| Date | November 2014 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 14N.1.bp.4 |
| Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
| Command term | Describe | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Patterns in resource consumption
The diagram shows the international movement of e-waste*. The numbers indicate the volume in metric tons. The arrows indicate the direction of movement and their width is proportional to the volume of movement.
With reference to the diagram, describe the movement of e-waste into and out of Asia.
Briefly explain the limitations of recycling as a strategy to reduce global resource consumption.
Explain the neo-Malthusian view of the relationship between population size and resource consumption.
Markscheme
Possible valid statements could include:
- there is more waste going into Asia than out
- there is movement in from every region (all five)
- there is movement out to four regions (none to Oceania)
- the volume of movements in is very high
- Asia is the largest importer of e-waste mainly from Americas and the Middle East
- Asia does also export some e-waste, mainly to Europe
Credit other valid statements.
For the award of the full [4 marks], some mention should be included of both in (imports) and out (exports) and there should be some attempt at quantification/use of data.
Award [1 mark] for each valid limitation and [1 mark] for any development/exemplification (at any scale).
Possible limitations could include:
- energy is still consumed in the transportation of waste to recycling centres
- energy is used for the recycling process
- some materials cannot be recycled or are too expensive to recycle
- recycling is not available on a large enough scale to deal with all waste
- growth in recycling is outstripped by growing consumption
- there may be better alternatives, eg substitution, lower consumption
- desire for economic growth is greater than the desire for sustainability.
Credit other valid limitations.
The response must make reference to “neo-”, eg contemporary supporters of the views of Thomas Malthus, for [1 mark].
The remaining [3 marks] should be awarded for explanation of the view:
Human population has a carrying capacity [1 mark] because it increases geometrically while resources increase arithmetically [1 mark] leading to a check/crash/adjustment [1 mark]/a need for anti-natal policies [1 mark].
Other valid points may be credited in substitution for those already mentioned.
Examiners report
Few candidates struggled with the demands of this question. Most were able to give valid statements with effective use of quantification/data.
Most candidates were able to present more than one valid limitation with some development and/or exemplification. There was however some confusion between recycling and reuse.
Most candidates were able to give an explanation of Malthusian ideas but fewer noted the key word “neo-”. This was self-limiting. There was some sound knowledge and understanding of the “limits to growth” model and it was pleasing to see so many using annotated graphs to help their answer.
