2023 IGCSE GIC O Level Entrance Test

(May- June Intake)

Science Questions

Total Marks: 100

Allowed Hours: 2 hours

1 (a) The boxes show some parts of plants and the function of the parts.

Draw a line from each part to match its function.

part function

flower photosynthesis

leaf absorption of water

root transport of water and minerals

stem reproduction [3]

(b) Complete the word equation for photosynthesis.

carbon dioxide + glucose +

[2]

2 Complete the table by deciding if the information indicates that the element is a metal or
a non-metal.

Does it metal
state at room
element magnetic conduct or
temperature
electricity? non-metal

A no liquid yes

B yes solid yes

C no liquid no

D no gas no

E no solid yes

( 2 marks)
3 Complete each explanation using these words.

area force pressure

(a) People who walk across snow may wear snowshoes.

The person does not sink into the snow because the acts on

a larger so that the is less. [1]

(b) A sharp knife cuts through cheese more easily than a blunt knife.

The edge of the sharp knife has a smaller so the

acting on the knife produces a larger . [1]

4 Plants and green algae need mineral salts to grow.

One mineral salt is magnesium sulfate.

Ahmed and Safia investigate the growth of algae.

They put different concentrations of magnesium sulfate solution into five flasks, A, B, C, D and E.

They then add the algae.

measure 10 cm3
of algae using
a syringe

leave for 5 days

E
D
C
B
A

add 10 cm3 of algae to each flask

(a) Why did Ahmed and Safia put 10 cm3 of algae into each flask?

[1]

(b) Why did they leave the flasks for 5 days?

(c) Here are their results.

concentration of
Colour of algae
magnesium sulfate
flask (1 = light green,
(1 = dilute,
10 = dark green)
5 = most concentrated)
A 1 4

B 2 5

C 3 8

D 4 10

E 5 1

Complete the sentence to describe the pattern of their results.

As the concentration of magnesium sulfate increases from 1 to 5, the colour of the algae

[2]

(d) When the colour of the algae is dark green it has grown the most.

Complete the sentence.

Choose a word from the list.

carbon dioxide fastest the same slowest sugar water

When the concentration of magnesium sulfate is 4 the algae grow . [1]

5 Look at the table.

It shows the melting points and boiling points of some elements.

element melting point boiling point

in °C in °C
gold 1064 2856
iron 1538 2861
mercury –39 357
oxygen –219 –183
sodium 98 883

Use the table to answer these questions.

(a) Write down the name of the element that melts at 1538 °C.

[1]

(b) Which element is a liquid at room temperature (20 °C)?

[1]

(c) Which element is a non-metal?

[1]
6 Here are some statements about the solar system.

A The Earth orbits the Sun.

B The Earth spins on its axis.

C The Moon orbits the Earth.

D The stars orbit the Sun.

E The Sun orbits the Earth.

(a) Write down the letter of the statement that answers each of these questions.

(i) Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky each day?

[1]

(ii) Why do some stars appear in the summer night sky but not in the winter night sky?

[1]

(iii) What did Copernicus and Galileo think was wrong?

[1]

(b) Venus is not a source of light.

Explain why it is possible to see Venus in the night sky.

[1]
7 The diagram shows a palisade cell.

chloroplast
nucleus
vacuole

cell membrane
cytoplasm

cell wall

(a) Which three structures, labelled in the diagram, are not found in animal cells?

1.

2.

3. [3]

(b) Name the part of the cell in which photosynthesis takes place.

[1]

8 The Earth is made up of three layers including the core and the crust.

(a) What is the name of the other layer?

[1]

(b) The core is made up of mainly two metals.

One of these metals is nickel.

What is the name of the other metal?

 (c) What is the approximate age of the Earth?

Tick () the correct box.

1.1 million years old

1200 million years old

2100 million years old

3200 million years old

4600 million years old [1]

9 The diagram shows the energy flow into and out of a coal-fired power station.

energy 300 MJ
wasted electricity
70 MJ wasted
in friction 30 MJ wasted
in heating wires

1000 MJ in coal

coal boiler, turbine

and generator cooling transformer
tower

(a) How much useful electrical energy is provided by the power station?

MJ [1]

(b) Calculate how much energy is wasted from the cooling tower?

MJ [1]
10 Manjit puts a metal saucepan of milk on a cooker.

metal saucepan

hot milk

hot-plate

heat

Thermal (heat) energy can be transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.

(a) Which is the main process that transfers thermal energy through the milk?

[1]

(b) Which is the main process that transfers thermal energy through the metal
saucepan?

[1]
11 The alimentary canal consists of many different organs.

Look at the diagram of the alimentary canal.

part A

diaphragm

small intestine

large intestine

(a) What is the name of part A?

[1]

(b) The stomach is not labelled on the diagram.

