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CAIE A Level Biology 9700

Infectious diseases questions

Exam-style questions on Infectious diseases, ordered from foundation to challenge. Pick one, write your answer the way you would in the exam, and it comes back marked against the mark scheme, point by point.

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Written by Markquill to follow the Cambridge International syllabus. Markquill is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.

  1. Describe5 marksStandardA patient visits a doctor with symptoms of a viral respiratory infection. The doctor prescribes a course of penicillin, stating it will 'clear up the infection'. Describe how penicillin acts on bacteria, explain why…
  2. Outline5 marksStandardIn a hospital, broad-spectrum antibiotics were frequently prescribed for patients with viral respiratory infections. Over a year, the incidence of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA…
  3. Discuss4 marksStandardIn a rural area of sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is endemic. The local health authority is planning a control programme. Discuss the biological and social factors that should be considered in the prevention and control…
  4. Describe5 marksStandardA patient visits a clinic with symptoms of influenza, a viral infection. Despite this, the doctor prescribes a course of penicillin. Describe how penicillin acts on bacteria, why antibiotics such as penicillin have no…
  5. Outline5 marksStandardA 35-year-old patient with a common cold (caused by a virus) is prescribed penicillin by a doctor. The patient takes the full course but the cold symptoms persist. A week later, the patient develops a bacterial chest…
  6. Discuss4 marksStandardA community health officer is preparing a report comparing the transmission of four major infectious diseases: cholera, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS. Discuss the transmission route of each disease, naming…
  7. Explain5 marksStandardIn a city, two districts were compared for tuberculosis (TB) incidence. District A has high population density, poorly ventilated shared accommodation, and limited access to healthcare. District B has lower density…
  8. Explain4 marksStandardA patient is prescribed penicillin for a bacterial throat infection. The patient also has a common cold caused by a virus and asks why the penicillin will not help the cold. Explain why penicillin is effective against…
  9. Outline5 marksStandardA patient is prescribed a course of penicillin for a bacterial infection. The patient asks why this antibiotic will not work against a virus and expresses concern about antibiotic resistance. Outline how penicillin…
  10. Explain5 marksStandardIn a densely populated urban slum, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is very high. The housing is cramped, windowless, and poorly ventilated. Most residents have a diet low in protein and vitamins, and access to…
  11. Outline5 marksStandardThe table below shows the percentage of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates resistant to penicillin in a particular region over a 10-year period. Year Percentage resistance 2010 5 2012 8 2014 12 2016 18 2018 25 2020 33…
  12. Describe4 marksStandardMalaria is a major cause of illness and death in many tropical regions. Describe the biological and social factors that influence the prevention and control of malaria.
  13. Discuss4 marksStandardIn a low-income country, a public health official reports high rates of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS, with many patients co-infected. Discuss the biological, social, and economic factors that need to be considered in…
  14. Describe5 marksStandardThe table shows the percentage of a bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus) isolated from patients that were resistant to penicillin over a 70-year period. Year Percentage of isolates resistant to penicillin 1950 5…
  15. Explain5 marksStandardThe table below shows the number of reported cases of cholera in two neighbouring villages over a one-year period. Village A implemented a programme that included providing treated drinking water and a public health…
  16. Explain4 marksStandardExplain how penicillin acts on bacteria and why it is not effective against viruses. Describe the steps that can be taken by hospitals and patients to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance.
