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Characteristics & Classification

of living organisms
Question Paper 1
Level IGCSE
Subject Biology (0610/0970)
Exam Board
Topic
Assignment Biology Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
Characteristics and classification of living

Sub-Topic SIB organisms

Characteristics and classification of living
organisms
Booklet Question Paper 1

Time Allowed: 42 minutes

Score: /35

Percentage: /100

Grade Boundaries:

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
>85% 75% 68% 60% 53% 48% 40% 33% <25%

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1 . Some yeast, sugar and water are mixed in a test-tube. The diagrams show the test-tube at the
start and after one hour.

bubbles
of gas
yeast, sugar
and water

at start after one hour

Which process causes this change?

A growth
B reproduction
C respiration
D sensitivity

2. Which name is given to a group of individuals that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring?

A a genus
B a kingdom
C a species
D an organ system

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3. Use the key to identify the animal shown in the diagram.

has jointed legs

three pairs more than three

of legs pairs of legs

has tail no tail four pairs more than four

of legs pairs of legs

A B C D
Hexagenia Dytiscus Argyroneta Asellus

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4. A rat has the scientific name Rattus rattus.

What do the two parts of this name refer to?

A genus and species

B kingdom and genus
C kingdom and species
D variety and genus

5. The diagram shows a bird that lives near rivers.

Use the key to identify the bird shown in the diagram.

1 toes joined by a flap of skin ........................... go to 2

toes separate ................................................. A heron
2 beak as long or longer than the head ............ go to 3
beak not as long as the head ........................ B little grebe
3 top of head black ........................................... C avocet
top of head white ........................................... D mute swan

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6. Phototropism demonstrates which two characteristics of living organisms?

A growth and nutrition

B growth and sensitivity
C movement and nutrition
D nutrition and sensitivity

7. The table shows the scientific names and the common names of four plants.

scientific name common name

Althea officinalis marsh mallow

Hottonea palustris water violet
Viola palustris marsh violet
Viola tricolor wild pansy

Which word in their names shows that two of the plants share the greatest number of features?

A marsh
B palustris
C Viola
D violet

8. Which diagram shows a flower from a monocotyledon?

A B C D

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9. During the process of nutrition, all organisms need to absorb mineral ions and water from their
environment.

Which other substances do plants and animals need to absorb during this process?

plants animals

A carbon dioxide inorganic compounds

B carbon dioxide organic compounds
C oxygen inorganic compounds
D oxygen organic compounds

10. The equation shows a chemical reaction that occurs in living organisms.

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Which of these characteristics of living organisms is this equation associated with?

respiration nutrition

A


B

C 

D  

11. What is a correct way of naming an organism using the binomial system?

A Common buttercup
B ranunculus acris
C Ranunculus acris
D Ranunculus sp.

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12. The diagram shows a leaf.

Use the key to identify the plant to which the leaf belongs.

leaves

leaf in leaf in more than

one piece one piece

leaf edge leaf edge leaf edge leaf edge

smooth jagged smooth jagged

Fagus Ulmus Fraxinus Sorbus

sylvatica minor americana aucuparia
A B C D

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13. The diagram shows some leaves and flowers of different plants.

1 2 3 4 5

Which are from monocotyledons?

A 1 and 3 B 1 and 5 C 2 and 4 D 2 and 5

14. The list shows the scientific names for eight animals, using the binomial system.

Alderia modesta
Arenicola cristata
Arenicola marina

Austrominius modestus
Bittium reticulatum
Botrylloides leachii
Botryllus schlosseri
Clypeostoma reticulatum
Which two animals are most closely related?

A Alderia modesta and Austrominius modestus

B Arenicola cristata and Arenicola marina
C Bittium reticulatum and Clypeostoma reticulatum
D Botryllus schlosseri and Botrylloides leachii

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15. The diagram shows a flower seen from above.

Use the key to find the name of the family to which it belongs.

1 four petals ............................................... go to 2

five petals ............................................... go to 3
2 two stamens ........................................... A Scrophulariaceae
six stamens ............................................ B Brassicaceae
3 petals joined............................................ C Caryophyllaceae
petals separate ...................................... D Rosaceae

16. Some lizards detach their tails when threatened by a predator.

Which characteristic is shown?

