Science
Stage 9
Paper 2
Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Test
Mark Scheme
3146_02_MS_4RP
© UCLES 2025
2025
S9/02
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
2025
General guidelines on marking
Many descriptive answers can be expressed in a variety of ways. Professional judgement can be
used in these cases, providing it matches the marking points and further information in the mark
scheme.
Answers may have words spelt incorrectly. Credit is normally given for phonetically correct answers,
unless the word has a scientifically different meaning. For example, where the answer should be
antennae, credit will be given for antena but not for anthen (too close to anther).
Only the science is being assessed, so answers do not need to be grammatically correct.
Significant figures will be indicated in the question or in the mark scheme.
Unless specified all marking points are independent.
Annotations and abbreviations
/ or
alternate responses for the same marking point
( ) brackets
the words or units in brackets do not need to be stated, for example, (recycles or
releases or provides) minerals = minerals scores the mark
underline
exact word is required
Accept
an acceptable response
Do not accept
indicates an incorrect response that would contradict another otherwise correct
alternative
Ignore
indicates an irrelevant answer that is not creditworthy. Full marks can still be
achieved even with answers that are ignored.
Note
provides extra information when necessary
ecf
error carried forward; marks are awarded if an incorrect response has been carried
forward from earlier working provided the subsequent working is correct
ora
or reverse argument; for example, as mass increases, volume increases could be
written as mass decreases, volume decreases
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attraction/bond between a positively charged ion and a
negatively charged ion
2(b)
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loses
Answer
2(a)(ii)
transpiration
1(d)
covalent
xylem
1(c)
Answer
Marks
Marks
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
2(a)(i)
absorption
1(b)
Question
root hair (cell)
Question
1(a)
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1 Accept electrostatic attraction between ions
1 Accept gives away
1
Further Information
1 Accept evaporation or diffusion
1
1 Accept osmosis or diffusion
1 Note root on its own is not sufficient
Further Information
2025
Question
Question
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4(b)
4(a)
3
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(idea of) loss of plant species or loss of animal species
migration of people (to find food or to find jobs)
lack of hygiene or increase risk of diseases
less water to drink
less food
any two from
less rain
Answer
sound waveform B
Answer
Marks
Marks
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
Accept other suitable impacts of desertification,
e.g. lack to trees to build houses
Accept increase in diseases such as cholera or
typhoid
2 each correct answer = 1 mark
Accept any indication of the correct answer, e.g.
ticking or underlining, but circling takes
precedence
1 more than one answer circled = 0 marks
Further Information
1 Note drawn waveform must have the same
amplitude and frequency by eye but all the peaks
and troughs are opposite each other as a mirror
image of waveform A
Further Information
2025
Question
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5(b)
5(a)
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chloroplasts
photosynthesis
oxygen
water
carbon dioxide
Answer
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Marks
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
2 each correct answer = 1 mark
Note carbon dioxide and water can be written in
any order
3 each correct answer = 1 mark
Further Information
2025
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6(c)
no (no mark)
6(b)
ZnSO4 + Cu
Answer
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(idea that) iron is more reactive than silver ora
yes (no mark)
Marks
Further Information
2025
Do not accept iron is more reactive than silver
nitrate
Note iron is more reactive is not sufficient
Accept iron is above silver in the reactivity series
ora
1 no ticked = 0 marks for the question
Do not accept copper is less reactive than
magnesium sulfate
Note copper is less reactive is not sufficient
Accept copper is below magnesium in the
reactivity series ora
1 yes ticked = 0 marks for the question
Ignore words
Accept products in either order
Accept reactants in either order
1 Accept = for
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
(idea that) copper is less reactive than magnesium ora
Zn + CuSO4
Question
6(a)
S9/02
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7(b)
2.5 (Ω)
(resistance =) voltage
current
lamp
or 1.5
0.6
meter drawn across the lamp, e.g.
