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Broadoak School, Weston-super-Mare

V1.0 June 1996

Information abour us

GCSE Double Science

Practice questions

Click here for instructions & information

Biology Section

Chemistry Section

Physics Section


This file was written by Andy Darvill, science teacher at :-
        Broadoak School
        Broadoak Road                                               tel 01934 629106,
        Weston-super-Mare                                 email seaside@rmplc.co.uk.
        North Somerset
        BS23 4NP

It is available on a network for pupils to use both in and out of lesson times to supplement GCSE revision. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

FURTHER REVISION - take a look at "LABELS"- a Biology labelling program by Thomas William-Powlett. He's also written a number of other inexpensive programs targeted closely at the science curriculum - contact 0171 727 2163 (email Thomas@demon.co.uk)


How to use this file

Use the GREY buttons at the top of the screen to help you move around.

This button will bring you back to this page

This button allows you to choose questions about a particular topic.
"B" questions are biology, "C" is chemistry, and "P" is physics.

This button will take you back to wherever you just came from.

The computer will not keep score.

This file is divided into 3 sections - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Each contains a mixture of questions based around what's appeared in Foundation level and Intermediate level exams before.

This file is made up of MULTIPLE CHOICE questions.
But your exams will NOT be multiple choice - you'll need to be able to write answers and draw diagrams -  not as easy as multiple choice!

This file is meant to help your revision - not as a substitute for it.


Biology q1
Biology Question 1

In the food web above, which THREE are carnivores?

Aphids

Rose Bushes

Ladybirds

Worms

Blackbirds

Hawks

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Which are primary consumers?

Worms

Blackbirds

Hawks

Aphids

Click here for a hint


Chemistry q1
Chemistry Question 1

The diagram shows an apparatus used to electrolyse brine. Brine is a dilute solution of Sodium Chloride.

Which of these statements is true?

X is the anode, Y is the cathode

Y is the anode, X is the cathode

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Which of these 3 tables is correct?

             GAS :        Chlorine     Oxygen     Hydrogen
 ELECTRODE :        cathode     cathode       anode

              GAS :        Chlorine     Oxygen     Hydrogen
 ELECTRODE :         anode         anode        cathode

              GAS :        Chlorine     Oxygen     Hydrogen
 ELECTRODE :         cathode      anode        cathode

Why is the volume of Oxygen collected LESS than the volume of Hydrogen?

Oxygen molecules are lighter than Hydrogen molecules

Water molecules contain more Hydrogen than Oxygen


Physics q3
Physics Question 3

The diagram shows the lenses in a telescope. Use the letters to answer the questions.

Which lens is the objective?

        X

        Y

Where are the 2 focal points of the eyepiece?

        A and D

        B and D

        B and C

        A and C

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Which of these is true?

In the telescope, the objective lens forms a real, inverted image of the object, then the eyepiece  forms a virtual, magnified image of this. So the image we see is inverted.

In the telescope, the eyepiece forms a diminished image of the objective lens.This image is upright.


YES


No - try again


No - it's a herbivore


Biology q2
Biology Question 2

Some fish can live in water which does not have much Oxygen dissolved in it. Other fish need more Oxygen in the water. This is shown in the table :

                        Amount of Oxygen per                      Type of fish found
                          centimetre cubed per                           in the water
                               litre of water
                                  6.0 - 8.0                                  Salmon and trout
                                  4.0 - 6.0                                  Roach and a few trout
                                  2.0 - 4.0                                  A few roach
                                  0.0 - 2.0                                  No fish

If untreated sewage escapes into a river, the amount of nitrate in it increases. What will happen to :-
(a) the Oxygen content of the water

        increases

        decreases

        unchanged

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

  (b) the numbers of trout

        increased

        decreased

        unchanged

  (c) the numbers of roach

         increased

        decreased - but not affected as much as trout

        decreased - affected more than the trout

        unchanged

  (d) What substance is used in a sewage works to kill bacteria?

