Dedications

For my family, and with thanks to Danny, Cecilia and Yvonne Chew, Dr Arthur Chung, Dr Chey Vun Khen, and to all my friends and colleagues in Sabah. This book is dedicated to the memory of Dr Clive Marsh.

A. J. Davis

With thanks to Angela, Rosie, Patrick and Bethany for their continued support, patience and good humour.

G. E. Nagle

Our thanks to So-Shan Au for her help and guidance throughout this project.

The Publishers would like to thank the following for permission to reproduce copyright material.

Photo credits

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ISBN: 9781471899737
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© Andrew Davis and Garrett Nagle 2017

First published in 2013

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How to use this revision guide

Welcome to the Environmental Systems and Societies for the IB Diploma Study and Revision Guide. This book will help you plan your revision and to work through it in a methodological way. It follows the Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) syllabus topic by topic, with revision and practice questions at the end of each section to help you check your understanding.

Features to help you succeed

SIGNIFICANT IDEAS

There are eight topics in the IB ESS syllabus, each divided into several sub-topics. Each sub-topic begins with a list of ‘Significant ideas’, which are overarching principles that summarise the content of each section.

Expert tip

These tips give advice that will help you boost your final grade.

Worked example

Some parts of the course require you to carry out mathematical calculations, plot graphs, and so on. These examples show you how.

Common mistake

These identify typical mistakes that students make and explain how you can avoid them.

CASE STUDY

Parts of the syllabus require you to use case studies. Examples are given in the relevant sections of the book.

QUICK CHECK QUESTIONS

Use these questions to make sure that you have understood a topic. They are short, knowledge-based questions that use information directly from the text.

Keyword definitions

Definitions are provided on the pages where the essential key terms appear. These key words are those that you can be expected to define in exams. A glossary of these essential terms, highlighted throughout the text, is given at the end of the book.

EXAM PRACTICE

Practice exam questions are provided at the end of each section. Use them to support your revision and practise your exam skills.

You can keep track of your revision by ticking off each sub-topic heading in the book. There is also a checklist at the end of the book. Use this checklist to record progress as you revise. Tick each box when you have:

•  revised and understood a topic

•  tested yourself using the Quick check questions

•  used the Exam practice questions and gone online to check your answers.

Use this book as the cornerstone of your revision. Don’t hesitate to write in it and personalise your notes. Use a highlighter to identify areas that need further work. You may find it helpful to add your own notes as you work through each topic.

Getting to know Paper 1 and Paper 2

At the end of your ESS course you will sit two papers. Paper 1 is worth 25% of the final marks and Paper 2, 50% of the final marks. The other assessed part of the course (25%) is made up of the Internal Assessment (practical work), which is marked by your teacher.

There are no options in ESS and therefore all topics need to be thoroughly revised for both papers. Here is some general advice for the exams:

•  Make sure you have learned the command terms (e.g. evaluate, explain, outline). There is a tendency to focus on the content in a question rather than the command term, but if you do not address what the command term is asking of you then you will not be awarded marks. (Command terms are covered on pages vii–xi.)

•  Answer all questions and do not leave gaps.

•  Do not write outside the answer boxes provided – if you do so this work will not be marked.

•  If you run out of room on the page, use continuation sheets and indicate clearly that you have done this on the cover sheet. (The fact that the question continues on another sheet of paper needs to be clearly indicated in the text box provided.)

•  Plan your time carefully before the exams – this is especially important for Paper 2 (see below).

Paper 1

Paper 1 (1 hour) contains short-answer and data-based questions relating to a previously unseen case study. The total number of marks for this paper is 35. The case study is contained in a resource booklet, in which you will be given a range of data in various forms (e.g. maps, photos, diagrams, graphs and tables). Questions will test your knowledge of the syllabus and your ability to apply this to the new case study. You are required to answer a series of questions, which can involve a variety of command terms, by analysing these data. Questions will be based on the analysis and evaluation of the data in the case study, and all of the questions are compulsory. The questions test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3 (for information on assessment objectives, see pages vii–xi). Remember:

•  The size of the boxes provided gives an indication of the length of answer expected – make sure your answers are concise.

•  Look carefully at the number of marks awarded for each question. For example, if 2 marks are awarded the examiner is looking for two different points.

Paper 2

Paper 2 (2 hours) is in two sections: Section A (25 marks) and Section B (40 marks). Total marks for the paper are therefore 65. The questions test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3. Section A contains short-answer and data-based questions; because this section can cover any aspect of the course, it is essential that you thoroughly revise the whole syllabus so that you can tackle any questions that come up. In Section B you must answer two structured essay questions from a choice of four. Each essay is worth 20 marks. The final part of each essay in Section B (9 marks) will be marked using mark bands. For good marks in your essay your response will need to contain:

•  substantial evidence of sound knowledge and understanding of ESS issues and concepts

•  a wide breadth of statements that show clear knowledge, effectively linked with each other and to the context of the question

•  consistently appropriate and precise use of ESS terminology

•  effective use of relevant, well-explained and original examples, where required

•  examples that are subjected to well-balanced, insightful analysis

•  explicit judgements or conclusions that are well supported by evidence

•  conclusions that include some critical reflection.

