WASSCE Chemistry · Paper 1 style

Separation

One sample question with the full working. 2 more in the app, with instant feedback and repair sessions for the traps below.

Sand can be separated from water by

Adistillation
Bsublimation
Cfiltration
Dchromatography

Show the answer and working

Answer: C

Insoluble solid: filtration.

Trap A Chooses the wrong separation technique: Insoluble solid + liquid: filtration. Dissolved solid: evaporation/crystallisation. Miscible liquids: fractional distillation. Immiscible liquids: separating funnel. Dyes: chromatography. Sublimable solid (iodine, NH₄Cl): sublimation.

Trap B Picks a related substance or process with a different role: Learn reagents and processes as one-line 'name → job' cards and contrast neighbours in a table (process | product | catalyst | conditions). Match the job in the stem, not just the topic.

Trap D Takes one factor as the whole answer: Ask whether the option is necessary or sufficient. If the stem involves two changes or two conditions, both must appear in the answer.

Traps in Separation

Chooses the wrong separation technique
Insoluble solid + liquid: filtration. Dissolved solid: evaporation/crystallisation. Miscible liquids: fractional distillation. Immiscible liquids: separating funnel. Dyes: chromatography. Sublimable solid (iodine, NH₄Cl): sublimation.
Picks a related substance or process with a different role
Learn reagents and processes as one-line 'name → job' cards and contrast neighbours in a table (process | product | catalyst | conditions). Match the job in the stem, not just the topic.
Takes one factor as the whole answer
Ask whether the option is necessary or sufficient. If the stem involves two changes or two conditions, both must appear in the answer.
Chooses a true but irrelevant statement
Re-read the question word (why, which, what causes). A true fact that answers a different question is still wrong.

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