Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions will appear throughout both exam 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 - read the question carefully to make sure you understand what you have to do.
Sample question 1 - Higher
Question
A tennis ball is hit by a racket.
The racket exerts an average force of 1,000 N on the tennis ball.
Complete the following table to show whether each statement about the average force exerted by the tennis ball on the racket is true or false.
Put ticks (鉁) in the correct boxes next to each statement to show whether it is true or false. [1 mark]
| Statement | True | False |
| The average force is a vector quantity | ||
| The average force acts in the same direction as the ball is moving | ||
| The average force equals 1,000 N | ||
| The average force depends upon the weight of the ball |
| Statement | The average force is a vector quantity |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False |
| Statement | The average force acts in the same direction as the ball is moving |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False |
| Statement | The average force equals 1,000 N |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False |
| Statement | The average force depends upon the weight of the ball |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False |
OCR 21st Century Science, GCE Physics, Paper J259, 2016 - Higher.
| Statement | True | False |
| The average force is a vector quantity | 鉁 | |
| The average force acts in the same direction as the ball is moving | 鉁 | |
| The average force equals 1,000 N | 鉁 | |
| The average force depends upon the weight of the ball | 鉁 |
| Statement | The average force is a vector quantity |
|---|---|
| True | 鉁 |
| False |
| Statement | The average force acts in the same direction as the ball is moving |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False | 鉁 |
| Statement | The average force equals 1,000 N |
|---|---|
| True | 鉁 |
| False |
| Statement | The average force depends upon the weight of the ball |
|---|---|
| True | |
| False | 鉁 |
When answering multiple choice questions it is important to carefully read not only the question, but all of the optional answers. Key points are emboldened in the question.
The first one should be relatively straightforward. Force has both size and direction so therefore must be a vector.
For the second point you need to read the question carefully. The question is asking about the force exerted by the ball on the racket, therefore it is in the opposite direction to the motion of the ball and this point is false.
Using Newton's third law you should be able to work out that if the racket hits the ball with a force of 1,000 N, the ball will exert a force on the racket of the same size but in the opposite direction, so this point is true.
As we are looking at a reaction force, it does not depend on the weight of the ball.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
A block is being pulled at a steady speed to the right. The pulling force is then changed.
Use straight lines below to link each 'statement' about the pulling and friction forces to the 'effect' these new forces have on the motion of the block. [2 marks]
OCR 21st Century Science, GCE Physics, Paper J259, 2016.
With this question you have five effects. Two of them won't be used so don't draw lines to all five boxes as you will lose marks by giving multiple answers. It is important to realise that the question mentions linking statement to effect NOT effects. Just match each statement to the effect that describes what will happen. Two boxes should be left without lines drawn to them.