IGCSE Math RevisionQuestion 1
Write down the name of a polygon with
(a) \(8\) sides
(b) \(10\) sides.
Show the worked answer
- (a) Octa- means eight: an octagon.
- (b) Deca- means ten: a decagon.
Answer: (a) octagon (b) decagon
Cambridge IGCSE Maths (0580) · Topic 4: Geometry · 4.1
Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 Geometrical Terms Questions
Geometrical Terms questions with worked answers for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580). Each question says whether it is Core or Extended and whether it is for a calculator or non-calculator paper. Try each one before you open the answer.
- 9 questions
- 8 Core
- 1 Extended
- 9 non-calculator
- Free, no sign-in
What the syllabus asks
- 4.1 Geometrical terms Core Extended
Vocabulary of points, lines, angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, bearings, similarity and congruence; Names and properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles (chord, tangent, arc, sector, segment) and solids.
Extended also: The term hemisphere (not required at Core).
Summarised in our own words: check the exact wording in the official 0580 syllabus.
Geometrical Terms questions: Core
For everyone: Core students (Papers 1 and 3) and Extended students (Papers 2 and 4).
Question 2
Name the quadrilateral that
(a) has exactly one pair of parallel sides
(b) has four equal sides but no right angles.
Show the worked answer
- (a) A trapezium has exactly one pair of parallel sides.
- (b) A rhombus has four equal sides; a square would also have right angles.
Answer: (a) trapezium (b) rhombus
Question 3
What type of angle is
(a) \(135°\) (b) \(270°\) (c) \(90°\)?
Show the worked answer
- Between \(90°\) and \(180°\) is obtuse; between \(180°\) and \(360°\) is reflex; exactly \(90°\) is a right angle.
Answer: (a) obtuse (b) reflex (c) right angle
Question 4
A solid has 5 faces. One face is a square and the other four faces are triangles. Write down the mathematical name of this solid.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- B1 (square-based) pyramid
Answer: square-based pyramid
Question 5
Give the mathematical name for
(a) a straight line that touches a circle at exactly one point
(b) the region between a chord and the arc it cuts off
(c) the region between two radii and an arc.
Show the worked answer
- (a) A tangent touches the circle once.
- (b) A chord and its arc enclose a segment.
- (c) Two radii and an arc enclose a sector.
Answer: (a) tangent (b) segment (c) sector
Question 6
(a) Name the solid with \(5\) faces, \(9\) edges and \(6\) vertices, two of whose faces are triangles.
(b) How many faces, edges and vertices does a square-based pyramid have?
Show the worked answer
- (a) Two triangular ends joined by three rectangles: a triangular prism.
- (b) One square base and four triangles: \(5\) faces; \(4\) base edges and \(4\) slant edges: \(8\) edges; \(4\) base corners and the apex: \(5\) vertices.
Answer: (a) triangular prism (b) \(5\) faces, \(8\) edges, \(5\) vertices
Question 7
A prism has a cross-section that is a hexagon. Write down the number of faces, edges and vertices of this prism.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- B2 8 faces, 18 edges, 12 vertices (B1 for two correct)
Answer: 8 faces, 18 edges, 12 vertices
Question 8
A cube has one corner cut off by a flat cut, leaving a small triangular face where the corner was. The cut does not reach any other corner. Write down the number of faces, edges and vertices of the new solid.
Show the answer and mark scheme
- B1 7 faces
- B1 15 edges
- B1 10 vertices
Answer: 7 faces, 15 edges, 10 vertices
Geometrical Terms questions: Extended
Extended content, for Papers 2 and 4. Core students can skip these.
Question 9
A solid is exactly half of a sphere.
(a) Write down the name of this solid.
(b) What shape is its flat face?
Show the worked answer
- (a) Half of a sphere is a hemisphere.
- (b) Cutting a sphere through its centre leaves a circular face.
Answer: (a) hemisphere (b) a circle
Every question on this page is original, written for IGCSE Math Revision rather than taken from Cambridge papers, and each answer was re-solved independently before publishing. Questions with a mark scheme come from our 0580 practice bank (M method, A accuracy, B independent marks).
Keep going
- Geometry practice for 0580: more questions, each one marked, tagged Core or Extended
- My mistakes, then a Skill Builder on the skills you missed
- Common mistakes in 0580: what the Cambridge examiner reports say
- Geometry revision notes and the 0580 formula sheet
- Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580 past papers, when you are ready for a full paper
Questions students ask
Which Cambridge 0580 papers can test geometrical terms?
Geometrical Terms is on both tiers (syllabus 4.1), so it can come up on Core Papers 1 (non-calculator) and 3 (calculator), and Extended Papers 2 (non-calculator) and 4 (calculator). Extended candidates also need the Extended parts listed on this page. Half of each tier's marks are on a non-calculator paper, so practise the non-calculator questions without one.
Are these Cambridge past-paper questions?
No. Every question here was written for IGCSE Math Revision in the style of the 0580 papers, and each answer was checked independently before publishing. For real exam practice, use the Cambridge past papers linked from our 0580 past papers page.
Where can I practise more geometrical terms questions?
In the 0580 practice for topic 4 (Geometry), where every question is marked and tagged Core or Extended. Practice is part of the IGCSE plan, with a free preview; the questions on this page are free.