| Date | November 2021 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 21N.1.bp.11 |
| Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 11 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The graph shows the total amount of food waste that is created each year in selected world regions with varying population growth rates.
[Source: © FAO. 2011. Page 5. Global food losses and food waste – Extent, causes and prevention.
https://www.fao.org/3/mb060e/mb060e.pdf. Reproduced with permission.]
State which world region has the least food waste created by food producers and shops.
Estimate the amount of food waste, in billions of tonnes, created by consumers in North America.
Outline how vertical farming can help increase long-term global food availability.
Explain two strengths of food waste reduction as a strategy to improve food security in the world regions shown on the graph.
Markscheme
Sub-Saharan Africa
100 (acceptable range of 90–110)
Award [1] for a valid way and [1] for development/explanation.
For example: More food can be grown in the same land area / yields increase [1] because crops are being grown year-round/in layers [1].
In each case, award [1] for a valid reason and up to [2] for development / explanation / exemplification.
For example: Reducing food waste could make more food available without having to produce more [1] therefore regions where population growth is occurring will have enough food [1]. This is very efficient/sustainable in terms of energy and land use [1].
Other possibilities include:
- Cost of food is lower as less is wasted
- Less is stockpiled so costs saved.
Examiners report
These seemed very straightforward
These seemed very straightforward.
There was a good understanding of vertical farming, but many struggled to relate it to long-term food availability.
Many did not understand this question and limited themselves to methods of food waste reduction without considering the strength of this strategy to improve food security.
