2021-2022

S.6 CHEM
PAPER 1A
Good Hope School
Mock Examination 2021-2022
S.6 CHEMISTRY PAPER 1
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (2 hours 30 minutes)
This paper must be answered in English

Student name
Class
Class number
Block number

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

(1) There are TWO sections, A and B, in this Paper. You are advised to finish Section A in about 45 minutes.

(2) Section A consists of multiple-choice questions in this question paper, while Section B contains conventional
questions printed separately in Question-Answer Book B.

(3) Answers to Section A should be marked on the Multiple-choice Answer Sheet while answers to Section B should be
written in the spaces provided in Question-Answer Book B. The Answer Sheet for Section A and the Question-
Answer Book for Section B will be collected separately at the end of the examination.

(4) A Periodic Table is printed on page 20 of Question-Answer Book B. Atomic numbers and relative atomic masses of
elements can be obtained from the Periodic Table.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION A (MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)

(1) Read carefully the instructions on the Answer Sheet. After the announcement of the start of the examination, you
should first stick a barcode label and fill in the information required in the spaces provided. No extra time will be given
for filling in the information after the ‘Time is up’ announcement.

(2) When told to open this book, you should check that all the questions are there. Look for the words ‘END OF SECTION
A’ after the last question.

(3) All questions carry equal marks.

(4) ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. You are advised to use an HB pencil to mark all the answers on the Answer Sheet, so
that wrong marks can be completely erased with a clean rubber. You must mark the answers clearly; otherwise you
will lose marks if the answers cannot be captured.

(5) You should mark only ONE answer for each question. If you mark more than one answer, you will receive NO MARKS
for that question.

(6) No marks will be deducted for wrong answers.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 1 of 19

This section consists of two parts. There are 24 questions in PART I and 12 questions in PART II.
Choose the best answer for each question.
You may refer to the Periodic Table printed on page 20 of Question-Answer Book B.

PART I

1. Which of the following atoms has the largest number of neutrons?

56 55 54 52
A. Co B. Mn C. Fe D. Cr

2. The table below lists the information about two elements, X and Y:

Element Atomic number Relative atomic mass

X 7 14.0
Y 12 24.3

What is the formula mass of the compound formed from X and Y?

A. 52.3 B. 62.6 C. 90.6 D. 100.9

3. Which of the following statements about quicklime is INCORRECT?

A. Heating limestone strongly can form quicklime.

B. Reacting quicklime with sulphur dioxide can form calcium sulphite.
C. Reacting quicklime with carbon dioxide can form calcium carbonate.
D. Reaction of quicklime with water is endothermic.

4. Which of the following structural features of graphite accounts for its use as a lubricant?

A. presence of delocalized electrons

B. each carbon atom bonding to three other carbon atoms
C. hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms in each layer
D. van der Waals’ forces between layers of atoms

5. The composition by mass of element Y in the compound LiYO2 is 55.2%. Which of the following statements
concerning Y is / are correct?
(Relative atomic masses: Li = 6.9, O = 16.0)

(1) Y is a transition metal.

(2) Y is an element in Group IV of the Periodic Table.
(3) Y is an element in the third period of the Periodic Table.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 2 of 19

6. Which of the following statements concerning sodium hydroxide are correct?

(1) It is manufactured by electrolysis of brine.

(2) It is used in the manufacture of soapless detergents.
(3) It absorbs carbon dioxide when exposed to air.

A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

7. Which of the following methods can be used to distinguish between iron(II) sulphate solution and iron(III)
sulphate solution?

(1) adding aqueous ammonia

(2) adding sodium sulphite solution
(3) observing their colours

A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

8. Which of the following substances will increase the pH of 1.0 M ethanoic acid when added to it?

(1) solid calcium carbonate

(2) solid sodium chloride
(3) 1.0 M sulphuric acid

A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1) and (2) only D. (2) and (3) only

Direction: Questions 9 and 10 refer to the following experiment to determine the concentration of H2SO4(aq)
in a domestic cleanser. 10.0 cm3 of the cleanser were first diluted to 250.0 cm3 with distilled water.
Upon titration with 0.950 M NaOH(aq) using phenolphthalein as indicator, 25.0 cm3 of the diluted
cleanser required 20.60 cm3 of the NaOH(aq) for complete neutralization.

