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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 15 marks · about 17 minutes

Classification Keys and Groups Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

These original Cambridge-style questions test your ability to use and construct dichotomous keys, and to classify organisms into the correct kingdom and group. They are not official Cambridge questions.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 2 Both 3 marks Difficulty 2/5

    State three features that are shared by all living organisms.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Movement: an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place.
    2. Respiration: the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism.
    3. Sensitivity: the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

    Watch for: Writing "breathing" instead of respiration, or confusing sensitivity with sight.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 2 Both 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    A student is given four organisms: a fern, a mushroom, an earthworm, and a bacterium. Construct a dichotomous key that separates all four organisms.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. 1a Has a nucleus → go to 2 / 1b No nucleus → bacterium.
    2. 2a Can photosynthesise (or has chlorophyll) → fern.
    3. 2b Cannot photosynthesise → go to 3.
    4. 3a Has a mycelium (or absorbs nutrients from dead matter) → mushroom / 3b Has segmented body → earthworm.

    Watch for: Using vague features like "is green" that could overlap, or not using paired statements.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    Name two features used to place an organism into the plant kingdom rather than the animal kingdom.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Has cell walls (made of cellulose).
    2. Contains chloroplasts / can photosynthesise.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain why a virus is not classified as a living organism.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Viruses do not carry out metabolic reactions / do not respire.
    2. They cannot reproduce on their own: they need a host cell.
    3. They do not have a cellular structure / no cytoplasm, no organelles.

    Watch for: Saying viruses are "too small": size is not a reason they are non-living.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    A new species is discovered. It is multicellular, has no cell wall, no chloroplasts, and feeds on other organisms. To which kingdom does it belong? Give two reasons for your answer.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Animal kingdom.
    2. No cell wall: animals lack cellulose cell walls.
    3. Feeds on other organisms / heterotrophic nutrition.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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