IB ESS Test Questions
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - Answer-Point
pollution is an identifiable place where the pollutants are coming from, like a specific factory or power
plant. Non point is an unidentifiable source where the pollution is coming from, like agricultural run off
or acid rain.
For a named water pollutant, evaluate two management strategies to maintain the sustainability of
watercourses. - Answer-Agricultural run off can be evaluated by reducing pesticide use and managing
irrigation. Reducing pesticide use would be an easy and more effective way to reduce agricultural run off
by making laws and regulations, and through education. Where as managing irrigation would be a lot
harder because there would need to be more supervision and it would be less reliable.
Identify one transformation shown in Figure 2(a). - Answer-evapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. - Answer-35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - Answer-Deep water
infiltration decreases in urbanization, because of the concrete and asphalt streets and sidewalks and
buildings water isn't able to soak/infiltrate into the ground completely and majority of the water is run
off.
Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2025, shown in Figure 2 -
Answer-59%
Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and
2025,shown in Figure 2(b). - Answer-Because of the higher use of water for domestic use.
, Outline two reasons why water demand shown in Figure 2(b) is projected to increase globally from
2014-2040. - Answer-Population increase because more resources will need to be used to preserve the
population, and and because of expanding urbanization and urban areas need more water for the
people that live in cities.
Identify one region shown in Figure 3 that has an ecological footprint less than its biocapacity. - Answer-
South America
Outline one reason why a region whose ecological footprint is greater than its biocapacity is considered
unsustainable. [1] - Answer-Because the region is using more natural recourses faster than the
environment can replenish them, the environment will slowly die due to lack of biodiversity and
ecological health.
Outline one way in which a region can exceed its carrying capacity. - Answer-Too many people are
drawing from the resources and food available for the population
evaluate the use of the ecological footprint as a model. - Answer-The middle east, EU-28, North
America, central America, and Asia Pacific are extremely ecological deficit. South America and Non-EU
are ecological reserve.
Outline how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and the tipping points between them.
- Answer-Destabilizing positive feedback mechanisms will drive systems toward these tipping points,
whereas stabilizing negative feedback mechanisms will resist such changes.
State, giving one reason, what kind of system feedback is illustrated by the descending spiral - Answer-
positive feedback because the effects of the problem make the
problem worse
Discuss the meaning of the term sustainable development with reference to the diagram above -
Answer-Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and an ascending spiral or
negative feedback loop displays that because it sustains itself.
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - Answer-Point
pollution is an identifiable place where the pollutants are coming from, like a specific factory or power
plant. Non point is an unidentifiable source where the pollution is coming from, like agricultural run off
or acid rain.
For a named water pollutant, evaluate two management strategies to maintain the sustainability of
watercourses. - Answer-Agricultural run off can be evaluated by reducing pesticide use and managing
irrigation. Reducing pesticide use would be an easy and more effective way to reduce agricultural run off
by making laws and regulations, and through education. Where as managing irrigation would be a lot
harder because there would need to be more supervision and it would be less reliable.
Identify one transformation shown in Figure 2(a). - Answer-evapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. - Answer-35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - Answer-Deep water
infiltration decreases in urbanization, because of the concrete and asphalt streets and sidewalks and
buildings water isn't able to soak/infiltrate into the ground completely and majority of the water is run
off.
Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2025, shown in Figure 2 -
Answer-59%
Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and
2025,shown in Figure 2(b). - Answer-Because of the higher use of water for domestic use.
, Outline two reasons why water demand shown in Figure 2(b) is projected to increase globally from
2014-2040. - Answer-Population increase because more resources will need to be used to preserve the
population, and and because of expanding urbanization and urban areas need more water for the
people that live in cities.
Identify one region shown in Figure 3 that has an ecological footprint less than its biocapacity. - Answer-
South America
Outline one reason why a region whose ecological footprint is greater than its biocapacity is considered
unsustainable. [1] - Answer-Because the region is using more natural recourses faster than the
environment can replenish them, the environment will slowly die due to lack of biodiversity and
ecological health.
Outline one way in which a region can exceed its carrying capacity. - Answer-Too many people are
drawing from the resources and food available for the population
evaluate the use of the ecological footprint as a model. - Answer-The middle east, EU-28, North
America, central America, and Asia Pacific are extremely ecological deficit. South America and Non-EU
are ecological reserve.
Outline how feedback loops are involved in alternate stable states and the tipping points between them.
- Answer-Destabilizing positive feedback mechanisms will drive systems toward these tipping points,
whereas stabilizing negative feedback mechanisms will resist such changes.
State, giving one reason, what kind of system feedback is illustrated by the descending spiral - Answer-
positive feedback because the effects of the problem make the
problem worse
Discuss the meaning of the term sustainable development with reference to the diagram above -
Answer-Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and an ascending spiral or
negative feedback loop displays that because it sustains itself.
