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Date May 2022 Marks available 2 Reference code 22M.2.bp.4
Level SL and HL Paper 2 Time zone
Command term Describe Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

The infographic shows aspects of global e-waste.

[Source: Baldé, C.P., Forti V., Gray, V., Kuehr, R., Stegmann,P. : The Global E-waste Monitor – 2017, United Nations University
(UNU), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/
Vienna.

Used with permission of Popular Science Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.

Photo: ANP/laif/Kai Loeffelbein.

The copyright is with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations University
(UNU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which jointly form the Global E-waste Statistics
Partnership (GESP). Source adapted.]

State the range for e-waste generated (in kg per person) for the countries shown.

[1]
a.i.

Identify which raw material is produced in the largest amount when e-waste is recycled.

[1]
a.ii.

Describe the relationship between GNI per person and average growth rate of EEE consumption.

[2]
b.

To what extent does the evidence in the infographic support the view that e-waste is a global problem?

[6]
c.

Markscheme

0.4 to 28.5 (or 28.1)

a.i.

Iron

a.ii.

Award [1] per valid point. Some quantification needed for full marks.

Possibilities include:

b.

Award [1] for each valid point supported by evidence taken from the infographic, up to a maximum of [5].

Award a maximum of [4] if only one side of the argument is given.

Award the final [1] for an overall appraisal, which weighs up the infographic as a whole.

Support:

Against:

For example: The world map shows that all continents send or receive e-waste [1]. The table below the map demonstrates that the production of waste is more of a problem in HICs than LICs [1]. Norway produces the most with 28.5 kg/person whilst Niger produces the least with 0.4 kg/person [1]. However many valuable minerals can be recovered from e-waste such as gold [1]. The photograph shows that recycling also provides jobs for people [1]. Thus although e-waste is an issue at a global scale it can also have some benefits for the countries that import it [1].

c.

Examiners report

There were no issues with these questions with candidates showing good preparation to conduct calculation and resource analysis.

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

Most candidates were able to identify and describe the trend shown in the data. Some failed to identify the anomaly whilst others did not use the information to quantify their answers.

b.

The better answers were structured around a review of whether e-waste was or was not a global problem. Good candidates had been prepared to use the information provided in the infographic to address their comments in support of or against the issue identified. Most took the view that it was a problem and commented on the spatial range and magnitude coverage of the problem. Many gave too much focus to the global aspect of the question, and this led to unbalanced answers that did not recognize the value of recovered materials or employment. Those that had been well prepared gave a structured response with a supported conclusion. Examiners did report that a number of candidates drifted into an evaluation of the presentation and failed to use the information in the infographic to assess whether e-waste was a global problem. This approach did not gain credit.

c.

Syllabus sections

Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security » 3.1. Global trends in consumption » 3.1.2. Measuring trends in resource consumption
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security » 3.1. Global trends in consumption
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security

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