Alcohols: past paper questions
Real questions on alcohols
The newest 20 of 33 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
an alcohol
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(i)[3]
(b) (i) Outline how ethanol is manufactured using aqueous glucose. In your answer, include: * the name of this process * — two conditions that are needed. MAME PFOCESS .......... CONMITION .......... .......... eect .......... condition 2 (3]
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4b(ii)[1]
1-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4c[2]
Ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid. Complete the word equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with magnesium. ethanoic acid + magnesium
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q6a[1]
State why the homologous series of alcohols have similar chemical properties.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q6f[1]
All unbranched esters with the molecular formula C 5 H 10 O 2 combust completely to form carbon dioxide and water only. Write the symbol equation for the complete combustion of C 5 H 10 O 2 .
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
Draw the displayed formula of a molecule of ethanol.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[2]
Ethanol is manufactured by the reaction of steam with ethene. State two conditions for this process.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(i)[1]
On Fig 4.1 draw a circle around the alcohol functional group.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q1f[1]
is a colourless liquid at r.t.p.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q8b(ii)[1]
Name one other method of manufacturing ethanol.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(iv)[1]
a compound in the same homologous series as ethanol
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2024 · Q1e[1]
produce ethanol from aqueous glucose
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q7e[2]
Ethanol can be manufactured by fermentation. Complete the word equation for one other method of manufacturing ethanol. + → ethanol
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2023 · Q7a(i)[1]
On Fig. 7.1 draw a circle around the alcohol functional group.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2022 · Q7b(ii)[1]
Complete the sentence about ethanol using a word from the list. combustion cracking electrolysis fermentation Ethanol is manufactured from ethene or by .
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2022 · Q6a(ii)[1]
is an alcohol ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2021 · Q6a[1]
Write the general formula of alcohols.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2021 · Q6b[1]
Explain why ethanol cannot be described as a hydrocarbon.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2020 · Q5a(ii)[1]
State the type of chemical change that happens to the ethanol during this reaction.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates gave the reaction mixture for fermentation, glucose or starch and yeast rather than the other method (addition) required by the question. Some candidates may have written the correct answer, ethene, but they wrote in such a way that it was hard to determine whether they had written ‘ethene’ or ‘ethane’. If the answer is ambiguous then credit cannot be awarded. A significant number...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/31 Q7(e) (Cambridge)
Most candidates identified the alcohol. There were no consistent errors.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0971/31 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
The general formula of alcohols was well known but candidates needed to take care over use of subscripts. Frequently CnH2n+1OH was seen, which did not receive credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 0971/42 Q6(a) (Cambridge)
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