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The Characteristic Properties

of Acids and Bases
Question Paper 1

Level IGCSE
Subject Chemistry (0620/0971)
Exam Board Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
Topic Acids, bases and salts
Sub-Topic The characteristic properties of acids and bases
Booklet Question Paper 1

Time Allowed: 30 minutes

Score: /25

Percentage: /100

Grade Boundaries:

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

>85% 75% 68% 60% 53% 48% 40% 33% <25%

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1. The diagram shows the pH values of four solutions.

Which of these solutions are alkaline?

A P only
B P and Q only
C Q, R and S only
D R and S only

2. An element E is burned in air. A white solid oxide is formed.

The oxide is tested with damp red litmus paper. The paper turns blue.

What is element E?

A calcium
B carbon
C iodine
D sulfur

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3. Some reactions of a substance, R, are shown in the diagram.

magnesium
hydrogen

reacts with sodium carbonate

substance R carbon dioxide

copper(II) oxide
copper(II) sulfate

What type of substance is R?

A an acid
B a base
C an element
D a salt

4. Substance K reacts with sodium carbonate to form a gas.

The gas turns limewater cloudy.

What is substance K and which process takes place in the reaction?

K process

A ethanol combustion
B ethanol neutralisation
C hydrochloric acid combustion
D hydrochloric acid neutralisation

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5. Which reaction will result in a decrease in pH?

A adding calcium hydroxide to acid soil

B adding citric acid to sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
C adding sodium chloride to silver nitrate solution
D adding sodium hydroxide to hydrochloric acid

6. The oxide of element X was added to an acid. It reacted to form a salt and water.

oxide of
element X

acid

What is the pH of the acid before the reaction and what type of element is X?

pH type of element X

A greater than 7 metal

B greater than 7 non-metal
C less than 7 metal
D less than 7 non-metal

7. An aqueous solution of the organic compound methylamine has a pH greater than 7.

Which statement about methylamine is correct?

A It neutralises an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.

B It reacts with copper(II) carbonate to give carbon dioxide.
C It reacts with hydrochloric acid to form a salt.
D It turns blue litmus red.

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8. Which type of reaction always forms a salt and water?

A exothermic
B neutralisation
C oxidation
D polymerisation

9. An alloy contains copper and zinc.

Some of the zinc has become oxidised to zinc oxide.

What is the result of adding an excess of dilute sulfuric acid to the alloy?

A A blue solution and a white solid remains.

B A colourless solution and a pink / brown solid remains.
C The alloy dissolves completely to give a blue solution.
D The alloy dissolves completely to give a colourless solution.

10. Which is not a typical property of an acid?

A They react with alkalis producing water.

B They react with all metals producing hydrogen.
C They react with carbonates producing carbon dioxide.
D They turn litmus paper red.

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11. Which of these pairs of aqueous ions both react with dilute sulfuric acid to give a visible result?

A Ba2+ and Cl −

B Ba2+ and CO32−

C NH4+ and Cl −

D NH4+ and CO32−

12. Barium hydroxide is an alkali. It reacts with hydrochloric acid.

How does the pH of the hydrochloric acid change as an excess of aqueous barium hydroxide is
added?

A The pH decreases from 14 and becomes constant at 7.

B The pH decreases from 14 to about 1.
C The pH increases from 1 and becomes constant at 7.
D The pH increases from 1 to about 14.

13. The diagram shows two substances, X and Y, being heated together.

damp Universal Indicator

paper

substances X and Y

heat

The Universal Indicator paper turns blue during the experiment.

What are substances X and Y?

A ammonium nitrate and hydrochloric acid

B ammonium nitrate and sodium hydroxide
C sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid
D sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide

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14. A gas is escaping from a pipe in a chemical plant.

A chemist tests this gas and finds that it is alkaline.

What is this gas?

A ammonia
B chlorine
C hydrogen
D sulfur dioxide

15. The graph shows how the pH changes as an acid is added to an alkali.

acid + alkali → salt + water

Which letter represents the area of the graph where both acid and salt are present?

A
14 B
pH

C
7

D
0

16. Dilute hydrochloric acid is added to a solid, S.

A flammable gas, G, is formed. Gas G is less dense than air.

What are S and G?

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17. An aqueous solution of copper(II) sulfate was made by adding excess copper(II) oxide to dilute
sulfuric acid. The mixture was heated, stirred and then filtered.

dilute copper(II) sulfate

sulfuric acid solution

copper(II) oxide

heat

What was the pH of the acid before adding the copper(II) oxide and of the solution after filtration?

pH of acid before adding pH of solution

copper(II) oxide after filtration

A greater than 7 7
B greater than 7 less than 7
C less than 7 7
D less than 7 greater than 7

18. Which are properties of an acid?

1 reacts with ammonium sulfate to form ammonia

2 turns red litmus blue

1 2

A  
B  
C  
D  

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19. Carbon dioxide is produced when

X reacts with ethanol.
Y reacts with sodium carbonate.

What are X and Y?

X Y

A H2 HCl
B H2 NaOH
C O2 HCl
D O2 NaOH

20. Ant stings hurt because of the methanoic acid produced by the ant.

Which substance could, most safely, be used to neutralise the acid?

substance pH

A baking soda 8
B car battery acid 1
C lemon juice 3
D oven cleaner 14

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21. The diagram shows an experiment.

blue red
litmus paper litmus paper

aqueous
ammonium chloride
+
aqueous
sodium hydroxide
heat

What happens to the pieces of litmus paper?

blue litmus paper red litmus paper

A changes colour changes colour

B changes colour no colour change
C no colour change changes colour
D no colour change no colour change

22. Two indicators, bromophenol blue and Congo red, show the following colours in acidic solutions
and in alkaline solutions.

A few drops of each indicator are added to separate samples of a solution of pH 2.

What are the colours of the indicators in this solution?

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23. Which statement about the reaction of acids is correct?

A They react with ammonium salts to form a salt and ammonia only.
B They react with metal carbonates to give a salt and carbon dioxide only.
C They react with metal hydroxides to give a salt and water only.
D They react with metals to give a salt, hydrogen and water only.

24. Which substance is the most acidic?

25. The graph shows how the pH of soil in a field changes over time.

At which point was the soil neutral?

11 A

pH of 7 B
soil D

5 C

time

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