EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 1 of 12

2022 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF

EDUCATION MOCK EXAMINATIONS
CHEMISTRY
Paper I
Theory

Instructions

1. This paper contains 12 printed pages. Please check.

2. Fill your Examination number at the top of each page.

3. This paper contains two sections, A and B. In Section A there are 10

short answer questions while in Section B there are three restricted

essay questions.

4. Answer all the 13 questions.

5. Use of calculators is allowed.

6. The maximum number of marks for each correct answer is indicated

against each question.

EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 2 of 12

Section A (70 marks)

Answer all the 10 questions in the spaces provided.
1. a. Give any two factors to consider when handling chemical wastes.
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2 marks

b. Why is it important to control variables during an investigation?

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2 marks

c. Explain how melting and boiling point of a substance can show purity
of a substance.
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2 marks
d. Describe how you can identify the presence of chlorine gas.
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3 marks
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 3 of 12

2. a. Study figure 1 below and answer questions that follow

i. Identify the type of bonding present in the ion. Give a reason for
your answer.
Bond :
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Reason :
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2 marks
ii. Give a reason why the compound is referred to as a conjugate
acid of ammonia NH3.
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1 mark
b. i. Define the term allotropy
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1 mark
ii. Mention the allotrope of carbon which can be used as a lubricant.

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1 mark
c. Mention any one use of steel
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1 mark
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 4 of 12

3. a. Explain why the production of nitric acid is described as the catalytic

oxidation of ammonia.
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2 marks
b. State one physical property and one chemical property of phosphorus.
Physical:
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Chemical:
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2 marks
c. i. State the importance of vulcanisation of rubber.
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1 mark
ii. Mention any one use of Sulphuric acid as a dehydrating acid.
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1 mark
4. a. Give any one difference between a mixture and a compound.
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1 mark
b. i. Define the term limiting reagent
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1 mark
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 5 of 12

ii.250ml of 0.5M Hydrochloric acid is mixed with 5g of Magnesium

metal to react according to the equation.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Determine the limiting reagent.

4 marks
5. a. Explain how the following affect rate of reaction.
i. Temperature
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2 marks
ii. Catalyst
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2 marks
b. i. Write the meaning of the following ∆H . o

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1 mark
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 6 of 12

ii. Draw an energy level diagram showing the dissolution of

sulphuric acid.

H2SO4(l) → H2SO4(aq) ∆H = -71kJmol-1

4 marks

6. a. i. Explain how you can identify temporary hard water from permanent
hard water.

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3 marks
ii. Explain how precipitation process can be used to remove permanent
water hardness.
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3 marks
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 7 of 12

b. State any two effects of depletion of the ozone layer.

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2 marks

c. Explain how global warming leads to prevalence of flash floods in low

lying areas.

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2 marks

7. a. State one advantage and disadvantage of using land fills as a way of

disposing off wastes.

Advantage: _______________________________________________

Disadvantage: _____________________________________________

2 marks

b. Explain how the use of polymers can cause water pollution.

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2 marks

8. a. The following are condensed formula of some organic compounds.

A. CH3CH2COCH3

B. CH3(CH2)2CH(CH3)CH3

C. CH3CH2CH2CHO
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 8 of 12

D. CH3CHCHCH3

E. CH3CH2COH

F. CH3CH2COOH

i. Draw the skeletal formula of compound B.

2 marks

ii. Identify the compound which is a positional isomer of compound A.

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1 mark

ii. Identify the compound which can produce compound C through an

oxidation reaction

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1 mark

iii. Explain how you can identify compound A from compound C.

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4 marks
iv. Write the name of the compound which can be formed when
compound E reacts with compound F.
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1 mark
EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 9 of 12

v. Write the type of polymerisation which compounds D can undergo.

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1 mark

9. a. Define reduction in terms of hydrogen transfer

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1 mark

b. study the equation below and answer the questions that follow.

H2(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g)

i. Indicate the reducing agent

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1 mark
ii. Write the oxidation half equation
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2 marks

c. Differentiate between a voltaic cell and an electrolytic cell.

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2 marks

10. a. Define an acid in terms of the Bronsted – Lowry theory.

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1 mark
 EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 10 of
12

b. Differentiate between concentration and strength of an acid.

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2 marks

c. State any one way of regulating pH in different environments.

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1 mark

Section B (30 marks)

Answer all the three questions in the spaces provided.

11. With the aid of diagrams describe how you can show that water and
oxygen are factors necessary for rusting.

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 EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 11 of
12

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10 marks

12. a. Explain why alkanoic acids have higher melting and boiling points than
alkanols.

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3 marks
b. Describe how 250ml of 0.25M NaOH(aq) solution can be produced
from 1M NaOH(aq) solution.

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 EXAMINATION NUMBER _________________________________________________Page 12 of
12

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7 marks
13. a. Describe the process of soap making

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10 marks

END OF QUESTION PAPER