0653.B15.2.09 — Describe a decomposer as an organism that gets its energy from dead or waste organic material: past paper questions
Real questions on 0653.b15.2.09 — describe a decomposer as an organism that gets its energy from dead or waste organic material
The newest 6 of 6 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0653/01 · Specimen 2025 · Q39[1]
What is a light-year?
See it on the paper → - 0653/01 · Specimen 2025 · Q40[1]
Which sequence is part of the life cycle of a small star (about the same size as the Sun)?
See it on the paper → - 0653/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(iii)[1]
Animals in the food web produce waste organic material. Name the type of organism that gets its energy from waste organic material.
See it on the paper → - 0653/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(i)[1]
Name the type of organism that gains energy from waste organic material.
See it on the paper → - 0653/12 · October/November 2023 · Q13[1]
Which arrow represents respiration by decomposers?
See it on the paper → - 0653/32 · February/March 2023 · Q7b(ii)[1]
State the name of the type of organism that gets its energy from waste organic matter.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates found this question demanding. Few candidates stated the correct answer, decomposers. Incorrect responses included organisms such as, fly, insect, slug and bacteria.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/32 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
Candidates generally identified decomposers. The question asked for ‘the type of organism’ and candidates should be advised that this wording means that they should avoid suggesting specific examples such as fungi.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/41 Q3(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates realised that decomposers release carbon dioxide and selected the correct option, A.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0653/12 Q13 (Cambridge)
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