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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 20 marks · about 22 minutes

Paper 6 Planning and Evaluation 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 questions isolate the practical language that transfers across every topic. Practise them until variables, repeats and method evaluation become a checklist rather than an improvisation.

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 5/6 Both 3 marks Difficulty 1/5

    Distinguish an independent variable, a controlled variable and a control experiment.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Independent variable: deliberately changed.
    2. Controlled variable: kept constant between test conditions.
    3. Control experiment: separate comparison without the active factor or treatment.

    Watch for: Using “control” for all three ideas without explaining the difference.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 5/6 Both 4 marks Difficulty 2/5

    Explain why repeats and a mean improve an investigation.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Repeats show the amount of random variation.
    2. They help identify anomalous values.
    3. A mean reduces the influence of random variation.
    4. Results become more reliable or representative.

    Watch for: Claiming repeats automatically make an inaccurate method accurate.

  3. Question 3

    Paper 5/6 Both 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    A student estimates photosynthesis rate by counting bubbles. Give two limitations and matched improvements.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Bubble size varies, so count is not proportional to oxygen volume; collect gas with a gas syringe.
    2. Lamp warms the apparatus and changes temperature; use a heat shield or water bath and monitor temperature.

    Watch for: Listing improvements without explaining the limitations they solve.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 5/6 Both 5 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Outline a plan to test how temperature affects yeast respiration.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Use a range of measured temperatures maintained with water baths.
    2. Measure carbon dioxide volume in a fixed time or time to collect a fixed volume.
    3. Keep yeast mass or concentration, glucose concentration and volume, pH and time constant.
    4. Allow mixtures to equilibrate and prevent oxygen entry if investigating anaerobic respiration.
    5. Repeat each temperature, calculate a mean and plot rate against temperature.

    Watch for: Changing both temperature and glucose concentration.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 5/6 Both 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    State four features of a correctly presented results graph.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Independent variable on x-axis and dependent variable on y-axis.
    2. Axes labelled with quantities and units.
    3. Sensible linear scale using most of the grid.
    4. Accurate small points and a suitable line or curve of best fit.

    Watch for: Joining every point dot-to-dot without considering a best-fit relationship.

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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