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.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
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Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Acids produce hydrogen ions in aqueous solutions.
What is the ionic equation for neutralisation reactions? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| H+ (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) | |
| H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) | |
| 2H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq) | |
| H2O (l) → 2H+ (aq) + O2- (aq) (aq) |
| H+ (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) |
| H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) |
| 2H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq) |
| H2O (l) → 2H+ (aq) + O2- (aq) (aq) |
| H+ (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) | |
| H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) | ✔ |
| 2H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq) | |
| H2O (l) → 2H+ (aq) + O2- (aq) (aq) |
| H+ (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) |
| H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) |
| ✔ |
| 2H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq) |
| H2O (l) → 2H+ (aq) + O2- (aq) (aq) |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Enzymes are biological catalysts.
What type of molecule is an enzyme? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| Carbohydrate | |
| Hydrocarbon | |
| Lipid | |
| Protein |
| Carbohydrate |
| Hydrocarbon |
| Lipid |
| Protein |
| Carbohydrate | |
| Hydrocarbon | |
| Lipid | |
| Protein | ✔ |
| Carbohydrate |
| Hydrocarbon |
| Lipid |
| Protein |
| ✔ |
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
What is a typical value for the speed of sound? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| 3.3 m/s | |
| 3.3 × 102 m/s | |
| 3.3 × 103 m/s | |
| 3.3 × 106 m/s |
| 3.3 m/s |
| 3.3 × 102 m/s |
| 3.3 × 103 m/s |
| 3.3 × 106 m/s |
| 3.3 m/s | |
| 3.3 × 102 m/s | ✔ |
| 3.3 × 103 m/s | |
| 3.3 × 106 m/s |
| 3.3 m/s |
| 3.3 × 102 m/s |
| ✔ |
| 3.3 × 103 m/s |
| 3.3 × 106 m/s |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A student investigated the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate (marble chips) and hydrochloric acid.
The student used the apparatus shown in the image.
The student investigated how the surface area of marble chips affected the rate of reaction.
Which two variables should the student keep constant? [2 marks]
Tick two boxes.
| Amount of water in the trough | |
| Concentration of acid | |
| Mass of marble chips | |
| Size of marble chips | |
| Volume of measuring cylinder |
| Amount of water in the trough |
| Concentration of acid |
| Mass of marble chips |
| Size of marble chips |
| Volume of measuring cylinder |
| Amount of water in the trough | ||
| Concentration of acid | ✔ | |
| Mass of marble chips | ✔ | |
| Size of marble chips | ||
| Volume of measuring cylinder |
| Amount of water in the trough |
| Concentration of acid |
| ✔ |
| Mass of marble chips |
| ✔ |
| Size of marble chips |
| Volume of measuring cylinder |