Case studies will help you answer Paper 2 essay questions – make sure you have learned these from the course (examples are given in this book). You should use your own case studies to answer the essay questions rather than taking ideas from the resource booklet case study.

You need to plan your time for Paper 2 carefully:

•  Do not spend too much time on one of the two sections.

•  Plan your time before the exam.

•  By practising past papers you will be able to work out how much time you need to take. This will vary from student to student, but here is some general advice:

    •  You should be looking to spend less time on Section A (short-answer and data response) than on Section B (the two essays).

    •  The essays need to be thought about carefully and planned – aim to spend a minimum of 35 minutes per essay but to move on if you are still on the first one after 40 minutes.

•  Choose your essays carefully. Look at all sections of an essay before making your choices.

•  Some students write pages on sections worth only a few marks, and then run out of time later on. Look carefully at the number of marks available for each question and adjust the amount of time you spend on that question accordingly. Writing a plan for your essays will help you.

•  There are usually several sections in an essay question – make sure you answer all parts.

Essays should be subdivided into sections, not written as one long paragraph – examiners like this because it makes the paper easier to read and mark. Leave at least one line between sections of an essay for clarity, and note on your scripts if a continuation sheet has been used.

Assessment objectives

To successfully complete the course, you need to have achieved the following objectives:

1  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant:

    •  facts and concepts

    •  methodologies and techniques

    •  values and attitudes.

2  Apply this knowledge and understanding in the analysis of:

    •  explanations, concepts and theories

    •  data and models

    •  case studies in unfamiliar contexts

    •  arguments and value systems.

3  Evaluate, justify and synthesise, as appropriate:

    •  explanations, theories and models

    •  arguments and proposed solutions

    •  methods of fieldwork and investigation

    •  cultural viewpoints and value systems.

4  Engage with investigations of environmental and societal issues at the local and global level through:

    •  evaluating the political, economic and social contexts of issues

    •  selecting and applying the appropriate research and practical skills necessary to carry out investigations

    •  suggesting collaborative and innovative solutions that demonstrate awareness and respect for the cultural differences and value systems of others.

These assessment objectives are examined in the following way:

Assessment objectives
Which component addresses this assessment objective?
How is the assessment objective addressed?

1–3
Paper 1
Case study

1–3
Paper 2
Section A: short-answer questions

Section B: two essays (from a choice of four)

1–4
Internal assessment: practical work
Individual investigation assessed using mark bands

Command terms

Command terms indicate the depth of treatment required for a given assessment statement. Objectives 1 and 2 address simpler skills; objectives 3 and 4 and relate to higher-order skills.

It is essential that you are familiar with these terms, for Papers 1 and 2, so that you are able to recognise the type and depth of response you are expected to provide.

The following tables show examples of all of the command terms, with selected questions to show how they can be used in exams. ‘Advice for success’ gives you hints about how to respond to the command term.

Objective 1

Demonstrate an understanding of information, terminology, concepts, methodologies and skills with regard to environmental issues.

Objective 2

Apply and use information, terminology, concepts, methodologies and skills with regard to environmental issues.

Objectives 3 and 4

Synthesise, analyse and evaluate research questions, hypotheses, methods and scientific explanations with regard to environmental issues.

Using a holistic approach, make reasoned and balanced judgements using appropriate economic, historical, cultural, socio-political and scientific sources.

Articulate and justify a personal viewpoint on environmental issues with reasoned argument while appreciating alternative viewpoints, including the perceptions of different cultures.

Countdown to the exams

4–8 weeks to go

•  Start by looking at the syllabus and make sure you know exactly what you need to revise.

•  Look carefully at the checklist in this book and use it to help organise your class notes and to make sure you have covered everything.

•  Work out a realistic revision plan that breaks down the material you need to revise into manageable pieces. Each session should be around 25–40 minutes with breaks in between. The plan should include time for relaxation.

•  Read through the relevant sections of this book and refer to the expert tips, common mistakes, key definitions, case studies and worked examples.

•  Tick off the topics that you feel confident about, and highlight the ones that need further work.

•  Look at past papers. They are one of the best ways to check knowledge and practise exam skills. They will also help you identify areas that need further work.

•  Try different revision methods, for example summary notes, mind maps and flash cards.

•  Test your understanding of each topic by working through the Quick check questions and Exam practice questions at the end of each section.

•  Make notes of any problem areas as you revise, and ask a teacher to go over them in class.

1 week to go

•  Aim to fit in at least one more timed practice of entire past papers, comparing your work closely with the mark scheme.

•  Examine the checklist carefully to make sure you haven’t missed any of the topics.

•  Tackle any final problems by getting help from your teacher or talking them over with a friend.

The day before the examination

•  Look through this book one final time. Look carefully through the information about Paper 1 and Paper 2 to remind yourself what to expect in both papers.

•  Check the time and place of the exams.

•  Make sure you have all the equipment you need (e.g. extra pens, a watch, tissues). Make sure you have a calculator – this is needed for both papers.

•  Allow some time to relax and have an early night so you are refreshed and ready for the exams.

My exams

ESS Paper 1

Date:……………………………..

Time:……………………………..

Location:…………………………

ESS Paper 2

Date:……………………………..

Time:……………………………..

Location:…………………………