        Chlorine

        Antibiotics

       Resazurin


Primary consumers are always herbivores.
They eat the producers.


Biology q3
Biology Question 3

The diagram shows part of the Carbon cycle.

Gas W is

          Oxygen

          Carbon Dioxide

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Process X is

          Respiration

          Photosynthesis

          Combustion

Gas Y is

          Oxygen

          Carbon Dioxide

Substance Z is

          Sugar

          Starch

          Fats

For process X, energy and a green compound are necessary.
The energy comes from

          chemical processes within the leaf

          sunlight

The green compound is

          cytoplasm

          clorofill

          chlorophyll


Biology q4
Biology Question 4

Some types of lichens are killed by even small amounts of air pollution. The graph shows the numbers of 3 different kinds of lichens in each square kilometer around a city.

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Which group of lichens is best adapted to live near a city centre?

crusty lichens

mutant lichens

leafy lichens

Which group appears to be most sensitive to pollution from traffic?

crusty lichens

mutant lichens

leafy lichens


NO

Check the spelling carefully!


Chemistry q2
Chemistry Question 2

Imagine that a new metallic element called Segium has been discovered. It occurs in the Earth's crust as an oxide. It can be extracted from this oxide by heating it with Aluminium powder. The word equation for this reaction is :-
                      Aluminium + Segium oxide --> Aluminium oxide + Segium

When a piece of Segium metal is dropped in to Zinc Chloride solution, the Segium dissolves and crystals of Zinc are formed.

Some metals are listed below in order of how reactive they are :-
          (Most reactive)   Sodium
                                    Calcium
                                    Magnesium
                                    Aluminium
                                    Zinc
                                    Iron
                                    Lead
          (Least reactive)  Copper

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

What name is given to this list of metals?

Activity series

Decay series

Ferrous series

Periodic series

Where would Segium fit into this series?

Between Sodium and Calcium

Between Magnesium and Aluminium

Between Zinc and Iron

Between Aluminium and Zinc


Physics q2
Physics Question 2

A cyclist passes a road sign which tells her that she is 30 miles from Guildford. If she travels at an average speed of 20 miles per hour, how long will it take her to get there?

40 minutes

1.5 hours

20 minutes

30 minutes

A racing car took 1.25 hours to complete a 300 km race.
What was its average speed?

375 km/hour

300 km/hour

240 km/hour

200 km/hour


Yes

We know that Segium is LESS reactive than Aluminium, because Aluminium will displace it from Segium oxide.
Also we know Segium is MORE reactive than Zinc, because it displaces Zinc from Zinc Chloride.


Chemistry q3
Chemistry Question 3

The diagrams show a material at 3 different temperatures.

X is a

         solid

         liquid

         gas

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Y is a

         solid

         liquid

         gas

Z is a

         solid

         liquid

         gas

Click here for a summary of what you need to know


Yes

   Speed = distance divided by time.
So Time = distance divided by speed
               = 30 divided by 20
               = 1.5 hours


YES

speed = distance divided by time
           = 300 divided by 1.25
           = 240 km/hour


Physics q1
Physics Question 1

Click on the diagrams that you think are CORRECT.


YES

Note that lens Y is thinner than the other. Also remember that a thin lens is weak, and a fat lens is strong (bends light rays more).
So lens Y must be the objective - because telescopes have a weak objective lens and a strong eyepiece.


GCSE Particle Theory

SOLIDS - there are strong bonds between the particles. This is why solids have a fixed shape (think of a crowd of people all holding hands). When you heat a solid, the particles vibrate more (they can't go far because of the bonds to their neighbours). Most solids expand when heated - the particles themselves don't get bigger, but the spaces between them do.

LIQUIDS - if you heat a solid enough, the bonds between the particles will break, which means that the solid melts and becomes a liquid. So the particles are free to wander about - and the material has no fixed shape (think of a crowd of people in the high street on a Saturday morning - no fixed shape, and able to flow past obstacles). Heat it, and the particle wander faster.

