Practice 1.2 Systems with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2 structure, covering key topics like ecosystems, human impact, and sustainability. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the concept of feedback in systems, distinguishing between positive and negative feedback.
Question 2
SLPaper 2
Figure 1:
1.[2]
Identify one transfer and one transformation process shown in Figure 1.
2.[2]
Outline how urbanization could impact two of the storages in Figure 1.
3.[3]
Runoff from agricultural land may lead to excess nutrients entering water bodies. Outline one indirect measure of organic pollution.
4.[1]
Runoff from agricultural land can result in excess nutrients entering water bodies. State one management strategy that could control the release of agricultural runoff.
Question 3
SL & HLPaper 1
Study the graph below showing a population growth model:
1.[1]
Identify the type of growth model shown.
2.[2]
Explain one limitation of this model in representing real-world population growth.
Question 4
SL & HLPaper 1
Analyze the following graph showing a predator-prey population model:
1.[2]
Describe the relationship between predator and prey populations as shown in the graph.
2.[2]
Explain one limitation of this model in representing real-world predator-prey interactions.
Question 5
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
2.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
3.[7]
Solid domestic waste may contain non-biodegradable material and toxins that have the potential to reduce the fertility of soils.
Explain how strategies for the management of this waste may help to preserve soil fertility.
4.[9]
The provision of food resources and assimilation of wastes are two key factors of the environment that determine its carrying capacity for a given species.
To what extent does the human production of food and waste each influence the carrying capacity for human populations?
Question 6
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[3]
Explain the importance of scale in environmental systems and models.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[3]
Describe how the concept of resilience applies to environmental systems.
Question 8
SLPaper 2
There are increasing concerns of carbon dioxide emissions and its relationship to climate change.
Figure 1: CO2 emissions of select countries in 2007 and 2030 (Projected)
1.[2]
Identify two possible reasons for China's projected change in CO2 emissions.
2.[1]
Calculate Russia's projected percentage increase from 2007 to 2030 in CO2 emissions.
3.[4]
Discuss how the ability to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies may vary from one country to another.
4.[2]
Outline how CO2 emissions may cause a change in the global climate.
5.[1]
Identify one adaptation strategy that can be used to reduce the impacts of climate change.
6.[1]
Identify one reduction strategy the United States might use to achieve its projected change in CO2 emissions.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 1
Analyze the following food web diagram:
1.[2]
Identify one producer and one consumer in this food web.
2.[2]
Explain how this diagram represents energy flow in an ecosystem.
Question 10
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Domestic waste disposal for selected countries
1.[1]
Referring to figure 1, state the country that has the highest level of recycling/composting.
2.[2]
Outline two potential reasons for greater use of landfills in the United States compared to European countries.
3.[2]
Identify two problems associated with one of the waste disposal choices of Germany.
4.[2]
State two strategies for reducing the environmental impact of landfill sites.