Draw a label line on the diagram to show the stomach. [1]

(c) Draw lines to match the organ with its function.

organ function

food is mixed up into

a creamy liquid
large intestine
digests proteins, carbohydrates
and fats and absorbs water,
amino acids, sugars and fatty acids
 small intestine

absorbs water

stomach food is chewed into

smaller pieces
[2]

12 Yuri does an experiment on sound.

loudspeaker microphone oscilloscope

Yuri connects a microphone to an oscilloscope.

He places the microphone at different distances from the loudspeaker.

He records the amplitude of the wave on the oscilloscope.

Here are some of the results on the oscilloscope.

distance 4 cm 6 cm 11 cm 25 cm
 (a) Use these pictures to complete the results table.

amplitude of wave in
distance in cm
number of squares

2.5

..........
11 ..........
25
[2]

(b) Which pattern best describes the results?

Tick () the correct answer.

the amplitude does not change with distance

the amplitude decreases with distance

the amplitude increases with distance

there is no pattern in the results

[1]

13 Hydrogen peroxide is used to make oxygen in the laboratory. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down to
form water and oxygen.

(a) This reaction is much faster when a chemical called manganese(IV) oxide is added to the
hydrogen peroxide.

The manganese(IV) oxide is unchanged at the end of the reaction.

What type of chemical is manganese(IV) oxide?

Tick () the correct answer.

acid

alkali

catalyst

metal
[1]
(b) Blessy investigates the effect of temperature on the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

(i) Write down the variable she should change.

[1]

(ii) Write down one variable she should control (keep the same).

[1]
14 Some metal railings have started to rust.

(a) Which metal were the railings made of?

Circle the correct answer.

aluminium copper iron lead [1]

(b) Which two substances must be present for the railings to rust?

Circle the two correct answers.

carbon dioxide hydrogen nitrogen oxygen water [2]

(c) How can you prevent railings from rusting?

[1]
15 This is a question about forces.

Look at the diagrams.

force force

nut gravity pulling

parachutist to Earth

A B

force force

chest expanders
force force force
see-saw

C E
D

Which diagrams show a turning force?

Choose from A, B, C, D and E.

and [2]
16 A car is driving along a road.

Complete the sentences about the

car.Use words from the list

air resistance chemical elastic

friction gravity kinetic

The car is slowing down. The forces that slow the car down are

and . [2]

17 The giant panda lives in China.

The diagram shows a simple food web involving the panda.

giant panda

fish

bamboo plant
snails

water plants
(a) Name one producer in the food web.

[1]

(b) Name one primary consumer in the food web.

[1]

(c) Use the information in the food web to explain why the panda is described as an
omnivore.

[1]

(d) What do the arrows in the food web show?

[1]

(e) Many of the bamboo forests in China are being cut down.

This is causing the panda population to

decrease.Suggest why.

[1]
18 This list shows properties that different materials can have.

A magnetic E good conductor of heat

B can be compressed F poor conductor of heat

C very high melting point G good conductor of electricity

D very low melting point H non conductor of electricity

Write down the letter of the property that answers each of these questions.

(a) Which two properties from the list make aluminium suitable for cooking pans?

1.

2. [2]

(b) Which property from the list explains why a lot of oxygen gas can be pumped into a very
small container?

[1]

(c) Which property from the list explains why plastic makes a good material for the handle
of a kettle?

[1]

(d) Which property from the list explains why rubber is used to cover electrical wiring?

[1]
19 A student whistles three notes into a microphone connected to an oscilloscope.

An oscilloscope shows the shape and size of a sound wave.

(a) The diagram shows the waves for whistle 1 and whistle 2.

whistle 1 whistle 2

Use words from the list below to complete these sentences.

less than the same as greater than

(i) The amplitude of whistle 1 is the amplitude of

whistle 2. [1]

(ii) The wavelength of whistle 1 is the wavelength

of whistle 2. [1]
(b) The diagram shows the waves for whistle 2 and whistle 3.

whistle 2 whistle 3

Compare the loudness and pitch of whistle 2 and whistle 3.

Loudness

Pitch

[2]
20 Use the key to identify this coral reef fish.

1 shape is very long and very thin go to 2

shape is not long and thin go to 3

2 fins are pointed trumpetfish

fins are smooth eel

3 eyes on top of head go to 4

eyes each side of head go to 5

4 long thin tail ray

has a blunt tail flounder

5 has stripes go to 6

does not have stripes sweeper

6 has dark tips to fins and tail clownfish

does not have dark tips to fins and tail angelfish

The coral reef fish is a [1]

21 The diagram shows the particle arrangement in a liquid.

(a) Draw the particle arrangement in a solid.

[1]

(b) Angelique puts five drops of a liquid perfume on the back of her hand.

A few seconds later Angelique can smell the perfume.

This is because the perfume diffuses into her nose.

(i) Complete the sentence about diffusion.

In diffusion the perfume moves from an area of ………………………….

concentration to an area of ..................................... concentration.

[1]

(ii) Explain, using the particle theory of matter, how diffusion takes place.

