Practice D4.2 Sustainability and change with authentic IB Biology exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like cell biology, genetics, and ecology. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SLPaper 1A
What is the main effect of eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems?
Question 2
SLPaper 1A
Why is large-scale deforestation in the Amazon considered dangerous?
Question 3
HLPaper 1A
What human action could have an impact on the whole biosphere?
Question 4
SLPaper 1A
What must be true for a resource harvest to be sustainable?
Question 5
SLPaper 1B
The following figures provide data on the sources, applications, and future projections of plastic pollution in the environment.
1.[2]
Identify two sources responsible for the transport of microplastics (MP) in aquatic environments as shown in Figure a.
2.[2]
Using Figure a, calculate the combined percentage contribution of the following land-based sources:
- Agricultural and soil activities
- WWTP and sludge
- Mismanaged plastic waste
Show your working.
3.[4]
Use Figure b to identify one sector of plastic use most likely to contribute to:
(i) macroplastic ocean pollution
(ii) microplastic ocean pollution
Justify your choices using information from the figures.
4.[2]
Describe two possible effects of plastic pollution (either microplastic or macroplastic) on marine organisms.
5.[2]
Using the data in Figure c, evaluate the urgency for intervention by policymakers in addressing plastic pollution by 2060.
Question 6
HLPaper 2
The fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is an effective colonizer and has become invasive in a number of ecosystems.
Sometimes, efforts to eliminate this species have had an unexpected impact on community structure. It is argued that S. geminata can play a beneficial role in corn production.
The graph shows how the presence of S. geminata can impact insect diversity in areas where crops of corn are grown.
1.[1]
State the impact of S. geminata on insect species diversity.
2.[3]
Discuss whether S. geminata might play a positive role in corn production.
3.[2]
Researchers have argued that S. geminata is a keystone species in the corn agricultural system. Outline what is meant by a keystone species.
Question 7
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain what information a pyramid of energy provides about an ecological community.
Question 8
SLPaper 1B
Figure a): Amazon deforestation (in ) per month in 2022 and 2023.
Area in lost in the first eight months of 2022 and 2023.
Figure b): Percentage of Amazon rainforest area in each country (2012 data).
1.[2]
Calculate the percentage change in deforestation from July 2022 to July 2023. Show your working.
2.[1]
Use figure b) to calculate the approximate area of the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Show your working.
Note: Total Amazon area .
3.[2]
List two ecosystem features that support long-term rainforest stability.
4.[3]
Using both figures, predict how deforestation may reduce the long-term stability of the Amazon rainforest ecosystem.
Question 9
SL & HLPaper 1B
A long-term ecological study monitored the species diversity of a forest ecosystem before and after a wildfire. Simpson's Diversity Index () was used to measure biodiversity at different time points. The results are shown below:
| Year | Simpson’s Diversity Index () |
|---|---|
| (before fire) | |
| (immediately after fire) | |
1.[2]
Describe the trend in species diversity over time and explain what it suggests about the stability of the ecosystem.
2.[2]
Using the concept of ecological succession, explain how the ecosystem recovered after the wildfire.
Question 10
SLPaper 2
The fire ant (Solenopsis geminata) is an effective colonizer and has become invasive in a number of ecosystems. Sometimes, efforts to eliminate this species have had an unexpected impact on community structure. It is argued that S. geminata can play a beneficial role in corn production. The graph shows how the presence of S. geminata can impact insect diversity in areas where crops of corn are grown.
1.[1]
State the impact of S. geminata on insect species diversity.
2.[2]
Discuss whether S. geminata might play a positive role in corn production.
3.[2]
Researchers have argued that S. geminata is a keystone species in the corn agricultural system. Outline what is meant by a keystone species.