5090 Biology June 2003
1
FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................... 1
BIOLOGY............................................................................................................................ 2
GCE Ordinary Level ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Paper 5090/01 Paper 1 – Multiple Choice..................................................................................................... 2
Paper 5090/02 Theory................................................................................................................................... 4
Paper 5090/03 Practical Test ........................................................................................................................ 7
Paper 5090/06 Alternative to Practical .......................................................................................................... 8
This booklet contains reports written by Examiners on the work of candidates in certain papers. Its contents
are primarily for the information of the subject teachers concerned.
5090 Biology June 2003
2
GCE Ordinary Level
Paper 5090/01
Paper 1 – Multiple Choice
General comments
Candidates showed a good level of knowledge in the exam. Questions which needed two stages of thought
caused more problems, but discriminated well (e.g. Question 7). There were signs that the later parts of the
exam needed more attention than the beginning and it must again be stressed that every word of the stem
and all the information given must be considered before choosing the response e.g. Questions 39 and 40.
The advice – “Read the question” is still fundamental.
Comments on specific questions
Questions 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24, 32, 36 and 37 mainly required knowledge and proved
easy.
Question 2
Minerals move from low to high concentrations, so the process must be active.
Question 3
Study