Practice 2.1 Change with authentic IB Digital Society (DS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like systems and structures, human behavior and interaction, and digital technologies in society. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SL & HLPaper 1
Algorithmic recommendation systems
Algorithmic recommendation systems are used across a wide range of digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, and dating applications. These systems analyze large volumes of user data such as viewing history, clicks, likes, and purchases in order to suggest content, products, or connections that are predicted to be relevant. Recommendations are continuously updated as users interact with the platform.
These systems consist of interconnected components, including users, algorithms, data inputs, and content providers. Changes in one part of the system can affect other parts, creating feedback loops that influence both individual behaviour and wider cultural trends. While recommendation systems are designed to improve user experience and engagement, they can also produce unintended consequences such as filter bubbles, bias amplification, and reduced diversity of content. This case highlights how algorithmic systems operate as complex and interdependent digital systems.
1.[3]
Identify three elements that make up an algorithmic recommendation system.
2.[3]
Identify three ways elements within an algorithmic recommendation system interact with each other.
3.[6]
Analyze the intended and unintended consequences of changes within algorithmic recommendation systems.
4.[8]
Evaluate how systems thinking and complexity theory help explain the behaviour of algorithmic recommendation systems.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 1
Case study: Virtual worlds and the construction of digital space
Virtual world platforms such as Minecraft, Second Life, and emerging metaverse environments allow users to create, organize, and inhabit digital spaces. These environments are often built using user-generated content and governed by social norms, community rules, and platform design choices. Virtual spaces serve a wide range of purposes, including education, business meetings, creative expression, and social interaction.
Unlike physical spaces, virtual environments are not constrained by geography, distance, or physical laws. Users can move instantly between locations, interact across global networks, and design spaces that reflect cultural values or social structures. However, access to virtual spaces depends on factors such as technology, cost, and digital literacy. As virtual worlds expand, questions arise about how space is organized, who controls access and movement, and how virtual environments operate at different scales from small communities to global platforms.
1.[2]
Define the term “digital space” in the context of virtual worlds.
2.[4]
Outline two ways humans organize and construct virtual spaces using cultural or social features.
3.[6]
Analyze how access, movement, and flows influence the design and experience of virtual spaces.
4.[8]
Evaluate the extent to which virtual spaces operate differently across local and global scales.
Question 3
SLPaper 1
Sentencing criminals using artificial intelligence (AI)
In 10 states in the United States, artificial intelligence (AI) software is used for sentencing criminals. Once criminals are found guilty, judges need to determine the lengths of their prison sentences. One factor used by judges is the likelihood of the criminal re-offending*.
The AI software uses machine learning to determine how likely it is that a criminal will re-offend. This result is presented as a percentage; for example, the criminal has a 90 % chance of re-offending. Research has indicated that AI software is often, but not always, more reliable than human judges in predicting who is likely to re-offend.
There is general support for identifying people who are unlikely to re-offend, as they do not need to be sent to prisons that are already overcrowded.
Recently, Eric Loomis was sentenced by the state of Wisconsin using proprietary AI software. Eric had to answer over 100 questions to provide the AI software with enough information for it to decide the length of his sentence. When Eric was given a six-year sentence, he appealed and wanted to see the algorithms that led to this sentence. Eric lost the appeal.
On the other hand, the European Union (EU) has passed a law that allows citizens to challenge decisions made by algorithms in the criminal justice system.
* re-offending: committing another crime in the future
1.[2]
Identify two characteristics of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
2.[2]
Outline one problem that may arise if proprietary software rather than open-source software is used to develop algorithms.
3.[2]
The developers of the AI software decided to use supervised machine learning to develop the algorithms in the sentencing software.
Identify two advantages of using supervised learning.
4.[2]
The developers of the AI software used visualizations as part of the development process.
Explain one reason why visualizations would be used as part of the development process.
5.[4]
Explain two problems the developers of the AI system could encounter when gathering the data that will be input into the AI system.
6.[8]
To what extent should the decisions of judges be based on algorithms rather than their knowledge and experience?
Question 4
SLPaper 1
The role of portable digital devices in health
Jaime is an athlete and uses his sports watch to monitor his training sessions. He also uses it to keep a record of his health and well-being. The sports watch can monitor Jaime’s vital signs. It is also global positioning systems (GPS) enabled, so it can track his location (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: Data collected by a sports watch
The information that is recorded by Jaime’s sports watch is synchronized with a mobile application (app) installed on his cellphone/mobile phone.
1.[2]
Identify two vital signs that can be recorded by Jaime’s sports watch.
2.[4]
Identify the steps that the GPS receiver in Jaime’s sports watch uses to show the routes of his training runs.
