Practice Topic 8: Human populations and urban 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
SLPaper 2
Current and projected total fertility rates by region
1.[1]
Using Figure 3 identify the region with the highest fertility rate in the period 2005–2010.
2.[2]
Outline two possible reasons for the projected change in total fertility rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in the period 2045–2050.
3.[2]
Identify two reasons for the projected increase in total fertility rate in Europe by the period 2045–2050.
Question 2
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Demographic transition model
Source: https://populationeducation.org/what-demographic-transition-model/
1.[1]
Costa Rica has a crude birth rate (CBR) of 15.3 and a crude death rate (CDR) of 4.8. Identify the stage in which Costa Rica would be placed on the demographic transition model shown in Figure 1.
2.[1]
Costa Rica has a crude birth rate (CBR) of 15.3 and a crude death rate (CDR) of 4.8.Calculate the natural increase rate (NIR) for Costa Rica.
3.[1]
Costa Rica has a crude birth rate (CBR) of 15.3 and a crude death rate (CDR) of 4.8. Calculate the doubling time for Costa Rica.
4.[2]
Outline one strength and one limitation of the demographic transition model.
5.[3]
Outline the socioeconomic factors that may cause a society to move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on the demographic transition model.
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline four ways urbanization may influence processes in the hydrological cycle.
2.[7]
Hydropower is a resource that can be exploited from rivers. Discuss how the value of this resource to a society may vary over time.
3.[9]
To what extent are water scarcity issues better addressed through behavioral interventions than through technological development?
Question 4
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Using named examples, distinguish between the concept of a “charismatic” (flagship) species and a keystone species.
2.[7]
Explain the role of two historical influences who shaped the development of the environmental movement.
3.[9]
Discuss the role of environmental value systems in the protection of tropical biomes.
Question 5
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the processes involved in the formation of fertile soils from bare rock.
2.[7]
Discuss how negative and positive feedback mechanisms may influence the growth of decomposer populations in the soil.
3.[9]
To what extent are natural limiting factors more likely than population policies to limit global human population growth in the future?
Question 6
HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the role of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in sustainable resource management.
Question 7
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 8
SL & HLPaper 2
The UN population division produced the World Population Prospectus in 2012, which was revised in 2015. Figure 1 shows the population projections based on their studies. Line graph with population projections for high, medium, and low scenarios, showing years along x-axis and population in billions along y-axis.
Figure 1. Population projections according to the United Nations
1.[1]
Estimate the difference between the high and low population projections in 2050.
2.[2]
State two possible assumptions that the UN based these projections on.
3.[2]
List two reasons for rising mortality rates in More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs).
4.[2]
Explain two reasons for the higher birth rates in LEDCs.
5.[3]
Outline three policies that governments may use to reduce population growth.
Question 9
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline how a positive feedback loop can impact an ecosystem.
2.[7]
Compare and contrast the impact of two named food production systems on climate change.
3.[9]
To what extent does the development of different societies impact their mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change?