Practical questions
You could be asked questions about the methods, safety precautions you might take and results and conclusions of experiments that you have carried out during the course. You may also be expected to apply your knowledge to unfamiliar practicals, but draw on your practical skills.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
A student was investigating how temperature affects the rate of decomposition of apples.
The table below shows her results.
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) |
| 5 | 0.2 |
| 10 | 0.3 |
| 20 | 0.1 |
| 30 | 1.4 |
| 40 | 1.6 |
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) | 0.2 |
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | 10 |
|---|---|
| Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) | 0.3 |
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | 20 |
|---|---|
| Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) | 0.1 |
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | 30 |
|---|---|
| Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) | 1.4 |
| Temperature the apple was kept at (°C) | 40 |
|---|---|
| Mass loss of apple after 10 days (g) | 1.6 |
Which result was anomalous? Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]
0.1 g/mass loss for 20°C.
The mass loss increases with temperature, but decreases at 20°C.
Make sure you answer BOTH parts of the question: identify the anomalous result AND say how you knew it was anomalous.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Alice is growing spider plants. She wants to find out the pH of the soil. She uses a pH meter to measure the pH of the soil. The reading she obtains is 6.7.
Suggest what Alice should do to check the reproducibility of her results. [1 mark]
Take at least three readings.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Robert is investigating how the water temperature of a pond changes every 2 hours for 12 hours a day (06.00 in the morning until 18.00 in the evening). Draw a results table that he could use to record his results. You do not need to include space for repeat readings or calculating an average. [4 marks]
| Time of day | Temperature of the water (°C) |
| 6.00 | |
| 8.00 | |
| 10.00 | |
| 12.00 | |
| 14.00 | |
| 16.00 | |
| 18.00 |
| Time of day | 6.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 8.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 10.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 12.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 14.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 16.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
| Time of day | 18.00 |
|---|---|
| Temperature of the water (°C) |
Time of day as title in left hand column.
Temperature of water as title in right hand column.
Units of temperature as °C.
Time periods two hours apart starting at 06:00 and finishing at 18.00
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
The graph shows data collected by a student who was measuring the rate at which apples decompose over a week. Write a conclusion for the experiment, using data from the graph to support your conclusion. [3 marks].
As time goes by, the remaining mass of apples decreases.
Comparison of at least two relevant data points needed. For example, after 2.5 days the remaining mass of apples was 800 grams but after seven days the remaining mass of apples was 240 grams.