9. What is the colour change at the end point of the titration?

A. from colourless to pink B. from pink to colourless

C. from yellow to red D. from red to yellow

10. What is the concentration of H2SO4 in the undiluted domestic cleanser?

A. 0.98 M B. 9.79 M
C. 11.9 M D. 19.6 M

11. The oxidation number of Pb in Pb10(AsO3)6Cl2 is +2. What is the oxidation number of As?

A. +2 B. +3 C. +5 D. +6

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 3 of 19

12. Consider the following experimental set-up:

carbon rod X carbon rod Y

dilute H2SO4(aq) dilute H2SO4(aq)

gel containing Ni(MnO4)2(aq)

Which of the following statements is correct when an electric current passes through the circuit?

A. Electron flow from Y to X through the external circuit.

B. Green colour is observed in the dilute H2SO4(aq) around X.
C. Gas bubbles are observed in the dilute H2SO4(aq) around Y.
D. Purple colour is observed in the dilute H2SO4(aq) around Y.

13. Which of the following statements are correct?

(1) The standard enthalpy change of combustion of hexamine, (CH2)6N4, is negative.

(2) The standard enthalpy change of formation of O2(g) is zero.
(3) The standard enthalpy change of formation of CH4(g) can be determined directly from experiment.

A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

14. Ammonium nitrate absorbs heat from the surroundings when it dissolves and is commonly used in cold packs.
When 12.0 g of ammonium nitrate solid is completely dissolved in 100 cm3 of water, the water temperature
drops by 8 C. Which of the following would give a temperature drop of 4 C under the same conditions?

A. Dissolving 3 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 50 cm3 of water

B. Dissolving 6 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 200 cm3 of water
C. Dissolving 18 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 150 cm3 of water
D. Dissolving 24 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 75 cm3 of water

15. When 5.56 g of methane gas burns completely, 309 kJ of heat is released. Under those experimental conditions,
the enthalpy changes of formation of carbon dioxide gas and water are –393.5 kJ mol-1 and
–285.9 kJ mol-1 respectively. What is the enthalpy change of formation of methane gas under the same
experimental conditions?
(Relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, C = 12.0)

A. +209.8 kJ mol-1
B. –76.1 kJ mol-1
C. –1568.6 kJ mol-1
D. –1854.5 kJ mol-1

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 4 of 19

16. Which of the following processes is exothermic?

A. sublimation of iodine
B. evaporation of propanol
C. cracking of petroleum fractions
D. passing hydrogen chloride gas into a sodium hydroxide solution

17. Consider the following equation:

2NO(g)  N2(g) + O2(g) ΔHO = –180 kJ mol-1

The formation of 2 moles of nitrogen monoxide from gaseous nitrogen and oxygen is an

A. exothermic process releasing 180 kJ of heat.

B. exothermic process releasing 360 kJ of heat.
C. endothermic process taking in 180 kJ of heat.
D. endothermic process taking in 360 kJ of heat.

18. Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:

1st Statement 2nd Statement

Anodisation can enhance the corrosion By anodization, an oxide layer is formed on the
resistance of aluminium. surface of aluminium

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st statement.
B. Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st statement
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

19. The diagram below shows the set-up of an experiment:

The unglazed porcelain in tube A is strongly heated and the glass wool is occasionally heated. Which of the
following statements is / are correct?

(1) There are colour changes in both tubes B and C.

(2) The broken unglazed porcelain acts as a catalyst.
(3) When no more gas bubbles are formed, tube B should be removed before removing the heat source.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only
S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 5 of 19
20. Compound X has the following structure:
BrCH=CH2CH2OH
The systematic name of X is

A. 1-bromoprop-1-en-3-ol.
B. 3-bromoprop-2-en-1-ol.
C. 1-bromo-3-hydroxypropene.
D. 1-bromo-3-hydroxyprop-1-ene.

21. Which of the following can be converted into substances that are less harmful when passed through a catalytic
converter?