GASES - if you heat a liquid enough, particles will break away from the crowd and run away really fast - the liquid boils and becomes a gas. (The particles in a gas are moving very rapidly - for example the Oxygen molecules in the room with you right now are doing around 1100 miles per hour. Honest!) Gases have no fixed shape, and take up a lot of room because the spaces between the particles are very large.


Chemistry q4
Chemistry Question 4

There are 3 main types of rocks, named after the way that they were formed.

Sedimentary        Igneous        Metamorphic

Look at the 3 definitions below.

 When you think you know which type of rock it's describing, click on it to see if you're right.

This type of rock is formed by the cooling of molten rock, so you won't find fossils in it. Example - granite.

This type of rock is formed by the action of heat and pressure on another type of rock. Example - marble.

This type of rock is formed by mud and other sediments (CLUE!) building up over a long period of time. You may find fossils in this type of rock. Examples - sandstone, limestone.

Try the Rock Cycle program for more information on this.


Igneous rock


Sedimentary rock


Metamorphic rock


Chemistry q5
Chemistry Question 5

Which one of these statements is an example of a chemical change?

Separating Iron from Sulphur with a magnet

Filtering Copper from Sodium Chloride solution

Heating ice to form water

Frying an egg

When Magnesium burns in Oxygen, an exothermic reaction takes place. What does "exothermic" mean?

Burning

Oxidation

Energy is given off by the reaction

Energy is needed to start the reaction


Biology q5
Biology Question 5

The diagram shows a typical living cell.  Is this cell

A plant cell?

An animal cell?

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

Which letter goes with which part?

A is the cytoplasm

A is the cell wall

A is the cell membrane

E is the cytoplasm

C is the cytoplasm

D is the cytoplasm

C is the vacuole

F are chloroplasts

C is the nucleus

D is the nucleus

Try the "Labels" program for more information on this.


Physics q4
Physics Question 4

What units are used to measure force?

Coulombs

Grams

Newtons

Pascals

What kind of quantity is force?

Scalar

Turgor

Reactor

Vector

Force meters use steel springs. Why can a spring be used to measure force?

Increase in length of the spring is proportional to the force.

Increase in length of the spring is inversely proportional to the force.

Increase in length of the spring is independent of the force.

Increase in length of the spring will reduce the strain on the spring.


Physics q5
Physics Question 5

Why do plugs have a fuse?

To prevent people getting electric shocks

To make sure appliances receive large currents

To stop the circuits from overheating

To stop the appliances short-circuiting

You are supplied with fuses rated at 3A, 5A and 13A.
                 Which one should you choose for use with a table lamp?

3A

5A

13A

                 Which one should you use for a 2kW electric fire?

3A

5A

13A

How to work out fuse questions


Biology q6
Biology Question 6

The diagram shows the human digestive system. What are the parts called?

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

D is the Trachea

D is the Oesophagus

A is the Liver

A is the Stomach

E is the stomach

E is the pancreas

B is the Small Intestine

B is the Duodenum

Read the following statements. Is each one true or false?

The part labelled C is the appendix. It doesn't do anything useful in humans, but in rabbits it is much larger and is used to digest grass.

The part labelled F makes a liquid called BILE.

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream slowly, as it passes through the large intestine.

Try the "Labels" program for more information on this.


True


False


False

Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream VERY SOON after you drink it. It doesn't wait until it gets to the intestines - alcohol is one of the substances that can get into your blood through the stomach wall. Otherwise you wouldn't feel any effect until a few hours after you had a drink.
If your stomach is empty (because you haven't eaten for a while) it can get into your blood very quickly indeed - a bad idea!


Biology q7
Biology Question 7

The diagram shows some parts of the human female reproductive system.

          The part labelled "A"

                    is where eggs (ova) are made, at the rate of one each month

                    is where eggs (ova) are stored, and released at the rate of one every month

                    is where fertilisation takes place.

