Previous 5 years questions of CBSE

Section A (each question is of 1 mark)

1. Write the molecular formula of the 2nd and the 3rd member of the homologous series whose first member is
methane. [2017]
2. When you add a few drops of acetic acid to a test-tube containing sodium bicarbonate powder, which one of
the following is your observation? [2017]
(A) No reaction takes place
(B) A colorless gas with pungent smell is released with brisk effervescence
(C) A brown colored gas is released with brisk effervescence
(D) Formation of bubbles of a colorless and odorless gas
3. Hard water is not available for an experiment. Some salts are given below: (i) Sodium chloride (ii) Sodium
sulphate (iii) Calcium chloride (iv) Calcium sulphate (v) Potassium chloride (vi) Magnesium sulphate Select from
the following a group of these salts, each member of which may be dissolved in water to make it hard. [2017]
(A) (i), (ii) and (v)
(B) (i), (iii), (v)
(C) (iii), (iv), (vi)
(D) (ii), (iv), (vi)
4. Write the name and formula of the 2 nd member of homologous series having general formula CnH2n. [2016]
5. A student takes about 4 mL of distilled water in four test tubes marked P, Q, R and S. He then dissolves in each
test tube an equal amount of one salt in one test tube, namely sodium sulphate in P, potassium sulphate in Q,
calcium sulphate in R and magnesium sulphate in S. After that he adds an equal amount of soap solution in
each test tube. On shaking each of these test tubes well, he observes a good amount of lather (foam) in the test
tubes marked: [2016]
(A) P and Q
(B) Q and R
(C) P, Q and S
(D) P, R and S
6. Write the name and structure of an aldehyde with four carbon atoms in its molecule. [2015]
7. In the neighbourhood of your school, hard water required for an experiment is not available. From the
following groups of salts available in your school, select a group of salts, each member of which, if dissolved in
distilled water, will make it hard: [2015]
(a) Sodium chloride, calcium chloride
(b) Potassium chloride, sodium chloride
(c) Sodium chloride, magnesium chloride
(d) Calcium chloride, magnesium chloride
8. In an experiment to study the properties of ethanoic acid, a student takes about 3 mL of ethanoic acid in a dry
test tube. He adds an equal amount of distilled water to it and shakes the test tube well. After some time he is
likely to observe that: [2014]
(A) a colloid is formed in the test tube.
(B) the ethanoic acid dissolves readily in water.
(C) the solution becomes light orange.
(D) water floats over the surface of ethanoic acid.

9. A student takes about 2 mL ethanoic acid in a dry test tube and adds a pinch of sodium hydrogen carbonate to
it. He reports the following observations:
I. Immediately a colourless and odourless gas evolves with a brisk effervescence.
 II. The gas turns lime water milky when passed through it
III. The gas burns with an explosion when a burning splinter is brought near it.
IV. The gas extinguishes the burning splinter that is brought near it.

The correct observations are: [2014]

(A) I, II and III

(B) II, III and IV
(C) III, IV and I
(D) I, II and IV
10. In a locality, hard water, required for an experiment, is not available. However, the following salts are available
in the school laboratory:
1. Sodium sulphate
2. Calcium sulphate
3. Magnesium chloride
4. Sodium chloride
5. Calcium chloride
6. Potassium sulphate
Which of the above salts may be dissolved in water to obtain hard water for the experiment? [2014]
(A) 2, 3 and 5
(B) 1, 2 and 5
(C) 1, 2, 4 and 6
(D) 3 and 5 only

11. Write the name and formula of the first member of the carbon compounds having functional group CHO.
[2013]
12. On adding acetic acid to sodium hydrogen carbonate in a test tube, a student observes: [2013]
(A) no reaction
(B) a colourless gas with pungent smell
(C) bubbles of a colourless and odourless gas
(D) a strong smell of vinegar
13. Which one of the following are the correct observations about acetic acid? [2013]
(A) It turns blue litmus red and smells like vinegar
(B) It turns blue litmus red and smells like burning sulphur
(C) It turns res litmus blue and smells like vinegar
(D) It turns red litmus blue and has a fruity smell

Section B (each question is of 2 mark)

1. Mention the essential material (chemicals) to prepare soap in the laboratory. [2017]

2. Write the structural formula of ethanol. What happens when it is heated with excess of conc. H2SO4 at 443 K?
Write the chemical equation for the reaction stating the role of conc. H2SO4 in this reaction. [2017]

3. Draw the electron-dot structure for ethyne. A mixture of ethyne and oxygen is burnt for welding. In your
opinion, why cannot we use a mixture of ethyne and air for this purpose? [2016]
4. A student adds a spoon full of powdered sodium hydrogen carbonate to a flask containing ethanoic acid. What
is the main observation that he/she must note in his/her notebook about the reaction that takes place. Also,
write chemical equation for the reaction. [2015]

Section C (Each question is of 3 marks)

1. Write three different chemical reactions showing the conversion of ethanoic acid to sodium ethanoate. Write a
balanced chemical equation in each case. Write the names of the reactants and the products other than
ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate in each case. [2015]

2. With the help of an example, explain the process of hydrogenation. Mention the essential conditions for the
reaction and state the change in physical property with the formation of the product. [2016]

3. Distinguish between esterfication and saponification reaction with the help of the chemical equations for each.
State one use of each (i) esters, and (ii) saponification process. [2016]

4. What are homologous series of carbon compounds? Write the molecular formula of two consecutive members
of homologous series of aldehydes. State which part of these compounds determines their (i) physical and (ii)
chemical properties. [2014]

5. A carboxylic acid (molecular formula C2H4O2) reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form
a compound 'X'. The alcohol on oxidation with alkaline KMnO4 followed by acidification gives the same
carboxylic acid C2H4O2). Write the name and structure of (i) carboxylic acid, (ii) alcohol and (iii) the compound
'X'. [2014]

6. Name the oxidizing agent used for the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid. Distinguish between ethanol and
ethanoic acid on the basis of (i) litmus test, (ii) reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate. [2013]

Section D (each question is of 5 mark)

1. A carbon compound 'P', on heating with excess conc. H2SO4, forms another carbon compound 'Q', which, on
addition of hydrogen in the presence of nickel catalyst, forms a saturated carbon compound 'R'. One molecule
of 'R', on combustion, forms two molecules of carbon dioxide and three molecules of water. Identify P, Q and R
and write chemical equations for the reactions involved. [2015]

2. What is the difference between the molecules of soaps and detergents, chemically? Explain the cleansing
action of soaps. [2016]

3. Explain why carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bond. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon
forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements? [2016]

4. Why are certain compounds called hydrocarbons? Write the general formula for homologous series of alkanes,
alkenes and alkynes and also draw the structure of the first member of each series. Write the name of the
reaction that converts alkenes into alkanes and also write a chemical equation to show the necessary
conditions for the reaction to occur. [2017]

5. What are hydrocarbons? Write the name and general formula of (i) saturated hydrocarbons, (ii) unsaturated
hydrocarbons, and draw the structure of one hydrocarbon of each type. How can an unsaturated hydrocarbon
be made saturated? [2013]

6. What are detergents chemically? List two merits and two demerits of using detergents for cleansing. State the
reason for the suitability of detergents for washing, event in the case of water having calcium and magnesium
ions. [2013]