Cambridge Primary 5 Science: Separating Mixtures This lesson quiz helps learners choose suitable separation methods such as sieving, filtering, evaporation and magnetism.
Use the model. Which method separates sand from water?
A
magnetism
B
filtering
C
evaporation only
D
freezing
Explanation
Filter paper traps insoluble sand and lets water pass.
Which method separates iron filings from sand?
A
evaporation
B
sieving only
C
magnetism
D
condensation
Explanation
A magnet attracts iron filings.
Which method separates large stones from soil?
A
evaporation
B
dissolving
C
filtering through paper
D
sieving
Explanation
A sieve separates different-sized solid pieces.
Which method can recover salt from salt water?
A
evaporation
B
magnetism
C
using a ruler
D
sieving
Explanation
Water evaporates and leaves dissolved salt behind.
Which method can obtain cleaner water from muddy water first?
A
magnetism
B
filtering
C
melting
D
burning
Explanation
Filtering removes insoluble particles.
What is the solid left in filter paper called?
A
filtrate
B
solution
C
residue
D
solvent
Explanation
Residue is trapped by the filter.
What is the liquid that passes through filter paper called?
A
solute
B
sediment only
C
residue
D
filtrate
Explanation
The filtrate passes through.
Which mixture is best separated by hand picking?
A
buttons mixed with beads
B
air
C
salt dissolved in water
D
ink in water
Explanation
Large visible solids can be hand sorted.
Which mixture needs evaporation rather than filtering to get the solute?
A
stones and rice
B
salt solution
C
sand and water
D
iron and sulfur
Explanation
Dissolved salt passes through filters, so evaporating water recovers it.
Why will filtering not remove dissolved sugar from water?
A
Sugar becomes magnetic
B
Water cannot pass filters
C
Dissolved particles are too small and pass through
D
Sugar is a gas
Explanation
Solutions cannot be separated by ordinary filtering.
Which method separates oil floating on water carefully?
A
freezing always
B
magnetism
C
sieving
D
decanting
Explanation
One liquid layer can be poured off carefully.
Which method separates a mixture using boiling points?
A
distillation
B
hand picking
C
sieving
D
magnetism
Explanation
Distillation evaporates and condenses a liquid.
Why is safety important during evaporation?
A
Filters explode without heat
B
Heating can burn or break equipment
C
Salt is magnetic
D
Water has no particles
Explanation
Heating requires care and adult supervision.
Which property does sieving use?
A
boiling point
B
sound
C
particle size
D
magnetism
Explanation
Sieve holes allow smaller pieces through.
Which property does magnetic separation use?
A
solubility
B
particle colour only
C
evaporation rate
D
magnetic attraction
Explanation
Magnetic materials are attracted to magnets.
Which property does filtering use?
A
insolubility and particle size
B
pitch
C
smell only
D
flexibility
Explanation
Insoluble particles are too large to pass through.
Which property does evaporation use?
A
solid becomes magnetic
B
solvent changes to gas
C
sound gets louder
D
paper becomes transparent
Explanation
The liquid solvent evaporates.
Which sequence separates sand and salt from a mixture?
A
use magnet only
B
sieve water, then freeze sand
C
add water, filter sand, evaporate filtrate
D
burn the mixture
Explanation
Salt dissolves, sand filters out, and evaporation recovers salt.
Why should a separation method match the materials?
A
Only colour matters
B
Methods do not affect results
C
All mixtures separate the same way
D
Different properties require different methods
Explanation
Separation uses differences in properties.
Which summary is correct?
A
Mixtures can often be separated because substances keep their properties
B
Mixtures always form new substances
C
Magnets attract all solids
D
Filtering separates all solutions
Explanation
Mixture components are not chemically joined.