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

          The part labelled "C"

                    is where fertilisation takes place

                    is the cervix

                    is the uterus

          The cervix is

                   part D

                   part E

                   not labelled on this diagram


Chemistry q6
Chemistry Question 6

How would you get the sand out of a mixture of sand and salt water?

evaporation

filtration

distillation

fractional distillation

chromatography

How would you get the salt out of salt water?

evaporation

filtration

distillation

fractional distillation

chromatography

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

How would you get pure water out of salt water?

evaporation

filtration

distillation

fractional distillation

chromatography

How would you get pure ethanol from a mixture of water and ethanol?

evaporation

filtration

distillation

fractional distillation

chromatography

How would you find out if a coloured dye was a mixture of dyes or a pure colour?

evaporation

filtration

distillation

fractional distillation

chromatography


Chemistry q7
Chemistry Question 7

An investigation was carried out to see how the rate of decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide could be changed.

Hydrogen Peroxide -> Oxygen + Water

Powdered Manganese(IV) Oxide was added to the Hydrogen Peroxide.

What effect does the Manganese(IV) Oxide have on the chemical reaction?

Stops the reaction

Slows the reaction down

Speeds the reaction up

What name is given to a chemical which does this?

Reagent

Catalyst

Ioniser

Inhibitor

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

What happens to the rate of the reaction if the concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide is increased?

Increases

Decreases

Unchanged

What happens to the rate of the reaction if lumps of Manganese(IV) Oxide are
        used instead of powder?

Increased

Decreased

Unchanged


Physics q6
Physics Question 6

Two tuning forks ("X" and"Y") have the letter "C" on them but the sound from them is different.
The frequency of tuning fork "Y" is half that of tuning fork "X".
The wavelength of tuning fork "Y" is 0.33 metres.
The velocity of sound in air is 330 metres per second.

          The frequency of tuning fork "Y" is

1000 Hz

1 kHz

108.9 Hz

330 Hz

          The frequency of tuning fork "X" is

500 Hz

1000 Hz

1500 Hz

2000 Hz

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

The units used to measure loudness are

Megahertz

Decibels

Furtledynes


Working out fuse values

You need to remember that           Power = Volts x Amps.

This can be re-arranged into      Amps = Power  divided by Volts.

A mains socket in the home always supplies 240 Volts.
So all you need to remember is that for a mains appliance,

                                                     Amps = Power divided by 240

So a 60 Watt table lamp will need
                                           60 divided by 240 = 2.5 Amps of current
                                                                      so a 3 Amp fuse will do fine.

The current through a 2kW (that's 2,000 Watts) electric fire
                            will be 2000 divided by 240 = 8.3 Amps.
                         The next fuse value up from this is 13A, so use that one.


Yes

We call something a vector if it has BOTH an amount AND a direction.
So forces are vectors, because you can say which way it's pushing or pulling.
(For example - 5 Newtons upwards is not the same as 5 Newtons downwards
                                                                    - the direction makes a difference).

Other vectors include -
         Velocity (which is speed and direction)
         Acceleration (how fast you're changing your velocity)
         Weight (because it's a force, and forces are vectors!)

Things which just have an amount, but NO direction, are called SCALARs.
Examples of scalars include mass, temperature, and volume.
For a scalar you can measure how much there is, but to talk about them having a direction is completely meaningless.
         (Example - a temperature of "27 degrees Celsius" - no problem.
          But a temperature of "27 degrees Celsius Westwards" makes no sense
                                                            - temperatures don't have a direction!)


Yes

A Fuse is just a piece of wire that's deliberately thinner than the rest of the circuit. The idea is that it'll burn out before anything else does.
It's put in between the power supply and the circuit it's supplying - so if the fuse burns out it'll disconnect the power from the circuit.


No

Fertilisation takes place in the fallopian tubes (labelled "B").
Part "C" is where the fertilised ovum implants and develops.


Biology q8
Biology Question 8

                  Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

The diagram shows some parts of the human male reproductive system.

