Evolution by natural selection: Edexcel GCSE Combined Science questions
Every Edexcel GCSE Combined Science exam question on Evolution by natural selection (specification points 4.2–4.3), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
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Calculations
Q3(a)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ4(b)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)
The whole paper ↗Q2(b)
The whole paper ↗Q6(b)
The whole paper ↗
All 10 questions on Evolution by natural selection, as a list
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(iv) (3 marks): Explain what could have caused the extinction of Australopithecus afarensis. (3)
- June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Which term is used to describe changes in species over time? (1) A resistance B evolution C mitosis D inheritance
- June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b) (4 marks): Figure 5 shows the effect of adding an antibiotic to a culture of bacteria. agar plate antibiotic added non‑resistant resistant bacterium bacterium Figure 5 Exp
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give one benefit of this to the bittern. (1)
- June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q4(a)(iii) (3 marks): There is some concern that the bitterns in the UK are all closely related. This could make them susceptible to extinction. Explain, using your knowledge of natu
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (4 marks): Explain how Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics. (4)
- June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State how the use of antibiotics could contribute to Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics. (1)
- November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b) (4 marks): Scientists think that great tits living now have longer beaks because of the increased use of bird feeders during the last 50 years. Explain how natural selecti
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q2(b) (4 marks): Colistin is an antibiotic used to treat infections in the bloodstream. Some bacteria are resistant to Colistin. Explain how these bacteria have become resistant
- June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b) (4 marks): Colistin is an antibiotic used to treat infections in the bloodstream. Some bacteria are resistant to Colistin. Explain how these bacteria have become resistant
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