(1) nitrogen oxides

(2) sulphur dioxide
(3) unburnt petrol

A. (1) and (2) only B. (2) and (3) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

22. Which of the following compounds CANNOT form condensation polymers?

(1) CH2=CHCH2CO2H
(2) HOCOCH=CHCH2OH
(3) CH3CH(NH2)CH2COOH

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

23. Which of the following molecules is polar?

A. BCl3
B. PCl3
C. CH2=CH2
D. PCl5

24. To which of the following molecules is the 'octet rule' NOT applicable?

(1) OF2
(2) NO2
(3) FCN
A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 6 of 19

PART II

25. Consider the compound below:

CH=CHCH=CHCH3

How many possible cis-trans isomers are there?

A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8

26. An organic compound has the following structure:

Which of the following statements about this compound is/are correct?

(1) It is immiscible with water.

(2) It is neutral to litmus solution.
(3) It burns with a non-luminous flame.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

27. Which of the following pairs of substances CANNOT be distinguished by using acidified KMnO4(aq)?

A. 2-methylpropan-1-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol

B. polyethene and poly(chloroethene)
C. cyclohexane and cyclohexene
D. sodium sulphite and sodium sulphate

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 7 of 19

28. In which of the following pairs are molecule Y and molecule Z identical?

Molecule Y Molecule Z
F Cl

C C
I Br I Br
A. Cl F

CH3 O H CH3 O H
H3C C C O C CH3 H3C C O C C CH3

B. H H H H

CH3 H Cl H
H H H H
H C C C C H
H3C C C C C CH3
H H H
CH2CH3 H Cl CH3 H
C.
H3C CH3 H3C H
C C H C C H
H C C H C C
H CH3 H3C CH3
D.

29. Consider the following two compounds:

Which of the following statements is / are correct?

(1) They are in the same homologous series.

(2) They have the same empirical formula.
(3) They can both react with HCl.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 8 of 19

30. The equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction PCl5 (g) ⇌ PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g) at 80oC is 0.20 mol dm-3. In a 2.0
dm3 closed container kept at 80oC, there is a mixture of 0.20 mol of PCl5 (g), 0.30 mol of PCl3 (g) and 0.30
mol of Cl2 (g) at a certain moment. Which of the following combinations is correct at that moment?

Reaction quotient Qc / mol dm-3 Rate of the reaction

A. 0.45 backward > forward
B. 0.45 forward > backward
C. 0.225 backward > forward
D. 0.225 forward > backward

31. In a closed container and at a certain temperature, the following equilibrium was attained:

2NOCl2(g) ⇋ 2NO(g) + Cl2(g) H>0

Which of the following statements is correct?

A. NOCl2(g) and NO(g) must be of the same concentration.

B. The rate of decomposition of NOCl2(g) is equal to the rate of formation of Cl2(g).
C. When the volume of the system is decreased, the equilibrium position shifts to the right.
D. The equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction increases when the temperature of the system increases.

32. Consider the information below:

Reaction Equilibrium constant at 25 °C

(COOH)2 (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + HOOC-COO- (aq) 5.9 × 10-2 mol dm -3

HOOC-COO- (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + (COO)22- (aq) 5.2 × 10-5 mol dm-3
2HOOC-COO- (aq) ⇌ (COOH)2(aq) + (COO)22- (aq) X

What is the numerical value of X?

A. 3.1 × 104 B. 3.3 × 10-5 C. 1.1 × 103 D. 8.8 × 10-4

33. Which of the following statements concerning the Periodic Table is correct?
A. The melting point of the Group II elements increases down the group.
B. The boiling point of the Group IV elements increases down the group.
C. The elements are arranged in the order of increasing relative atomic mass.
D. The electrical conductivity of the third period elements increases from left to right.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 9 of 19

34. Consider the following equilibrium system in a closed container of fixed volume:

A(aq) + B(aq) ⇌ 2C(aq) H>0

The temperature of the system is suddenly increased from 25oC to 50oC at time t and finally a new
equilibrium is attained at 50OC. Which of the following graphs can represent the variation of [B(aq)] with
time?

