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2.4 Climate and biomes

Practice exam-style IB ESS questions for Climate and biomes, aligned with the syllabus and grouped by topic.

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Paper
Difficulty
Status
Level
Question 1
SL • Paper 2
Easy
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Easy
Calculator Permitted

A

Distinguish between weather and climate.

[2]
Question 2
SL • Paper 2
Easy
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Easy
Calculator Permitted

A

Define the term biome.

[1]
B

Explain why ecosystems on different continents may be classified within the same biome.

[2]
Question 3
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The climate data table shows conditions at location X.

Monthly climate data for location X.

MonthPrecipitation / mmMean temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}
January18026
February16026
March17027
April18027
May20027
June21026
July19026
August17525
September18025
October20025
November22525
December23027
Annual total / mean230026
A

Identify the terrestrial biome most likely to occur naturally at location X.

[1]
B

Outline two features of the climate graph that support your answer to (a).

[2]
Question 4
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A coastal city and an inland city are located at the same latitude. The coastal city has cooler summers and milder winters than the inland city.

A

Explain how the ocean can produce the difference in temperature between the two cities.

[3]

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Question 5
SL • Paper 2
Medium
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SL • Paper 2
Medium
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Figure 1 shows climate data for two locations averaged over 30 years.

Figure 1. Mean monthly climate data for Locations A and B, averaged over 30 years.

MonthLocation A temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Location A precipitation / mmLocation B temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Location B precipitation / mm
Jan27180185
Feb27.5190205
Mar28200248
Apr282102810
May27.52203112
Jun26.52103315
Jul261903418
Aug26.51803320
Sep271903012
Oct28210268
Nov27.5220224
Dec27200193
A

Calculate the annual temperature range for each location.

[2]
B

Identify the most likely terrestrial biome at each location.

[2]
C

Explain why net primary productivity and biodiversity are likely to be higher at Location A than at Location B.

[3]
Question 6
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Locations C and D are at the same latitude. Location C is on a coast influenced by a warm ocean current, while Location D is 900 km900\ \text{km} inland. Figure 3 shows their climatic conditions.

Monthly climatic data for Locations C and D.

MonthC temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}C precipitation / mmD temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}D precipitation / mm
Jan890-420
Feb980-220
Mar1185325
Apr14851030
May17901750
Jun19852365
Jul20802770
Aug20852665
Sep17901945
Oct14951130
Nov1190425
Dec995-125
A

Calculate the annual temperature range at each location.

[2]
B

Describe two climatic differences between Location C and Location D.

[2]
C

Explain how the ocean contributes to the climatic differences between the two locations.

[2]
Question 7
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

The figure shows part of the tricellular model of atmospheric circulation in the Northern Hemisphere.

Image

A

Identify the atmospheric circulation cell between the equator and X.

[1]
B

Explain why hot desert biomes are commonly associated with region X.

[3]
Question 8
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Average temperatures in a mountain region have increased over several decades.

A

State the expected direction of movement of terrestrial biome distributions in this region.

[1]
B

Explain two reasons why the existing biome may not move upslope as a complete community.

[3]

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Question 9
HL • Paper 2
Medium
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HL • Paper 2
Medium
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Locations M and N occur at similar mid-latitudes. M is on a western coast, while N is far inland.

A

Distinguish the annual temperature patterns expected for a temperate maritime climate at M and a temperate continental climate at N.

[2]
B

State one biome likely to be associated with each climate.

[2]
Question 10
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

A

State the sustained wind speed above which a tropical cyclone is classified as a hurricane or typhoon.

[1]
B

Outline three atmospheric or oceanic conditions required for tropical-cyclone formation.

[3]
Question 11
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Ecologists compiled representative monthly climate data for five locations where little land conversion has occurred.

Figure 1(a). Monthly precipitation and mean temperature at five locations.

MonthPP precipitation / mmPP temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}QQ precipitation / mmQQ temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}RR precipitation / mmRR temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}SS precipitation / mmSS temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}TT precipitation / mmTT temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}
Jan2102642545020-416-14
Feb1902632640218-214-13
Mar2202622748622213-11
Apr23026128551130812-7
May240260286516421418-3
Jun2102602770205518251
Jul2002602762226520324
Aug1902602758215819283
Sep210260275216451424-1
Oct23026128501032820-5
Nov2402622748525317-10
Dec2302632645320-415-16

Image

A

Calculate the total annual precipitation at location R.

[2]
B

Identify the most likely biome at locations P and T.

[2]
C

Explain why productivity is likely to be lower at Q than at P.

[3]
D

Outline why location S cannot be assigned confidently to one biome using Figure 1(b).

[2]
E

Evaluate the use of mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation to predict the terrestrial biome at a location.

[4]
Question 12
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Two coastal locations, U and V, lie at approximately 51 degrees north on opposite sides of an ocean basin. Location W lies inland at the same latitude.

