Cambridge O Level

COMBINED SCIENCE 5129/12

Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2024
1 hour

You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.

*4353782065*

You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet

Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended)

INSTRUCTIONS
 There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
 For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
 Write in soft pencil.
 Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the
spaces provided unless this has been done for you.
 Do not use correction fluid.
 Do not write on any bar codes.
 You may use a calculator.

INFORMATION
 The total mark for this paper is 40.
 Each correct answer will score one mark.
 Any rough working should be done on this question paper.
 The Periodic Table is printed in the question paper.

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

IB24 06_5129_12/3RP
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1 Which row identifies diffusion?

description of net movement

movement of molecules of molecules

A all molecules move from higher concentration

in the same direction to lower concentration
B all molecules move from lower concentration
in the same direction to higher concentration
C molecules move from lower concentration
randomly in all directions to higher concentration
D molecules move from higher concentration
randomly in all directions to lower concentration

2 Amylase in the mouth breaks starch down to maltose. The pH in the mouth is 6.5 and the
temperature is 37 C.

What would reduce the rate of production of maltose?

1 changing the pH to 12
2 increasing the amount of starch

3 raising the temperature to 45 C

4 removing the maltose as it forms

A 1 and 3 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

3 Which plant tissues are responsible for the transport of amino acids and which are responsible for
the transport of sucrose?

amino acids sucrose

A phloem phloem
B phloem xylem
C xylem xylem
D xylem phloem

4 Which statements about physical digestion are correct?

1 It makes food particles smaller.

2 It makes the molecules smaller.
3 It occurs in the colon.
4 It occurs in the mouth.

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 3 and 4

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5 How is the composition of expired air different to the composition of inspired air?

percentage which percentage which percentage which percentage which

is carbon dioxide is nitrogen is oxygen is water vapour

A smaller larger smaller smaller

B larger smaller larger the same
C smaller the same larger smaller
D larger the same smaller larger

6 Which row completes the sentence?

......X...... is the chemical reaction in all living cells that releases ......Y...... from ......Z...... .

X Y Z

A assimilation energy starch

B assimilation glucose starch
C respiration energy glucose
D respiration glucose energy

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7 What are the parts of the heart indicated by W, X, Y and Z?

W X Y Z
A left atrium semilunar atrioventricular right ventricle
valve valve
B left atrium atrioventricular semilunar right ventricle
valve valve
C right atrium semilunar atrioventricular left ventricle
valve valve
D right atrium atrioventricular semilunar left ventricle
valve valve

8 Smoking can damage the alveoli.

What can be a result of this damage?

A The rate of breathing is decreased.

B The rate of respiration is increased.
C The volume of air breathed in is increased.
D The volume of oxygen absorbed is decreased.

9 What describes the effect of a stimulus in reflex actions?

A The stimulus produces a slow automatic response.

B The stimulus produces a slow voluntary response.
C The stimulus produces a rapid automatic response.
D The stimulus produces a rapid voluntary response.

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10 A cell with a nucleus containing 8 chromosomes undergoes meiosis.

What describes the cells produced by this process?

A 2 cells each containing 4 chromosomes

B 2 cells each containing 8 chromosomes
C 4 cells each containing 4 chromosomes
D 4 cells each containing 8 chromosomes

11 What is the main source of energy input to most biological systems?

A bacteria
B plants
C soil
D Sun

12 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle.

carbon dioxide
in the air

animals decomposers fossil fuels

X
green plants

Which process is represented by the arrow labelled X?

A decomposition
B feeding
C photosynthesis
D respiration

13 Which statements about deforestation are correct?

1 Deforestation reduces habitats for wild animals.

2 Deforestation causes an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
3 Farming, mining and human population growth all increase deforestation.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 1 only

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14 Which statement describes a liquid?

A Closely spaced particles able to move freely.

B Closely spaced particles vibrate about a fixed point.
C Particles are far apart and unable to move freely.
D Particles are far apart with large amounts of kinetic energy.

15 The diagram shows salt being added to water in a beaker.

salt

salty
water
water

On which diagram are the labels correct?

A B
solute solute

solution solvent solvent solution

C D
solvent solvent

solution solute solute solution

16 An atom of element X contains 7 electrons.

Which statements about atom X are correct?

