Access to Fresh Water (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL)

Exam Questions

49 mins10 questions
11 mark

Outline one factor that may determine how easily a particular country or region can access an adequate supply of fresh water.

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22 marks

One major problem that threatens the availability and accessibility of a freshwater supply in some regions is contamination.

Outline two major causes of contamination to freshwater sources.

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3a3 marks

Describe the pattern of global water scarcity seen in the figure below.

4-2-1-fresh-water-availability
3b2 marks

Briefly outline the meaning of the term water scarcity.

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42 marks

Suggest two methods for enhancing crop cultivation in regions facing water scarcity.

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14 marks

Evaluate the sustainability of desalinisation as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

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2a2 marks

Describe how the availability of freshwater resources is being impacted by climate change.

2b2 marks

Outline two water management strategies, other than desalinisation and rainwater harvesting, that can reduce water scarcity. 

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3a
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4 marks

The figure below shows the global water demand by sector for 2023, as well as the projected demands for 2040 and 2055.

projected-water-demand

i)

Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2040, as shown in the figure above. Show your working.

[2]

ii)

State two reasons for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2023 and 2040.

[2]

3b4 marks

i)

State the overall trend in total global water demand between 2023 and 2055.

[1]

ii)

Outline three factors contributing to this projected change.

[3]

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4a3 marks

Explain why conflicts over fresh water are becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence between human populations.

4b4 marks

Predict how technocentric and ecocentric viewpoints would differ regarding the construction and installation of dams.

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17 marks

Evaluate the sustainability of rainwater harvesting as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

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29 marks

Evaluate the following statement:

"Water scarcity problems are best addressed through technological developments, rather than through changing human behaviour."

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