[1]
22 Ahmed makes a prediction about the planets in the Solar system.

The time to orbit the Sun

increases the further away
the planet is from the Sun.

Prediction 1

To find evidence to support his prediction he uses the internet.

The table shows the information he finds.

distance time to
relative average
from the strength of orbit the
mass surface
planet Sun in gravity in Sun in
compared temperature
millions N/kg Earth
to Earth in oC
of km years

Mercury 0.05 58 169 3.7 0.2

Venus 0.81 108 460 8.9 0.6

Earth 1.00 150 14 9.8 1.0

Mars 0.11 228 63 3.7 1.9

(a) Does the information in the table support Prediction 1?

Use information from the table to explain your answer.

[1]
(b) Ahmed makes another prediction.

The average surface temperature

of a planet decreases the further
away the planet is from the Sun.

Prediction 2

(i) Does the information in the table support Prediction 2?

Use information from the table to explain your answer.

[2]

(ii) Ahmed thinks he needs more evidence related to Prediction 2.

Suggest one extra piece of evidence he could use.

[1]

(c) Ahmed correctly predicts he will weigh more on Earth than on Mars.

Explain how the information in the table supports his prediction.

[1]
23 Christina has five chickens.

Here is some information about her chickens.

name of chicken sex of chicken number of eggs per

year

Abb female 100

Coo female 130

Fen female 105

Jeb female 110

Lam male –

(a) Christina wants to increase the number of eggs per year by using selective breeding.

(i) Which two chickens should she breed together?

and [1]

(ii) Christina chooses chickens to breed from the offspring.

Which ones should she choose?

[1]
 (b) Other qualities can be used when selectively breeding chickens.

Tick () the two qualities that are the most useful.

size of eggs

amount of milk produced

low life expectancy

number of feathers

colour of feathers

resistance to disease
[2]

24 Rocks in the Earth’s crust are classified by the way that they are formed.

Complete the sentences about rock formation.

Choose words from the list.

Each word can be used once, more than once or not at all.

igneous metamorphic sedimentary

(a) rocks are formed when molten lava from a volcano cools down. [1]

(b) rocks are made from grains of rock that are cemented

(stuck) together. [1]

(c) rocks are made when heat and pressure change other

types of rock. [1]

(d) rocks are found in layers and often contain fossils. [1]
25 The diagram shows part of an electromagnet.

(a) Write down the names of part A and part B on the diagram. [2]

(b) Write down the material used to make each part.

Choose words from the list.

air copper glass iron paper

part A

material

part B

material [2]
26 Poor diets can cause health problems.

(a) Draw a line between the diet and the health problem.

One has been done for you.

diet health problem

too much sugar heart disease

too much fat tooth decay

too much salt high blood pressure

too little protein little energy

too little carbohydrate poor growth [2]

(b) Chen and Mike look at information about the amount of fat and fibre in different fruits.

fruit fat in grams fibre in grams

apricot 0.1 1.2

banana 0.1 3.1

kiwi fruit 0.0 2.6

orange 0.1 2.4

pineapple 0.1 13.8

strawberry 0.0 0.6

(i) Name the two fruits with the highest amount of fibre.

and [1]

(ii) Why is fibre important in the diet?

[1]
 (iii) Write one conclusion about the amount of fat found in fruits.

[1]

(iv) Mike thinks the information in the table is not a fair comparison because the
fruits are different shapes.

Lee thinks it is not a fair comparison but he knows that the shape of the fruit is
not important.

What measurement do they need to make it a fair comparison?

[1]

27 Safia investigates the reaction between magnesium ribbon and dilute sulfuric acid.

In each experiment Safia uses 25 cm3 of sulfuric acid.

She records the temperature of the acid and then adds some magnesium ribbon.

thermometer

25 cm3 of sulfuric acid

magnesium ribbon

When the magnesium has finished reacting she records the temperature of the acid again.

Safia does this experiment six times.

Each time she uses a different length of magnesium ribbon.

Look at Safia’s results.

20
d

Safia then calculates the temperature change for each reaction.

(a) Put her results, including the temperature changes, into a table.

[3]

(b) One set of readings is an anomalous result.

Which set?

[1]

(c) The reaction between magnesium and sulfuric acid releases energy.

What is the name given to a reaction that releases energy?

[1]
28 Hassan does an experiment to find the maximum friction force between a wooden block and
different surfaces.

pull
wooden block
surface

Here are his results.

friction force in N

surface test 1 test 2 test 3

carpet 24.5 32.6 26.4

glass 9.3 9.6 10.2

wood 15.0 18.1 16.4

(a) Name the apparatus Hassan uses to measure the friction force.

[1]

(b) Hassan repeated the measurements for each surface three times.

Explain why.
 [1]

(c) Calculate the average (mean) friction force for the glass experiment.

average (mean) friction force = N [1]

(d) Circle the one anomalous reading in the table. [1]