IGCSE Biology (9–1) 0970 · Topic 1

Characteristics and classification of living organisms: past paper questions

184 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Describe, Complete, Calculate, Draw

Real questions on characteristics and classification of living organisms

The newest 20 of 95 written questions, plus 89 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
State the genus name of the amphibian shown in Figure 1.1.
See it on the paper →
0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[3]
Table 1.1 shows some features of amphibians and reptiles. Complete Table 1.1 by placing ticks (“) in the boxes to show whether each feature is typical of amphibians or reptiles or both. Table 1.1 feature amphibians reptiles scales lungs laying eggs
See it on the paper →
0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[1]
State the feature used to identify amphibians and reptiles as vertebrates.
See it on the paper →
0970/31 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[2]
State the names of two vertebrate groups, other than amphibians and reptiles.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2c[1]
Rickets can affect teeth. State the name of the white outer layer of a tooth.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2d(i)[4]
Using the information in Figure 2.1, complete Table 2.1. Table 2.1 letter in Figure 2.1 type of tooth function of the tooth molar
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2d(ii)[1]
Figure 2.1 shows the teeth from the lower jaw of an adult. The same number of teeth is found in the upper jaw of an adult. Young children only have 20 teeth in total. Calculate the difference between the number of teeth in an adult compared to the number of teeth in a young child.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(i)[1]
State the genus of the great cormorant. Sopp Ene PETES ESEEEETEESESENSESEETENTESEOSESEESEEEESENSTSSOTESTSEOSITENSESEESECSESEOTESTESESEESENSESSESENSETENSETENSISEESEOEITENT
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(ii)[1]
(ii) State one feature, visible in Figure 6.1, that is only found in birds. Sopp Ene PETES ESEEEETEESESENSESEETENTESEOSESEESEEEESENSTSSOTESTSEOSITENSESEESECSESEOTESTESESEESENSESSESENSETENSETENSISEESEOEITENT [1]
See it on the paper →
0970/41 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(i)[2]
Describe what is meant by the term species.
See it on the paper →
0970/42 · May/June 2026 · Q6a(iv)[1]
State the name of the organ that the oxygenator replaces in Figure 6.1.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
State the name of the kingdom to which the organisms in Fig. 1.1 belong. (i)
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(ii)[1]
The organisms in Fig. 1.1 can be classified into a group because they have a common feature which is visible in the diagram. State the name of this group.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(iii)[1]
State one feature, visible in Fig. 1.1, that identifies organism D as a fish.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(iv)[2]
Organism E is a mammal. State two features that are found in most mammals.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(v)[1]
State the name of the structure labelled P in Fig. 1.1.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(i)[1]
State the species name for organism A.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
Describe what is meant by the term species.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(ii)[2]
State the names of two types of pathogen.
See it on the paper →
0970/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(iii)[2]
Suggest two ways that pathogens are transmitted between trees.
See it on the paper →

What examiners said

This was a well-known topic. Occasionally a mark was missed because the candidate gave reproduction as an answer which was given in the question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/31 Q8(a) (Cambridge)

The scientific name for elephant was given above the photograph. Most candidates selected the correct genus. A few gave the species name.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/32 Q7(a)(i) (Cambridge)

Most answered correctly, although a few gave features that were not visible.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/32 Q7(a)(ii) (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 these questions

In the syllabus

1.1 Characteristics of living organisms

Describe the characteristics of living organisms by describing: (a) movement as an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place (b) respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism (c) sensitivity as the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment (d) growth as a permanent increase in size and dry mass (e) reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism (f) excretion as the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements (g) nutrition as the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development

1.2 Concept and uses of classification systems

State that organisms can be classified into groups by the features that they share
Describe a species as a group of organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring
Describe the binomial system of naming species as an internationally agreed system in which the scientiﬁc name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and species
Construct and use dichotomous keys based on identifiable features
Explain that classiﬁcation systems aim to reﬂect evolutionary relationships
Explain that the sequences of bases in DNA are used as a means of classiﬁcation
Explain that groups of organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor

1.3 Features of organisms

State the main features used to place animals and plants into the appropriate kingdoms
State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the animal kingdom, limited to: (a) the main groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish (b) the main groups of arthropods: myriapods, insects, arachnids, crustaceans
Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.1 and 1.3.2
State the main features used to place all organisms into one of the five kingdoms: animal, plant, fungus, prokaryote, protoctist
State the main features used to place organisms into groups within the plant kingdom, limited to ferns and flowering plants (dicotyledons and monocotyledons)
Classify organisms using the features identified in 1.3.4 and 1.3.5
State the features of viruses, limited to a protein coat and genetic material

Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.