Classification: past paper questions
Real questions on classification
The newest 11 of 11 written questions, plus 21 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5090/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(i)[2]
Using information from Fig. 3.1 and Fig. 3.2, state two structural features used to classify Azolla in the plant kingdom. (i)
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(i)[1]
Identify the name of the kingdom and genus of this organism. kingdom genus
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(ii)[2]
Give two of the main features of organisms classified in the kingdom named in (a)(i).
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1[5]
Use the dichotomous key in Fig. 1.1 to identify the five main vertebrate groups, A, B, C, D and E. Complete Table 1.1. animals with backbones adults without fins and gills lay eggs with shells have skin with feathers – B do not lay eggs with shells have skin with no feathers – C have skin with fur – D have skin with no...
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(i)[3]
State three main features used to classify an organism as a fish.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[2]
State two main groups of vertebrates other than fish.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2023 · Q1c(iii)[2]
The binomial name of this type of bacterium is Vibrio cholerae. State the genus of this type of bacterium and one advantage of the binomial system of naming species. genus advantage
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2021 · Q1c(i)[1]
Using the data in the table and your bar chart, state which area of the choice chamber the woodlice preferred.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2021 · Q1c(ii)[2]
Suggest where the student should have placed the 10 woodlice when she first put them into the choice chamber. Explain your answer.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2021 · Q1c(iii)[2]
Suggest two ways in which the results of this investigation could be made more reliable.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2021 · Q1c(iv)[2]
Another student says that it would be a good idea to make some holes in the lid of the choice chamber. Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of doing this. advantage disadvantage
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Quite a few candidates understood that in the binomial naming system the genus is the first part of the name so gave the answer ‘Vibrio’ but it was not uncommon for ‘cholerae’ to be stated and others decided that the genus was a larger group and gave the answer ‘bacteria’ or ‘prokaryote’. The second part of the question required candidates to explain an advantage of this system of naming. It was...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/22 Q1(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates correctly stated that the dark and damp area was the preferred area of the woodlice in the choice chamber.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 5090/61 Q1(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates selected one of the four areas of the choice chamber in which to place the woodlice at the start of the experiment thus not recognising that this could cause bias. Some correctly suggested the woodlice should be placed in the centre, but few could give a creditworthy explanation for their answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 5090/61 Q1(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
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