Variation and selection: past paper questions
Real questions on variation and selection
The newest 20 of 32 written questions, plus 61 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0970/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(iii)[4]
Explain the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Seeds of different crop plants germinate at different temperatures. Table 2.1 shows the temperatures at which each crop plant germinates. Table 2.1 crop plants temperature range / °C carrot 7–29 corn 16–35 pea 4–24 pepper 18–35 tomato 21–35 The list shows five conclusions. Tick (3) two conclusions for the data shown in...
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Carrot seeds germinate between 7 °C and 29 °C. The investigation was repeated at 25 °C. Predict the results you would expect at 25 °C. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[2]
Complete the sentence to define the term adaptive feature. An adaptive feature is an feature that helps an organism
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[2]
magnification ×10 Fig. 4.1 Using Fig. 4.1, describe the visible features that identify this as a xerophyte leaf. Fig. 4.1 is a photomicrograph of a cross-section of a marram grass leaf. (b) Marram grass is a xerophytic plant.
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4c(iii)[1]
Suggest one way the stem of a xerophyte is adapted for dry habitats.
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4d[3]
Fig. 4.2 is a diagram showing the root systems of two different species of xerophyte. species 2 species 1 soil surface 15 m Fig. 4.2 Describe the two root systems shown in Fig. 4.2 and suggest how each one is an adaptation for living in a dry environment.
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5b[2]
Explain how Fig. 5.1 shows that blood group is an example of discontinuous variation.
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5c[1]
State one example of discontinuous variation in plants.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(iii)[1]
State the type of variation shown by the data in Table 8.1.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8c[1]
Place a tick (✓) in the box that shows the meaning of variation. Variation is an alternative form of a gene. Variation is the differences between individuals of the same species. Variation is the recessive allele in a genotype. Variation is the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation.
See it on the paper → - 0970/42 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[2]
Describe what is meant by an adaptive feature.
See it on the paper → - 0970/31 · May/June 2023 · Q1c(i)[1]
State one adaptive feature visible in Fig. 1.2 that reduces water loss when the organism is on land.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2023 · Q1b(i)[3]
Complete the definition of the term adaptive feature by inserting the missing words. An adaptive feature is an feature that helps an organism to and in its environment.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2023 · Q1b(ii)[1]
The part labelled A in Fig. 1.1 is an adaptive feature of the pseudoscorpion. Suggest a function of the part labelled A in Fig. 1.1.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2023 · Q7a[3]
A farmer wanted to use selective breeding to produce goats with a high milk yield. Fig. 7.1 shows a goat being milked. Fig. 7.1 Describe the stages in selective breeding to develop goats with a high milk yield.
See it on the paper → - 0970/41 · May/June 2023 · Q5d[3]
Describe how artificial selection differs from natural selection.
See it on the paper → - 0970/41 · May/June 2023 · Q5e[2]
Mutation causes formation of new alleles which increases genetic variation. State two other sources of genetic variation in populations.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(i)[4]
Complete the sentences that describe the data shown in Fig. 5.1. The rarest blood group in both countries is . In country X blood group is the most common but in country Y it is blood group . The percentage of the population of country X that has blood group A is %.
See it on the paper → - 0970/32 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(ii)[2]
Suggest the type of variation shown in Fig. 5.1 and give a reason for your choice. type of variation reason
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates predicted that the seed would still germinate, but did not notice that the higher, optimal temperature would result in faster germination. The first investigation was at 10 °C, so germination at the middle of the range of temperature should be faster.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/32 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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, 0970/42 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
Many candidates gave clear descriptions of the features of the marram grass leaf that showed it was a xerophytic plant. Common correct answers included a thick cuticle and the presence of hairs. Some candidates incorrectly identified these as root hair cells or gave features that were not specific to the leaf in the photomicrograph. Others did use the image but incorrectly thought that the rolled...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0970/42 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
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