2025 OCR GCSE Combined Science B (Twenty First Century Science)
J260/08 Combined Science (Higher Tier)
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty
First Century Science)
J260/08 Combined Science (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data and Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1)
Combined Science B (inside this document)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8690/2]
OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (SL/CB) 354469/7
Turn over
, 2
1 A skater wants to buy a new skateboard.
Deck
The table shows information about three different skateboards.
Skateboard Deck material Tensile strength Stiffness (GPa) Density (kg / m3)
(MPa)
A Wood 4 10 700
B Glass 3400 75 2500
C Composite 350 10 900
(a) Suggest why the skater chooses to buy Skateboard C.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) State why the development of composite materials is beneficial when designing new products.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
© OCR
2025
, 3
(c) The skater decides to recycle the old skateboard so that it does not take up space in landfill.
State one other factor that should also be considered when disposing of a skateboard.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) The skateboards are transported to shops in lorries that burn diesel.
(i) One gas that forms when diesel burns is sulfur dioxide.
Explain one problem caused by increased amounts of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide are also formed when diesel burns.
Catalytic converters help to decrease these emissions into the atmosphere by converting:
• nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen
• carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
Complete the equation to show the reaction that occurs in a catalytic converter.
2CO + 2NO 2CO2 + ............
[1]
© OCR Turn over
2025
, 4
2 A student is investigating the rate of anaerobic respiration in yeast using this method and the
apparatus shown:
• Add glucose to a yeast solution.
• Add a layer of oil on top to prevent oxygen reaching the yeast.
• Measure the volume of carbon dioxide made in 20 minutes.
• Repeat using sucrose and maltose.
0 10 20 30 40 50
Gas syringe
Layer of oil
Yeast and sugar solution
(a) The student controls the temperature of the yeast and sugar solution to make sure their
comparisons are valid.
Describe how the student should control the temperature.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
The student’s results are shown in the table:
Type of sugar Volume of carbon dioxide
collected in 20 minutes (cm3)
Glucose 35
Sucrose 25
Maltose 30
(b) Explain how the student could improve the accuracy of the gas volume measurements.
................................................................................................................................................
..........
................................................................................................................................................
..........
................................................................................................................................................
..........
.................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR
2025
J260/08 Combined Science (Higher Tier)
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Monday 9 June 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science B (Twenty
First Century Science)
J260/08 Combined Science (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data and Equation Sheet for GCSE (9–1)
Combined Science B (inside this document)
You can use:
• an HB pencil
• a scientific or graphical calculator
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use the lined
pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be given
for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 24 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8690/2]
OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (SL/CB) 354469/7
Turn over
, 2
1 A skater wants to buy a new skateboard.
Deck
The table shows information about three different skateboards.
Skateboard Deck material Tensile strength Stiffness (GPa) Density (kg / m3)
(MPa)
A Wood 4 10 700
B Glass 3400 75 2500
C Composite 350 10 900
(a) Suggest why the skater chooses to buy Skateboard C.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) State why the development of composite materials is beneficial when designing new products.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
© OCR
2025
, 3
(c) The skater decides to recycle the old skateboard so that it does not take up space in landfill.
State one other factor that should also be considered when disposing of a skateboard.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) The skateboards are transported to shops in lorries that burn diesel.
(i) One gas that forms when diesel burns is sulfur dioxide.
Explain one problem caused by increased amounts of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide are also formed when diesel burns.
Catalytic converters help to decrease these emissions into the atmosphere by converting:
• nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen
• carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
Complete the equation to show the reaction that occurs in a catalytic converter.
2CO + 2NO 2CO2 + ............
[1]
© OCR Turn over
2025
, 4
2 A student is investigating the rate of anaerobic respiration in yeast using this method and the
apparatus shown:
• Add glucose to a yeast solution.
• Add a layer of oil on top to prevent oxygen reaching the yeast.
• Measure the volume of carbon dioxide made in 20 minutes.
• Repeat using sucrose and maltose.
0 10 20 30 40 50
Gas syringe
Layer of oil
Yeast and sugar solution
(a) The student controls the temperature of the yeast and sugar solution to make sure their
comparisons are valid.
Describe how the student should control the temperature.
..........................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
The student’s results are shown in the table:
Type of sugar Volume of carbon dioxide
collected in 20 minutes (cm3)
Glucose 35
Sucrose 25
Maltose 30
(b) Explain how the student could improve the accuracy of the gas volume measurements.
................................................................................................................................................
..........
................................................................................................................................................
..........
................................................................................................................................................
..........
.................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR
2025
