Practice C.1 The characteristics of extreme environments 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 maps show world population density and the location of hot, arid environments.
1.[6]
Explain how and why human discomfort and inaccessibility may influence population density in hot, arid areas.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 1
The following figure illustrates the likelihood of the depth of snowfall on a mountain, categorized into depths of over 1 meter, and over 2 meters, respectively between June and October of 2023.
1.[1]
State the earliest date where there is a 50% likelihood of snow depth exceeding 1 meter.
2.[1]
Estimate the likelihood of snow depth exceeding 2 metres on 1 September.
3.[2]
Suggest whether the mountain illustrated in the figure is located in the Northern or Southern hemisphere.
4.[6]
Describe two environmental impacts tourism may have in one named extreme environment.
5.[10]
Compare the importance of water and wind in the development of landform features inhot, arid areas.
Question 3
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[4]
Outline two human and two physical factors that are possible causes of desertification in a hot, arid environment.
2.[6]
Explain three reasons why there are concentrations of people in some parts of hot, arid areas.
3.[10]
Examine the severity of the different challenges for resource development in periglacial areas.
Question 4
SL & HLPaper 1
The map below shows the changes in glacier extent in the Öraefajökull region, Iceland, between 1890 and 2010.
Source: Hannesdóttir, et al. (2015)
1.[1]
Identify the glacier that experienced the greatest frontal retreat between 1890 and 2010.
2.[1]
State the method used to record glacier extent in 2010.
3.[2]
Outline one limitation of using aerial imagery alone to track changes in glacier dynamics over time.
4.[6]
Explain two ways in which the pattern of retreat across multiple glaciers in the Öræfajökull region reflects interactions between topography and glacial processes.
5.[10]
Examine how long-term glacial monitoring in high-latitude environments contributes to understanding climate change impacts.
6.[10]
Discuss the extent to which physical geography influences spatial variations in glacier retreat across a glaciated region.
Question 5
SL & HLPaper 1
The following figure illustrates a cross-section permafrost.
1.[2]
Explain how the seasonal changes taking place in the active layer can differ at varying latitudes.
2.[4]
Describe two methods the active layer creates challenges for settlement and/or communications in a permafrost area.
Question 6
SL & HLPaper 1
The map below shows Permafrost Distribution in the Northern Hemisphere.
Source: the International Association for Permafrost Science on the Basis of Summarized Observation Data.
1.[1]
Identify one region where continuous permafrost is dominant.
2.[1]
State the classification of permafrost found across most of Scandinavia.
3.[2]
Outline one physical factor that explains the fragmented permafrost pattern in parts of Central Asia.
4.[6]
Explain two ways in which thawing permafrost can pose environmental and geopolitical risks.
5.[10]
Examine the challenges of monitoring and managing permafrost change in the context of climate uncertainty.
6.[10]
Discuss the significance of permafrost degradation in influencing future global climate patterns.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 1
Extreme environments, such as deserts, polar regions, and high-altitude areas, present unique challenges and opportunities for human habitation and economic activities. This question explores the future sustainability of such environments and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges.
1.[4]
- Describe the main challenges that extreme environments pose to human habitation.
2.[2]
- Define what is meant by an 'extreme environment' and provide two examples.
3.[4]
- Explain how technological advancements have helped overcome some of the challenges associated with living in extreme environments. Provide specific examples.
4.[6]
- Assess the sustainability of human activities in extreme environments, considering both the positive and negative impacts.
5.[4]
- Examine the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of extreme environments. Include a discussion of at least one international agreement or initiative.
Question 8
SL & HLPaper 1
Extreme environments, such as deserts, polar regions, and high-altitude areas, present unique challenges and opportunities for human habitation and economic activities. This question explores the sustainability of such environments and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges.
1.[4]
- Explain how technological advancements have helped overcome some of the challenges associated with living in extreme environments. Provide specific examples.
2.[6]
- Assess the sustainability of human activities in extreme environments, considering both the positive and negative impacts.
3.[2]
- Define what is meant by an 'extreme environment' and provide two examples.
4.[4]
- Describe the main challenges that extreme environments pose to human habitation.
5.[4]
- Examine the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of extreme environments. Include a discussion of at least one international agreement or initiative.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 1
Extreme environments, such as deserts, polar regions, and high-altitude areas, present unique challenges and opportunities for human habitation and economic activities. This question explores the sustainability of such environments and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges.
1.[6]
- Using the diagram provided, analyze the impact of climate change on extreme environments.
2.[2]
- Define what is meant by an 'extreme environment' and provide two examples.
3.[4]
- Describe the main challenges that extreme environments pose to human habitation.
4.[4]
- Explain how technological advancements have helped overcome some of the challenges associated with living in extreme environments. Provide specific examples.
5.[6]
- Assess the sustainability of human activities in extreme environments, considering both the positive and negative impacts.
6.[4]
- Examine the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of extreme environments. Include a discussion of at least one international agreement or initiative.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 1
Extreme environments, such as deserts, polar regions, and high-altitude areas, present unique challenges and opportunities for human habitation and economic activities. This question explores the sustainability of such environments and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges.
1.[6]
- Assess the sustainability of human activities in extreme environments, considering both the positive and negative impacts.
2.[4]
- Explain how technological advancements have helped overcome some of the challenges associated with living in extreme environments. Provide specific examples.
3.[2]
- Define what is meant by an 'extreme environment' and provide two examples.
4.[4]
- Describe the main challenges that extreme environments pose to human habitation.
5.[4]
- Examine the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of extreme environments. Include a discussion of at least one international agreement or initiative.