1 X has a mass number greater than 7.

2 X is in Group VII of the Periodic Table.
3 X is in Period 2 of the Periodic Table.

A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

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17 Which statement about magnesium chloride, MgCl 2, is correct?

A When it is melted it becomes an electrical conductor because its electrons are free to move.
B It consists of anions and cations which have completely filled outer electron shells.
C It has a high melting point because its covalent bonds are very strong.
D The magnesium and chlorine atoms are bonded strongly together by sharing electrons.

18 Sodium metal reacts with water to produce hydrogen and a solution of sodium hydroxide.

In which balanced equation are the state symbols correct?

A 2Na(s) + 2H2O(aq)  2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

B 2Na(s) + 2H2O(aq)  2NaOH(l) + H2(g)

C 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

D 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l)  2NaOH(l) + H2(g)

19 The equation for the combustion of hydrogen is shown.

2H2 + O2  2H2O

Which mass of oxygen reacts when 2 g of hydrogen is burned in excess air?

A 1g B 16 g C 32 g D 64 g

20 Which statements about the reaction between methane and oxygen are correct?

1 It is a cracking reaction.
2 It is an endothermic reaction.
3 It is an exothermic reaction.
4 It is a redox reaction.

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 and 4 D 3 and 4

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21 1 g of solid zinc is reacted with excess dilute sulfuric acid in four different experiments under
different conditions.

The results are shown.

experiment type of zinc temperature / C

1 small pieces 20
2 small pieces 50
3 large pieces 50
4 large pieces 20

Which row identifies the experiments taking the longest time and the shortest time for all the
zinc to react?

experiment experiment
taking the taking the
longest time shortest time

A 1 3
B 2 4
C 3 1
D 4 2

22 Which test result identifies oxygen?

A bleaches damp litmus paper

B ‘pops’ with a lighted splint
C relights a glowing splint
D turns limewater milky

23 What is the colour of universal indicator in a neutral solution?

A blue
B green
C orange
D red

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24 Part of the Periodic Table is shown.

The letters in the table are not the usual symbols of the elements.

X
Y Z

Which statement is correct?

A W is a metal and X is a non-metal.

B X has more electrons than Y.
C Y and Z are both non-metals.
D Z has fewer electron shells than W.

25 Four metals, P, Q, R and S, are tested with water, steam and dilute hydrochloric acid.

The results are shown.

P does not react with cold water or steam and only reacts slowly with
dilute hydrochloric acid.
S reacts slowly with cold water, reacts moderately fast with steam and reacts rapidly with
dilute hydrochloric acid.
R reacts vigorously with cold water.
Q does not react with cold water, reacts very slowly with steam and reacts moderately
fast with dilute hydrochloric acid.

What is the order of reactivity of the metals?

most reactive least reactive

A P Q S R
B P S Q R
C R Q S P
D R S Q P

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26 Different fractions are obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum.

Which row identifies a correct use of a fraction?

fraction use

A kerosene as chemical feedstock

B petrol fuel for planes
C gas oil fuel for diesel engines
D bitumen waxes and polishes

27 Which structure represents poly(ethene)?

A B C D

H H H H H H H H

C C C C C C C C

H H n H H n H H n H H

28 Which apparatus is used when determining the volume of a small, irregularly shaped object?

A a digital timer
B a measuring cylinder
C a metre rule
D a tape measure

29 It takes 8.0 minutes for light travelling at a speed of 3.0  108 m / s to reach the Earth from the
Sun.

What is the distance of the Earth from the Sun?

A 6.25  105 m

B 3.75  107 m

C 2.40  109 m

D 1.44  1011 m

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30 What is the name for the size of the turning effect of a force?

A moment
B pivot
C power
D weight

31 A ball is dropped from a certain height above a hard smooth floor and it bounces many times.

The bar chart shows the original gravitational potential energy of the ball and the gravitational
potential energy at the top of the following bounces.

100

90
gravitational
potential
80
energy
of ball / J
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
original 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
bounce bounce bounce bounce bounce

At the top of the 5th bounce, what percentage of the ball’s original gravitational potential energy
has been transferred to other stores?

