Fertilisers: past paper questions
Real questions on fertilisers
The newest 20 of 24 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(i)[1]
State one source of nitrates that pollute natural water sources.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q7b[1]
Some fertilisers contain nitrates. State why fertilisers are used.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(i)[1]
Nitrogen and phosphorus are elements contained in NPK fertilisers. Name the other element contained in NPK fertilisers.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(ii)[1]
State why fertilisers are used.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(iii)[1]
One compound that can be found in fertilisers contains the ions NH 4+ and NO 3– only. State the name of this compound.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(v)[1]
A higher concentration of nitrate ions in river water can cause deoxygenation. State a source of a higher concentration of nitrate ions in river water.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2e[1]
Sea water contains dissolved nitrate ions. State one source of nitrate ions.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
Phosphorus is one element in NPK fertilisers. Draw a circle around one other element that is also in NPK fertilisers. krypton nickel platinum potassium
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
State why farmers use fertilisers on fields where crops are grown.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2025 · Q2e[1]
Sea water contains dissolved phosphate ions. State one source of phosphate ions.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2024 · Q3b[1]
Polluted water contains harmful substances. plastics are toxic to aquatic organisms metal compounds such as mercury( II ) chloride contains harmful microbes which cause disease sewage harm aquatic life when eaten nitrates lead to deoxygenation of water effect harmful substance Link each harmful substance on the left to...
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2024 · Q5e[1]
Phosphates in rivers can cause deoxygenation of water. State one source of phosphates in river water. [Total: 11]
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2024 · Q2c[1]
Most of the nitrate ions in river water come from fertilisers used on fields. Describe the benefit of using fertilisers.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2023 · Q3c(ii)[1]
State one use of ammonium sulfate.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2022 · Q5c(i)[1]
Name one other element found in most fertilisers.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2022 · Q5c(ii)[1]
Explain why farmers use fertilisers on fields where crops are to be grown.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2022 · Q5c[2]
Fertilisers contain nitrogen. Name two other elements found in most fertilisers that are essential for plant growth. and �������������������������������������������������������������������
See it on the paper → - 0620/22 · May/June 2022 · Q31[1]
Which two compounds would give a fertiliser containing all three of these elements?
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2022 · Q4c(i)[1]
Calcium carbonate is used in the manufacture of lime (calcium oxide). State one other use of calcium carbonate.
See it on the paper → - 0620/12 · October/November 2021 · Q31[1]
Which row describes a source of sulfur and a use of sulfur dioxide?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates knew that the other element was potassium. Limited responses • A few candidates thought that the symbol K in NPK fertilisers was Krypton.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates knew why fertilisers were used. Examples of good answers were ‘to make crops grow faster’, ‘increase growth of plant’ and ‘increase yield of crops’. Limited responses • Some candidates confused this answer and used to ‘kill pests’, ‘kill bacteria’ and ‘to provide more nutrients’.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Some candidates did know the name of the compound from its given ions. Limited responses • Many candidates did not know the name of this compound and would benefit from more examples of naming compounds when the ions it contains are given.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q5(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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.