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.
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Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
A fuel is a mixture of liquids that has been designed as a useful product. What name is given to this type of mixture?
| A | Catalyst | |
| B | Formulation | |
| C | Polymer | |
| D | Solvent |
| A |
|---|
| Catalyst |
| B |
|---|
| Formulation |
| C |
|---|
| Polymer |
| D |
|---|
| Solvent |
[1 mark]
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | Catalyst | |
| B | Formulation | ✓ |
| C | Polymer | |
| D | Solvent |
| A |
|---|
| Catalyst |
| B |
|---|
| Formulation |
| ✓ |
| C |
|---|
| Polymer |
| D |
|---|
| Solvent |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
What is the test for chlorine gas?
| A | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | A lighted splint gives a pop | |
| C | Damp blue litmus paper turns white | |
| D | Limewater turns milky |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| A lighted splint gives a pop |
| C |
|---|
| Damp blue litmus paper turns white |
| D |
|---|
| Limewater turns milky |
[1 mark]
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | A lighted splint gives a pop | |
| C | Damp blue litmus paper turns white | ✓ |
| D | Limewater turns milky |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| A lighted splint gives a pop |
| C |
|---|
| Damp blue litmus paper turns white |
| ✓ |
| D |
|---|
| Limewater turns milky |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
A student has four test tubes of dilute hydrochloric acid.
She adds a piece of magnesium ribbon to each test tube, and sees bubbles of gas.
The student does tests to identify the gas that is made. What will she observe?
| A | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it | |
| C | Damp litmus paper turns white | |
| D | A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it |
| C |
|---|
| Damp litmus paper turns white |
| D |
|---|
| A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
[1 mark]
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 | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it | |
| C | Damp litmus paper turns white | |
| D | A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound | ✓ |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it |
| C |
|---|
| Damp litmus paper turns white |
| D |
|---|
| A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
| ✓ |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A student passes electricity through copper chloride solution.
She collects four test tubes of the gas that is made at the positive electrode.
The student does tests to identify the gas. What will she observe?
| A | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it | |
| C | Damp litmus paper turns white | |
| D | A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it |
| C |
|---|
| Damp litmus paper turns white |
| D |
|---|
| A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
[1 mark]
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 | A glowing splint relights | |
| B | Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it | |
| C | Damp litmus paper turns white | ✓ |
| D | A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
| A |
|---|
| A glowing splint relights |
| B |
|---|
| Limewater looks milky when the gas is bubbled through it |
| C |
|---|
| Damp litmus paper turns white |
| ✓ |
| D |
|---|
| A burning splint burns quickly with a pop sound |
