Practice B.1 Ocean-atmosphere interactions with authentic IB Geography exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like physical geography, human geography, and geospatial analysis. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SL & HLPaper 1
The map below shows The Overview of Thermohaline Circulation.
Source: SEAICE Portal
1.[1]
Identify one ocean region where surface flow moves warm water toward the poles.
2.[1]
Identify the direction of bottom flow in the Southern Ocean (around Antarctica).
3.[2]
Outline one reason why deep water forms in the Labrador or Greenland Sea.
4.[6]
Explain two effects of thermohaline circulation on global climate patterns.
5.[10]
Examine how the disruption of thermohaline circulation could impact human societies.
6.[10]
Discuss the importance of ocean circulation in maintaining planetary energy balance.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[10]
Evaluate the impact of ocean warming on tropical cyclone formation and intensity.
Question 3
SL & HLPaper 1
The map below shows The Overview of Thermohaline Circulation.
Source: SEAICE Portal
1.[1]
Identify one ocean region where surface flow moves warm water toward the poles.
2.[1]
Identify the direction of bottom flow in the Southern Ocean (around Antarctica).
3.[2]
Outline one reason why deep water forms in the Labrador or Greenland Sea.
4.[6]
Explain two effects of thermohaline circulation on global climate patterns.
5.[10]
Examine how the disruption of thermohaline circulation could impact human societies.
6.[10]
Discuss the importance of ocean circulation in maintaining planetary energy balance.
Question 4
SL & HLPaper 1
The graph below shows the Global Fisheries and Aquaculture in Million tonnes
Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
1.[1]
Identify the period when aquaculture (marine and inland combined) surpassed capture fisheries in total production.
2.[1]
Identify the approximate total global fish production in 2020.
3.[2]
Describe the overall trend in global aquaculture production from 1950 to 2020.
4.[6]
Explain two environmental or socio-economic reasons for the rise of aquaculture as a source of fish production.
5.[10]
Examine the environmental impacts of increasing global aquaculture production.
6.[10]
Discuss the implications of changing global fish production trends for food security.
Question 5
HLPaper 1
1.[10]
Examine the relationship between the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and extreme weather events.
Question 6
SL & HLPaper 1
The graph shows the relative strength of El Niño and La Niña events from 1950 to 2024.
1.[2]
Using information on the graph describe changes in the duration of La Niña events from 1980 to 2024.
2.[6]
Explain one economic benefit and one environmental benefit of mangrove swamps.
3.[2]
Using information on the graphdescribe the changes in the strength of El Niño events from 1980 to 2003.
4.[10]
Evaluate the relationships between oceanic sovereignty rights of nations and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 1
The map below shows the fish catch (tonnes per square kilometre) globally
Source: Based on Alhenius, H., (2008), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
1.[1]
Identify one region with the highest fish catch intensity
2.[1]
Identify one region with the lowest fish catch intensity.
3.[2]
Describe the global spatial pattern of fish catch intensity shown in the map.
4.[6]
Explain two physical or environmental factors that influence fish catch productivity in coastal waters.
5.[10]
Discuss the environmental consequences of overfishing in high-intensity fish catch regions.
6.[10]
Examine the challenges of achieving sustainable fishery management in regions of high fish catch.
Question 8
HLPaper 1
1.[6]
Explain how ocean-atmosphere interactions influence the development of cyclones.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[2]
Explain what is meant by the term “marine conveyor belt”.
2.[2]
Briefly outline the role of oceans as a store of carbon dioxide.
3.[4]
Suggest two reasons why the marine conveyor belt is important.
4.[10]
Evaluate the success of one named conservation policy for sustainable fishing.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[4]
Explain the role of ocean currents in regulating global climate.