  17. Discuss4 marksStandardA patient with bacterial pneumonia is treated with penicillin, which is effective. However, the doctor explains that antibiotics do not work against viruses like those causing the common cold. Discuss how penicillin…
  18. Describe4 marksStandardA health worker in a rural region is educating the community about preventing the spread of infectious diseases. She focuses on four diseases: cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Describe how each of these…
  19. Discuss4 marksStandardA hospital patient with a bacterial wound infection is prescribed penicillin. After several days, the infection shows no improvement. Discuss the mode of action of penicillin, why antibiotics such as penicillin are…
  20. Outline5 marksStandardIn a rural area, an outbreak of cholera occurred after heavy rainfall caused a river to overflow, contaminating the main drinking water well. Many people became ill with severe diarrhoea. Outline how cholera is…
  21. Explain4 marksStandardA hospital is treating an increasing number of patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium resistant to many common antibiotics. Explain the consequences of antibiotic…
  22. Outline5 marksStandardA region in a low-income country has experienced a steady increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases over the past three years. In 2022, the government introduced a directly observed therapy (DOTS) programme, which led to a…
  23. Outline5 marksStandardTuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In a low-income urban community with overcrowded housing, high rates of malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare, the incidence of TB is…
  24. Explain5 marksStandardA health district in a tropical region recorded the annual number of malaria cases over five years. In Year 3, a campaign distributed insecticide-treated bed nets to all households in the district. The data are shown…
  25. Discuss4 marksStandardA public health campaign in a developing country aims to reduce the incidence of four major infectious diseases: cholera, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS. Discuss how the transmission of each disease affects…
  26. Discuss4 marksStandardA hospital introduced an antibiotic stewardship programme in 2019, which included restricting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and improving hygiene measures. By 2023, cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus…
  27. Describe4 marksStandardDescribe the pathogen that causes each of the following infectious diseases. For each disease, state the name of the pathogen and its type (e.g. bacterium, virus, protoctist). Disease Name of pathogen Type of pathogen…
  28. Describe5 marksStandardA patient with a bacterial throat infection is prescribed a course of penicillin. After a few days, the infection has not improved. Laboratory tests show that the bacteria are resistant to penicillin. (a) Describe how…
  29. Explain4 marksStandardA patient diagnosed with a bacterial infection (Streptococcus pharyngitis) is prescribed penicillin. The patient also has a viral common cold. Explain why penicillin is effective against the bacterium but not the…
  30. Explain5 marksStandardIn a rural village, an outbreak of cholera occurred after heavy flooding contaminated the main water source with sewage. The local health authority responded by distributing water purification tablets and installing…
  31. Describe4 marksStandardIn many tropical regions, malaria remains a major public health challenge. Describe biological and social factors that should be considered in the prevention and control of malaria.
  32. Describe5 marksStandardThe table below shows the percentage of bacterial isolates from hospital patients that were resistant to penicillin over a five-year period. Year Percentage of resistant isolates 2018 12 2019 18 2020 25 2021 34 2022 45…
  33. Explain5 marksChallengeIn a low-income urban area, a large family of eight lives in a single room with poor ventilation. Several family members have been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The…
  34. Describe5 marksChallengeThe table below shows the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus isolates resistant to penicillin in a hospital over time. Year Percentage resistant 2000 10 2005 18 2010 30 2015 45 2020 60 Describe how penicillin acts on…
  35. Outline5 marksChallengeTuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in many low-income countries, particularly in urban slums and prisons. Outline the biological, social and economic factors that contribute to the high rate of…
  36. Explain5 marksChallengeA patient is diagnosed with both a bacterial throat infection (caused by Streptococcus pyogenes) and a viral respiratory infection (caused by influenza virus). The doctor prescribes a course of penicillin. (a) Explain…
  37. Describe6 marksChallengeA farmer adds antibiotics to the feed of healthy livestock to promote faster growth and prevent disease outbreaks. Over time, bacteria in the animals develop resistance to these antibiotics. A human patient later…
  38. Explain6 marksChallengeIn 2021, a cholera outbreak in a coastal town was traced to a municipal water supply contaminated after flooding. Explain how the bacterium Vibrio cholerae is transmitted, and why providing clean water is considered…
