GCSE Atmosphere questions 2025-2026

Last updated about 2 hours ago

39 questions

The present day earth

1

3

1

The early atmosphere

1

Evolution of the atmosphere time line

9

4

1

5

7

3

4

6

The evolution of the atmosphere

1

3

1

2

1

Library

GCSE Atmosphere questions 2025-2026

Last updated about 2 hours ago

39 questions

The present day earth

1

3

Other Answer Choices:

1

Draggable item		Corresponding Item

1

The early atmosphere

1

Draggable item		Corresponding Item

1

Evolution of the atmosphere time line

9

4

1

Other Answer Choices:

dissolved

5

Other Answer Choices:

7

The early atmosphere was made up of mainly carbon dioxide, water vapour and small amounts of methane, ammonia and nitrogen, released by volcanic ______________ . 
There was little or no oxygen around at this time. The early Earth was very hot, but as it cooled the water vapour in the atmosphere ______________  and formed the oceans. 
As the oceans formed, carbon dioxide ______________  in the ocean. 
The carbon dioxide formed  carbonates  and _________________  out (formed solids). 
This process reduced the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Other Answer Choices:

condensed

eruptions

dissolved

precipitated

3

Approximately 2.7 billion years ago, plants and algae evolved. This decreased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increased the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere due to ___________________ . 
When sea animals evolved they used the carbon dioxide in the ocean to form their shells and bones (which are made of carbonates). When these sea creatures died their shells and bones became ______________ (calcium carbonate), which is a sedimentary rock. 
Once enough oxygen was in the atmosphere, it could support animals, which carry out ________________ . These processes have caused the levels of gases in the atmosphere to be where they are today.

Other Answer Choices:

eruptions

limestone

photosynthesis

respiration

4

 6 mark question to use to make a model answer.
Overall trend from 4 billion years ago to the present day
oxygen has ______________  overall
carbon dioxide has ______________  overall 
water vapour has ______________  overall 
(Note over the last 500 years carbon dioxide has ______________ slightly

Other Answer Choices:

decreased

increased

6

Other Answer Choices:

photosynthesis

fossil

dissolved

limestone

burning

The evolution of the atmosphere

1

3

1

Draggable item		Corresponding Item

1

2

1

Who is your teacher?

The diagram shows the three main layers of the Earth.

9.1 The middle layer is called the...

A. crust.

B. mantle.

C. magma.

The inner part of the inner layer (core) is...

A. liquid and made from aluminium and silicon.

B. liquid and made from iron and nickel.

C. solid and made from aluminium and silicon.

D. solid and made from iron and nickel.

The mean (average) density of the rocks in the Earth's crust is 2.8 grams per cm³. The overall density of the Earth is 5.5 grams per cm³. This suggests that:

A. Material in the Earth's interior is more dense than the crust.

B. Sedimentary rocks are more dense than metamorphic rocks.

C. The density of rocks decreases with increased depth.

D. The rocks of the crust are more dense than the material in the interior.

You need to have a sketch of this in your notes.

Other Answer Choices:

O2 21%

Ar and other gases (0.03%CO2)

N2 79%

The present-day atmosphere is made up mainly of:

A. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen

B. Carbon dioxide and oxygen

C. Hydrogen and oxygen

D. Nitrogen and oxygen

10.4 In the present-day atmosphere, the proportions of oxygen and nitrogen are:

A.

B.

C.

D.

Identify gas Z

Match the gas to its approximate percentage in Earth's modern atmosphere.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Nitrogen		21%
Oxygen		0.93%
Carbon dioxide		78%
Argon		0.03

Planet

A

B

C

D

The Earth's early atmosphere was similar to the atmosphere of Venus today. The main gas forming this atmosphere was:

A. Carbon dioxide

B. Nitrogen

C. Oxygen

D. Ozone

Most of the gas which formed this early atmosphere came from:

A. The activity of plants

B. The condensation of water vapour

C. The eruption of volcanoes

D. The formation of fossil fuels

The other gases making up this early atmosphere were:

A. Ammonia and carbon monoxide

B. Ammonia and chlorine

C. Ammonia, methane and water vapour

D. Argon, carbon monoxide and chlorine

Match the letter to the number

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
B		1
A		4
D		3
C		2

Which gas makes up 21%

Volcanic activity

A

B

C

D

Create a time line for the evolution of the atmosphere giving the events and the changes in composition.