A 17% B 30% C 83% D 100%

32 Which statement describes the particles in a gas?

A They are held together by strong forces of attraction.

B They are always in contact with each other.
C They move around freely in all directions.
D They vibrate and slide over each other very quickly.

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33 Why do white clothes keep people cooler when they are standing in the Sun?

A White clothes are good absorbers of infrared radiation.

B White clothes are good emitters of infrared radiation.
C White clothes are poor absorbers of infrared radiation.
D White clothes are poor emitters of infrared radiation.

34 The diagram shows a water wave in a ripple tank.

20 cm

The speed of the wave is 40 cm / s.

What is the frequency of the wave?

A 0.25 Hz B 0.50 Hz C 2.0 Hz D 4.0 Hz

35 A ray of light in air enters a glass block.

normal

P
S air
glass
Q
R

Which row identifies the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction?

angle of angle of
incidence refraction

A P Q
B P R
C S Q
D S R

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36 Four metal spheres W, X, Y and Z are charged.

W repels X.

Y repels Z.

W attracts Z.

X is positively charged.

Which statement is correct?

A W has a negative charge.

B X attracts Y.
C Y has a positive charge.
D Z repels X.

37 A series circuit consists of a battery, an ammeter, a lamp and a resistor. A voltmeter is placed
across the lamp and the resistor.

2A A
1Ω 6Ω

What is the voltmeter reading?

A 2V B 10 V C 12 V D 14 V

38 A 2000 W electric vacuum cleaner is plugged into a 250 V wall socket using a cable designed to
carry a maximum of 5 A.

The plug of the vacuum cleaner contains a 13 A fuse.

What would be the result of using this arrangement?

A The cable would overheat.

B The fuse in the plug would ‘blow’.
C The vacuum cleaner would not work.
D There would be no effect.

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39 The cable connected to an electric iron contains an earth wire.

electric iron

cable

Why does the electric iron need an earth wire to make it safe?

A The current sometimes decreases.

B The iron has a plastic handle.
C The iron has a metal base.
D The iron becomes hot.

40 When using a radioactive source, what is not a safety precaution?

A checking the level of background radiation

B handling the source with long forceps
C keeping the exposure time to a minimum
D shielding the source from observers

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publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2024 5129/12/M/J/24

 The Periodic Table of Elements
Group

© UCLES 2024
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
1 2
H He
hydrogen helium
Key 1 4
3 4 atomic number 5 6 7 8 9 10

Li Be atomic symbol B C N O F Ne
lithium beryllium name boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon
7 9 relative atomic mass 11 12 14 16 19 20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorus sulfur chlorine argon
23 24 27 28 31 32 35.5 40
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
potassium calcium scandium titanium vanadium chromium manganese iron cobalt nickel copper zinc gallium germanium arsenic selenium bromine krypton
39 40 45 48 51 52 55 56 59 59 64 65 70 73 75 79 80 84
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
rubidium strontium yttrium zirconium niobium molybdenum technetium ruthenium rhodium palladium silver cadmium indium tin antimony tellurium iodine xenon
16

85 88 89 91 93 96 – 101 103 106 108 112 115 119 122 128 127 131
55 56 57–71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

5129/12/M/J/24
lanthanoids
Cs Ba Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
caesium barium hafnium tantalum tungsten rhenium osmium iridium platinum gold mercury thallium lead bismuth polonium astatine radon
133 137 178 181 184 186 190 192 195 197 201 204 207 209 – – –
87 88 89–103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
actinoids
Fr Ra Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
francium radium rutherfordium dubnium seaborgium bohrium hassium meitnerium darmstadtium roentgenium copernicium nihonium flerovium moscovium livermorium tennessine oganesson
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
lanthanoids La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
lanthanum cerium praseodymium neodymium promethium samarium europium gadolinium terbium dysprosium holmium erbium thulium ytterbium lutetium
139 140 141 144 – 150 152 157 159 163 165 167 169 173 175
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
actinoids Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
actinium thorium protactinium uranium neptunium plutonium americium curium berkelium californium einsteinium fermium mendelevium nobelium lawrencium
– 232 231 238 – – – – – – – – – – –

The volume of one mole of any gas is 24 dm3 at room temperature and pressure (r.t.p.).