Practice IB Geography Topic Option C Extreme Environments with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for Option C Extreme Environments and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
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The map below shows the changes in glacier extent in the Öræfajökull region, Iceland, between 1890 and 2010.
Source: Hannesdóttir, et al. (2015)
Identify the glacier that experienced the greatest frontal retreat between 1890 and 2010.
State two years, apart from 2010, in which aerial images were used to record glacier positions.
Outline one reason why glaciers in the Öræfajökull region may retreat at different rates despite being in the same general climate zone.
Explain two ways in which historical data on glacier retreat, such as that shown for Öræfajökull, can help scientists assess the long-term impacts of climate change.
Examine how variations in glacier retreat across a single ice cap system can inform understanding of physical geography and climate interactions.
Discuss the advantages and limitations of using historical glacier extent maps as evidence of environmental change.
The map below shows Permafrost Distribution in the Northern Hemisphere.
Source: the International Association for Permafrost Science on the Basis of Summarized Observation Data.
Identify one region where continuous permafrost is dominant.
State the classification of permafrost found across most of Scandinavia.
Outline one physical factor that explains the fragmented permafrost pattern in parts of Central Asia.
Explain two ways in which thawing permafrost can pose environmental and geopolitical risks.
Examine the challenges of monitoring and managing permafrost change in the context of climate uncertainty.
Discuss the significance of permafrost degradation in influencing future global climate patterns.
The graph below shows the typical distribution of on-the-ground actions across global biomes and anthromes.
Identify the biome in which 'grazing and fire management' is commonly practiced.
Identify one anthrome where 'integrated crop–soil–water management' is applied.
Outline one reason why land management strategies differ between wildlands and dense settlements in drylands.
Explain two ways in which sustainable land management (SLM) practices help reduce the impacts of desertification in dryland biomes.
Examine the effectiveness of different strategies used to reduce the impacts of desertification.
Discuss the importance of integrating local and scientific knowledge in the sustainable management of drylands.
The graph shows dryland categories across geographical areas (continents and the Pacific region).
Source: TerraClimate precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (1980–2015) (Abatzoglou et al. (2018))
Using the graph, identify the continent with the largest absolute area classified as hyper-arid.
Using the graph, identify the aridity classification that occupies the largest absolute land area in Asia.
Outline one reason why Australia has a high proportion of arid and semi-arid land.
Explain two ways aridity levels affect population distribution across continents.
Examine the human and physical factors that influence the location of hot arid environments.
Discuss how sustainable management strategies can reduce the risks associated with desertification in semi-arid regions.
Identify one region shown on the map that is classified as hyper-arid.
State the climate classification located just south of the hyper-arid zone in the Sahel region.
Outline one reason why semi-arid environments are particularly vulnerable to desertification.
Explain two characteristics of arid or hyper-arid environments that limit human development.
Examine how different types of extreme environments pose challenges to resource development.
Discuss the extent to which technology can overcome the limitations of extreme environments.