Atmosphere timeline

Green plants evolve and photosynthesise Carbon dioxide levels decrease and oxygen levels increase.
The pre-industrial modern atmosphere occurs then burning of fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide levels.
Volcanoes release CO2, water vapour and ammonia to form the early atmosphere.
The earth cools and water condenses to form the oceans so CO2 dissolves in the oceans.

  Years ago carbon dioxide got ‘locked up’ in ______________  rock which had formed
from the remains of shellfish.
The carbon dioxide also reacted with sea water to produce insoluble
carbonates which formed _____________as well as soluble magnesium hydrogencarbonate and calcium hydrogencarbonate that _______________in the oceans .
Carbon dioxide was taken in during ___________________  in green pants ended up as the carbon in ___________  fuels.

Other Answer Choices:

dissolved

limestone

sediment

fossil

photosynthesis

   NOW
Animals and humans produce carbon dioxide through ________________ 
Plants help in removing carbon dioxide through ___________________  .
This process isn’t enough to balance the extra carbon dioxide produced by the
burning of  ___________  fuels.
The extra carbon dioxide contributes to global ____________  as a _______________  gas.

Other Answer Choices:

respiration

greenhouse

fossil

warming

photosynthesis

The early atmosphere was made up of mainly carbon dioxide, water vapour and small amounts of methane, ammonia and nitrogen, released by volcanic ______________ . 
There was little or no oxygen around at this time. The early Earth was very hot, but as it cooled the water vapour in the atmosphere ______________  and formed the oceans. 
As the oceans formed, carbon dioxide ______________  in the ocean. 
The carbon dioxide formed  carbonates  and _________________  out (formed solids). 
This process reduced the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Other Answer Choices:

condensed

eruptions

dissolved

precipitated

Approximately 2.7 billion years ago, plants and algae evolved. This decreased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increased the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere due to ___________________ . 
When sea animals evolved they used the carbon dioxide in the ocean to form their shells and bones (which are made of carbonates). When these sea creatures died their shells and bones became ______________ (calcium carbonate), which is a sedimentary rock. 
Once enough oxygen was in the atmosphere, it could support animals, which carry out ________________ . These processes have caused the levels of gases in the atmosphere to be where they are today.

Other Answer Choices:

eruptions

limestone

photosynthesis

respiration

 6 mark question to use to make a model answer.
Overall trend from 4 billion years ago to the present day
oxygen has ______________  overall
carbon dioxide has ______________  overall 
water vapour has ______________  overall 
(Note over the last 500 years carbon dioxide has ______________ slightly

Other Answer Choices:

decreased

increased

 6 mark question to use to make a model answer.
water vapour ______________ to form the oceans
Oxygen increased due to ___________________ .
carbon dioxide decreased due to ___________________ 
carbon dioxide  ______________in the oceans 
carbon dioxide formed sedimentary rocks (______________ )
carbon dioxide formed  ___________fuels 
In the last 500 years carbon dioxide increased by human activity such as ____________  of fossil fuels and cutting down trees.

Other Answer Choices:

condensed

photosynthesis

fossil

dissolved

limestone

burning

The composition of the Earth's atmosphere has changed since it was first formed. The most significant source of carbon dioxide in Earth's early atmosphere was:

The burning of fossil fuels.

The decomposition of carbonate rocks.

The eruption of volcanoes.

The respiration of animals.

The main reason for the increase in atmospheric oxygen was:

The activity of plants. (photosynthesis)

The condensation of water vapor.

The decomposition of carbon dioxide.

The formation of fossil fuels.

The amount of carbon dioxide was gradually reduced because of:

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
nitrogen		3
ammonia		2
ozone		4
methane		1

Fossil fuels and carbonate rocks

A

B

C

D

Actions of plants

A

B

C

D

Which gas makes up most of the trace gasses

Which gas makes up most 0.03% of the air

The gases in the early atmosphere were caused by ___________________ eruptions

Plutonic

Volcanic

Which two planets the solar system have atmospheres that are similar to the early earth atmosphere?

