Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions will appear throughout both exams papers (Breadth and Depth), and at both Foundation Tier and Higher Tier.
These questions provide you with a number of answers, from which you must select the answer or answers that you think are correct.
A multiple choice question may require you to:
- tick one or more boxes next to the correct statements in a list
- tick 'true' or 'false' next to each statement in a list
- draw a ring around the correct answer in a list
- select the correct answer or answers from 'talking heads' speech bubbles
- join the boxes by drawing lines between two linked statements or between questions and correct answers
- select the correct word from a list to complete one or more sentences
- re-order statements into the correct sequence
The question may tell you in bold type how many ticks, rings or lines to draw. If you draw less than this, or more than this, you will not be able to get full marks. Make sure that you draw straight lines, rather than complex wavy lines.
There will usually be more options than correct answers. Read each option carefully and decide whether it is right or wrong.
The number of marks for the question will not always match the number of ticks, rings or lines required 鈥 read the question carefully to make sure you understand what you have to do.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Here is a list of waves:
| Infrared | Microwaves | Sound | Ultraviolet | X-rays |
| Infrared |
| Microwaves |
| Sound |
| Ultraviolet |
| X-rays |
Use waves from the list to answer the following questions.
a) Which wave is not in the electromagnetic spectrum? [1 mark]
b) Which wave can be used to find metal objects in briefcases? [1 mark]
OCR 21st Century Science, GCE Physics, Paper J259, 2016.
a) Sound
The answer is sound because the electromagnetic spectrum consists of: radiowaves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays.
b) X-rays
X-rays can be used to see inside objects.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
The diagram below shows two waves made in a ripple tank viewed from above.
Fill in the gaps below to explain how the wave has changed:
a) The wavelength of the second wave produced is ______ than the first wave. [1 mark]
b) The frequency of the second wave produced is ______ than the first wave. [1 mark]
OCR 21st Century Science, GCE Physics, Paper J259, 2016.
a) The wavelength of the second wave produced is longer/greater/more than the first wave.
The wavelength of a wave is the distance between peaks. The larger the gap between each wave peak, the greater the wavelength. Therefore the second wave has a greater wavelength.
b) The frequency of the second wave produced is less/lower than the first wave.
The frequency of a wave is the amount of waves that pass in a second. Because the waves are further apart in the second wave, fewer waves will pass in the same time, and therefore the frequency in the second wave is less.