Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint

CHEMISTRY: CYCLE TEST

40 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are required.

INSTRUCTIONS
 Answer all questions.
 Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
 Write your name in the box at the top of the page.
 Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
 Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
 You should show all your working in the booklet.
 You may use a calculator.
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1 This list shows properties that different materials can have.

A magnetic E good conductor of heat

B can be compressed F poor conductor of heat

C very high melting point G good conductor of electricity

D very low melting point H non conductor of electricity

Write down the letter of the property that answers each of these questions.

(a) Which two properties from the list make aluminium suitable for cooking pans?

1.

2. [2]

(b) Which property from the list explains why a lot of oxygen gas can be pumped into a very
small container?

[1]

(c) Which property from the list explains why plastic makes a good material for the handle
of a kettle?

[1]

(d) Which property from the list explains why rubber is used to cover electrical wiring?

[1]
 3

2 Steel is an alloy.

It contains carbon and iron.

(a) Complete the sentence by ticking () the correct box.

Steel is .

an atom

an element

a compound

a mixture
[1]

(b) Look at the particle models for steel and iron.

carbon atom iron atom

steel iron

Explain, using the particle model, why steel is harder than iron.

[2]
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3 Ahmed finds this information about six substances.

substance property

A high boiling point

B low melting point

C gas at room temperature

D shiny

E magnetic

F ductile

(a) Use these properties to sort the six substances into metals and non-metals.

One has been done for you.

metal non-metal

[2]
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(b) Ahmed investigates the electrical conductivity of three metals, X, Y and Z.

Here is his equipment.

metal

Here are his results.

metal brightness of lamp

X dim

Y bright

Z bright

Ahmed concludes that metals Y and Z are better electrical conductors than metal X.

Suggest an improvement to Ahmed’s experiment to find out which is the better electrical
conductor, Y or Z.

Explain your suggestion.

improvement

explanation

[2]
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4 Jamila mixes two colourless solutions.

(a) (i) Complete these sentences.

The two solutions react to make a white solid.

The solid made does not dissolve in water because it is .

This solid is called a .

[2]

(ii) A reaction takes place when Jamila mixes the two solutions.

Describe one piece of evidence that shows a reaction takes place.

[1]

(b) What is the name of this type of chemical reaction?

[1]

(c) Metals are often used in the form of alloys.

(i) State the meaning of the term alloy.

.............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain in terms of their properties why alloys are used instead of pure metals.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Stainless steel is an alloy.

Give one use of stainless steel.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) Stainless steel is an alloy.

(i) Which one of the diagrams, A, B, C or D, best represents an alloy?

Put a ring around the correct answer.

A B C D

[1]
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5 Copper sulfate is a blue solid that dissolves in water.

Complete these sentences about copper sulfate dissolving in water.

Choose words from the list.

insoluble

soluble

solute

solution

solvent

Copper sulfate is in water.

Copper sulfate dissolves in water to form a blue .

Water is the and copper sulfate is the .

[3]

6 Sodium is in Group 1 of the Periodic Table.

(a) Write down the chemical symbol for sodium.

[1]

(b) Sodium is a metal.

Tick () the boxes next to the two correct properties of sodium.

Sodium conducts electricity.

Sodium does not conduct heat.

Sodium has a low boiling point.

Sodium is ductile.

Sodium is not malleable.

[2]
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7 The table shows the properties of six elements A–F.

Each element could be a metal or a non-metal.

Place one tick (9) in the correct box for each element.

element properties metal non-metal

A yellow powder with a low melting point

B pink solid which conducts heat

C hard, grey magnetic solid

silver coloured liquid at room temperature which

D
conducts electricity

E orange liquid which does not conduct electricity

F colourless gas

[4]

8 Chlorine gas, salt water and sodium chloride all contain chlorine.

Draw lines from these substances to the correct type of substance.

substance type

chlorine mixture

salt water element

sodium chloride compound

[1]
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9 (a) Yuri adds different solids to water.

He stirs them for one minute.

Here are his results.

Complete the table.

One has been done for you.

name of results after

solid one minute soluble or insoluble

clay

chalk insoluble

salt

copper

[2]

(b) Yuri adds sugar to water.

He stirs the mixture for one minute.

What does he see?

................................................................................................................ [1]
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10 (c) Air is a mixture. Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in air.
(i) What is meant by the term mixture?

.............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(i) What is meant by the term compound ?

.............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(i) What is meant by the term element ?

.............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

11 Some materials are electrical conductors and others are electrical insulators.

Complete the table about these materials.

Tick () the correct column for each material.

material electrical conductor electrical insulator

copper

graphite

plastic

rubber

wood
[3]