CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY
CHECKPOINT
SCIENCE 1113/01 Paper 1 (No Calculator Allowed) SPECIMEN PAPER
1 hour Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Answer all questions. You should show all your
working in the space provided. The total number of marks for this paper is 50. The number of
marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
SECTION A - Checkpoint-Style Examination Paper
1 Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that occurs in the leaves of plants using energy from
light. Identify the two reactants needed for this process and the two products that are produced.
(2 marks)
2 All matter is composed of tiny particles that behave differently depending on their state. Use
particle theory to explain why the particles in a solid only vibrate in a fixed position, while the
particles in a liquid are able to move past each other. (2 marks)
3 An athlete is training for a race and manages to run 200 metres. If the runner takes exactly 25
seconds to complete this distance, calculate their average speed in metres per second. (2 marks)
4 Root hair cells are special structures that grow out of the surface of roots to provide a large
surface area. Explain how this increased surface area helps the plant absorb water and minerals
from the soil. (2 marks)
5 Diffusion is the process where particles move randomly until they are eventually evenly spread
out. Use your knowledge of particle movement to explain why diffusion occurs at a faster rate in
a gas than in a liquid. (2 marks)
6 Enzymes are known as biological catalysts because they speed up chemical reactions without
being changed themselves. Describe what happens to an enzyme molecule once it has finished
splitting a large starch molecule into sugar molecules. (2 marks)
7 Musical sounds are produced by vibrations that travel through materials. Define the term
frequency in relation to sound vibrations and state the unit used to measure it. (2 marks)
8 The Periodic Table is a useful tool used by scientists to organize every known element.
Identify the technical name for the horizontal rows and the technical name for the vertical
columns in this table. (2 marks)
9 The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system. Explain the
function of the valves found inside the heart and describe the direction of blood flow in arteries
relative to the heart. (2 marks)
10 Chemical formulae are used to show the types and numbers of atoms found in a molecule. For
the compound calcium carbonate, with the formula CaCO3, list the names of the three elements
it contains and state the total number of atoms in one molecule. (3 marks)
11 Light rays travel in straight lines and cannot bend around corners. Based on this principle,
explain why a shadow forms when an opaque object is placed in front of a light source. (1 mark)
12 Respiration is a chemical reaction that releases energy from glucose inside living cells. Write
the complete word equation for aerobic respiration. (2 marks)
13 Alloys are created by mixing different metals together and melting them so the atoms mix.
Identify the two specific elements that must be mixed together to produce the alloy known as
bronze. (2 marks)
14 Gametes are specialized cells adapted for reproduction that contain 23 chromosomes. State
the number of chromosomes found in a human zygote and explain the process by which a zygote
is formed. (3 marks)
15 Burning is a chemical reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen. Describe the changes
that occur when magnesium ribbon is burnt, including the name of the product and its physical
appearance compared to the reactant. (2 marks)
16 Electromagnets are useful because they can be switched on and off using an electric current.
Identify two methods that would increase the strength of the magnetic field produced by an
electromagnet, other than changing the core material. (2 marks)
17 Every food chain begins with a plant because they capture energy from light. Explain how a
plant uses this light energy to produce new biomass. (2 marks)
18 If you continue to add a soluble solid to water, you will reach a point where no more of the
solid can dissolve. State the term used to describe this type of solution and explain how
temperature affects the solubility of most solutes. (2 marks)
19 Refraction is the change of direction of a light ray when it passes from one transparent
material into another. State whether a light ray bends towards or away from the normal when it
enters a glass block from the air. (1 mark)
20 Gas exchange takes place inside the lungs within tiny structures called air sacs. Describe the
movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an air sac and a nearby blood capillary. (2
marks)
21 The law of conservation of mass states that no mass is lost or gained during a chemical
reaction. Explain why the mass might appear to decrease when calcium carbonate reacts with
hydrochloric acid in an open flask. (2 marks)
22 Teeth are used to break down large pieces of food into smaller pieces. Identify the hard outer
covering of a tooth and explain how bacteria can cause this layer to decay. (2 marks)
23 Speed cameras use detector strips in the road to identify vehicles that are traveling too fast. If
two detector strips are 10 metres apart and a car travels between them in 0.4 seconds, calculate
the speed of the car and state if it is speeding in a 22 m/s zone. (3 marks)
24 In a scientific investigation, a result that does not fit the pattern of all the other results is
called an anomalous result. Describe the best course of action a scientist should take when they
identify an anomalous result in their data. (2 marks)
END OF PAPER