3.[6]
Jaime has decided to share his personal health information with researchers at the University of Sierra Nevada.
Analyse Jaime’s decision to share his personal health information with the University of Sierra Nevada.
4.[8]
The development of mobile health apps has changed the way citizens manage their own health and well-being.
Discuss whether citizens like Jaime should rely only on the advice of a health app to manage their own health and well-being.
Question 5
SLPaper 1
Wildfire modelling
The fire control centre in the Kinakora National Park in New Zealand often has to cope with the natural phenomenon of wildfires. Staff have been collecting data about wildfires since 1970.
The size of each wildfire is measured, and the vegetation types affected are recorded. Data on the weather conditions is collected from sensors in the park. The staff at the fire control centre use this information to fight the wildfire.
A new computer modelling system is being developed using data collected from previous wildfires. This new system will improve the quality of the information available when fighting future wildfires.
The new system will also enable staff at Kinakora National Park to send information to tourists in the park to warn them when they are in danger from a wildfire.
1.[2]
Identify two measurements that could be taken by the weather sensors in Kinakora National Park.
2.[2]
Identify two methods that could be used to train the staff to use the new computer modelling system.
3.[2]
Identify two methods of visualization that could be used to present information from the new computer modelling system.
4.[6]
Two methods for informing tourists about wildfires in Kinakora National Park are:
- short message service (SMS) texting/text messaging
- posting information on the Kinakora National Park website.
Analyse these two methods.
5.[8]
Evaluate Kinakora National Park’s decision to use computer modelling to develop strategies for dealing with wildfires.
Question 6
HLPaper 1
1.[12]
Cameras in school
The principal at Flynn School has received requests from parents saying that they would like to monitor their children’s performance in school more closely. He is considering extending the school’s IT system by installing cameras linked to facial recognition software that can record student behaviour in lessons.
The facial recognition software can determine a student’s attention level and behaviour, such as identifying if they are listening, answering questions, talking with other students, or sleeping. The software uses machine learning to analyse each student’s behaviour and gives them a weekly score that is automatically emailed to their parents.
The principal claims that monitoring students’ behaviour more closely will improve the teaching and learning that takes place.
Discuss whether Flynn School should introduce a facial recognition system that uses machine learning to analyse each student’s behaviour and give them a score that is automatically emailed to their parents.
Question 7
HLPaper 1
The Influence of Moore’s Law on Technological Development
Moore’s Law has driven rapid advancements in technology by predicting that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years. This trend has influenced the affordability, size, and power of devices like smartphones and laptops, though some predict Moore’s Law may be slowing down.
1.[12]
Discuss the significance of Moore’s Law in shaping the development of personal computing devices, including potential consequences if the law’s trend no longer holds true.
Question 8
SLPaper 1
Online learning
TailorEd is a free online learning system that personalizes students’ learning by providing teachers with data about how students are progressing in their courses. Students create a personal profile and work through the assignments at their own pace. Teachers can log in to the learning system to see how the students are progressing. However, concerns have been expressed about the amount of data that is being collected.
The school has found that when students access the course platform, some content is being blocked. The network administrator has been asked to investigate the situation. Teachers believe that it would be more appropriate to train the students to use the platform responsibly, rather than use technology to block their access to certain websites.
1.[2]
Identify two ways how the TailorEd system could provide feedback to students.
2.[2]
Identify two ways how the data collected about students’ academic progress could be used by TailorEd.
3.[2]
Outline how a firewall functions.
4.[6]
There are two possible methods for ensuring students use the TailorEd online learning system responsibly. They are:
- restricting access to sites that may be considered inappropriate
- educating the students about acceptable use.
Analyse these two methods.
5.[8]
To what extent do the benefits of collecting students’ academic progress data outweigh the concerns of the students, teachers and parents?
Question 9
HLPaper 1
In criminal justice, "black box" algorithms are increasingly used to make decisions about bail, parole, and sentencing. However, the lack of transparency and potential for bias raise serious ethical concerns about fairness and accountability.
1.[12]
Evaluate the challenges of implementing algorithmic transparency and accountability in criminal justice, particularly with “black box” algorithms.
Question 10
HLPaper 1
1.[12]
Can digital technologies be used sustainably?
Many organizations claim that the most efficient use of information technology (IT) equipment, such as laptops and printers, is to replace them on a regular basis. For example, an organization’s strategy may be to do this every three years.
Other organizations purchase IT equipment that can easily be upgraded by increasing the storage and memory or upgrading the processing capabilities only when required. They claim they do not need to replace their IT equipment on such a regular basis and believe this is a more sustainable practice.
Evaluate the sustainability of these two strategies.