ESS IB Test Questions & Answers
2024/2025
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - ANSWERSPoint
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. - ANSWERSAgricultural 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). - ANSWERSevapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. -
ANSWERS35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - ANSWERSDeep 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 -
ANSWERS59%
Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and
2025,shown in Figure 2(b). - ANSWERSBecause 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. - ANSWERSPopulation increase because more resources will need to be used to preserve the
2024/2025
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - ANSWERSPoint
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. - ANSWERSAgricultural 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). - ANSWERSevapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. -
ANSWERS35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - ANSWERSDeep 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 -
ANSWERS59%
Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and
2025,shown in Figure 2(b). - ANSWERSBecause 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. - ANSWERSPopulation increase because more resources will need to be used to preserve the