A. B.

[B(aq)]
[B(aq)]

t time t time
C. D.
[B(aq)]

[B(aq)]

t time t time

35. Consider the aromatic compound below:

H H O
H2C C C C O CH2CH2CH3
H
Which of the following reagents can react with this compound?

A. NaBH4 B. acidified K2Cr2O7(aq) C. PCl3(l) D. H2SO4(aq)

36. Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st Statement 2nd Statement
At 0oC, water molecules in ice are packed less The water molecules in ice are held by
closely together than in liquid water. hydrogen bonding.

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st statement.
B. Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st statement
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.
END OF SECTION A

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 10 of 19

 Whole S.6
Topic Reference Correct % Correct answer %A %B %C %D
Q1 2 DSE14/1 (72%) 92 B 8 92 0 0
Q2 2 CE01/20 94 D 3 2 2 94
Q3 1 DSE20/1 (42%) 69 D 16 6 8 69
Q4 2 88 D 3 0 8 88
Q5 2 DSE21/19 (55%) 66 A 66 8 22 5
Q6 4 CE02/24 (<30%) 44 D 20 30 6 44
Q7 7 CE02/37 (<30%) 63 D 0 20 17 63
Q8 4 CE87/41 72 A 72 3 25 0
Q9 4 98 A 98 2 0 0
Q10 4 80 B 9 80 5 6
Q11 7 DSE21/7 (66%) 94 B 2 94 0 5
Q12 7 DSE21/2 (59%) 72 C 11 3 72 13
Q13 8 DSE20/21 (50%) 86 A 86 6 3 5
Q14 8 DSE21/14 (48%) 59 A 59 17 19 5
Q15 8 DSE21/15 (46%) 59 B 14 59 13 14
Q16 8 89 D 6 0 5 89
Q17 8 91 C 3 2 91 5
Q18 3 CE05/48 83 A 83 8 9 0
Q19 5 84 D 2 9 5 84
Q20 5 81 B 16 81 2 2
Q21 5 84 C 6 5 84 5
Q22 11 56 A 56 5 34 3
Q23 6 94 B 0 94 0 6
Q24 6 78 B 5 78 2 16
Q25 11 56 B 9 56 28 6
Q26 11 67 B/D 9 16 8 67
Q27 11 72 B 22 72 3 3
Q28 11 73 D 9 6 11 73
Q29 5 89 B 2 89 3 6
Q30 10 59 C 11 3 59 25
Q31 10 80 D 6 9 5 80
Q32 10 63 D 5 8 22 63
Q33 12 34 B 31 34 30 5
Q34 10 67 D 14 0 19 67
Q35 11 59 D 9 8 23 59
Q36 6 70 B 8 70 19 2

Topic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Total marks 1 4 1 4 4 3 3 5 0 4 6 1
Correct % 68% 85% 83% 73% 85% 81% 76% 77% / 67% 64% 35%

On average, students in the whole form are weak at topics 1 (Planet Earth), 4 (Acids), 10 (Equil), 11 (C
compound) and 12 (Patterns in Periodic Table).
There was no MC question on topic 9 (Rate of reaction) in this mock paper.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 11 of 19

3. Which of the following statements about quicklime (CaO) is INCORRECT?

A. Heating limestone (CaCO3) strongly can form quicklime.  (16%)

CaCO3 decomposes to give CaO and CO2 upon heating (CaCO3  CaO + CO2)
B. Reacting quicklime with sulphur dioxide can form calcium sulphite.  CaO + SO2  CaSO3
C. Reacting quicklime with carbon dioxide can form calcium carbonate.  CaO + CO2  CaCO3
D. Reaction of quicklime with water is endothermic.  CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2 [handwarmer]
A large amount of heat is released, so the reaction should be exothermic.

