1 (a) Reproduction is one of the characteristics of living organisms. Identify the characteristics of living organisms defined as the removal of toxic material from the body … an action allowing an organism to change position … . [2] (b) Fig. 1.1 shows the parts of a flower. … … … Fig. 1.1 (i) Complete the labels on Fig. 1.1. Choose words from the list. anther carpel filament ovary stigma sepal style [3] (ii) Name the part of the plant that receives pollen from another plant. … [1] (iii) Name the part of the plant where fertilisation takes place. … [1] (c) (i) The boxes on the left show parts of the female reproductive system in humans. The boxes on the right show functions of these parts. Draw one straight line from each part to its function. name of part function cervix vagina ovaries ring of muscle at the opening of the uterus receives penis during sexual intercourse release of female gametes (eggs) [2] (ii) During reproduction in humans, a ball of cells implants into the uterus wall. State the name of this ball of cells. … [1] [Total: 10]

1(a) excretion ; movement ; 2 1(b)(i) filament ; anther ; sepal ; 3 1(b)(ii) stigma ; 1 1(b)(iii) ovule ; 1 1(c)(i) cervix ring of muscle at the opening of the uterus ovaries receives penis during sexual intercourse vagina release of female gametes (eggs) ;; all three correct = 2 marks one or two correct = 1 mark 2 1(c)(ii) embryo ; 1 (a) To earn these marks, you must correctly identify 'excretion' for the removal of toxic material and 'movement' for changing position. (b)(i) You need to correctly label the filament, anther, and sepal on the diagram. (b)(ii) The mark is earned by stating 'stigma' as the part that receives pollen. (b)(iii) You must identify 'ovule' as the site of fertilisation. (c)(i) To get full marks, you need to draw correct lines connecting all three parts (cervix, vagina, ovaries) to their respective functions; one or two correct connections earn one mark. (c)(ii) The mark is awarded for stating 'embryo' as the ball of cells that implants.

4 (a) The boxes on the left show parts of the male reproductive system. The boxes on the right show functions of these parts. Draw one straight line from each part to its function. name of part function scrotum secretes fluids for sperm to swim in, forming semen sperm duct transfers sperm to the urethra prostate gland sac that holds the testes outside the body [2] (b) Fig. 4.1 shows the female reproductive system. A B C D Fig. 4.1 Identify the letter A, B, C or D on Fig. 4.1 that shows: where sperm is transferred by the penis during sexual intercourse … where the fetus develops. … [2] (c) Female body temperature can change during the menstrual cycle. Fig. 4.2 shows the body temperature of one female during her menstrual cycle. 0 36.0 36.2 36.4 36.6 36.8 37.0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 day of menstrual cycle body temperature / °C 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Fig. 4.2 This female releases an egg on day 14 of her menstrual cycle. (i) Identify the body temperature of this female when she releases the egg. …°C [1] (ii) Name the part of the female reproductive system that releases the egg. … [1] (iii) Describe the body temperature of this female between day 25 and day 29. … … [1] (iv) Describe the changes that occur to the lining of the uterus between day 1 and day 5. … … [1] [Total: 8]

4(a) scrotum secretes fluids for sperm to swim in, forming semen sperm duct transfers sperm to the urethra prostate gland sac that holds testes outside the body ; ; all correct = two marks one or two correct = 1 mark 2 4(b) D ; C ; 2 4(c)(i) 36.2 (°C) ; 1 4(c)(ii) ovary ; 1 4(c)(iii) decreases from 36.9 to 36.4 / decreases by 0.5 ; 1 4(c)(iv) breaks down / decreases in thickness ; 1

7 (a) Fig. 7.1 is a diagram of the alimentary canal and associated organs. A E B C D Fig. 7.1 (i) State the letters on Fig. 7.1 that identify where egestion and ingestion take place. egestion … ingestion … [2] (ii) State one function of the part labelled E in Fig. 7.1. … [1] (iii) Name the part of the blood that transports the products of digestion around the body. … [1] (b) In one day a person eats a diet that includes cheese, eggs, fish, kidney beans and meat. The protein, carbohydrate and fibre content of each food is shown in Table 7.1. Table 7.1 foodstuff protein / g per 100 g of food carbohydrate / g per 100 g of food fibre / g per 100 g of food cheese 18 1 0 eggs 13 1 0 fish 22 0 0 kidney beans 24 50 25 meat 26 0 0 One part of this diet is needed to move food through the alimentary canal. Identify the part of the diet and explain your answer. part of diet … explanation … [2] (c) Fig. 7.2 shows the male reproductive system. P Q Fig. 7.2 Identify the parts labelled P and Q in Fig. 7.2. P … Q … [2] (d) Table 7.2 compares asexual and sexual reproduction. Place ticks (✓) and crosses (✗) to show the correct features of asexual and sexual reproduction. One row has been done for you. Table 7.2 asexual reproduction sexual reproduction genetically identical offspring involves fusion of nuclei involves gametes usually involves two parents ✗ ✓ [2] [Total: 10]

7(a)(i) egestion: D ; ingestion: A ; 2 7(a)(ii) digestion / absorption ; 1 7(a)(iii) plasma ; 1 7(b) part of diet: kidney beans ; explanation: contain fibre ; 2 7(c) P urethra ; Q scrotum ; 2 7(d) asexual reproduction sexual reproduction genetically identical offspring  x involves fusion of nuclei x  involves gametes x  usually involves two parents (x) () ;; 2 marks for all 6 correct 1 mark for 4 correct 2

7 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows the life cycle of a plant. formation of seeds process X pollination growth germination Fig. 7.1 (i) Identify process X in Fig. 7.1. … [1] (ii) Explain why plants need amino acids for growth. … … … [2] (b) Fig. 7.2 shows some of the parts of an insect-pollinated flower. Fig. 7.2 (i) On Fig. 7.2, draw a label line and the letter P to show where pollination occurs. [1] (ii) The male parts of the flower are not visible in Fig. 7.2. State the name of one male part of the flower not visible in Fig. 7.2. … [1] (c) Plants can also reproduce asexually. Complete these sentences to define the term asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction is a process resulting in the production of … identical offspring from … parent. [2] (d) The roots of a plant grow down into the ground in response to gravity. State the name of this response. … [1] [Total: 8]

7(a)(i) fertilisation ; 1 7(a)(ii) (amino acids are used) to make proteins ; proteins are needed for growth ; 2 7(b)(i) label line on stigma ; 1 7(b)(ii) anther / filament / stamen ; 1 7(c) genetically ; one / a single ; 2 7(d) gravitropism ; 1

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science · 0653

IGCSE Combined Science (0653) Reproduction past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Combined Science (0653) — Reproduction with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

180 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Reproduction in IGCSE Combined Science 0653 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Reproduction accounted for 180 questions worth 632 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	32	102
2021	33	108
2022	30	117
2023	39	136
2024	32	113
2025	14	56

Most-tested subtopics

B14.1 Sexual reproduction in plants317 marks
B14.2 Sexual reproduction in humans294 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 56 qs
Paper 2 · 68 qs
Paper 3 · 31 qs
Paper 4 · 25 qs

All most-tested Combined Science topics

2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q1 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Feb/Mar · Paper 3 · Q4 · 8 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q7 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q7 · 8 marks
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 1 · Q10 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q10
Answer: A
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