GCSE CHEMISTRY (9–1): PAST PAPER 1:
HIGHER TIER. ALL ASSESSMENT &
MARK SCHEME PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Bonding between metals?.
Answer: Metallic
◍ What happens to the pH when the concentration of an acid increases?.
Answer: The pH decreases
◍ Describe Mendeleev's table.
Answer: Ordered by atomic weightOrdered elements in groups with similar
properties (reaction)Switched elements if properties didnt matchLeft gaps
for undiscovered elements (predictions)Elements eventually found and
matched predictions so this tabel was accepted
◍ What is the mass of magnesium needed to react with 20 moles of SiO2?.
Answer: 960 g
◍ How do i find relative formula mass of O(little 2).
Answer: Mr(O(little 2)) = (2 x Atomic mass of O)=(2 x 16)=32
◍ What is the typical structure of marking points in the mark scheme?.
Answer: Marks available, total marks, expected answers, and extra
information.
◍ What trend is observed in the boiling points of noble gases?.
Answer: Boiling points increase going down the group.
,◍ How does silicon's reactivity compare to carbon?.
Answer: Silicon is less reactive than carbon
◍ What is an ionic lattice?.
Answer: Cubic arrangement of millions of ions joined by ionic bonds
◍ What does 'ecf' stand for in marking procedures?.
Answer: Error carried forward.
◍ Why is more energy needed to obtain aluminium?.
Answer: Aluminium is obtained from aluminium oxide by electrolysis
◍ What should be done if a student's answer contains incorrect statements?.
Answer: Full marks can only be awarded if there are no incorrect statements.
◍ What is a polymer?.
Answer: Large molecules made of monomers joining together to make
chains
◍ What is the opposite of a giant covalent lattice and examples?.
Answer: Simple covalent (water, methane etc)
◍ What are two possible compounds formed from zinc?.
Answer: Zinc hydroxide or zinc carbonate.
◍ Examples of a giant covalent lattice?.
Answer: Diamond, graphite, silicon dioxideAlso remember graphENE is a
single layer of graphite
◍ Why do simple covalent have low melting and boiling points?.
Answer: Weak intermolecular forcesWhich require little energy to break
◍ What is the formula for calculating relative atomic mass?.
Answer: (90.48 × 20) + (0.27 × 21) + (9.25 × 22) / 100.
◍ Why are there no ions in solution when barium sulfate is present?.
Answer: Barium sulfate is solid/insoluble
◍ Why can ionic compounds not conduct electricity?.
Answer: Ions are not free to moveSo cannot carry a charge
, ◍ How do the electrons transfer?.
Answer: Non-metal takes electron from metal
◍ What is the number of avogadros constant?.
Answer: 6.02x10^23
◍ What is the equation for the reaction of an alkali metal with water?.
Answer: Alkali Metal + Water -> Alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen
◍ Why does reactivity decrease? (4 marks).
Answer: Atom gets biggerOuter electrons further from nucleusFurther away
means less attraction between outer electrons and nucleusLess attraction
means harder to gain an electron (Non-metals)
◍ Why do giant lattices have have large melting and boiling points?.
Answer: Ions have strong electrostatic attractionWhich requires a lot of
energy to break
◍ Why is aluminium more expensive than carbon?.
Answer: Aluminium requires more energy and resources to extract.
◍ What ions does element R form?.
Answer: R2+ and R3+
◍ What is the purpose of a mark scheme?.
Answer: To provide guidance on marking student responses and ensure
consistency.
◍ What are the freely moving electrons called in metallic bonds?.
Answer: Delocalised electrons
◍ Why does diamond have a very high melting point?.
Answer: Due to strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
◍ Describe Newland's 'octaves' periodic table.
Answer: Ordered by atomic weightEvery 8th element they had similar
reactionsIncluded 2 elements in 1 box to make pattern workProblems were
that some metals and non metals in same group
HIGHER TIER. ALL ASSESSMENT &
MARK SCHEME PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ Bonding between metals?.
Answer: Metallic
◍ What happens to the pH when the concentration of an acid increases?.
Answer: The pH decreases
◍ Describe Mendeleev's table.
Answer: Ordered by atomic weightOrdered elements in groups with similar
properties (reaction)Switched elements if properties didnt matchLeft gaps
for undiscovered elements (predictions)Elements eventually found and
matched predictions so this tabel was accepted
◍ What is the mass of magnesium needed to react with 20 moles of SiO2?.
Answer: 960 g
◍ How do i find relative formula mass of O(little 2).
Answer: Mr(O(little 2)) = (2 x Atomic mass of O)=(2 x 16)=32
◍ What is the typical structure of marking points in the mark scheme?.
Answer: Marks available, total marks, expected answers, and extra
information.
◍ What trend is observed in the boiling points of noble gases?.
Answer: Boiling points increase going down the group.
,◍ How does silicon's reactivity compare to carbon?.
Answer: Silicon is less reactive than carbon
◍ What is an ionic lattice?.
Answer: Cubic arrangement of millions of ions joined by ionic bonds
◍ What does 'ecf' stand for in marking procedures?.
Answer: Error carried forward.
◍ Why is more energy needed to obtain aluminium?.
Answer: Aluminium is obtained from aluminium oxide by electrolysis
◍ What should be done if a student's answer contains incorrect statements?.
Answer: Full marks can only be awarded if there are no incorrect statements.
◍ What is a polymer?.
Answer: Large molecules made of monomers joining together to make
chains
◍ What is the opposite of a giant covalent lattice and examples?.
Answer: Simple covalent (water, methane etc)
◍ What are two possible compounds formed from zinc?.
Answer: Zinc hydroxide or zinc carbonate.
◍ Examples of a giant covalent lattice?.
Answer: Diamond, graphite, silicon dioxideAlso remember graphENE is a
single layer of graphite
◍ Why do simple covalent have low melting and boiling points?.
Answer: Weak intermolecular forcesWhich require little energy to break
◍ What is the formula for calculating relative atomic mass?.
Answer: (90.48 × 20) + (0.27 × 21) + (9.25 × 22) / 100.
◍ Why are there no ions in solution when barium sulfate is present?.
Answer: Barium sulfate is solid/insoluble
◍ Why can ionic compounds not conduct electricity?.
Answer: Ions are not free to moveSo cannot carry a charge
, ◍ How do the electrons transfer?.
Answer: Non-metal takes electron from metal
◍ What is the number of avogadros constant?.
Answer: 6.02x10^23
◍ What is the equation for the reaction of an alkali metal with water?.
Answer: Alkali Metal + Water -> Alkali metal hydroxide + hydrogen
◍ Why does reactivity decrease? (4 marks).
Answer: Atom gets biggerOuter electrons further from nucleusFurther away
means less attraction between outer electrons and nucleusLess attraction
means harder to gain an electron (Non-metals)
◍ Why do giant lattices have have large melting and boiling points?.
Answer: Ions have strong electrostatic attractionWhich requires a lot of
energy to break
◍ Why is aluminium more expensive than carbon?.
Answer: Aluminium requires more energy and resources to extract.
◍ What ions does element R form?.
Answer: R2+ and R3+
◍ What is the purpose of a mark scheme?.
Answer: To provide guidance on marking student responses and ensure
consistency.
◍ What are the freely moving electrons called in metallic bonds?.
Answer: Delocalised electrons
◍ Why does diamond have a very high melting point?.
Answer: Due to strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
◍ Describe Newland's 'octaves' periodic table.
Answer: Ordered by atomic weightEvery 8th element they had similar
reactionsIncluded 2 elements in 1 box to make pattern workProblems were
that some metals and non metals in same group
