Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions are perhaps the easiest to complete - you simply put a cross in a box. However, the questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. Don't make the mistake of reading the first answer and thinking this is correct without checking all the others.
If it says 'Tick one box', you must tick one box. If you leave it blank or tick two or more boxes, you will get zero marks. These multiple choice questions will not start with command words like 'describe' or 'explain'. They will be written in the form of a question like 'What…?' or 'Why…?'.
There will be more multiple choice questions on the Foundation paper.
Edexcel questions courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
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
The table shows two types of radation on each line.
Choose the radiations which travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | Sound and infared | |
| B | Sound and gamma rays | |
| C | Infrared and gamma rays | |
| D | Sound and light |
| A |
|---|
| Sound and infared |
| B |
|---|
| Sound and gamma rays |
| C |
|---|
| Infrared and gamma rays |
| D |
|---|
| Sound and light |
| A | Sound and infared | |
| B | Sound and gamma rays | |
| C | Infrared and gamma rays | ✔ |
| D | Sound and light |
| A |
|---|
| Sound and infared |
| B |
|---|
| Sound and gamma rays |
| C |
|---|
| Infrared and gamma rays |
| ✔ |
| D |
|---|
| Sound and light |
Sound cannot travel in a vacuum. All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
What is the main reason that microwaves are used for satellite communications as opposed to the other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | They can be used to heat food | |
| B | They are used with mobile phones | |
| C | They travel at the speed of light | |
| D | They can pass through the atmosphere no matter what the weather |
| A |
|---|
| They can be used to heat food |
| B |
|---|
| They are used with mobile phones |
| C |
|---|
| They travel at the speed of light |
| D |
|---|
| They can pass through the atmosphere no matter what the weather |
| A | They can be used to heat food | |
| B | They are used with mobile phones | |
| C | They travel at the speed of light | |
| D | They can pass through the atmosphere no matter what the weather | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| They can be used to heat food |
| B |
|---|
| They are used with mobile phones |
| C |
|---|
| They travel at the speed of light |
| D |
|---|
| They can pass through the atmosphere no matter what the weather |
| ✔ |
Heating food and using for mobile phones are uses for microwave but not the reason why they are used for satellite communications. All parts of the electromagnetic spectrum travel at the speed of light but only microwaves can travel through the atmosphere regardless of the weather conditions.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
A specific electromagnetic wave has a frequency greater than visible light. The wavelength of this wave is longer than that of X-rays.
This electromagnetic wave is… [1 mark]
| A | a gamma wave | |
| B | an infrared wave | |
| C | a microwave | |
| D | an ultraviolet wave |
| A |
|---|
| a gamma wave |
| B |
|---|
| an infrared wave |
| C |
|---|
| a microwave |
| D |
|---|
| an ultraviolet wave |
Tick one box.
| A | a gamma wave | |
| B | an infrared wave | |
| C | a microwave | |
| D | an ultraviolet wave | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| a gamma wave |
| B |
|---|
| an infrared wave |
| C |
|---|
| a microwave |
| D |
|---|
| an ultraviolet wave |
| ✔ |
The wavelength is longer than the wavelength of X-rays, therefore it can't be gamma waves as these have a shorter wavelength. It has a frequency greater than visible so it must be ultraviolet.