Image

Monthly climate data and native biome at three locations at approximately 51° N.

MonthMean temperature at UU / °CPrecipitation at UU / mmMean temperature at VV / °CPrecipitation at VV / mmMean temperature at WW / °CPrecipitation at WW / mm
January6120-245-1215
February695-140-915
March8100240-320
April1095645630
May1310010501440
June169513552055
July1710014652370
August1711013752275
September1511510601555
October12120655740
November9100245-335
December7110-145-1030
Annual precipitationnot applicable1260not applicable620not applicable480
Native biomenot applicableTemperate forestnot applicableBoreal forestnot applicableTemperate grassland
A

Calculate the annual temperature range at each location.

[3]
B

Describe two climatic differences between U and W.

[2]
C

Explain how the ocean and the warm current influence the climate at U.

[3]
D

Explain why different natural biomes occur at the three locations despite their similar latitude.

[2]
E

Evaluate the claim that latitude alone determines regional climate and biome distribution.

[3]

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Question 13
SL • Paper 2
Medium
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SL • Paper 2
Medium
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Figure 2 shows generalized atmospheric circulation and mean annual precipitation in one hemisphere.

Image

Image

A

Identify the latitude shown with the lowest mean annual precipitation.

[1]
B

Describe the pattern in mean annual precipitation from the equator to 60∘N60^\circ\text{N}.

[2]
C

Explain how atmospheric circulation produces the contrasting precipitation and biome productivity at the equator and 30∘N30^\circ\text{N}.

[4]
Question 14
SL • Paper 2
Medium
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SL • Paper 2
Medium
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Figure 4 shows changes in vegetation zones on a mountain between 1980 and 2020. Mean annual temperature at the base increased by 1.2 ∘C1.2\ ^\circ\text{C} during this period.

Image

A

Calculate the mean annual rate of upward movement of the lower alpine-tundra boundary between 1980 and 2020.

[2]
B

Describe two changes in the distribution of the vegetation zones shown.

[2]
C

Explain why continued warming could reduce biodiversity in the alpine-tundra zone.

[3]
Question 15
HL • Paper 2
Medium
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HL • Paper 2
Medium
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A

Define thermohaline circulation.

[1]
B

Explain how deep ocean water may form at high latitudes and contribute to the great ocean conveyor belt.

[3]
Question 16
HL • Paper 2
Medium
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HL • Paper 2
Medium
Calculator Permitted

Regional temperature and precipitation data predict that a forest should occur in an area, but the present vegetation is open grassland.

A

Explain two possible secondary influences, other than regional temperature and precipitation, that could maintain the grassland.

[2]
B

Outline two sources of evidence that could be used to infer the natural biome before agricultural development.

[2]

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Question 17
HL • Paper 2
Medium
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HL • Paper 2
Medium
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The figure compares neutral conditions with an extreme ENSO state in the tropical Pacific.

Image

A

Identify the ENSO state shown in panel X.

[1]
B

Explain why this ENSO state may reduce marine productivity near north-western South America.

[3]
Question 18
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Hard
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Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show idealized global atmospheric circulation and selected ecosystem data.

Image

Image

A

State the names of the three atmospheric circulation cells in one hemisphere.

[3]
B

Calculate the percentage by which mean annual precipitation at the equatorial belt exceeds that at the 30-degree belt.

[2]
C

Explain the high precipitation near the equator and low precipitation near 30 degrees north and south.

[4]
D

Explain the relationship between precipitation, latitude and net primary productivity shown in Figure 2(b).

[3]
E

Suggest why actual biome boundaries do not form continuous straight bands around Earth as represented by the model.

[2]
Question 19
SL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 1
Hard
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A protected mountain in the fictional Serrado Range has been surveyed repeatedly since 1980. Its summit is 3200 m above sea level.

Image

Figure 4(b): annual climate observations at 2800 m; temperature anomaly is relative to the 1980 mean.

YearTemperature anomaly / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Snow-free days / dd
19800.00105
19810.07106
19820.02104
19830.15108
19840.09107
19850.21110
19860.14109
19870.25111
19880.19110
19890.34114
19900.24113
19910.38116
19920.28115
19930.43118
19940.36117
19950.49121
19960.41119
19970.56123
19980.45121
19990.61125
20000.50124
20010.66127
20020.58126
20030.72129
20040.63127
20050.76132
20060.68130
20070.84134
20080.73133
20090.89136
20100.79135
20110.95138
20120.84137
20131.01140
20140.93139
20151.08143
20160.98142
20171.15145
20181.05144
20191.22147
20201.12146
20211.29149
20221.20148
20231.35150
20241.27149
20251.40151
A

Calculate the mean annual rate of upward movement of the tree line between 1980 and 2025.

[2]
B

Describe the changes in temperature and snow-free days shown in Figure 4(b).

[2]
C

Explain how the climatic changes may have caused the changes in vegetation zones.