5. The composition by mass of element Y in the compound LiYO2 is 55.2%. Which of the following statements
concerning Y is / are correct?
(Relative atomic masses: Li = 6.9, O = 16.0)

Let the relative atomic mass of Y be y

y / (6.9 + y + 16  2) = 0.552
y = 47.9
 Y is Ti

(1) Y is a transition metal.  [checked from the Periodic Table]

(2) Y is an element in Group IV of the Periodic Table.  Y is not a main group metal.
(3) Y is an element in the third period of the Periodic Table.  Y should be in period 4.
Students were probably careless in reading the Periodic Table and missed the first period.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only (22%) D. (2) and (3) only

6. Which of the following statements concerning sodium hydroxide are correct?

(1) It is manufactured by electrolysis of brine. 

Sodium hydroxide is manufactured by electrolysis of brine (concentrated sodium chloride solution).

(2) It is used in the manufacture of soapless detergents. 

Soapless detergent is made by treating certain hydrocarbons with concentrated sulphuric acid and then
with concentrated sodium hydroxide.

(3) It absorbs carbon dioxide when exposed to air. 

Carbon dioxide will dissolve in sodium hydroxide solution to form sodium carbonate and water. Thus
sodium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide in air.
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g)  Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) [it can block the tip of burette / not a 1o standard]

A. (1) and (2) only (20%) B. (1) and (3) only (30%) C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 12 of 19

7. Which of the following methods can be used to distinguish between iron(II) sulphate solution and iron(III)
sulphate solution? [observable changes]
(1) adding aqueous ammonia (Reaction of metal ions with alkali)
Fe2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)  Fe(OH)2(s) green precipitate
Fe3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq)  Fe(OH)3(s) brown precipitate

(2) adding sodium sulphite solution (Redox reaction)

SO32-(aq) is a R.A.
No observable change for iron(II) sulphate solution
SO32-(aq) + H2O(l) + 2Fe3+(aq)  SO42-(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Fe2+(aq) solution turns from yellow to green

(3) observing their colours Fe2+(aq) is green while Fe3+(aq) is yellow.

A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only (20%) C. (2) and (3) only (17%) D. (1), (2) and (3)

14. Ammonium nitrate absorbs heat from the surroundings when it dissolves and is commonly used in cold packs.
When 12.0 g of ammonium nitrate solid is completely dissolved in 100 cm3 of water, the water temperature
drops by 8 C. Which of the following would give a temperature drop of 4 C under the same conditions?

A. Dissolving 3 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 50 cm3 of water [6 g / 100 cm3]

B. Dissolving 6 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 200 cm3 of water (17%)
C. Dissolving 18 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 150 cm3 of water (19%)
D. Dissolving 24 g of ammonium nitrate solid completely in 75 cm3 of water

Let ∆H be enthalpy change, M be mass of NH4NO3, m be the molar mass of NH4NO3, v be volume of water,
d be density of water, c be specific heat capacity of water, ∆T be change in temperature.

∆H = vdc∆T / (M/m)
∆H / mdc = v∆T / M

∆H / mdc is a constant = (100)(8)/12

For option A, (50)∆T/3 = (100)(8)/12.  ∆T = 4

For option B, (200)∆T/6 = (100)(8)/12.  ∆T = 2
For option C, (150)∆T/18 = (100)(8)/12.  ∆T = 8
For option D, (75)∆T/24 = (100)(8)/12.  ∆T = 21.3

Students were weak in solving this type of question. [compare amount of limiting reactant and volume of
solution]

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 13 of 19

15. When 5.56 g of methane gas burns completely, 309 kJ of heat is released. Under those experimental conditions,
the enthalpy changes of formation of carbon dioxide gas and water are –393.5 kJ mol-1 and
–285.9 kJ mol-1 respectively. What is the enthalpy change of formation of methane gas under the same
experimental conditions?
(Relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, C = 12.0)

A. +209.8 kJ mol-1 (14%) Forgot to multiply ∆Hf [H2O(l)] by 2

B. –76.1 kJ mol-1
C. –1568.6 kJ mol-1 (13%)
D. –1854.5 kJ mol-1 (14%) Mistaken the ∆Hc [CH4(g)] as + 889.21 kJ mol-1

Number of mole of methane burnt = 5.56 / (12 + 4) = 0.3475

Enthalpy change of combustion of methane = - (309 / 0.3475) = - 889.21 kJ mol-1

∆Hf [CH4(g)] = -393.5 + 2(-285.9) – (-889.21) = 76.1 kJ mol-1

22. Which of the following compounds CANNOT form condensation polymers? [bifunctional / react]

For condensation polymerization to occur, the monomer has to have a reactive functional group (e.g. -COOH
group, -OH group, -NH2 group) at each of its end.

