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Date November 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18N.2.bp.4
Level SL and HL Paper 2 Time zone
Command term Describe Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph shows the relative strength of El Niño and La Niña events from 1950 to 2016.

Using information on the graph describe the changes in the strength of El Niño events from 1950 to 1998.

[2]
a.i.

Using information on the graph describe changes in the duration of La Niña events from 1950 to 2016.

[2]
a.ii.

Explain one economic benefit and one environmental benefit of mangrove swamps.

[6]
b.

Examine the relationships between the oceanic sovereignty rights of nations and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

[10]
c.

Markscheme

Award [1] for each valid change/trend and a further [1] for development/exemplification.

For example: Some El Niño events are more powerful than others [1]: the 1982 and the 1998 events more powerful than any other El Niño events since 1950 [1].

Accept rising trend [1].

a.i.

Award [1] for each valid change/trend and a further [1] for development/exemplification.

For example: Prior to 1978, most La Niña events lasted longer/3–4 years [1], compared to after that date when most were shorter/1–2 years [1].

a.ii.

Award [1] for the identification of each valid benefit and a further [2] for its development/exemplification.

For example:
Mangrove swamps provide a habitat for many fish species/breeding ground for fish [1], which supports many fishers [1] while preserving viable fish stocks [1].

Mangroves provide protection against damage caused by tropical cyclones [1] absorbing wave energy / reducing wind speeds [1] and protecting against coastal erosion [1].

b.

Exclusive economic zones (EEZs) are areas in which a coastal nation has sovereignty rights over all of the economic resources of the sea, seabed and subsoil, extending up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Coastal states are allowed / free to exploit, develop, manage and conserve all resources (fish or oil, gas or gravel, nodules or sulphur) to be found in the waters, on the ocean floor and in the subsoil. Most of the world’s oil reserves under the sea occur in some country’s EEZ, as do most of the world’s fishing areas. Examples of conflicts over sovereignty rights and access to resources in oceans include the South China Sea, the Arctic Ocean, the Falkland Islands, Indonesian fishing grounds, and oil fields off Papua New Guinea. More powerful, richer countries often exploit the resources in the EEZs of poorer countries, ignoring their sovereign rights.

Good answers may examine the complexity of the relationships, eg recognizing that sovereignty rights can be claimed over waters other than the EEZs, or more than one state may claim sovereignty over the same area of ocean, eg South China Sea. Another approach might be to examine different aspects of sovereignty, eg biotic and abiotic resources, and this could involve an examination of sovereignty over the continental shelf.

At band D, expect a description of the relationship between sovereignty rights and the EEZ

At band E, expect either a more detailed explanation or a structured examination of the complexities of the relationship that promote conflict.

At band F expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 2 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.i.
[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Last exams 2018 » Last exams 2018 - Optional themes » Option B: Oceans and their coastal margins » Oceans and climate » El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
Last exams 2018 » Last exams 2018 - Optional themes » Option B: Oceans and their coastal margins » Oceans and climate
Last exams 2018 » Last exams 2018 - Optional themes » Option B: Oceans and their coastal margins
Last exams 2018 » Last exams 2018 - Optional themes

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