The Earth: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which expression is correct for the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What causes the phases of the Moon?

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 11.1 represents part of the Solar System. (i) State the name of planet X and the name of planet Y. planet X .............................................................................................................................

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Approximately how long does the Moon take to orbit the Earth?

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• Question 10May/June 2026, paper 32Structured5 marks

  State the approximate time taken for the Moon to orbit the Earth.

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Each box in the left column shows a description of a unit of time. Each box in the right column shows the name of a unit of time.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Table 7.1 lists three uses of electromagnetic (e.m.) waves. Complete Table 7.1 by adding a suitable type of electromagnetic wave for each use.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which time period is approximately equal to 24 hours?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured10 marks

  Fill in the gaps in the description of how an accretion model explains the formation of the Solar System. The planets nearest the Sun are small and ........................................ The planets furthest from the Sun are large and ........................................

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 11.1 shows the Moon orbiting the Earth. State the name of the force that keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  It is summer in the northern hemisphere of the Earth in June. Which statement explains why?

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• Question 38May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What is the time taken for the Earth to spin once on its axis and the time taken for the Earth to orbit the Sun?

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• Question 37May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The Earth is a planet that orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days. What does this enable us to explain?

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 11.1 represents the Earth in orbit around the Sun. State the name of the force that keeps the Earth in orbit around the Sun.

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• Question 38May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The Sun, the Earth and the Moon are all bodies in the Solar System. The Earth has a periodic cycle of day and night and a periodic cycle of seasons. Which row relates the periods of these cycles to the motions of these bodies?

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• Question 38May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the cause of the phases of the Moon?

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• Question 38May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row about the orbits of the Earth and the Moon is correct?

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• Question 37May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row explains the apparent daily motion of the Sun across the sky and the cycle of phases of the Moon?

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• Question 38May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is $1.5\times {10}^{11}\text{ m}$. What is the orbital speed of the Earth?

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• Question 12May/June 2023, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 12.1 represents the Earth and the Sun at one point in the Earth’s orbit of the Sun. Explain the apparent daily motion of the Sun across the sky.

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• Question 38May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 38May/June 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  In which direction does the Sun appear to move every day, when viewed from the Earth?

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