(A214) Ideas in context Core science exam

Here are some questions for the core ideas in context exam (A214)
It is essential that students are familiar with HSW vocabulary
Article 1 – B2: Does homeopathy really work?
Explain the theory of how homeopathy works? (3)
Do homeopathic doctors have any evidence that homeopathy works? (3, 4)
Is there any evidence that homeopathy has side effects? (3, 5)
What is meant by the term ‘peer review’? (4)
Why do conventional doctors mean by ‘the placebo effect’? (3, 4)
What could be done to show that homeopathic effects are such a ‘placebo effect’? (4, 6)
Do conventional doctors accept homeopathic remedies? Explain your answer? (3, 4)
What similarities and differences are there between the ways conventional medicines and homeopathic remedies are tested for their effectiveness? (4, 6)
What similarities and differences are there between the ways conventional medicines and homeopathic remedies are tested for their safety? (4, 5, 6)
What further information is needed to show the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies? (4, 5, 6)
Homeopathic doctors say there is ‘a correlation’ between patients getting better and receiving treatment. What do they mean by this? Give an everyday example of correlation and cause (2)
Suggest reasons why homeopaths might be reluctant to give up their explanation? (4)
Suggest what ethical issues might arise from the use of homeopathic medicines? (6)
Suggest reasons why conventional doctors might be reluctant to accept homeopathic treatments. (4, 6)

Article 2 – C1: Carbon monoxide – the invisible killer
What is the effect of high concentrations of carbon monoxide on human health? (5)
What are the effects of lower concentrations of carbon monoxide on human health? (5)
What is the scientific explanation for the harmful effects of carbon monoxide? (5)
What can home-owners do to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes? (5, 6)
List the main sources of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere
What steps have been/are being taken to reduce carbon monoxide emissions from a) traffic, b) domestic usage (5, 6)
Describe the pattern from the graph showing emissions of carbon monoxide from houses. Use data in your description (1)
Compare the emissions of carbon monoxide from houses and traffic over time. Use data in your comparison (1)
Is there a correlation between the two graphs? Explain our answer? (1,2)
Can you suggest reasons for the patters shown in a) the traffic graph, b) the domestic graph? Use data to support our answer (1,2)
Suggest reasons why the data presented in the graph may be inaccurate? (1)
What other information do you need to be able to evaluate the data for accuracy and reliability? (1)
Suggest how developments in technology might effect carbon monoxide emissions in the future? Give reasons for your answer (6)
Suggest four ways that atmospheric pollution caused by exhaust emissions might be reduced in the future? (6)
What does the Government currently do to enforce the reduction of exhaust emissions? (5)



Article 3 – P2: The risk from microwave radiation
Use the data to compare the output of microwave radiation from mobile phone masts, mobile phones themselves and wireless network transmitters. Put them in order of output. Which do you think poses the greatest risk to human health? Why? (1)
What are the possible risks to human health of low level microwave radiations? (5)
What is the scientific evidence that low level microwave radiation can have such harmful effects? Is it reliable? Explain your answer (1, 5)
Is there sufficient evidence to justify schools switching off wireless computer networks? Would you recommend collection of further evidence? If so, what might this be? (1, 5)
Can you apply the ALARA principle to the use of wireless networks in schools? Explain your answer (5)
What evidence is there that mobile phone masts are harmful? Is this evidence reliable? What further evidence might be needed? (1, 5, 6)
What is meant by the term ‘double-blind trial’? (4)
What was the outcome of the ‘double-blind trial?
Is the evidence from the ‘double blind trial’ more reliable than from the first study? Explain your answer (4)
Is it important that the results from the trial are published in a scientific journal? Explain your answer (4)
Who funded this trial? Explain the advantages and disadvantages for the involvement of each of the funding bodies (4, 6)
In your view are the alleged health risks of microwave radiation from mobile phone masts, mobile phones themselves and wireless network transmitters real or perceived? Explain your answer, giving an example (from the article) of a related perceived risk and a related actual risk (5)
Why do you think schools are unwilling to accept the alleged health risks of network transmitters (use the term the ‘precautionary principle’ in your answer) (5)

Use the link below to look up the specification. it can help you with the ideas in context content
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/science_twentyfirst_century_science_a/index.html