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IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (9–1) 0973 · Biology · 1

Characteristics of living organisms: past paper questions

27 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2020–2026usually: State, Complete, Name, Describe, Identify

Real questions on characteristics of living organisms

The newest 20 of 27 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

  1. 0973/31 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[4]

    Sensitivity is one characteristic of living organisms. Name and describe two other characteristics of living organisms.

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  2. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[2]

    There are two types of reproduction. Complete Table 1.1 to compare asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. Table 1.1 number of parents asexual sexual genetically genetically

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  3. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[3]

    Fig. 1.1 shows a diagram of the male reproductive system in humans. A B E C D Fig. 1.1 Using letters A–E in Fig. 1.1, identify the part that: produces sperm secretes a fluid to make semen

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  4. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[3]

    Flowers are the reproductive organs of plants. Complete the sentences about pollination and fertilisation. Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from an to a . Fertilisation occurs when a pollen nucleus fuses with a nucleus in

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  5. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]

    State all the elements found in the molecules of: protein glycogen.

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  6. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]

    State the names of the two different smaller molecules that make up a molecule of fat.

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  7. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(iii)[2]

    State the test for protein and give the observation for a positive result. test

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  8. 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]

    Enzymes are proteins. Complete the sentence about enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that are involved in all

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  9. 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[1]

    The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment is one of the characteristics of living organisms. Circle this characteristic of living organisms.

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  10. 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[2]

    There are different species of rhino. Describe what is meant by the term species.

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  11. 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4d(i)[1]

    Identify the rhino species in Fig. 4.2 with the highest population.

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  12. 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4d(ii)[2]

    Use Fig. 4.2 to calculate how many times bigger the population of white rhino is compared to the population of black rhino.

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  13. 0973/31 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(ii)[1]

    State the name of one other characteristic of living organisms.

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  14. 0973/32 · May/June 2024 · Q1d(ii)[1]

    State the name of one other characteristic of living things.

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  15. 0973/42 · May/June 2024 · Q1d[2]

    Reproduction is one of the characteristics of living organisms. State two other characteristics of living organisms.

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  16. 0973/41 · October/November 2023 · Q4c[1]

    Respiration is one of the characteristics of living organisms. State one other characteristic.

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  17. 0973/32 · May/June 2023 · Q1e[3]

    Reproduction is one of the characteristics of living organisms. State three other characteristics of living organisms.

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  18. 0973/41 · May/June 2023 · Q1c(ii)[1]

    State the name of the characteristic of living organisms that describes the detection and response to stimuli.

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  19. 0973/31 · October/November 2022 · Q10d[3]

    Nutrition is one of the characteristics of living things. State the name of three other characteristics.

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  20. 0973/41 · May/June 2022 · Q10a[2]

    Place ticks (3) in the boxes to show two other involuntary actions. coughing cycling reading sneezing talking

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What examiners said

Most candidates could identify sensitivity. Some candidates circled multiple responses. These candidates should be encouraged to carefully read the instructions in the question.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q3(a) (Cambridge)

Candidates did not know this definition from the syllabus and it was rare to see answers which gained full credit. Most gave the idea of the same kind of animal or tried to describe rhinos in particular.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q4(b) (Cambridge)

Almost all candidates selected the correct rhino species from the bar chart.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q4(d)(i) (Cambridge)

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Characteristics of living organisms — IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (9–1) 0973 past paper questions | AssessPro