Date | November 2015 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 15N.1.bp.4 |
Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
Command term | Suggest | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The graph shows the relationship between GNI per person and ecological footprint, in global hectares (gha), for a number of countries.
State the minimum ecological footprint in global hectares for a country with a GNI of US$20 000 per person.
Referring to the graph, describe the relationship between GNI per person and ecological footprint.
Suggest one reason why country A does not fit the general pattern.
Using examples, distinguish between recycling and resource substitution.
Markscheme
Accept 2.1 to 2.2 [1].
Award [1] each for any three of the following:
- positive relationship or description that matches positive
- identifying an anomaly
- a valid comment about spread/range
- a clustering of nations with low values for both variables.
Three valid descriptive points are needed and there must be some reference to data for full marks.
Award [1] for identifying how it does not fit the trend eg higher GNI per person than would be expected given its ecological footprint.
Award [2] for identifying and developing/exemplifying a valid reason such as:
- very good environmental policies [1] including things like recycling/less landfill [1]
- highly efficient area-intensive agriculture [1] which leads to high yields and involves the use of a smaller land area [1]
- low use of fossil fuels [1] due to access to renewable energy [1].
Award [1] for showing an understanding of recycling, [1] for showing an understanding of resource substitution, and [2] for examples.
For example: Recycling is when old newspapers are processed to make new paper products, whereas resource substitution involves finding a new resource to replace an existing or depleted one, eg using ethanol instead of petrol. [4]