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Date May 2021 Marks available 2 Reference code 21M.2.bp.3
Level SL and HL Paper 2 Time zone
Command term Suggest Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph shows the growth of middle-class populations in selected Eastern European countries from 2001 to 2011.

[Source: Many Countries in Eastern Europe Experienced Significant Growth in New Middle-Income Populations from 2001 to 2011. Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C. 2015. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2015/07/08/a-globalmiddle-class-is-more-promise-than-reality/pg-2015-07-08_globalclass-16/.]

Outline two differences in the growth of the middle-class population of Ukraine and Serbia.

Difference 1:

 

Difference 2:

 

[2]
a.

Explain how the growth of a country’s middle-class population can lead to changing diets.

[2]
b.i.

Explain how the growth of a country’s middle-class population can lead to land-use pressures.

[2]
b.ii.

Suggest one way in which greater use of renewable energy can decrease the size of a nation’s ecological footprint.

[2]
c.i.

Suggest one way in which greater use of renewable energy can increase the size of a nation’s ecological footprint.

[2]
c.ii.

Markscheme

Award [1] per correct point. Quantification of at least one valid point needed for both marks.

Possibilities include:

a.

Allow [1] for a valid dietary change and [1] for an explanation of why this is happening due to growth of middle class.

Valid possibilities include:

For example: Middle income groups are now eating more fast foods and processed foods [1] as they have more disposable income [1].

b.i.

Allow [1] for a valid land-use change and [1] for an explanation of the pressure this creates for another land use or user group.

Valid possibilities include:

For example: Middle income groups have more money and aspirations and want to live in their own houses [1] this increases the demand for housing which is built on land previously covered by trees [1].

b.ii.

Award [1] for a valid way and [1] for development linked to decrease in ecological footprint (land/sea/vegetation).

Valid possibilities include:

For example: Decreased use of fossil fuels because of switching energy sources [1] decreases the amount of land required for mining or disposal of waste [1].

c.i.

Award [1] for a valid way and [1] for development linked to increase in ecological footprint.

Valid possibilities include:

For example: Greater use of biofuels requires palm oil cultivation [1] across extensive areas of land [1].

c.ii.

Examiners report

Many were able to interpret the graph and could identify two differences with suitable quantification. However, a significant number did not use or manipulate the statistics provided on the resource to support their statements. In other cases, answers were just statements of two points of the graph and not a difference and thus marks were lost.

a.

This was generally well answered with most candidates able to identify a valid dietary change, usually increase in meat and dairy consumption, and link this to the increase in wealth/disposable income that accompanies the growth of a nations middle-class population. Some examined changing diets in the context of globalization and outlined the switch from traditional to Westernized diets. Where some candidates lost marks was on the linkage of diet change to a valid and appropriate explanation, again emphasizing the importance of question analysis.

b.i.

Candidates found this question more challenging. Those that succeeded recognized that an increasing middle-class population would result in a desire for improvements in living standards. Answers that followed this approach examined the desire for better housing or food and explained how this led to land-use pressures such as competition for land or incursions into natural landscapes. Often however, answers failed to identify or develop the link between growth of middle-class population and pressures. A significant number simply looked at population growth per se or examined urbanization.

b.ii.

Many answers failed to provide a valid link to the ecological footprint in both sub sections of this question. To gain the development mark candidates had to elaborate on the land/sea/vegetation element of the footprint, and most were content to simply repeat the increase/decrease aspect of the question.

Most gained partial credit by identifying the need for less fossil fuel or the decrease in output of waste products but only a small number linked it to the features of the ecological footprint.

The better answers referred to the decreased efficiency of renewal energy and the need for greater areas of land and some focused on biofuels but the link to an increase in the ecological footprint was often neglected.

c.i.

Many answers failed to provide a valid link to the ecological footprint in both sub sections of this question. To gain the development mark candidates had to elaborate on the land/sea/vegetation element of the footprint, and most were content to simply repeat the increase/decrease aspect of the question.

Most gained partial credit by identifying the need for less fossil fuel or the decrease in output of waste products but only a small number linked it to the features of the ecological footprint.

The better answers referred to the decreased efficiency of renewal energy and the need for greater areas of land and some focused on biofuels but the link to an increase in the ecological footprint was often neglected.

c.ii.

Syllabus sections

Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security » 3.1. Global trends in consumption
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security

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