IGCSE Biology 0610 · Topic 18

Variation and selection: past paper questions

188 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, State, Describe, Which, Identify

Real questions on variation and selection

The newest 20 of 51 written questions, plus 137 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0610/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2e[6]
Some species are threatened with extinction. Explain the reasons why species become endangered.
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0610/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1c(i)[4]
Plot a line graph on the grid of the data in Table 1.3. (i)
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0610/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1c(ii)[2]
Describe and explain the change in the vitamin C concentration in the kiwi fruit in Table 1.3.
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0610/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1c(iii)[2]
Use your graph to estimate the vitamin C concentration in kiwi fruit that has been dried for 10 hours. Indicate on your graph how you obtained your answer. mg per 100 g of kiwi fruit
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0610/31 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Describe the effects of excess fertiliser on aquatic ecosystems.
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0610/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(iii)[4]
Explain the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
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0610/33 · May/June 2025 · Q6a[2]
The list shows some statements about variation. Place ticks (✓) in the boxes to show which statements are correct. Variation is discontinuous if there are a limited number of phenotypes with no intermediates. Variation may be produced by mutation. Variation is only caused by genes. Variation is the similarities between...
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0610/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[2]
Complete the sentence to define the term adaptive feature. An adaptive feature is an feature that helps an organism
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0610/32 · February/March 2025 · Q5b(ii)[3]
Complete the sentences by writing a suitable word in each space. In a population of leaf insects there are differences between the individuals. The term for the difference between individuals of the same species is . Individuals that reproduce are able to pass on their to the be more common in the population. This proc...
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0610/42 · February/March 2025 · Q6b(iv)[3]
Explain the risks to a population if its population size decreases.
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0610/22 · October/November 2024 · Q29[1]
Which processes lead to the development of antibiotic resistance?
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0610/43 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[1]
State the type of variation that is caused by genes only.
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0610/11 · May/June 2024 · Q35[1]
Which uses of colour could help males survive long enough to pass on their features to their offspring?
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0610/11 · May/June 2024 · Q36[1]
Which statements are correct descriptions of natural selection?
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0610/43 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(iii)[3]
Different types of wheat have also evolved through natural selection. Explain how natural selection differs from artificial selection.
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0610/43 · May/June 2024 · Q6b[2]
One reason for the boreal toad’s recent decrease in population is a disease caused by chytrid fungus. State two reasons other than disease that could cause the boreal toad to become endangered.
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0610/42 · February/March 2024 · Q3a(i)[1]
State the name of the growth response shown by the plant shoot in Fig. 3.1.
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0610/04 · Specimen 2023 · Q6b(i)[2]
State the name of process A in Fig. 6.2 and give the type of organism that converts ammonium ions to nitrate ions. A type of organism
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0610/04 · Specimen 2023 · Q6b(iv)[1]
State the process that occurs at B.
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0610/43 · October/November 2023 · Q6a[3]
Xerophytes are plants that are adapted for an environment which has very little available water. Describe the meaning of adaptation.
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What examiners said

Many candidates knew part of the description of an adaptive feature, but few very know all the correct terms. The most well-known term was survive, but many of these candidates did not recall the idea that they must also be able to reproduce and hence did not gain credit.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0610/42 Q4(a) (Cambridge)

This was quite well answered. The most common error was to put genetics for the second answer.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0610/32 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)

The risk of extinction was frequently given. Many candidates described the effects on the rest of the food web, but the question specifically asked for the risks to a population rather than the environment.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0610/42 Q6(b)(iv) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise variation and selection

In the syllabus

18.1 Variation

Describe variation as differences between individuals of the same species
State that continuous variation results in a range of phenotypes between two extremes; examples include body length and body mass
State that discontinuous variation results in a limited number of phenotypes with no intermediates; examples include ABO blood groups, seed shape in peas and seed colour in peas
State that discontinuous variation is usually caused by genes only and continuous variation is caused by both genes and the environment
Investigate and describe examples of continuous and discontinuous variation
Describe mutation as genetic change
State that mutation is the way in which new alleles are formed
State that ionising radiation and some chemicals increase the rate of mutation
Describe gene mutation as a random change in the base sequence of DNA
State that mutation, meiosis, random mating and random fertilisation are sources of genetic variation in populations

18.2 Adaptive features

Describe an adaptive feature as an inherited feature that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment
Interpret images or other information about a species to describe its adaptive features
Explain the adaptive features of hydrophytes and xerophytes to their environments

18.3 Selection

Describe natural selection with reference to: (a) genetic variation within populations (b) production of many offspring (c) struggle for survival, including competition for resources (d) a greater chance of reproduction by individuals that are better adapted to the environment than others (e) these individuals pass on their alleles to the next generation
Describe selective breeding with reference to: (a) selection by humans of individuals with desirable features (b) crossing these individuals to produce the next generation (c) selection of offspring showing the desirable features
Outline how selective breeding by artificial selection is carried out over many generations to improve crop plants and domesticated animals and apply this to given contexts
Describe adaptation as the process, resulting from natural selection, by which populations become more suited to their environment over many generations
Describe the development of strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria as an example of natural selection
Outline the differences between natural and artificial selection

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