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
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
- Glucose + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
- CO₂ + H₂O → Glucose + O₂ (using light energy)
- Glucose → Ethanol + CO₂
- O₂ + H₂O → CO₂ + Glucose
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — CO₂ + H₂O → Glucose + O₂ (using light energy)
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. Carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen using light energy absorbed by chlorophyll.
Q2 · Difficulty 1/3
The green pigment that absorbs light for photosynthesis is:
- haemoglobin
- keratin
- melanin
- chlorophyll
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D — chlorophyll
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy.
Q3 · Difficulty 1/3
Which blood vessels carry blood towards the heart?
- Arterioles
- Arteries
- Veins
- Capillaries
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✓ Answer: C — Veins
Veins return blood to the heart, usually at low pressure. Arteries carry blood away from it.
Q4 · Difficulty 1/3
Which of these organisms is a protoctist?
- Amoeba
- Lactobacillus
- Maize
- Mucor
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✓ Answer: A — Amoeba
Amoeba is a single-celled organism with a nucleus, which places it among the protoctists. Mucor is a fungus, Lactobacillus a bacterium and maize a flowering plant.
Q5 · Difficulty 1/3
What is the role of chlorophyll?
- Absorb light energy needed for photosynthesis
- Store glucose
- Produce CO₂
- Transport water
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — Absorb light energy needed for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in chloroplasts. It absorbs red and blue light (reflects green, hence the colour) and converts light energy to chemical energy.
Q6 · Difficulty 1/3
The largest artery in the human body is the:
- Aorta
- Vena cava
- Pulmonary vein
- Coronary artery
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✓ Answer: A — Aorta
The aorta leaves the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to the body. The vena cava is the largest vein, not an artery.
Q7 · Difficulty 1/3
What role does the diaphragm play in breathing?
- It filters air
- It contracts (flattens) to increase chest volume for inhalation, relaxes (domes up) for exhalation
- It warms the air
- It produces mucus
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — It contracts (flattens) to increase chest volume for inhalation, relaxes (domes up) for exhalation
Inhalation: diaphragm contracts and flattens, intercostal muscles raise ribs → volume increases → pressure decreases → air rushes in.
Q8 · Difficulty 1/3
The main function of platelets is to:
- Carry oxygen around the body
- Help the blood to clot
- Produce antibodies
- Transport dissolved carbon dioxide
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Help the blood to clot
Platelets are cell fragments that trigger clotting at a wound, sealing it and preventing both blood loss and the entry of pathogens.
Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Biology FAQ
What does the Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Biology exam look like?
The Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Biology exam is structured across 2 components. Paper 1: Objective and short-answer questions covering the breadth of the specification. Paper 2: Structured and extended-response questions testing depth of understanding. Total exam time varies by board and tier — typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Can I download a free Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Biology past paper?
Real Pearson Edexcel International past papers are published directly by Pearson Edexcel International 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 Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Biology graded?
See the official board specification for the current grading scale. 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.