  39. Discuss5 marksChallengeIn a rural region of a low-income country, the incidence of cholera and tuberculosis has been rising. A public health team must design a prevention and control strategy. Discuss the biological, social, and economic…
  40. Describe5 marksChallengeThe table below lists four infectious diseases. Disease Pathogen type Name of pathogen Cholera Malaria Tuberculosis (TB) HIV/AIDS Complete the table by stating the type of pathogen (e.g., bacterium, virus, protoctist)…
  41. Explain7 marksChallengeA 45-year-old patient with a wound infection was treated with penicillin. The infection initially cleared but returned two weeks later, and the causative bacterium was found to be resistant to penicillin. Explain: (a)…
  42. Outline5 marksChallengeThe table below shows the percentage of bacterial isolates resistant to penicillin in a hospital over time. Year Percentage of resistant isolates 1990 5 2000 15 2010 35 2020 60 Using the data and your knowledge…
  43. Explain6 marksChallengeIn a rural region, a cholera outbreak occurs after heavy rains flood the main water source. Health officials propose installing a clean water supply system. Explain how the transmission of cholera is linked to water…
  44. Outline7 marksChallengeA patient with a viral respiratory infection is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Outline the action of penicillin on bacteria, explain why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, and discuss the consequences of…
  45. Discuss6 marksChallengeIn a rural district of a low-income country, the four infectious diseases cholera, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV/AIDS are all prevalent. A public health team is devising an integrated control programme. Discuss…
  46. Outline7 marksChallengeA patient with influenza (a viral infection) is prescribed a course of amoxicillin, which is a penicillin-type antibiotic. (a) Outline how penicillin acts on bacteria. (b) Explain why antibiotics, such as penicillin…
  47. Describe6 marksChallengeDescribe the transmission routes of cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Then describe one biological factor and one social or economic factor that affect the prevention and control of these diseases.
  48. Discuss6 marksChallengeA patient with bacterial pneumonia is prescribed penicillin. The patient also has a viral cold and asks why penicillin will not cure it. Laboratory tests show the bacteria are resistant to penicillin. Discuss the mode…
  49. Outline6 marksChallengeA farmer routinely includes low doses of antibiotics in the feed of healthy livestock to promote growth. In a nearby hospital, a patient has contracted a bacterial wound infection that does not respond to penicillin or…
  50. Discuss7 marksChallengeA rural region in sub-Saharan Africa has a high incidence of malaria. The local health authority is considering a combination of insecticide-treated bed net distribution and indoor residual spraying (IRS) of…
  51. Discuss6 marksChallengeA patient is diagnosed with both a bacterial respiratory infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and an influenza viral infection. The doctor prescribes penicillin for the bacterial infection but explains that it…
  52. Outline7 marksChallengeTable 1 shows the number of confirmed malaria cases in two neighbouring districts in Country X over a three-year period. In Year 2, a large-scale distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets was carried out in District…
  53. Describe5 marksChallengeFour infectious diseases – cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS – pose significant public health challenges worldwide. For each disease, describe the type of pathogen (including the name of the specific…
  54. Outline7 marksChallengeA large refugee camp is experiencing a cholera outbreak caused by Vibrio cholerae. The table shows the number of new cholera cases per week over a one-month period. Week New cases 1 15 2 42 3 89 4 126 Outline the…
  55. Outline6 marksChallengeA remote village in a low-income country has experienced a cholera outbreak caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The local health authority is considering a project to provide a clean water supply to the village as…
  56. Discuss5 marksChallengeA recent report describes a new bacterial pathogen, Bacillus fictilis, that causes respiratory infections. Laboratory tests show that penicillin is effective against B. fictilis. However, some strains have developed…
  57. Describe7 marksChallengeA remote coastal village in a tropical region experiences a high incidence of malaria. The village is surrounded by stagnant water bodies that serve as breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes. Most residents cannot…
  58. Explain5 marksChallengeA patient is diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and also has a mild viral respiratory infection. The doctor prescribes penicillin for the pneumonia but not for the viral infection. Explain how penicillin acts on…
  59. Discuss7 marksChallengeA patient in hospital is diagnosed with a bacterial infection caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to penicillin. The patient asks the doctor why antibiotics do not work against viruses…