Practice D4.2 Sustainability and change with authentic IB Biology exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like cell biology, genetics, and ecology. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
What is the main effect of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems?
Why is large-scale deforestation in the Amazon considered dangerous?
Table showing mercury concentration (mg/kg) at trophic levels.
| Trophic Level | Mercury (mg/kg) |
|---|---|
| Phytoplankton | 0.05 |
| Zooplankton | 0.5 |
| Small Fish | 2.0 |
| Large Predatory Fish | 5.0 |
Which statement best explains the pattern shown?
What human action could have an impact on the whole biosphere?
What must be true for a resource harvest to be sustainable?
The following figures provide data on the sources, applications, and future projections of plastic pollution in the environment.

Identify two sources responsible for the transport of microplastics (MP) in aquatic environments as shown in Figure a.
Using Figure a, calculate the combined percentage contribution of the following land-based sources:
Show your working.
Use Figure b to identify one sector of plastic use most likely to contribute to:
(i) macroplastic ocean pollution
(ii) microplastic ocean pollution
Justify your choices using information from the figures.
Describe two possible effects of plastic pollution (either microplastic or macroplastic) on marine organisms.
Using the data in Figure c, evaluate the urgency for intervention by policymakers in addressing plastic pollution by 2060.
The fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is an effective colonizer and has become invasive in a number of ecosystems.
Sometimes, efforts to eliminate this species have had an unexpected impact on community structure. It is argued that S. geminata can play a beneficial role in corn production.
The graph shows how the presence of S. geminata can impact insect diversity in areas where crops of corn are grown.

State the impact of S. geminata on insect species diversity.
Discuss whether S. geminata might play a positive role in corn production.
Researchers have argued that S. geminata is a keystone species in the corn agricultural system. Outline what is meant by a keystone species.
Which of the following best describes the term “rewilding”?
Explain what information a pyramid of energy provides about an ecological community.
Discuss the sustainable resource harvesting of a marine fish species, including the concept of maximum sustainable yield and factors influencing its success.
Practice D4.2 Sustainability and change with authentic IB Biology exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like cell biology, genetics, and ecology. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
What is the main effect of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems?
Why is large-scale deforestation in the Amazon considered dangerous?
Table showing mercury concentration (mg/kg) at trophic levels.
| Trophic Level | Mercury (mg/kg) |
|---|---|
| Phytoplankton | 0.05 |
| Zooplankton | 0.5 |
| Small Fish | 2.0 |
| Large Predatory Fish | 5.0 |
Which statement best explains the pattern shown?
What human action could have an impact on the whole biosphere?
What must be true for a resource harvest to be sustainable?
The following figures provide data on the sources, applications, and future projections of plastic pollution in the environment.

Identify two sources responsible for the transport of microplastics (MP) in aquatic environments as shown in Figure a.
Using Figure a, calculate the combined percentage contribution of the following land-based sources:
Show your working.
Use Figure b to identify one sector of plastic use most likely to contribute to:
(i) macroplastic ocean pollution
(ii) microplastic ocean pollution
Justify your choices using information from the figures.
Describe two possible effects of plastic pollution (either microplastic or macroplastic) on marine organisms.
Using the data in Figure c, evaluate the urgency for intervention by policymakers in addressing plastic pollution by 2060.
The fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is an effective colonizer and has become invasive in a number of ecosystems.
Sometimes, efforts to eliminate this species have had an unexpected impact on community structure. It is argued that S. geminata can play a beneficial role in corn production.
The graph shows how the presence of S. geminata can impact insect diversity in areas where crops of corn are grown.

State the impact of S. geminata on insect species diversity.
Discuss whether S. geminata might play a positive role in corn production.
Researchers have argued that S. geminata is a keystone species in the corn agricultural system. Outline what is meant by a keystone species.
Which of the following best describes the term “rewilding”?
Explain what information a pyramid of energy provides about an ecological community.
Discuss the sustainable resource harvesting of a marine fish species, including the concept of maximum sustainable yield and factors influencing its success.