Practice Atmospheric Systems & Societies 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
The figure shows the change in stratospheric ozone levels above Lauder, New Zealand, and associated UV radiation index
(Sources: © Author(s) 2022. Weber et al., Global total ozone recovery trends attributed to ozone-depleting substance (ODS) changes derived from five merged ozone datasets licensed under CC BY 4.0 © 1996-2024 MDPI. Trends of UV radiation in Antarctica. Atmosphere, 11(8), 795. by Bernhard, G., & Stierle, S. (2020).)
1.[2]
Describe the relationship between ozone levels and the UV radiation index.
2.[1]
State one man-made factor that affects ozone levels in the stratosphere.
3.[5]
Evaluate the role of the Montreal Protocol in the protection of stratospheric ozone.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 2
Source: https://www.scientificpsychic.com/etc/timeline/atmosphere-composition.html
1.[1]
Refer to the figure. State the one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere about 4.3 billion years ago.
2.[1]
State the one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere over the past 1 billion years.
3.[2]
With reference to Figure 1, identify two greenhouse gases.
4.[2]
Distinguish between the natural greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect.
5.[2]
Identify two consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect on the resilience of human societies.
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[9]
To what extent can different environmental value systems contribute to both causing and resolving the problem of water scarcity?
Question 4
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Concentration of atmospheric pollutants associated
with photochemical smog
1.[1]
Identify one primary pollutant from the pollutants shown in Figure 1.
2.[1]
Outline why the pollutant named in Part 1 is referred to as a primary pollutant.
3.[1]
Outline one reason why there is an increase in nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons early in the day.
4.[3]
Explain the changes in ozone concentration over the period shown in Figure 1.
5.[1]
State one environmental impact of the accumulation of ozone shown in Figure 1.
6.[2]
Outline two local conditions that may increase the severity of photochemical smog.
7.[1]
Outline the role of catalytic converters in reducing photochemical smog.
Question 5
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the process(es) where a species evolves over time to gain a higher tolerance to hotter climates or higher temperatures.
2.[9]
When addressing environmental issues, mitigation strategies can be seen as ecocentric and adaptation strategies as technocentric.
With reference to named strategies addressing global warming, to what extent is this view valid?
Question 6
SL & HLPaper 2
Figure. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide over time
(Source: Skeptical Science)
1.[2]
In 2015, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached 400 parts per million (ppm). Calculate the percentage increase from 1950 to 2015.
2.[1]
State a reason for the rise in carbon dioxide levels in recent times.
3.[3]
Explain the role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect.
4.[3]
Describe an example of a negative feedback mechanism associated with rising carbon dioxide level.
Question 7
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline two factors that affect the frequency and severity of photochemical smog in an area.
2.[7]
Evaluate strategies to manage regional acid deposition using the pollution management model.
3.[9]
To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?
Question 8
SLPaper 1
Figure 9: Annual mean oxides of nitrogen (NOx) concentrations measured in London air, 2013
1.[3]
With reference to Figure 9, explain why the highest levels of NOx are found in the centre of London.
2.[3]
Evaluate one strategy to reduce NOx emissions from transport.
3.[2]
Identify two potential impacts of improved air quality on London and its population.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Using named examples, outline the difference between natural and anthropogenic atmospheric primary pollutants.
2.[7]
Discuss reasons for high human population density within urban systems.
3.[9]
Evaluate a range of pollution management strategies that can be used to reduce urban air pollution.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 2
The table shows an estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cows and cars in the UK in 2015.
Table 1.
| Estimated numbers | Average emissions | Total emissions (kg/year) | Global warming potential (GWP) | Overall effect (Total emissions × GWP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 million cows | 100 kg of methane/cow/year | 350 million | Methane = 23 | 8.05 billion |
| 35 million cars | 5,450 kg of carbon dioxide/car/year | 190.75 billion | Carbon dioxide = 1 | 190.75 billion |
- Methane is a more powerful GHG than carbon dioxide by a factor of 23. This means that 1 kg of methane would absorb 23 times more heat than 1 kg of carbon dioxide. (Source: 2015 UK GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, FINAL FIGURES, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, © Crown copyright 2017)
1.[2]
List two greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide and methane.
2.[3]
Refering to Table 1, discuss the relative impact of cows and cars on global warming.
3.[3]
Evaluate a strategy that could be used to reduce humans' reliance on cars.
4.[2]
Explain what is the effect of these greenhouse gases in the stratosphere.