or zinc is reactive, without directly comparing the two reactivities.
- Apparatus questions are often answered with test-tube or cylinder where a stop-watch is needed to measure gas volume over time.
- Strong answers name hydrogen as the gas produced, compare the reactivities of zinc and copper directly, and cite temperature, concentration or catalyst as ways to increase reaction rate.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Which statement explains why aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis and not by heating with carbon? A Aluminium is more reactive than carbon. B Aluminium is more…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Which row shows the name of an ore of iron and the process used to extract iron from the ore? ore process --- --- --- A bauxite electrolysis B bauxite reduction in the blast…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
What is produced when calcium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid? A calcium chloride + hydrogen B calcium chloride + water C calcium hydroxide + chlorine D calcium hydroxide +…
Answer this question and get it marked →Iron nails are placed in four test-tubes under different conditions and left for two weeks. The conditions are: A tap water B boiled tap water (oxygen removed) C moist air D…
Answer this question and get it marked →Brass is an alloy. Which statement describes brass? A Brass is made of pure copper. B Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc. C Brass is a mixture of lead and tin. D Brass is made…
Answer this question and get it marked →In the blast furnace, iron(III) oxide reacts with carbon monoxide to form iron. What happens to the iron(III) oxide? A It is oxidised by gaining oxygen. B It is oxidised by losing…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 21
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
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
Which element does not produce a gas when added to dilute hydrochloric acid? A copper B iron C magnesium D zinc
Answer this question and get it marked →Which row describes the extraction of iron from its ore? name of ore method of extraction --- --- --- A bauxite electrolysis B bauxite reduction in a blast furnace C hematite…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 23
Which diagram represents the structure of an alloy? A shows a regular lattice of alternating positive (+) and negative (–) ions (an ionic compound). B shows a close-packed…
Answer this question and get it marked →Iron is extracted from hematite in the blast furnace. Which row shows the substance that reduces iron(III) oxide and the source of this substance in the blast furnace? substance…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 32
Aluminium ore contains aluminium oxide. Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide in the process shown in Fig. 5.1 (a carbon cathode and carbon anode in a molten mixture…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 33
A student investigates the reactions of iron using iron nails. The student places an iron nail into water, as shown in Fig. 2.1. Water is needed for iron to rust. State one other…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 31
Copper is a metal. (a) Copper is used to make wires for electrical circuits. State one property of copper that makes it suitable for use as a wire for electrical circuits.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 32
A student investigates the reactions of four metals with dilute hydrochloric acid, HCl. In the first experiment, the student adds a piece of each metal to separate test-tubes of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 33
A student investigates the reactions of four metals with dilute hydrochloric acid, HCl. In the first experiment, the student adds a piece of each metal to separate test-tubes of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
A student investigates the reaction of dilute hydrochloric acid with different metals, measuring the volume of gas produced during the first 20 s using the apparatus in Fig. 5.1.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Iron is extracted from hematite in a blast furnace. The chemical equation for one of the reactions in the blast furnace is shown: Fe2O3 + CO → Fe + CO2 Complete the balanced…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Science - Combined topics
- Practical skills (96)
- Motion, forces and energy (53)
- Electricity and magnetism (38)
- Waves (32)
- Human nutrition (23)
- Acids, bases and salts (22)
- Organisms and their environment (21)
- Organic chemistry (21)
- Reproduction (20)
- Thermal physics (20)
- Plant nutrition (19)
- The Periodic Table (18)