IGCSE Combined Science 0653 · Chemistry · 113

0653.C12.1.02 — Describe a: (a) . solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute (b) . solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent (c) . solution a: past paper questions

6 real questionsasked in 4 of the last 10 exam series2022–2025usually: Suggest, Identify, Name, Use

Real questions on 0653.c12.1.02 — describe a: (a) . solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute (b) . solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent (c) . solution a

The newest 6 of 6 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0653/31 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
Name the piece of apparatus labelled A in Fig. 4.1.
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0653/61 · May/June 2024 · Q1aii[1]
Suggest a piece of apparatus suitable for measuring 2 cm³ of starch solution.
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0653/61 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(i)[1]
In step 1, the student uses a measuring cylinder to measure 25 cm 3 of dilute hydrochloric acid. Suggest one other piece of apparatus suitable for measuring 25 cm 3 accurately.
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0653/32 · February/March 2023 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Use the equation to identify the solvent and one solute. solvent solute
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0653/33 · October/November 2022 · Q2a(i)[2]
Identify the solute and the solvent in this mixture. solute solvent
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0653/33 · October/November 2022 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Identify one compound in the mixture.
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What examiners said

The question stressed that candidates needed to suggest one other piece of apparatus to measure the volume of dilute acid, rather than the measuring cylinder used in step 1 of the method. However, measuring cylinder was a common incorrect answer. Other incorrect answers included syringe and burette.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0653/61 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Many candidates found this question challenging. The equation shows one solid, magnesium, and one gas, hydrogen. Neither of these elements occur in solution, so they can be excluded. The state symbols for the sulfuric acid and the magnesium sulfate are both (aq). This means that they are both solutes in the solvent water.
— Examiner report, February/March 2023, 0653/32 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

A few candidates correctly stated that the solute was sodium chloride and the solvent was water. Many candidates incorrectly stated that the solvent was sodium chloride and water, and that the solute was iron filings. The solute, sodium chloride, must dissolve in the solvent, water, to make a solution of sodium chloride. The iron filings are insoluble in water.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0653/33 Q2(a)(i) (Cambridge)

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Practise 0653.c12.1.02 — describe a: (a) . solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute (b) . solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent (c) . solution a

In the syllabus

113 0653.C12.1.02 — Describe a: (a) . solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute (b) . solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent (c) . solution a

Describe a: (a) . solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute (b) . solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent (c) . solution as a mixture of one or more solutes dissolved in a solvent (d) . saturated solution as a solution containing the maximum concentration of a solute dissolved in the solvent at a specified temperature (e) . residue as a solid substance that remains after evaporation, distillation, filtration or any similar process (f) . filtrate as a liquid or solution that has passed through a filter

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