Polymerisation: past paper questions
Real questions on polymerisation
The newest 20 of 42 written questions, plus 1 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/41 · May/June 2026 · Q9c(iii)[1]
Amino acids P and R can also form a number of polymers. One of these polymers, X, has a structure that can be represented as — [ P–R — ] n . Name the type of polymerisation involved in the formation of X.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4d(i)[1]
State the type of reaction that forms S.
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(iv)[2]
State two difficulties associated with the disposal of poly(propene).
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · October/November 2025 · Q7c(i)[2]
Draw the repeat unit of polyamide X in the box. The new functional group formed should be shown displayed. polyamide X
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · October/November 2025 · Q7c(i)[2]
Draw the repeat unit of polyamide X in the box. The new functional group formed should be shown displayed. polyamide X
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2025 · Q7c(ii)[2]
Ethanedioic acid, HOOCCOOH, can react with propane-1,3-diamine, H 2 NCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , to form polymer W. Draw a section of polymer W showing only one repeat unit. The new functional group formed should be displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · May/June 2025 · Q7c(iii)[1]
Poly(alkenes) biodegrade very slowly. Explain why.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · February/March 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
Maleic acid reacts with ethane-1,2-diol to form a condensation polymer. Draw a section of this polymer, showing only one repeat unit. The new functional group formed should be shown fully displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6d(iii)[2]
Draw the structure of exactly one repeat unit of the polymer formed when benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid reacts with ethane-1,2-diol, HOCH 2 CH 2 OH. The linkage formed between the monomers should be shown fully displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2024 · Q6d(iv)[1]
State the type of polymerisation that occurs when benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid reacts with ethane-1,2-diol and name the linkage formed between the monomers. type of polymerisation
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2024 · Q7a[1]
Give the name or formula of a catalyst that can be used for this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · February/March 2024 · Q4c(ii)[1]
Draw the structure of exactly one repeat unit of the condensation polymer G. The ester linkage should be shown fully displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(i)[2]
Draw a short length of the PLA polymer chain, including a minimum of two monomer residues. The methyl groups may be written as –CH 3 but all other bonds should be shown fully displayed. Label one repeat unit of polylactic acid on your diagram.
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(ii)[1]
Give the name of the type of polymerisation involved in the formation of PLA and the name of the functional group that forms between the monomers. type of polymerisation functional group
See it on the paper → - 9701/42 · October/November 2023 · Q8a(iii)[1]
Predict whether PLA is readily biodegradable. Explain your answer.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2023 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Draw two repeat units of condensation polymer L. The new functional group formed should be displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2023 · Q6c(iii)[1]
Explain why condensation polymers can normally biodegrade more readily than addition polymers.
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · May/June 2023 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Draw two repeat units of condensation polymer L. The new functional group formed should be displayed.
See it on the paper → - 9701/43 · May/June 2023 · Q6c(iii)[1]
Explain why condensation polymers can normally biodegrade more readily than addition polymers.
See it on the paper → - 9701/41 · May/June 2022 · Q5e(i)[2]
Use Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2 to suggest the structures of the two monomers used to make this polyanhydride.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The ester group was usually drawn correctly but the rest of the molecule was found to be more challenging. Common errors included: • drawing more than one repeat unit and • omitting some hydrogen atoms in their structure.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/42 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
This discriminated well. Some candidates did not realise that PLA must be a polyester and so found this very difficult. A significant number of diagrams were seen with basic errors, like fivevalent carbon atoms, which lost marks.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/42 Q8(a)(i) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates were able to write an answer that had some merit. Common errors were ‘addition’ on line one and ‘carboxylic acid’ on line two.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/42 Q8(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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