1
2 marks
State one environmental system and one social system.
Was this exam question helpful?
Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Systems (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Exam Questions
1 hour24 questions
2
1 mark
Identify the type of system shown in the figure below:
Was this exam question helpful?
3
1 mark
Define the term transformation in the context of environmental systems.
Was this exam question helpful?
4
1 mark
State one example of a transformation that occurs in the hydrological cycle.
Was this exam question helpful?
5
1 mark
In system diagrams, state what is represented using shapes with defined boundaries (such as a circle or rectangle).
Was this exam question helpful?
6
1 mark
In system diagrams, state what is represented using arrows.
Was this exam question helpful?
7
1 mark
Below is an example of a stable equilibrium.
Identify the name of this type of stable equilibrium.
Was this exam question helpful?
8
1 mark
Below is an example of a stable equilibrium.
Identify the name of this type of stable equilibrium.
Was this exam question helpful?
9
1 mark
When a population is exposed to a disease, some individuals will be more resistant to the disease than others. Those individuals who are more resistant to the disease will be more likely to survive and reproduce. This will lead to an increase in the proportion of resistant individuals in the population. As the proportion of resistant individuals in the population increases, the disease will have a harder time spreading. This is because there are fewer susceptible individuals for the disease to infect. This will lead to a decrease in the prevalence of the disease in the population.
Identify the type of feedback being demonstrated in this example.
Was this exam question helpful?
1
3 marks
Define the term system.
Was this exam question helpful?
2
4 marks
State two storages and two flows within the carbon cycle system.
Was this exam question helpful?
3
3 marks
Explain how the Earth and the atmosphere surrounding it could be viewed as a closed system.
Was this exam question helpful?
4
4 marks
Distinguish between transfers and transformations within the context of the hydrological cycle, providing examples for each.
Was this exam question helpful?
5
2 marks
Distinguish between a holistic approach and a reductionist approach for studying systems.
Was this exam question helpful?
6
4 marks
Explain how a community of trees in a tropical rainforest could be viewed as a system.
Was this exam question helpful?
7
2 marks
Define the term model.
Was this exam question helpful?
8
4 marks
Evaluate the usefulness of environmental models.
Was this exam question helpful?
9
2 marks
Explain the term ecological tipping point.
Was this exam question helpful?
10
4 marks
Explain the role of feedback loops in the dynamics of alternate stable states and the occurrence of tipping points between them.
Was this exam question helpful?
11
3 marks
Complete the diagram to show how a positive feedback process involving melting sea ice may affect the rate of global warming.
Was this exam question helpful?
1
7 marks
Describe the fundamental components of an ecosystem using a systems approach.
Was this exam question helpful?
2
7 marks
The population growth of decomposer organisms living in soils is influenced by feedback mechanisms.
Explain how.
Was this exam question helpful?
3
9 marks
Evaluate the use of models for predicting future global warming.
Was this exam question helpful?
4
9 marks
Discuss the extent to which human societies have destabilised ecological systems.
Was this exam question helpful?