Practice 1.3 Energy and equilibria with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS - Old) 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.[3]
Explain how the Second Law of Thermodynamics applies to energy flow in ecosystems.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 1
Study the diagram below showing energy flow through trophic levels:
1.[2]
Explain why the pyramid is shaped this way.
2.[2]
Calculate the energy available to tertiary consumers if the producers contain 10,000 kJ of energy. Show your working.
Question 3
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 4
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Explain how negative feedback mechanisms contribute to maintaining steady state in ecosystems.
Question 5
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?
Question 6
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Explain the First Law of Thermodynamics and its relevance to environmental systems.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 1
Analyze the following diagram of a simple food chain:
1.[2]
Identify the producer and primary consumer in this food chain.
2.[2]
Explain why the amount of biomass decreases at each trophic level.
Question 8
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and the tipping points between them.
2.[7]
Earth’s atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide reached 400 ppm in 2016. Outline the potential impacts of high levels of greenhouse gases on human societies in different locations.
3.[9]
Discuss the consequences of changing global per capita meat consumption on the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Explain the concept of resilience in ecosystems and its relationship to biodiversity.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[2]
Define the term "steady state" in the context of ecosystems.