Practice Human systems and resource use 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.
Current and projected total fertility rates by region
Using Figure 3 identify the region with the highest fertility rate in the period 2005–2010.
Outline two possible reasons for the projected change in total fertility rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in the period 2045–2050.
Identify two reasons for the projected increase in total fertility rate in Europe by the period 2045–2050.
Figure 1: Management of solid domestic waste in England, 2001–2018
Source: https://www.commercialwastequotes.co.uk/blog/uk-waste-data-insights/
With reference to Figure 1, identify the recycling rate in England in 2018.
Outline one reason for the shape of the recycling rate curve from 2013 to 2018.
Estimate the reduction in solid domestic waste (in million tonnes) going to landfill from 2001 to 2018.
Describe three reasons why the proportion of solid domestic waste being recycled/ composted and incinerated has changed.
Outline one reason why there has been an overall change in recorded total solid domestic waste between 2001 and 2018.
Figure 1: Demographic transition model
Source: https://populationeducation.org/what-demographic-transition-model/
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.
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.
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.
Outline one strength and one limitation of the demographic transition model.
Outline the socioeconomic factors that may cause a society to move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on the demographic transition model.
Describe three principles of a circular economy as they apply to solid waste management.
Outline four ways urbanization may influence processes in the hydrological cycle.
Hydropower is a resource that can be exploited from rivers. Discuss how the value of this resource to a society may vary over time.
To what extent are water scarcity issues better addressed through behavioral interventions than through technological development?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incineration as a solid waste disposal option.
Using named examples, distinguish between the concept of a “charismatic” (flagship) species and a keystone species.
Explain the role of two historical influences who shaped the development of the environmental movement.
Discuss the role of environmental value systems in the protection of tropical biomes.
Explain the role of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in sustainable resource management.
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
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.
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?
Practice Human systems and resource use 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.
Current and projected total fertility rates by region
Using Figure 3 identify the region with the highest fertility rate in the period 2005–2010.
Outline two possible reasons for the projected change in total fertility rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in the period 2045–2050.
Identify two reasons for the projected increase in total fertility rate in Europe by the period 2045–2050.
Figure 1: Management of solid domestic waste in England, 2001–2018
Source: https://www.commercialwastequotes.co.uk/blog/uk-waste-data-insights/
With reference to Figure 1, identify the recycling rate in England in 2018.
Outline one reason for the shape of the recycling rate curve from 2013 to 2018.
Estimate the reduction in solid domestic waste (in million tonnes) going to landfill from 2001 to 2018.
Describe three reasons why the proportion of solid domestic waste being recycled/ composted and incinerated has changed.
Outline one reason why there has been an overall change in recorded total solid domestic waste between 2001 and 2018.
Figure 1: Demographic transition model
Source: https://populationeducation.org/what-demographic-transition-model/
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.
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.
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.
Outline one strength and one limitation of the demographic transition model.
Outline the socioeconomic factors that may cause a society to move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 on the demographic transition model.
Describe three principles of a circular economy as they apply to solid waste management.
Outline four ways urbanization may influence processes in the hydrological cycle.
Hydropower is a resource that can be exploited from rivers. Discuss how the value of this resource to a society may vary over time.
To what extent are water scarcity issues better addressed through behavioral interventions than through technological development?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incineration as a solid waste disposal option.
Using named examples, distinguish between the concept of a “charismatic” (flagship) species and a keystone species.
Explain the role of two historical influences who shaped the development of the environmental movement.
Discuss the role of environmental value systems in the protection of tropical biomes.
Explain the role of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in sustainable resource management.
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
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.
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?