Practice C.2 Physical processes and landscapes 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 following question explores the physical processes and landscapes associated with river systems, including their formation, features, and the impact of human activities.
1.[6]
- Explain the formation of meanders and oxbow lakes in river systems. Include a diagram to illustrate your answer.
2.[2]
- Define what is meant by a 'river system' and provide two examples.
3.[4]
- Describe the main processes involved in the formation of river landscapes.
4.[6]
- Assess the impact of human activities on river landscapes, providing specific examples.
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
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 4
SL & HLPaper 1
The diagram shows the formation of various coastal landforms due to physical processes such as erosion, transportation, and deposition.
1.[4]
- Define and describe the process of coastal erosion and its role in the formation of headlands and bays.
2.[4]
- Explain the formation of wave-cut platforms and cliffs as shown in the diagram.
3.[4]
- Describe the formation of coastal arches and stacks, including the sequential stages shown in the diagram.
4.[6]
- Using the diagram, analyze the role of longshore drift in the formation of beaches and spits.
5.[6]
- Evaluate the impact of human activities on coastal landscapes, with reference to both positive and negative effects.
Question 5
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 6
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 management strategies employed to overcome these challenges and the sustainability of human activities in such environments.
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.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 1
The graph below shows the typical distribution of on-the-ground actions across global biomes and anthromes.
Source: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
1.[1]
Identify the biome in which 'grazing and fire management' is commonly practiced.
2.[1]
Identify one anthrome where 'integrated crop–soil–water management' is applied.
3.[2]
Outline one reason why land management strategies differ between wildlands and dense settlements in drylands.
4.[6]
Explain two ways in which sustainable land management (SLM) practices help reduce the impacts of desertification in dryland biomes.
5.[10]
Examine the effectiveness of different strategies used to reduce the impacts of desertification.
6.[10]
Discuss the importance of integrating local and scientific knowledge in the sustainable management of drylands.
Question 8
SL & HLPaper 1
1.[4]
Briefly outline two processes of river erosion.
2.[4]
Explain how watering can lead to salinization.
3.[4]
Explain two consequences of salinization for farmers.
4.[10]
Discuss the positive and negative hydrological impacts of barrier and reservoir construction.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 1
The graph Dryland categories across geographical areas (continents and Pacific region).
Source: TerraClimate precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (1980–2015) (Abatzoglou et al. (2018))
1.[1]
Identify the continent with the largest area classified as hyper-arid.
2.[1]
Identify the aridity classification that occupies the greatest total land area in Asia.
3.[2]
Outline one reason why Australia has a high proportion of arid and semi-arid land.
4.[6]
Explain two ways in which variations in aridity affect population distribution across continents.
5.[10]
Examine the human and physical factors that influence the location of hot arid environments.
6.[10]
Discuss how sustainable management strategies can reduce the risks associated with desertification in semi-arid regions.
Question 10
SL & HLPaper 1
The diagram shows the structure of a tropical rainforest.
1.[8]
Identify and describe the characteristics of the four layers of a tropical rainforest as shown in the diagram.
2.[6]
Explain how the vertical stratification of a tropical rainforest contributes to its high biodiversity.
3.[6]
Discuss the ecological importance of the canopy layer in a tropical rainforest.
4.[10]
Analyze the impact of deforestation on the structure and function of tropical rainforests.