Free OCR GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century) (J258) Exam Questions and Answers
OCR GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century) (J258) is OCR's GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century) qualification, specification J258, taken in England. It is sat at Foundation or Higher tier. The questions here come from OCR's published question papers from June 2018 to June 2025, plus its specimen papers, with answers and marking guidance taken from OCR's own mark schemes. Written-answer questions let you work out your answer and then reveal what the mark scheme accepts; diagrams, graphs and source material appear with the questions that use them.
Looking for OCR GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century) (J258) exam dumps or ExamTopics questions? These practice questions cover the same ground with verified answers and explanations, a downloadable PDF and a full practice test, kept current as OCR updates the exam.
Last updated: October 15, 2026
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Question #1
The greenhouse effect keeps the Earth warm so that life can survive. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are greenhouse gases. Which gas in the list below is also a greenhouse gas?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
One mark for methane.
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Question #2
This table shows the average surface temperature increase of the Earth since 1952. | Year | Temperature Increase since 1952 (°C) | | 1952 | 0.00 | | 1962 | 0.05 | | 1972 | 0.00 | | 1982 | 0.14 | | 1992 | 0.22 | | 2002 | 0.62 | | 2012 | 0.62 | Describe how the Earth's temperature has increased since 1952.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Irregular rise: generally going up but sometimes falls, or rises but then becomes constant.
Explanation
Candidate must discuss the irregularity of the rise in some way.
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Question #3
This table shows the average surface temperature increase of the Earth since 1952. | Year | Temperature Increase since 1952 (°C) | | 1952 | 0.00 | | 1962 | 0.05 | | 1972 | 0.00 | | 1982 | 0.14 | | 1992 | 0.22 | | 2002 | 0.62 | | 2012 | 0.62 | Roughly how many times greater was the temperature increase in 2002 compared to the temperature increase in 1962?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
One mark for 12.
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Question #4
Here is a model of a molecule of carbon dioxide. Draw lines to link parts of this model to the correct labels. Some of the labels are incorrect. Labels: Carbon atom; Double bond; Hydrogen atom; Ionic bond; Oxygen atom
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Link the carbon atom label to the central atom; link the double bond label to a double bond (the double lines between atoms); link the oxygen atom label to an outer atom. Hydrogen atom and ionic bond are not used.
Explanation
One mark each for carbon atom, double bond and oxygen atom. Allow the double bond line to go to either or both double bonds. Allow the oxygen link to either or both oxygen atoms. Do not allow a link to 'ionic bond', as this contradicts the double bond mark.
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Question #5
'Sherbet' is a powder that fizzes on your tongue. This happens because the powder reacts with water. Beth thinks that the reaction between sherbet and water is endothermic. She does an experiment to find out if she is right. Describe what she does. What result will she get if the reaction is endothermic?
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: She adds sherbet powder to water (carries out the reaction) and measures the temperature. If the reaction is endothermic, the temperature falls.
Explanation
One mark for adding sherbet powder to water or carrying out the reaction. One mark for the temperature falling (or equivalent). The result must be an experimentally observable factor such as temperature, rather than energy.
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Question #6
'Sherbet' is a powder that fizzes on your tongue. This happens because the powder reacts with water. Complete the reaction profile for an endothermic reaction. Label your diagram with these words: products, activation energy
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Correct answer: Draw a curve with a single hump, starting at a reactants line and ending at a higher products line. Label the products line and label the activation energy as the arrow from the reactants level up to the top of the hump.
Explanation
One mark for a curve with a single hump. One mark for a products line labelled and above the reactants line. One mark for activation energy unambiguously labelled. The activation energy mark can only be gained if the products line is above the reactants line.
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Question #7
Some farmers use manure from cows as a natural fertiliser. Other farmers use ammonium sulfate as a synthetic fertiliser. The formula of ammonium sulfate is (NH₄)₂SO₄. Which elements does ammonium sulfate contain? Tick four boxes.
Select 4 answers.
Correct answer: B, C, D, F
Explanation
One mark for ticking all four correct boxes. Any other box ticked contradicts the mark.
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Question #8
Some farmers use manure from cows as a natural fertiliser. Other farmers use ammonium sulfate as a synthetic fertiliser. Plants need one of the elements in ammonium sulfate to grow faster. Write down the name of this element.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Nitrogen
Explanation
One mark for nitrogen.
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Question #9
Some farmers use manure from cows as a natural fertiliser. Other farmers use ammonium sulfate as a synthetic fertiliser. Farmers can choose manure or ammonium sulfate as a fertiliser. Farmers need to consider the cost of the fertiliser. Suggest one reason, other than cost, why some farmers use manure rather than ammonium sulfate as a fertiliser.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Any one: artificial fertilisers can cause environmental damage; manure uses a waste product.
Explanation
Any one from the two points. Ignore 'environmentally friendly' and 'soil damage'. Allow 'animals produce it' or 'there are animals on the farm'.
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Question #10
Some farmers use manure from cows as a natural fertiliser. Other farmers use ammonium sulfate as a synthetic fertiliser. Suggest one reason, other than cost, why some farmers use ammonium sulfate rather than manure as a fertiliser.
Type your answer, then reveal.
Correct answer: Any one: not enough manure or cows; the supply of natural fertilisers is difficult to manage or transport; the composition of natural fertilisers is variable; ammonium sulfate is easier to use or can be used in smaller amounts.
Explanation
Any one from the points. Ignore 'more effective' unless explained. Allow 'easier to use' or 'can be used in smaller amounts'. 'Quicker' is benefit of doubt. 'More reliable' is not enough detail.
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