A excretion
B growth
C reproduction
D sensitivity

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17. The diagram shows a key for five vertebrates.

START HERE

has legs has no legs

organism T

has feathers has no feathers

organism U

has scales has no scales

organism V organism W

Which class of vertebrates does organism W belong to?

A amphibians
B birds
C fish
D reptiles

18. The diagram shows an animal whose scientific name is Rattus rattus.

Which genus does it belong to?

A mammal
B rattus
C Rattus
D vertebrate

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19. What are the characteristics of bony fish?

maintain
constant body external ears present jelly-covered eggs
scales
temperature

A    

B    

C    

D    

20. What are the features of the leaves of a plant that is a eudicotyledon (dicotyledon)?

broad leaves parallel veins

A  

B  

C  

D  

21. Many snakes that belong to the viper family are unusual in that they give birth to live young.

This is usually a characteristic of which vertebrate group?

A amphibians

B birds

C bony fish

D mammals

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22. Use the key to identify which group is amphibians.

1 hair present ……………………………

mammals

hair absent ……………………………. go to 2

2 feathers present ………………….…… group A

feathers absent ………………….……. go to 3

3 dry scaly skin……………………….….. group B

moist skin ………………….……….….. go to 4

4 four limbs …………………………….… group C

no limbs ………...…………….....…...… group D

23.. The diagram illustrates some of the processes carried out by living organisms.

oxygen from carbon dioxide

atmosphere to atmosphere

light energy
green
chicken
plant X

waste waste
products products

Which characteristic of living organisms is represented by arrow X?

A excretion
B nutrition
C respiration
D sensitivity

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24. What is a correct way of naming a species, according to the binomial system?
A Homo sapiens
B Homo Sapiens
C human being
D sapiens

25. The diagram shows four arthropods.

Pediculus ×20 Anopheles ×10

Dermacentor ×7 Carcinus ×0.5

How many of these arthropods are insects?

A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

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26. The statements describe four different plants.

Which plant must be a monocotyledon?

A The flowers are wind-pollinated.

B The flowers each have five petals.
C The leaves are large with a clear network of veins on them.
D The leaves have parallel veins.

27. The diagram shows an animal.

Use the key to identify this animal.

1 body covered with scales ...................... go to 2

body covered with hair .......................... go to 3

2 has a rounded bill .................................. A

has a pointed bill ................................... B

3 has webbed feet .................................... C

does not have webbed feet ................... D

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28. All fish, all birds and all mammals are

A animals with internal fertilisation.

B carnivores.
C vertebrates.
D warm-blooded animals.

29. The diagram shows an animal.

Use the key to identify the animal.

1 has two wings ...................................................... go to 2

has four wings ..................................................... go to 3
2 has antennae much shorter than legs ................. A
has antennae about the same length as legs ...... B
3 has feathery antennae ......................................... C
has smooth antennae .......................................... D

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30. What is not a characteristic of all living organisms?

A excretion
B photosynthesis
C reproduction
D respiration

31. Which characteristics do bony fish have?

backbone scales hair

A   
B   
C   
D   

32. The diagram shows an animal whose scientific name is Falco peregrinus.

To which species does it belong?

A bird
B F. peregrinus
C Falco
D vertebrate

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33. Use the key to identify the arthropod shown.

1 body divided into segments .................................... go to 2

body not divided into segments .............................. go to 3
2 body has one pair of legs per segment .................. A
body has two pairs of legs per segment ................. B
3 one pair of antennae .............................................. C
two pairs of antennae ............................................. D

34. The diagram shows how a seed changes after it is planted in well-watered soil.

Which characteristics of living things are demonstrated by this sequence?

A growth and reproduction

B growth and sensitivity
C nutrition and reproduction
D nutrition and sensitivity

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35. The diagram shows an animal.

Use the key to identify the animal.

1 front limbs with five fingers ....................... go to 2

front limbs with four fingers ...................... go to 3
2 skin with spots .......................................... A
skin without spots ..................................... B
3 tail with fins ............................................... C
tail without fins .......................................... D

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