AICE Actual Exams 2026/2027 | Complete Practice Questions, Correct
Answers & Detailed Explanations | Cambridge International AICE
SECTION 1 — GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES & RESEARCH / CRITICAL
THINKING
Questions 1–40
1. Which statement best describes a strong research question?
A. Is climate change bad?
B. Why does everything cause pollution?
C. To what extent does urbanization affect access to clean water in
rapidly growing cities?
D. Is pollution important?
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: C is specific, researchable and identifies both the issue and
context. The other questions are too broad or vague.
2. Which source is generally strongest for supporting a scientific claim?
A. Anonymous social-media post
B. Peer-reviewed research article
C. Personal blog
D. Online comment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Peer-reviewed research has undergone expert evaluation
and normally provides evidence, methodology and references.
,3. What is confirmation bias?
A. Changing a conclusion after reviewing evidence
B. Seeking information that supports an existing belief while ignoring
contradictory evidence
C. Comparing two unrelated sources
D. Repeating an experiment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Confirmation bias occurs when people preferentially
notice or accept evidence supporting what they already believe.
4. A researcher finds that two variables increase together. What can
be concluded immediately?
A. One definitely causes the other
B. They are negatively correlated
C. They are positively associated
D. The relationship must be accidental
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A positive association means the variables tend to
increase together, but association alone does not establish causation.
5. Which feature most increases the credibility of a source?
A. Emotional language
B. Large number of advertisements
C. Clear evidence and identifiable authorship
D. Extremely short publication
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Credible sources normally identify authorship and provide
evidence that can be evaluated.
6. What is a counterargument?
A. A summary of your own position
B. Evidence supporting your conclusion
C. A reason or evidence challenging your position
D. A bibliography
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A counterargument presents an alternative position or
evidence that challenges the main argument.
7. Which is an example of a primary source?
A. History textbook
B. Researcher's original interview transcript
C. Encyclopedia entry
D. Newspaper article summarizing research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An original interview transcript is direct evidence
produced during the research process.
8. Why should researchers consider opposing viewpoints?
A. To make the argument longer
B. To avoid reaching any conclusion
, C. To test the strength and limitations of their own position
D. To eliminate evidence
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Considering alternative perspectives helps identify
weaknesses, assumptions and limitations.
9. Which statement is an opinion rather than an objectively verifiable
fact?
A. Water freezes at approximately 0°C at standard atmospheric
pressure.
B. The Earth orbits the Sun.
C. Public transportation is the best solution to urban congestion.
D. Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “Best” reflects a judgment and depends on criteria and
values.
10. What is a reliable way to reduce plagiarism?
A. Remove all citations
B. Copy text and change a few words
C. Paraphrase independently and cite the source
D. Use information without attribution
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proper paraphrasing combined with citation acknowledges
the original source.
Answers & Detailed Explanations | Cambridge International AICE
SECTION 1 — GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES & RESEARCH / CRITICAL
THINKING
Questions 1–40
1. Which statement best describes a strong research question?
A. Is climate change bad?
B. Why does everything cause pollution?
C. To what extent does urbanization affect access to clean water in
rapidly growing cities?
D. Is pollution important?
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: C is specific, researchable and identifies both the issue and
context. The other questions are too broad or vague.
2. Which source is generally strongest for supporting a scientific claim?
A. Anonymous social-media post
B. Peer-reviewed research article
C. Personal blog
D. Online comment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Peer-reviewed research has undergone expert evaluation
and normally provides evidence, methodology and references.
,3. What is confirmation bias?
A. Changing a conclusion after reviewing evidence
B. Seeking information that supports an existing belief while ignoring
contradictory evidence
C. Comparing two unrelated sources
D. Repeating an experiment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Confirmation bias occurs when people preferentially
notice or accept evidence supporting what they already believe.
4. A researcher finds that two variables increase together. What can
be concluded immediately?
A. One definitely causes the other
B. They are negatively correlated
C. They are positively associated
D. The relationship must be accidental
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A positive association means the variables tend to
increase together, but association alone does not establish causation.
5. Which feature most increases the credibility of a source?
A. Emotional language
B. Large number of advertisements
C. Clear evidence and identifiable authorship
D. Extremely short publication
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Credible sources normally identify authorship and provide
evidence that can be evaluated.
6. What is a counterargument?
A. A summary of your own position
B. Evidence supporting your conclusion
C. A reason or evidence challenging your position
D. A bibliography
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A counterargument presents an alternative position or
evidence that challenges the main argument.
7. Which is an example of a primary source?
A. History textbook
B. Researcher's original interview transcript
C. Encyclopedia entry
D. Newspaper article summarizing research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An original interview transcript is direct evidence
produced during the research process.
8. Why should researchers consider opposing viewpoints?
A. To make the argument longer
B. To avoid reaching any conclusion
, C. To test the strength and limitations of their own position
D. To eliminate evidence
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Considering alternative perspectives helps identify
weaknesses, assumptions and limitations.
9. Which statement is an opinion rather than an objectively verifiable
fact?
A. Water freezes at approximately 0°C at standard atmospheric
pressure.
B. The Earth orbits the Sun.
C. Public transportation is the best solution to urban congestion.
D. Oxygen is required for aerobic respiration.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “Best” reflects a judgment and depends on criteria and
values.
10. What is a reliable way to reduce plagiarism?
A. Remove all citations
B. Copy text and change a few words
C. Paraphrase independently and cite the source
D. Use information without attribution
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proper paraphrasing combined with citation acknowledges
the original source.
