Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions appear throughout both exam papers, and at both foundation tier and higher tier. Multiple choice questions are usually asked as questions, often starting with 'what is...' or 'which of these...'.
You have four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must only chose one of these options, by placing a tick or cross in a box. You will not get a mark if you leave all the boxes blank, or if you put a tick or cross in more than one box.
Learn how to revise with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Dr Alex Lathbridge breaks down how to revise for your GSCE science exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Substances can be pure or they can be mixtures.
Which of these is a mixture? [1 mark]
| A | Oxygen | |
| B | Carbon dioxide | |
| C | Gold | |
| D | Air |
| A |
|---|
| Oxygen |
| B |
|---|
| Carbon dioxide |
| C |
|---|
| Gold |
| D |
|---|
| Air |
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
| A | Oxygen | |
| B | Carbon dioxide | |
| C | Gold | |
| D | Air | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| Oxygen |
| B |
|---|
| Carbon dioxide |
| C |
|---|
| Gold |
| D |
|---|
| Air |
| ✔ |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Which method is the best for separating sodium chloride from a solution of sodium chloride in water? [1 mark]
| A | Filtration | |
| B | Fractional distillation | |
| C | Crystallisation | |
| D | Paper chromatography |
| A |
|---|
| Filtration |
| B |
|---|
| Fractional distillation |
| C |
|---|
| Crystallisation |
| D |
|---|
| Paper chromatography |
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
| A | Filtration | |
| B | Fractional distillation | |
| C | Crystallisation | ✔ |
| D | Paper chromatography |
| A |
|---|
| Filtration |
| B |
|---|
| Fractional distillation |
| C |
|---|
| Crystallisation |
| ✔ |
| D |
|---|
| Paper chromatography |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Which of the following separation methods relies on differences in boiling points? [1 mark]
| A | Fractional distillation and simple distillation | |
| B | Fractional distillation and filtration | |
| C | Simple distillation and paper chromatography | |
| D | Filtration and paper chromatography |
| A |
|---|
| Fractional distillation and simple distillation |
| B |
|---|
| Fractional distillation and filtration |
| C |
|---|
| Simple distillation and paper chromatography |
| D |
|---|
| Filtration and paper chromatography |
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
| A | Fractional distillation and simple distillation | ✔ |
| B | Fractional distillation and filtration | |
| C | Simple distillation and paper chromatography | |
| D | Filtration and paper chromatography |
| A |
|---|
| Fractional distillation and simple distillation |
| ✔ |
| B |
|---|
| Fractional distillation and filtration |
| C |
|---|
| Simple distillation and paper chromatography |
| D |
|---|
| Filtration and paper chromatography |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A, B, C and D are mixtures of food colourings. They are investigated using paper chromatography.
The diagram shows the chromatogram at the end of the experiment.
Which mixture contains an insoluble food colouring? [1 mark]
| A | Mixture A | |
| B | Mixture B | |
| C | Mixture C | |
| D | Mixture D |
| A |
|---|
| Mixture A |
| B |
|---|
| Mixture B |
| C |
|---|
| Mixture C |
| D |
|---|
| Mixture D |
Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
| A | Mixture A | |
| B | Mixture B | ✔ |
| C | Mixture C | |
| D | Mixture D |
| A |
|---|
| Mixture A |
| B |
|---|
| Mixture B |
| ✔ |
| C |
|---|
| Mixture C |
| D |
|---|
| Mixture D |