          The part labelled "H"

                    is the ureter

                    is the urethra

          The part labelled "D"

                    is the scrotum

                    is a testis

                    is the sperm tube

          The epididymis

                    is part E

                    is where sperms are made

                    is not shown on this diagram


Yes

The epididymis is not labelled on this diagram.
It's a mass of squiggly tubing which sits on top of each testis.
It's where sperms are stored once they're made, so that a large number of sperms are available to be released during intercourse.
Sperm is made continuously in the testes.


Biology q9
Biology Question 9

Mark wanted to investigate how starch was broken down by an enzyme called amylase.
He set up this apparatus.

(Visking tubing is a
  selectively permeable
  membrane)

The test tubes were left in the warm water bath for 1 hour.
The contents of the visking tubing ("X" and "Y") and the liquids in the test tubes ("W" and "Z") were then tested for the presence of starch and glucose.
                                                What results should he expect?

                      Inside tubing "X"

starch present

starch not present

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

glucose present

glucose not present

                       Inside tubing "Y"

starch present

starch not present

glucose present

glucose not present

                       Liquid in test tube "W"

starch present

starch not present

glucose present

glucose not present

                       Liquid in test tube "Z"

starch present

starch not present

glucose present

glucose not present

Confused? Click here for an explanation.


Yes

Remember that for any wave,

velocity = frequency x wavelength

In this question, we use

330 = frequency x 0.33
So the frequency = 1000 Hz (we call this 1 kHz)


No

Remember that for any wave,

velocity = frequency x wavelength

We can turn this around, and get -

          frequency = velocity divided by wavelength

Put in the numbers from the question, and we get -

          frequency = 330 divided by 0.33

Work it out!


No

The question said that the frequency of "Y" was half that of "X".
You've worked out "Y" - so what's "X"?


No

That's not a real unit - I made it up!


Physics q7
Physics Question 7

The diagram shows a top view of a ripple tank. There is a source of plane waves on the left of the tank. The waves meet a barrier with 2 narrow slits as shown.
          The thin black lines represent

the direction of travel of the waves

the crests of the waves

the slits

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

          The waves spread out after passing through the narrow slits. This is called

amplification

cancellation

diffraction

          What is happening in the region which is circled in red?

Interference

Polarisation

Diffraction

          What is interference?

2 sets of waves are only allowed to vibrate in certain directions, resulting in higher wave crests.

One wave changes the wavelength of another, causing them to cancel.

Where 2 crests meet, they add to make a larger crest.Crests and troughs cancel each other out.


No

This is complete gibberish - it doesn't mean a thing!


Physics q8
Physics Question 8

Which of these sets of waves are arranged in order of increasing frequency?

   microwaves, ultra-violet, visible light, infra-red

   microwaves, visible light, gamma rays, ultra-violet

   microwaves, gamma rays, infra-red, visible light, ultra violet, X-rays

   microwaves, infra red, visible light, ultra violet, X-rays, gamma rays

   microwaves, ultra-violet, visible light, infra-red, X-rays, gamma rays

Which waves are often used to sterilise medical equipment?

   microwaves

   X-rays

   gamma rays

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

The wavelength of red light is around 700 nanometres. Violet light

has a longer wavelength

has a shorter wavelength

Where does sound fit in to the electromagnetic spectrum?

Next to gamma rays

Below radio waves

Sound is not part of this spectrum


Physics q9
Physics Question 9

The diagram shows some parts of the human eye.

          Which parts focus the light onto the retina?

pupil

cornea and iris

cornea and lens

pupil and lens

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

          Part "C" is the

iris

pupil

conjuntiva

          Part "D" is the lens. This changes shape in order to

allow the eye to focus on objects at different distances

allow different amounts of light in to the eye

          If the lens bends light too strongly, the light rays will not meet at the retina, but will
                cross over before they get there. A person with this sight defect is

long sighted, and should wear glasses with convex lenses

long sighted, and should wear glasses with concave lenses

short sighted, and should wear glasses with convex lenses

short sighted, and should wear glasses with concave lenses


Yes

Sound consists of vibrations in the air. It's not an electromagnetic wave


Yes

In fact, the cornea does about 60% of the bending of the light rays, the lens (which is adjustable) does the rest.
Look carefully at the diagram, and see how the light rays change direction as they enter and leave the cornea & the lens.


