plumiCategories of materials: OCR GCSE Design and Technology questions
Every OCR GCSE Design and Technology exam question on 5.1 Categories of materials, 2021–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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All 24 questions on Categories of materials, as a list
- June 2025, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(c) (4 marks): A photochromic polymer is a smart material used to darken the lenses of the sunglasses in sunlight. Identify two other smart or modern materials that could be u
- June 2025, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Identify with a tick (✓) the most suitable weight for a travel ticket made from card. Weight Tick (✓) one only 50 gsm 80 gsm 220 gsm 480 gsm [1]
- June 2025, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): What is an alloy? [1]
- June 2025, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): The wooden food container is made from a softwood. Identify two softwoods. 1 2 [2]
- June 2024, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Name one softwood. [1]
- June 2024, Principles of Design and Technology, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Name two other thermo polymers. 1 2 [2]
- June 2024, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe what is meant by a woven fabric. [1]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): What is a synthetic fabric? [1]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name one synthetic fabric. [1]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): The clock is made from mild steel which is a ferrous metal. Explain the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal. [2]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Identify one non-ferrous metal. [1]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one other example of a thermosetting polymer. [1]
- June 2023, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): The label in the seedling pot is made from softwood. Name one softwood. [1]
- June 2022, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): What is an alloy? [1]
- June 2022, Principles of Design and Technology, Q2(c) (1 mark): Oak is a hardwood. Name one other hardwood the table top could be made from. [1] Fig. 2 is repeated below. 45 cm 45 cm 5 cm Table top 45 cm 2 cm Steel frame Fig
- June 2022, Principles of Design and Technology, Q3(d) (3 marks): The designer of the wind-up bath toy wants to improve the toy’s functionality and appeal. Explain how one smart or modern material could be used by the designer
- June 2022, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name one other natural fibre. [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(b) (1 mark): The tray in the chocolate box is made from a thermo polymer. Name one thermo polymer. [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(c) (1 mark): Some of the chocolates are wrapped in aluminium foil, a non-ferrous metal. Name one other non-ferrous metal. [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q1(e) (1 mark): Designers are increasing the use of biopolymers in product packaging. What is a biopolymer? [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): The deck chair seat is made from a woven fabric, which makes it strong. Describe how the construction of a woven fabric makes it strong. [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Phosphorescent pigment is a smart material. Identify one other smart material. [1]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q3(c)(ii) (4 marks): Describe two other ways designers are using smart materials in products to improve their functionality or benefit the users. 1 2 [4]
- November 2021, Principles of Design and Technology, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): Name one hardwood. [1]
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