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 'why...'.
You have three or four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. You must choose the number of options asked for in the question by placing ticks in boxes. Most multiple choice questions require just one tick, but a few ask for two ticks. You will not get a mark if you leave all the boxes blank, or if you put a tick in more than the required number of boxes.
Multiple choice questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. It is important to check all the answers before deciding which box to tick. It is also important to check that your chosen statement answers the question - some questions might include an option that is a correct statement, but that does not answer the question.
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
Figure 1 shows the structure of an element.
Figure 1
What is the name of this element?
[1 mark]
| A | Carbon | |
| B | Chloride | |
| C | Nitrogen | |
| D | Xenon |
| A |
|---|
| Carbon |
| B |
|---|
| Chloride |
| C |
|---|
| Nitrogen |
| D |
|---|
| Xenon |
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | Carbon | ✔ |
| B | Chloride | |
| C | Nitrogen | |
| D | Xenon |
| A |
|---|
| Carbon |
| ✔ |
| B |
|---|
| Chloride |
| C |
|---|
| Nitrogen |
| D |
|---|
| Xenon |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Why does the element in figure 1 conduct electricity?
[1 mark]
| A | It has delocalised electrons | |
| B | It contains hexagonal rings | |
| C | It has weak forces between the layers | |
| D | It has ionic bonds |
| A |
|---|
| It has delocalised electrons |
| B |
|---|
| It contains hexagonal rings |
| C |
|---|
| It has weak forces between the layers |
| D |
|---|
| It has ionic bonds |
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | It has delocalised electrons | ✔ |
| B | It contains hexagonal rings | |
| C | It has weak forces between the layers | |
| D | It has ionic bonds |
| A |
|---|
| It has delocalised electrons |
| ✔ |
| B |
|---|
| It contains hexagonal rings |
| C |
|---|
| It has weak forces between the layers |
| D |
|---|
| It has ionic bonds |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Table 1 shows some boiling point data.
| Substance | Boiling point |
| Water | 100°C |
| Methane | -162°C |
| Substance | Water |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 100°C |
| Substance | Methane |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | -162°C |
Which statement explains the data in the table?
[1 mark]
| A | Methane has a lower boiling point than water | |
| B | The intermolecular forces between the molecules in methane are weaker than the intermolecular forces between the molecules in water | |
| C | The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are stronger than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule | |
| D | The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are weaker than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
| A |
|---|
| Methane has a lower boiling point than water |
| B |
|---|
| The intermolecular forces between the molecules in methane are weaker than the intermolecular forces between the molecules in water |
| C |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are stronger than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
| D |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are weaker than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
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 | Methane has a lower boiling point than water | |
| B | The intermolecular forces between the molecules in methane are weaker than the intermolecular forces between the molecules in water | ✔ |
| C | The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are stronger than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule | |
| D | The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are weaker than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
| A |
|---|
| Methane has a lower boiling point than water |
| B |
|---|
| The intermolecular forces between the molecules in methane are weaker than the intermolecular forces between the molecules in water |
| ✔ |
| C |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are stronger than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
| D |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between the atoms in a water molecule are weaker than the covalent bonds between the atoms in a methane molecule |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Which statement describes a limitation of the particle model?
[1 mark]
| A | In the model particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions | |
| B | In the model particles in a liquid are close together | |
| C | In the model particles in liquids and gases have random arrangements | |
| D | In the model there are no forces between particles |
| A |
|---|
| In the model particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions |
| B |
|---|
| In the model particles in a liquid are close together |
| C |
|---|
| In the model particles in liquids and gases have random arrangements |
| D |
|---|
| In the model there are no forces between particles |
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 | In the model particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions | |
| B | In the model particles in a liquid are close together | |
| C | In the model particles in liquids and gases have random arrangements | |
| D | In the model there are no forces between particles | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| In the model particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions |
| B |
|---|
| In the model particles in a liquid are close together |
| C |
|---|
| In the model particles in liquids and gases have random arrangements |
| D |
|---|
| In the model there are no forces between particles |
| ✔ |
