0653.C11.2.03 — State that hydrocarbons are compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only: past paper questions

Real questions on 0653.c11.2.03 — state that hydrocarbons are compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only

The newest 8 of 8 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

1. 0653/33 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(ii)[1]

   Explain why the organic compound shown in Fig. 5.1 is not a hydrocarbon.

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2. 0653/31 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[1]

   State what is meant by a hydrocarbon.

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3. 0653/33 · May/June 2023 · Q2a(iii)[1]

   State what is meant by hydrocarbon.

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4. 0653/32 · February/March 2023 · Q8b(i)[2]

   State what is meant by the terms unsaturated and hydrocarbon. unsaturated hydrocarbon

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5. 0653/42 · February/March 2023 · Q8c(ii)[1]

   Explain why ethanol is not considered to be a hydrocarbon.

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6. 0653/43 · May/June 2021 · Q8a(i)[2]

   Ethane and ethene are hydrocarbons. State what is meant by the term hydrocarbon.

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7. 0653/32 · February/March 2020 · Q5b(i)[1]

   Name the type of compound that contains carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

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8. 0653/33 · October/November 2019 · Q2b(i)[1]

   Name the type of compound that contains carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

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What examiners said

Many candidates knew that the elements hydrogen and carbon are found in a hydrocarbon. Fewer stated that a hydrocarbon only contains hydrogen and carbon. The word only was essential in the definition. This question was answered quite well by some candidates, others stated that hydrogen was mixed with carbon.

— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/31 Q6(b) (Cambridge)

Some candidates stated that a hydrocarbon contains carbon and hydrogen, but they omitted the word only in their definitions. Hydrocarbons do not contain any other elements apart from hydrogen and carbon.

— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0653/33 Q2(a)(iii) (Cambridge)

Many candidates gained credit by stating that the unsaturated molecule contains a double bond. Fewer gained credit for the definition of a hydrocarbon. It was important to write that only hydrogen and carbon are present in a hydrocarbon. Therefore, answers stating that a hydrocarbon contains carbon and hydrogen were not enough to gain credit. Many organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen, but...

— Examiner report, February/March 2023, 0653/32 Q8(b)(i) (Cambridge)