IB ESS Test Questions
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - correct 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. - correct 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). - correct answer ✔✔evapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. - correct
answer ✔✔35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - correct 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 -
correct 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). - correct 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. - correct 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.
Distinguish between point and non-point pollution with reference to named examples. - correct 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. - correct 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). - correct answer ✔✔evapotranspiration
Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments. - correct
answer ✔✔35%
Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization. - correct 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 -
correct 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). - correct 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. - correct 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.