The Earth’s early atmosphere was thought to contain

21% oxygen

large amount of carbon dioxide

abundant water vapour

Small amounts of ammona and methane

Which gas condensed to form the oceans as the crust cooled

Which of the following caused the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to decrease

The growth of primitive plants used carbon dioxide and released oxygen by __________________ and consequently the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere gradually increased

As the amount of fossil fuels that have been used increased the percentage of CO₂ in the atmosphere has

Increased

Decreased

Who is your teacher?

MG

PXH

BVT

PWE

HMM

The diagram shows the three main layers of the Earth.

9.1 The middle layer is called the...

A. crust.

B. mantle.

C. magma.

The inner part of the inner layer (core) is...

A. liquid and made from aluminium and silicon.

B. liquid and made from iron and nickel.

C. solid and made from aluminium and silicon.

D. solid and made from iron and nickel.

The mean (average) density of the rocks in the Earth's crust is 2.8 grams per cm³. The overall density of the Earth is 5.5 grams per cm³. This suggests that:

A. Material in the Earth's interior is more dense than the crust.

B. Sedimentary rocks are more dense than metamorphic rocks.

C. The density of rocks decreases with increased depth.

D. The rocks of the crust are more dense than the material in the interior.

You need to have a sketch of this in your notes.

O2 21%

Ar and other gases (0.03%CO2)

N2 79%

The present-day atmosphere is made up mainly of:

A. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen

B. Carbon dioxide and oxygen

C. Hydrogen and oxygen

D. Nitrogen and oxygen

10.4 In the present-day atmosphere, the proportions of oxygen and nitrogen are:

A.

B.

C.

D.

Identify gas Z

N

N₂

CO₂

O₂

Ar

Match the gas to its approximate percentage in Earth's modern atmosphere.

Nitrogen

21%

Oxygen

0.93%

Carbon dioxide

78%

Argon

0.03

Planet

A

B

C

D

The Earth's early atmosphere was similar to the atmosphere of Venus today. The main gas forming this atmosphere was:

A. Carbon dioxide

B. Nitrogen

C. Oxygen

D. Ozone

Most of the gas which formed this early atmosphere came from:

A. The activity of plants

B. The condensation of water vapour

C. The eruption of volcanoes

D. The formation of fossil fuels

The other gases making up this early atmosphere were:

A. Ammonia and carbon monoxide

B. Ammonia and chlorine

C. Ammonia, methane and water vapour

D. Argon, carbon monoxide and chlorine

Match the letter to the number

B

1

A

4

D

3

C

2

Which gas makes up 21%

N

N₂

CO₂

O₂

Ar

Volcanic activity

A

B

C

D

Create a time line for the evolution of the atmosphere giving the events and the changes in composition.  

Atmosphere timeline

Green plants evolve and photosynthesise Carbon dioxide levels decrease and oxygen levels increase.

The pre-industrial modern atmosphere occurs then burning of fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide levels.

Volcanoes release CO2, water vapour and ammonia to form the early atmosphere.

The earth cools and water condenses to form the oceans so CO2 dissolves in the oceans.

  Years ago carbon dioxide got ‘locked up’ in ______________  rock which had formed
from the remains of shellfish.
The carbon dioxide also reacted with sea water to produce insoluble
carbonates which formed _____________as well as soluble magnesium hydrogencarbonate and calcium hydrogencarbonate that _______________in the oceans .
Carbon dioxide was taken in during ___________________  in green pants ended up as the carbon in ___________  fuels.

limestone

sediment

fossil

photosynthesis

   NOW
Animals and humans produce carbon dioxide through ________________ 
Plants help in removing carbon dioxide through ___________________  .
This process isn’t enough to balance the extra carbon dioxide produced by the
burning of  ___________  fuels.
The extra carbon dioxide contributes to global ____________  as a _______________  gas.

respiration

greenhouse

fossil

warming

photosynthesis

 6 mark question to use to make a model answer.
water vapour ______________ to form the oceans
Oxygen increased due to ___________________ .
carbon dioxide decreased due to ___________________ 
carbon dioxide  ______________in the oceans 
carbon dioxide formed sedimentary rocks (______________ )
carbon dioxide formed  ___________fuels 
In the last 500 years carbon dioxide increased by human activity such as ____________  of fossil fuels and cutting down trees.

condensed

The composition of the Earth's atmosphere has changed since it was first formed. The most significant source of carbon dioxide in Earth's early atmosphere was:

The burning of fossil fuels.