(1) CH2=CHCH2CO2H
(2) HOCOCH=CHCH2OH

(3) CH3CH(NH2)CH2COOH [can also form a ring compound]

Students probably are not aware that the -NH2 group in the compound can react with the -COOH group
to undergo condensation polymerization.

A. (1) only B. (2) only C. (1) and (3) only (34%) D. (2) and (3) only
S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 14 of 19
25. Consider the compound below:

CH=CHCH=CHCH3

How many possible cis-trans isomers are there? [enantiomerism exists]

A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 (28%) D. 8

The arrangement of methyl groups in the first C=C cannot be changed as the C=C is in a ring.
For the second C=C, each C is bonded to two different groups. Hence, the compound has a pair of cis-trans
isomers due to the second C=C.
For the third C=C, each C is also bonded to two different groups. Hence, the compound also has a pair of
cis-trans isomers due to the third C=C.
As the compound is not symmetric, it has a total of 4 cis-trans isomers: cis-cis, cis-trans, trans-cis, and trans-
trans isomers.
Students were weak in deducing the number of possible isomers of a given compound.

26. An organic compound has the following structure:

Which of the following statements about this compound is/are correct?

(1) It is immiscible with water. 

The compound can form hydrogen bonds with water due to the presence of -OH groups, thus it is
miscible with water.

(2) It is neutral to litmus solution. 

This is because the compound is neither an alkaline or an acid. Though the compound has -OH groups, it
will not ionize in water to give OH- ions.

(3) It burns with a non-luminous flame.  explanation? [difficult to ignite due to extremely high viscosity]

A. (1) only B. (2) only (16%) C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 15 of 19

27. Which of the following pairs of substances CANNOT be distinguished by using acidified KMnO4(aq)?

A. 2-methylpropan-1-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol (22%)

2-methylpropan-1-ol is a primary alcohol and can be oxidized. 2-methylpropan-2-ol is a tertiary alcohol
and can’t be oxidized. So, only 2-methylpropan-1-ol turns acidified KMnO4(aq) from purple to
colourless. (by redox reaction)
Students either failed to recognize the different types of alcohol or did not know that tertiary alcohol
can’t be oxidized.
B. polyethene and poly(chloroethene)
Both polymers do not have C=C and thus have no reaction with acidified KMnO4(aq).
C. cyclohexane and cyclohexene
Only cyclohexene turns acidified KMnO4(aq) from purple to colourless. (by addition reaction).
D. sodium sulphite and sodium sulphate
MnO4-(aq) is an O.A. while SO32-(aq) is a R.A. So, only sodium sulphite turns acidified KMnO4(aq)
from purple to colourless. (by redox reaction)

30. The equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction PCl5 (g) ⇌ PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g) at 80oC is 0.20 mol dm-3. In a 2.0
dm3 closed container kept at 80oC, there is a mixture of 0.20 mol of PCl5 (g), 0.30 mol of PCl3 (g) and 0.30
mol of Cl2 (g) at a certain moment. Which of the following combinations is correct at that moment?