Yes

The lens can't move backwards or forwards like the lenses in a camera or a telescope. Instead it changes shape - a fat lens bends light strongly, and is for seeing things close up. A thin lens doesn't bend light much, and is for seeing distant objects.
The shape of the lens is changed by the "ciliary muscles" pulling around its edge.


No

The amount of light entering the eye is controlled by the iris, not the lens.
Try again.


Physics q10
Physics Question 10

The diagram shows a way of using solar energy to heat water.
This equipment does not require a pump to circulate the water.

Why is there a black surface on the upper side of the pipe?

To reduce heat loss from the water

To reflect heat away from the pipe

To absorb the maximum heat from the water

To absorb the maximum heat from the Sun

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

How does the heat energy get from the Sun to the black surface?

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

How does the water transfer the heat energy from the solar panel to the water tank?

Conduction

Convection

Radiation


Yes

Black surfaces absorb heat much better than shiny ones.
This is why dark things get hotter in the sunshine than light things.

The shiny surface below the pipe is to reflect heat back on to the pipe, to get the maximum energy into the water.


End of Questions

End Of Section

Hope you've found it useful! Good luck in the exams!

Click here to go back to the start

(remember, there are three sections to try)

OR

click on "File", then "Exit" to finish.


Yes

Note - a catalyst is a chemical which affects the rate of a reaction between other substances -  but does NOT get used up by the reaction. So catalysts are re-useable.


Chemistry q8
Chemistry Question 8

In what type of reaction are substances broken down by heat?

displacement

double decomposition

synthesis

thermal decomposition

Limestone has many uses. It can be heated to make quicklime.
      What is the missing substance in this equation?

Limestone -> quicklime(calcium oxide) + _____________gas

carbon dioxide

oxygen

chlorine

carbon monoxide

What calcium compound makes up limestone?

calcium carbonate

calcium hydrogen carbonate

calcium silicate

calcium sulphate


Chemistry q9
Chemistry Question 9

The list shows some properties of elements and their compounds.

          A  conduct electricity
          B  do not conduct electricity
          C  are solids
          D  are gases
          E  are insoluble in water
          F  dissolve or react in water to form an acidic solution
          G  dissolve or react in water to form an alkaline solution
          H  dissolve in water to form a neutral solution

For each of the following substances in their normal states, which 3 letters match their properties?

                                         Carbon (graphite)

A, C, E

A, C, D

B, C, E

Use the scrollbar to see the rest of the question -->>

                                         Carbon dioxide

A, B, G

B, D, H

B, D, F

                                          Sodium

A, C, F

A, C, G

B, C, G

                                          Sodium oxide

B, C, H

B, C, F

B, C, G

                                          Sodium chloride

B, C, G

B, C, H

B, D, H


What does this experiment show?

Starch molecules consist of long chains of glucose molecules.
So starch molecules are much larger than glucose molecules.
Amylase breaks down starch to form glucose.

(Think of a glucose molecule as being like a bead, then a starch molecule is like a necklace. Amylase cuts the necklace in between each bead - so it turns starch into glucose. This process is called Hydrolysis.)

Visking tubing is "semi-permeable" - in this experiment it'll let glucose molecules through, but starch molecules are too big to fit through the tiny holes.

So we'd expect -
                       - tubing "X" to stay the same (contains starch only)
                       - test tube "W" shouldn't contain starch, as starch
                               can't get out of the visking tubing.
                               Also there shouldn't be any glucose, as the
                               starch is unchanged.
                       - tubing "Y" should contain glucose only, as the
                               starch has been broken down.
                       - test tube "Z" should contain glucose only, as the
                               starch  has been broken down, and starch
                               couldn't get out anyway.