IGCSE Chemistry (9–1) 0971 · Topic 7

Acids, bases and salts: past paper questions

276 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Name, Complete, Define, Write

Real questions on acids, bases and salts

The newest 20 of 155 written questions, plus 121 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3c(i)[1]
Write the formula of the ion that is in all acids.
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0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3c(ii)[1]
(ii) Choose the pH value for an acidic solution. Draw a circle around your chosen answer. pH2 pH7 pH9 pH12 [1]
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0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6c(ii)[1]
State if nickel(II) oxide is an acidic oxide or a basic oxide. Give a reason for your answer.
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0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5f(ii)[1]
Aqueous sodium hydroxide is an alkali. Complete the sentence about an alkali using one of the words from the list. acid base indicator salt An alkali is a soluble .
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1e(i)[1]
Name the toxic gaseous product of the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1e(ii)[2]
Name the two non-toxic gases formed in the catalytic converter.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q3h[3]
State the name of a different: • barium salt that can be used in place of BaCl • sulfate salt that can be used in place of Na 2 SO
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[1]
State the formula of the common cation produced when each of the three acids dissociates in water.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[2]
• nitric acid is described as a strong acid • ethanoic acid is described as a weak acid. Explain, in terms of dissociation, why: (ii)
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(iii)[1]
State which of the three dilute acids will have the highest pH value.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(iv)[1]
State the colour of thymolphthalein in all three dilute acids.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(v)[2]
Give the formula of the anion formed when: • sulfuric acid dissociates in water • ethanoic acid dissociates in water.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(vii)[1]
Name the salt formed when calcium reacts with ethanoic acid.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
Al (OH) 3 acts as a base in this reaction. Define the term base.
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
Al (OH) 3 is not an alkali. State what this tells you about the solubility of Al (OH) 3 .
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0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(iii)[1]
Name one other compound which forms aluminium nitrate when added to dilute nitric acid.
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0971/62 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
To the first portion of solution E, the student adds about 2 cm 3 of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The student warms the mixture gently and tests any gas produced. observations
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0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1e[1]
a gas that is identified using damp red litmus paper
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0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(iv)[1]
State the formula of the ion that is present in all acids.
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0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
used as a catalyst
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What examiners said

Qualitative tests were not well recalled. All the other gases present were chosen, with fluorine being the most popular incorrect answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(e) (Cambridge)

Approximately one third of the candidates answered this correctly. Many candidates did not attempt the question. Some candidates stated ‘hydrogen ion’ but the question required the formula of the ion.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q5(a)(iv) (Cambridge)

This was answered extremely well. Sulfur dioxide and oxygen were seen very occasionally.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/41 Q1(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

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In the syllabus

7.1 The characteristic properties of acids and bases

Describe the characteristic properties of acids in terms of their reactions with: (a) metals (b) bases (c) carbonates
Describe acids in terms of their effect on: (a) litmus (b) thymolphthalein (c) methyl orange
State that bases are oxides or hydroxides of metals and that alkalis are soluble bases
Describe the characteristic properties of bases in terms of their reactions with: (a) acids (b) ammonium salts
Describe alkalis in terms of their effect on: (a) litmus (b) thymolphthalein (c) methyl orange
State that aqueous solutions of acids contain H+ ions and aqueous solutions of alkalis contain OH– ions
Describe how to compare hydrogen ion concentration, neutrality, relative acidity and relative alkalinity in terms of colour and pH using universal indicator paper
Describe the neutralisation reaction between an acid and an alkali to produce water, H+ (aq) + OH– (aq) → H2O (l )
Define acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors
Define a strong acid as an acid that is completely dissociated in aqueous solution and a weak acid as an acid that is partially dissociated in aqueous solution
State that hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, as shown by the symbol equation, HCl (aq) → H+(aq) + Cl –(aq)
State that ethanoic acid is a weak acid, as shown by the symbol equation, CH₃COOH(aq) ⇌ H⁺(aq) + CH₃COO⁻(aq)

7.2 Oxides

Classify oxides as acidic, including SO2 and CO2, or basic, including CuO and CaO, related to metallic and non-metallic character
Describe amphoteric oxides as oxides that react with acids and with bases to produce a salt and water
Classify Al 2O3 and ZnO as amphoteric oxides

7.3 Preparation of salts

Describe the preparation, separation and purification of soluble salts by reaction of an acid with: (a) an alkali by titration (b) excess metal (c) excess insoluble base (d) excess insoluble carbonate
Describe the general solubility rules for salts: (a) sodium, potassium and ammonium salts are soluble (b) nitrates are soluble (c) chlorides are soluble, except lead and silver (d) sulfates are soluble, except barium, calcium and lead (e) carbonates are insoluble, except sodium, potassium and ammonium (f) hydroxides are insoluble, except sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium (partially)
Define a hydrated substance as a substance that is chemically combined with water and an anhydrous substance as a substance containing no water
Describe the preparation of insoluble salts by precipitation
Define the term water of crystallisation as the water molecules present in hydrated crystals, including CuSO4•5H2O and CoCl 2•6H2O

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