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
Which two substances are mixtures? Tick two boxes.
[2 marks]
| A | Air | |
| B | Carbon dioxide | |
| C | Graphite | |
| D | Sodium chloride | |
| E | Steel |
| A |
|---|
| Air |
| B |
|---|
| Carbon dioxide |
| C |
|---|
| Graphite |
| D |
|---|
| Sodium chloride |
| E |
|---|
| Steel |
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | Air | ✔ |
| B | Carbon dioxide | |
| C | Graphite | |
| D | Sodium chloride | |
| E | Steel | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| Air |
| ✔ |
| B |
|---|
| Carbon dioxide |
| C |
|---|
| Graphite |
| D |
|---|
| Sodium chloride |
| E |
|---|
| Steel |
| ✔ |
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
The electronic structures of the atoms of five elements are shown below:
Which element is a metal in the same group of the periodic table as element A?
[1 mark]
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Answer: E
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
The table below shows the boiling points of some elements in group 7 of the periodic table.
| Element | Boiling point |
| Fluorine | -188°C |
| Chlorine | -35°C |
| Bromine | 59°C |
| Iodine | 184°C |
| Element | Fluorine |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | -188°C |
| Element | Chlorine |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | -35°C |
| Element | Bromine |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 59°C |
| Element | Iodine |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 184°C |
Why does iodine have a higher boiling point than chlorine? Tick one box.
[1 mark]
| A | Iodine is ionic and chlorine is covalent | |
| B | Iodine is less reactive than chlorine | |
| C | The covalent bonds between iodine atoms are stronger | |
| D | The forces between iodine molecules are stronger |
| A |
|---|
| Iodine is ionic and chlorine is covalent |
| B |
|---|
| Iodine is less reactive than chlorine |
| C |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between iodine atoms are stronger |
| D |
|---|
| The forces between iodine molecules are stronger |
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
| A | Iodine is ionic and chlorine is covalent | |
| B | Iodine is less reactive than chlorine | |
| C | The covalent bonds between iodine atoms are stronger | |
| D | The forces between iodine molecules are stronger | ✔ |
| A |
|---|
| Iodine is ionic and chlorine is covalent |
| B |
|---|
| Iodine is less reactive than chlorine |
| C |
|---|
| The covalent bonds between iodine atoms are stronger |
| D |
|---|
| The forces between iodine molecules are stronger |
| ✔ |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Chlorine displaces bromine from bromide ions.
Cl2 + 2Br- → 2Cl- + Br2
What happens in this reaction? Tick one box.
[1 mark]
| A | Chlorine loses electrons and is reduced | |
| B | Chlorine gains electrons and is oxidised | |
| C | Bromide ions lose electrons and are oxidised | |
| D | Bromide ions lose electrons and are reduced |
| A |
|---|
| Chlorine loses electrons and is reduced |
| B |
|---|
| Chlorine gains electrons and is oxidised |
| C |
|---|
| Bromide ions lose electrons and are oxidised |
| D |
|---|
| Bromide ions lose electrons and are reduced |
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 | Chlorine loses electrons and is reduced | |
| B | Chlorine gains electrons and is oxidised | |
| C | Bromide ions lose electrons and are oxidised | ✔ |
| D | Bromide ions lose electrons and are reduced |
| A |
|---|
| Chlorine loses electrons and is reduced |
| B |
|---|
| Chlorine gains electrons and is oxidised |
| C |
|---|
| Bromide ions lose electrons and are oxidised |
| ✔ |
| D |
|---|
| Bromide ions lose electrons and are reduced |
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.