Reaction quotient Qc / mol dm-3 Rate of the reaction

A. 0.45 backward > forward
B. 0.45 forward > backward
C. 0.225 backward > forward
D. 0.225 forward > backward (25%)

Qc = [PCl3][Cl2] / [PCl5] = (0.3/2)(0.3/2) / (0.2/2) = 0.225

Qc > Kc  [products] must decrease and [reactant] must increase to attain equilibrium  net backward
reaction  backward reaction rate > forward reaction rate

Students probably did not know how to deduce the direction of net reaction from the comparison between
Qc and Kc.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 16 of 19

32. Consider the information below:
Reaction Equilibrium constant at 25 °C

1. (COOH)2 (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + HOOC-COO- (aq) 5.9 × 10-2 mol dm -3

2. HOOC-COO- (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + (COO)22- (aq) 5.2 × 10-5 mol dm-3
3. 2HOOC-COO- (aq) ⇌ (COOH)2(aq) + (COO)22- (aq) X

What is the numerical value of X?

A. 3.1 × 104 B. 3.3 × 10-5 C. 1.1 × 103 (22%) D. 8.8 × 10-4

33. Which of the following statements concerning the Periodic Table is correct?

A. The melting point of the Group II elements increases down the group.  (31%)
As the size of metal ion increases down Group II, delocalized electrons are further from the nucleus. 
strength of metallic bond decreases  melting point decreases

B. The boiling point of the Group IV elements increases down the group.
Going down Group IV, the structure of element changes from giant covalent structure to giant metallic
structure. The change in boiling point varies and does not follow a single trend. (C: 4827; Si: 2355; Ge:
2833; Sn: 2602; Pb: 1749) Is this statement really correct?

C. The elements are arranged in the order of increasing relative atomic mass.  (30%)
The elements are arranged in the order of increasing atomic number.

D. The electrical conductivity of the third period elements increases from left to right. 
The electrical conductivity of the third period elements increases from group 1 to group 3 and drops
sharply at Si and decreases from left to right thereafter.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 17 of 19

34. Consider the following equilibrium system in a closed container of fixed volume:

A(aq) + B(aq) ⇌ 2C(aq) H>0

The temperature of the system is suddenly increased from 25oC to 50oC at time t and finally a new
equilibrium is attained at 50OC. Which of the following graphs can represent the variation of [B(aq)] with
time?

As the reaction is an endothermic reaction, increase in temperature shifts the equilibrium position to the
right. So, [B(aq)] decreases after time t, until attaining a new equilibrium.

A. (14%) B.

[B(aq)]
[B(aq)]

t time t time
As no extra B(aq) is added at time t, the [B(aq)]
will not increase at time t.

C. (19%) D.
[B(aq)]

[B(aq)]

t time t time
Students failed to deduce the correct
direction of shift in equilibrium position.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 18 of 19

35. Consider the aromatic compound below:
H H O
H2C C C C O CH2CH2CH3
H
Which of the following reagents can react with this compound?

A. NaBH4 B. acidified K2Cr2O7(aq) C. PCl3(l) (23%) D. H2SO4(aq)

For A, NaBH4 is a reducing agent. As the compound does not have -CHO or -CO groups, it has no reaction
with NaBH4.

For B, acidified K2Cr2O7(aq) is an oxidizing agent. As the compound does not have -OH or -CHO group, it
has no reaction with acidified K2Cr2O7(aq).

For C, PCl3(l) is for converting alcohol to haloalkane. As the compound does not have -OH group, it has no
reaction with PCl3(l).

For D, as the compound has an ester group (-COO), it can undergo acidic hydrolysis by reacting with
H2SO4(aq).

Students were not well familiar with the different reagents and their targeted functional groups and
corresponding type(s) of reaction.

36. Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st Statement 2nd Statement
At 0oC, water molecules in ice are packed less The water molecules in ice are held by
closely together than in liquid water. hydrogen bonding.

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st statement.
B. Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st statement
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true. (19%)
D. Both statements are false.

The water molecules in ice are tetrahedrally arranged and packed in an open structure with a lot of empty
space. In liquid state, the open structure collapses and thus the water molecules are packed more closely.
Hence, the molecules in ice are packed less closely together than in liquid water. The 1st statement is
correct.
The water molecules in ice and in liquid water are all held by hydrogen bonding. So, the 2nd statement is
correct. Yet, the presence of hydrogen bond is not the reason for the difference in packing of water
molecules in ice and liquid water.

S.6 Chemistry Mock Exam 2021-2022 – 1A Page 19 of 19