The decomposition of carbonate rocks.

The eruption of volcanoes.

The respiration of animals.

The main reason for the increase in atmospheric oxygen was:

The activity of plants. (photosynthesis)

The condensation of water vapor.

The decomposition of carbon dioxide.

The formation of fossil fuels.

The amount of carbon dioxide was gradually reduced because of:

A. the evolution of animals.

B. the formation of carbonate rocks.

C. the reaction with ammonia.

D. the reaction with oxygen.

E. Dissolving in the oceans

F. Forming fossil fuels

nitrogen

3

ammonia

2

ozone

4

methane

1

Fossil fuels and carbonate rocks

A

B

C

D

Actions of plants

A

B

C

D

Which gas makes up most of the trace gasses

N

N₂

CO₂

O₂

Ar

Which gas makes up most 0.03% of the air

N

N₂

CO₂

O₂

Ar

The gases in the early atmosphere were caused by ___________________ eruptions

Plutonic

Volcanic

Which two planets the solar system have atmospheres that are similar to the early earth atmosphere?

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto (yes I know it is not a planet but lets include it anyway)

The Earth’s early atmosphere was thought to contain

21% oxygen

large amount of carbon dioxide

abundant water vapour

Small amounts of ammona and methane

Which gas condensed to form the oceans as the crust cooled

CO₂

H₂O

NH₃

Ar

O₂

Which of the following caused the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to decrease

Dissolving in the oceans

Precipitation as sedimentary rocks

Formation of limestone from shells

Being locked up as fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels

The growth of primitive plants used carbon dioxide and released oxygen by __________________ and consequently the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere gradually increased

Option 1

photosynthesis

respiration

bioleaching

phytoextraction

As the amount of fossil fuels that have been used increased the percentage of CO₂ in the atmosphere has

Increased

Decreased

GCSE Atmosphere questions 2025-2026

GCSE Atmosphere questions 2025-2026

Who is your teacher?

The diagram shows the three main layers of the Earth. 9.1 The middle layer is called the...

The inner part of the inner layer (core) is...

The mean (average) density of the rocks in the Earth's crust is 2.8 grams per cm³. The overall density of the Earth is 5.5 grams per cm³. This suggests that:

O2 21%

Ar and other gases (0.03%CO2)

N2 79%

The present-day atmosphere is made up mainly of:

10.4 In the present-day atmosphere, the proportions of oxygen and nitrogen are:

Identify gas Z

Match the gas to its approximate percentage in Earth's modern atmosphere.

Planet

The Earth's early atmosphere was similar to the atmosphere of Venus today. The main gas forming this atmosphere was:

Most of the gas which formed this early atmosphere came from:

The other gases making up this early atmosphere were:

Match the letter to the number

Which gas makes up 21%

Volcanic activity

Create a time line for the evolution of the atmosphere giving the events and the changes in composition.

Atmosphere timeline

The composition of the Earth's atmosphere has changed since it was first formed. The most significant source of carbon dioxide in Earth's early atmosphere was:

The main reason for the increase in atmospheric oxygen was:

The amount of carbon dioxide was gradually reduced because of:

Fossil fuels and carbonate rocks

Actions of plants

Which gas makes up most of the trace gasses

Which gas makes up most 0.03% of the air

The gases in the early atmosphere were caused by ___________________ eruptions

Which two planets the solar system have atmospheres that are similar to the early earth atmosphere?

The Earth’s early atmosphere was thought to contain

Which gas condensed to form the oceans as the crust cooled

Which of the following caused the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to decrease

The growth of primitive plants used carbon dioxide and released oxygen by __________________ and consequently the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere gradually increased

As the amount of fossil fuels that have been used increased the percentage of CO₂ in the atmosphere has

O2 21%

Ar and other gases (0.03%CO2)

N2 79%

The diagram shows the three main layers of the Earth.

9.1 The middle layer is called the...