IB Environmental Systems & Societies - Topic 4 Exam Study Guide

Identify one transformation shown in Figure 2(a).

• Translation

• Rotation

• Reflection

• Dilation

Calculate the difference in water infiltration between the forest and urban environments.

• The forest has higher water infiltration than urban environments.

• Urban environments have higher water infiltration than forests.

• Both have the same water infiltration rate.

• Water infiltration cannot be compared between the two.

Outline how one storage in the hydrological cycle decreases with urbanization.

• Increased infiltration

• Decreased surface runoff

• Reduced groundwater storage

• Enhanced evaporation

Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2025, shown in Figure 2(b).

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and 2025, shown in Figure 2(b).

• Improved irrigation techniques

• Increased rainfall

• Reduction in agricultural land

• Government regulations

Outline two reasons why water demand shown in Figure 2(b) is projected to increase globally from 2014–2040.

• Due to population growth and increased industrialization.

• Because of climate change and improved water management.

• Owing to technological advancements and reduced wastage.

• As a result of agricultural expansion and urbanization.

Outline two strategies to meet an increasing demand for domestic water.

• Implement water-saving technologies and promote water conservation.

• Increase water tariffs and restrict water usage.

• Develop new water sources and improve water distribution systems.

• Encourage rainwater harvesting and invest in desalination plants.

Urbanization may influence processes in the hydrological cycle in several ways. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

• Increased surface runoff

• Decreased infiltration

• Enhanced groundwater recharge

• Altered precipitation patterns

Hydropower is a resource that can be exploited from rivers. The value of this resource to a society may vary over time because:

• it is a renewable resource and its availability can change with environmental conditions.

• it is a non-renewable resource and will eventually run out.

• it is not affected by environmental conditions and remains constant.

• it is only valuable in regions without other energy sources.

To what extent are water scarcity issues better addressed through changing human behaviour than through technological development?

• Water scarcity issues are better addressed through changing human behaviour.

• Water scarcity issues are better addressed through technological development.

• Both changing human behaviour and technological development are equally effective.

• Neither changing human behaviour nor technological development is effective.