7(b)(ii)
Answer
voltmeter
Question
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Marks
Further Information
2025
Note answer on answer line takes precedence
correct calculation = 1 mark
correct equation or substitution = 1 mark
2 Accept correct answer with or without working =
2 marks
1 Note any symbol may be used for the meter, e.g.
just a circle or a picture of a meter
1 Do not accept voltameter or voltage meter
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
7(a)(i)
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9
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Question
(E) romaine
(D) oak leaf
one correct = 0 marks
(C) mizuna
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Further Information
Accept flattens buildings
Ignore just kills animals or kills humans
Accept many people would die
2 all five correct = 2 marks
1
1 Accept (idea that) NASA want to practice
destroying asteroids
Further Information
two, three or four correct = 1 mark
Marks
Marks
(B) purslane
(A) endive
Answer
(idea of) increase in temperature where the asteroid hits
(idea of) dust clouds that block out light or dust blocks the
Sun
(idea of) destruction of buildings or destruction of cities
(idea of) shock waves
(idea of) mass extinction
any one from
8(b)
Answer
(idea that) to remove the threat of the asteroid hitting the
Earth
Question
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
8(a)
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2025
Question
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10(b)
10(a)
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giant
g / cm3
(density =) 6
(density =) mass ÷ volume or 150 ÷ 25
Answer
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Marks
Further Information
2025
1 Ignore metallic or ionic or molecular or covalent
Note density and units on answer line takes
precedence
correct units = 1 mark
Accept d = m/v or m ÷ v
equation or correct substitution = 1 mark
Accept 6 with or without working = 2 marks
3 Accept 6 g / cm3 with or without working = 3
marks
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
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12
Question
Ignore order of the data
data correctly entered without units
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Accept min(utes) and cm3 in the headings
without physical quantity= 1 mark
(heading) volume in cm3
3 each correct answer = 1 mark
Further Information
Ignore thermal energy transfer stops
Accept heat for thermal energy
Accept they both contain the same amount of
thermal energy
1 Accept the block A gets cooler and the block B
get hotter
Accept heat for thermal energy
1 Accept thermal energy is dissipated
Further Information
Accept time and volume in the headings without
units = 1 mark
Marks
Marks
2025
(heading) time in min(utes)
Answer
(idea that) the two blocks become the same temperature
11(b)
Answer
thermal energy is transferred from block A to block B
Question
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
11(a)
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Question
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13
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(evaporation) is endothermic or requires thermal energy
(idea that) thermal energy is transferred from the skin (to the
water) to the air
liquid water becomes a gas or water becomes water vapour
any two from
Answer
Marks
Further Information
2025
Accept slower particles left behind with liquid
water or particles with less energy left in the liquid
water
Accept faster particles leave the liquid or
particles with more energy escape the water
2 each correct answer = 1 mark
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
Question
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14(c)
14(b)
14(a)
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any value between 7 and 10.5 (billions of tonnes)
(explanation) (idea that) slow increase linked to just the slow
carbon cycle and rapid increase linked to the (slow and) fast
carbon cycle
(description of trend) a slow increase and then a rapid
increase
(idea that) the only carbon dioxide released is in the slow
carbon cycle
(idea that) the population was much lower in 1850 to 1865
(idea that) fossil fuels were not used then
(idea that) the emissions were not measured
(idea that) emissions are too low to show on the graph
any one from
Answer
Marks
Further Information
1
Accept increases
2 each correct answer = 1 mark
1 Ignore just no carbon dioxide is released
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
2025
Question
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15(b)
15(a)
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more reliable or to identify anomalous results or to see if
results can be reproduced
(equipment) stop-watch
and
(measurement) time for red dye solution to reach leaf
(equipment) measuring cylinder or a balance or ruler
and
(measurement) decrease in volume of red dye solution or
decrease in mass of red dye solution or distance travelled
by red dye solution
Answer
Marks
Further Information
2025
1 Do not accept for accuracy or fair testing
Accept stop-clock
Ignore weighing or top pan or lever arm or
electronic
Accept scales
Accept water for red dye solution
2 each measurement and linked equipment = 1
mark
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme
Question
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16(b)
16(a)
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(explanation for hot red water) hot water is less dense than
the water at room temperature
(explanation for cold blue water) cold water is more dense
than the water at room temperature
(predictions) (idea that) cold blue water sinks and hot red
water floats
(risk) dye may be poisonous or dye may be harmful or dye
may stain or dye may splash into eyes
and
(control) wear eye protection or wear goggles or wear
gloves
(risk) hot water may scald
and
(control) wear heatproof gloves
Answer
Marks
Further Information
2025
3 each correct answer = 1 mark
Note mark answers wherever seen
Accept hot water may cause burns
2 each risk correctly linked to a control = 1 mark
Science Stage 9 Paper 2 Mark Scheme