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CIE · IGCSE · Biology

Free CIE IGCSE Biology
Practice Paper

8 mixed-difficulty practice questions in the style of real CIE IGCSE papers — answers, mark-scheme-style explanations, and the official exam structure all on one page.

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What the real CIE IGCSE Biology paper looks like

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice)
40 multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each. 45 minutes. Tests breadth of knowledge.
Paper 2 (Core) / Paper 4 (Extended)
Structured written paper. 1 hour 30 minutes (Core) or 1 hour 45 minutes (Extended). Tests depth of understanding and application.
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical)
Written paper assessing practical skills for candidates without lab access. 1 hour. Worth ~20% of the total.
Total exam time: ~3 hours, depending on tier (Core vs Extended).
Grading: Grades: A* (highest) to G (lowest), with U (ungraded). Most universities require C or above.

Mini practice paper: 8 questions

Mixed-difficulty questions from across the Biology syllabus. Tap "Show answer" after each to check yourself.

Q1 · Difficulty 1/3

Which statement best defines diffusion?

  1. The net movement of particles from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration gradient
  2. The movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy from respiration
  3. The net movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration down a concentration gradient
  4. The movement of water molecules from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential through a partially permeable membrane
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — The net movement of particles from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration gradient
Award 1 mark for the correct definition. D is incorrect — this describes osmosis, not diffusion. B is incorrect because diffusion does not require energy from respiration; this describes active transport. C is incorrect because diffusion occurs from higher to lower concentration, not lower to higher.
Q2 · Difficulty 1/3

Which of the following best defines genetic engineering?

  1. The transfer of genes from one organism to another to produce desired characteristics
  2. The natural mutation of DNA during cell division
  3. The cloning of organisms to produce genetically identical offspring
  4. The selective breeding of organisms with desirable characteristics
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — The transfer of genes from one organism to another to produce desired characteristics
Award 1 mark for recognising that genetic engineering involves the transfer of genes from one organism to another. D is incorrect because this describes selective breeding, not genetic engineering. B is incorrect because genetic engineering is a deliberate process, not natural mutation. C is incorrect because cloning produces identical copies but does not involve gene transfer between different organisms.
Q3 · Difficulty 1/3

Which of the following best defines cloning in biological terms?

  1. The production of genetically identical organisms from a single parent
  2. The fusion of two gametes to produce offspring
  3. The transfer of genes between different species
  4. The selective breeding of organisms with desirable characteristics
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — The production of genetically identical organisms from a single parent
Award 1 mark for recognising that cloning produces genetically identical organisms from a single parent (asexual reproduction). B is incorrect because fusion of gametes describes sexual reproduction, producing genetic variation. C confuses cloning with genetic engineering/gene transfer. D is incorrect because selective breeding involves sexual reproduction and selecting parents with desired traits.
Q4 · Difficulty 1/3

What colour is Biuret reagent before any protein is added to it?

  1. Brick-red
  2. Yellow-brown
  3. Blue
  4. Purple
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C — Blue
Biuret reagent is blue and turns purple when protein is present. Knowing the starting colour is what makes the change recognisable.
Q5 · Difficulty 1/3

What is the difference between arteries and veins?

  1. Veins carry oxygenated blood
  2. Arteries have thin walls
  3. They are the same
  4. Arteries carry blood away from the heart with thick muscular walls; veins carry blood back with valves
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — Arteries carry blood away from the heart with thick muscular walls; veins carry blood back with valves
Arteries: thick walls, narrow lumen, no valves, carry blood away at high pressure. Veins: thinner walls, wider lumen, have valves, carry blood back at low pressure.
Q6 · Difficulty 1/3

Which gas must be supplied to a cell for aerobic respiration to take place?

  1. Hydrogen
  2. Carbon dioxide
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Oxygen
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — Oxygen
Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to release energy from glucose. Carbon dioxide is a product, not a reactant.
Q7 · Difficulty 1/3

Which of the following best describes the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil?

  1. They convert ammonia into nitrates for absorption by fungi
  2. They convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, reducing soil fertility
  3. They convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, increasing soil fertility
  4. They break down proteins into amino acids for plant uptake
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C — They convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, increasing soil fertility
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia, which can then be used by plants to synthesise proteins. This process increases soil fertility by adding usable nitrogen compounds to the soil.
Q8 · Difficulty 1/3

A population of rabbits living in a grassland is best defined as:

  1. all the rabbits and hares in the grassland
  2. all the organisms of one species living in the same area at the same time
  3. all the different species living in the grassland
  4. all the rabbits that have ever lived in the grassland
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — all the organisms of one species living in the same area at the same time
Award 1 mark for identifying that a population consists of all organisms of one species in the same area at the same time. A is incorrect because it includes two different species (rabbits and hares). C describes a community, not a population. D is incorrect because a population refers only to organisms alive at a given time, not historical individuals.
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CIE IGCSE Biology FAQ

What does the CIE IGCSE Biology exam look like?
The CIE IGCSE Biology exam is structured across 3 components. Paper 1 (Multiple Choice): 40 multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each. 45 minutes. Tests breadth of knowledge. Paper 2 (Core) / Paper 4 (Extended): Structured written paper. 1 hour 30 minutes (Core) or 1 hour 45 minutes (Extended). Tests depth of understanding and application. Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical): Written paper assessing practical skills for candidates without lab access. 1 hour. Worth ~20% of the total. Total exam time: ~3 hours, depending on tier (Core vs Extended).
Can I download a free CIE IGCSE Biology past paper?
Real CIE past papers are published directly by CIE on their official website. Kramizo doesn't redistribute copyrighted past papers, but we do generate free AI-written practice papers in the exact same style — same command words, same difficulty tier, same mark conventions. Use this practice paper as warm-up, then time yourself on official past papers before exam day.
How is CIE IGCSE Biology graded?
Grades: A* (highest) to G (lowest), with U (ungraded). Most universities require C or above. Kramizo's practice questions are tagged with difficulty 1-3 mapping roughly to the lower, middle, and top grade boundaries you'll encounter in the real exam.