Giant covalent structures: past paper questions
Real questions on giant covalent structures
The newest 20 of 28 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Name a substance that has a giant covalent lattice and similar properties to silicon(IV) oxide.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(i)[1]
Name a giant covalent structure of carbon which conducts electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Identify the particles responsible for the conduction of electricity in this covalent structure of carbon.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(iii)[2]
Silicon( IV ) oxide contains silicon atoms, Si, and oxygen atoms, O. Fig. 2.2 shows part of the giant covalent structure of silicon( IV ) oxide. Complete the diagram in Fig. 2.2 by adding the symbol for each of the 9 atoms shown. Fig. 2.2
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q2c(i)[1]
State one other use of diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Choose the correct statement that describes the structure and bonding in diamond. Tick (✓) one box. simple covalent molecule giant covalent simple ionic
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(iii)[1]
a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(v)[1]
a compound with a high melting point
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(iii)[1]
a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(vi)[1]
a non-metallic element that conducts electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8e(ii)[1]
Choose the correct statement about the structure and bonding in graphite. Tick (✓) one box. simple ionic simple covalent giant ionic giant covalent
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8e(iii)[1]
State one use of graphite other than as an electrode. [Total: 12]
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2023 · Q2a(iv)[1]
exists as graphite ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2023 · Q1b[1]
has a giant covalent structure ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2022 · Q1a(ii)[1]
an element with a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1a[1]
State the number of covalent bonds each carbon atom has in diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1b[1]
State the term used to describe the structure of diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1c[1]
Name an oxide that has a similar structure to diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1d[2]
Describe the arrangement of atoms in graphite.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1e[1]
Explain how graphite conducts electricity.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates recognised graphite as the giant structure of carbon which conducts electricity.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/42 Q2(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates realised that electrons were the particles responsible for conduction of electricity.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/42 Q2(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates struggled to complete this diagram of the structure of SiO 2. Many did not read the question that silicon atoms had the symbol ‘Si’ and oxygen atoms had the symbol ‘O’. Many diagrams featured symbols such as ‘S’, ‘Si4+’, ‘O2–’ and ‘O2’. The idea that Si would have four bonds and O would have two bonds was rarely known.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/42 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
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