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IGCSE XCEL COURSE ASSESSMENT

05.01.2024 1 hour 15 minutes
COMBINED SCIENCE BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
Theory Paper

1. The chemical formulae for some compounds (minerals) found in rocks are shown below:
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………………………………………………………………………. [1]

(iii) State the evidence you have used to decide your answer above.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………[1]

[Total: 9]
2. (a) Which letters indicate the xylem and phloem in the figure?
Xylem ………………….. Phloem ……………………. [1]

(b) Which part of the plant does the transverse section represent?

………………………………………………………………… [1]
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3. (a) Air is a mixture of elements and compounds.

The two main elements in air are nitrogen and oxygen.
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(c) The diagrams below show the outer electron shells of atoms of the elements hydrogen and sulphur.
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[Total: 6]
4.
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(b)
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[Total:7]

5. The figure below shows an early type of airship filled with hydrogen gas.

hydrogen molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded together.

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(a)

(b)
(i)

(ii)

(c) The

figure below shows a modern weather balloon containing hydrogen or helium gas.
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[Total: 6]

6. The figure below shows the apparatus some students use to investigate the effect of temperature
on the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid.

(a) (i)
Identify X. …………………………………………………………. [1]

(ii) Name the other products formed in the reaction mentioned above.
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…………………………………………………………………………………………..[1]

(b) Add the detail missing in the figure. [1]

(c) State the purpose served by the water bath.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..[1]

(d) The table below shows the results of the investigation.

Fill in the missing column heading in the table above. [1]

(e) (i) A sample of soil is mixed with water and filtered.

A test reveals that the soil is acidic.
In order to reduce the soil acidity, limestone is added to it.
Explain how this helps reduce the acidity.

(ii) The soil treatment described above alters the composition of the atmosphere.
State another reason for a similar alteration in the composition of the atmosphere.
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(iii)
[Total: 9]
7. The figure shows a sperm cell.

(a) On the figure, use label lines to abel and name two structures that are found in all animal cells.[1]
(b) Fill in the blanks: In order to reach an egg, a human sperm has to swim from the top of the
…………………..……….. to an ………………………………, through a thin layer of liquid. [1]
(c) State one way in which a sperm cell is different from other body cells.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(d) Distinguish between fertilization and pollination.

[Total:5]
8.

These processes are shown in the figure below.

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[3]
(c) The figure below shows how
bromine is produced from lead
bromide in a laboratory
experiment.
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(i) Explain why the apparatus has to be heated in the above experiment.

[Total: 10]
9. Explain the cause of high blood pressure in smokers.

10.
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(a) Complete the figure to show how, in Test 1, the mixture is separated into filtrate and residue.
Label your diagram.

[1]
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[Total: 9]

11.

The figure below shows the apparatus he uses to find the boiling point.
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(iii) The figure below shows the thermometer scale at the point when the liquid boils.
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The figure shows the apparatus the student uses to find the freezing point of the liquid.

He places some of the liquid in a large test-tube surrounded by ice. He measures the temperature
of the liquid every 30 seconds and plots the graph shown below.

(ii) The figure shows the thermometer corresponding to point A on the graph. This is the
temperature at which the liquid freezes.
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[Total: 10]

12.
(a) Which two digestive juices are secreted into the small intestine?

…………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(b) Name two nutrients that need not be digested before they are absorbed.

………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) Mention two features of the small intestine that help in faster absorption of nutrients.
Explain the mechanism in each case.

1..……………………………………………………………………………………………………

..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2 .……………………………………………………………………………………………………

..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

..……………………………………………………………………………………………………. [2]
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[Total: 5]