[3]
D

Suggest two reasons why species within a shifting biome may not all move upslope at the same rate.

[2]
E

Evaluate the conclusion that global warming is the only cause of the observed vegetation changes.

[5]
Question 20
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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A regional climate classification predicts that the undeveloped lowlands shown in Figure 5 would support temperate deciduous forest. Figure 5 shows present land cover and local environmental conditions.

Image

A

Identify one zone that supports the predicted natural biome and one zone where local hydrology prevents this biome from developing.

[2]
B

Suggest why the predicted biome has not developed in Zones P, Q and T.

[3]
C

Suggest how evidence from Figure 5 could be used to infer the local biome that existed before urban and agricultural development.

[3]

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Question 21
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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Figure 6 compares neutral and El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific and shows observations from a coastal monitoring station near north-western South America.

Image

Monthly observations at a coastal monitoring station during transition from neutral conditions to El Niño.

MonthSST anomaly / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Nitrate / μmol L−1\mu\text{mol L}^{-1}Chlorophyll-a / mg m−3\text{mg m}^{-3}Fishery catch / thousand tonnes
January0.08.01.80160
February+0.17.81.75157
March+0.27.51.68153
April+0.37.21.60148
May+0.56.81.52143
June+0.76.41.45138
July+0.96.01.37133
August+1.15.51.28127
September+1.35.01.18120
October+1.64.31.08113
November+1.83.60.98106
December+2.03.00.90100
A

Calculate the percentage decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration from January to December.

[2]
B

Describe the relationships between the sea-surface temperature anomaly, nitrate concentration, chlorophyll-a concentration and fishery catch.

[3]
C

Explain the decrease in fishery catch during the El Niño event.

[3]
Question 22
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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Figure 8 shows part of the great ocean conveyor belt and the properties of water at three locations.

Image

Water properties at three Atlantic Ocean locations.

LocationWater typeTemperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Salinity / PSUDensity / kg m−3\text{kg m}^{-3}
XTropical Atlantic surface2635.01023.0
YHigh-latitude North Atlantic surface335.21027.8
ZNorth Atlantic deep water235.01027.6
A

Calculate the difference in density between the surface water at Locations X and Y.

[2]
B

Explain why surface water sinks near Location Y and describe its subsequent movement.

[2]
C

Explain how the surface component of this circulation can influence climate and biome distribution in the high-latitude North Atlantic region.

[3]
Question 23
HL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Explain why evidence for global warming is more strongly linked to increasing tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall than to an increase in the total number of tropical cyclones.

[4]
Question 24
HL • Paper 1
Hard
Calculator Permitted
HL • Paper 1
Hard
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The fictional Arova Basin extends from an ocean coast to an inland plateau. Researchers investigated why observed vegetation differs from the biome predicted using regional climate.

Image

Monthly climate data and annual summaries for sites A–D, with contextual evidence for site D.

Month / evidenceTemperature at AA / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Precipitation at AA / mmTemperature at BB / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Precipitation at BB / mmTemperature at CC / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Precipitation at CC / mmTemperature at DD / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Precipitation at DD / mmAdditional data at DD
Jan8105010-313028—
Feb995210-2110410—
Mar1190715195915—
Apr138513255701525—
May159019409602040—
Jun1685246012502560—
Jul1780277515402775—
Aug1785267515452670—
Sep1690205511552150—
Oct1510013456751540—
Nov111209352110935—
Dec81558251140732—
Mean annual temperature13.8—14.0—6.0—15.0——
Annual precipitation—1180—470—980—460—
Annual temperature range9—27—18—25——
Historical pollen at DD————————Grass species dominant
Native vegetation remaining at DD————————6%
Land and water use at DD————————Irrigation and urbanization
Water-table change at DD————————8 m decline since 1995

Image

A

Distinguish between a temperate maritime climate and a temperate continental climate using sites A and B.

[3]
B

Explain why the observed vegetation at C differs from the climate-based prediction.

[3]
C

Explain how natural disturbance maintains the biome observed at B.

[2]
D

Suggest the most likely natural biome at D in the absence of urban and agricultural development, giving two pieces of evidence.

[3]
E

Evaluate the reliability of the researchers' reconstruction of the natural biome at D.

[4]

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Question 25
HL • Paper 1
Hard
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HL • Paper 1
Hard
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Marine scientists monitored the eastern and western tropical Pacific during three contrasting phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle. In Figure 6(b), months 1 to 12 represent neutral conditions, months 13 to 24 represent El Niño conditions and months 25 to 36 represent La Niña conditions.

A

Calculate the percentage decrease in mean fish catch from neutral to El Niño conditions.

[2]
B

Describe the relationships among sea-surface temperature anomaly, nitrate concentration and chlorophyll-a concentration shown in Figure 6(b).

[3]
C

Explain the changes in eastern-Pacific marine productivity during El Niño.

[4]
D

Explain why La Niña has effects opposite to El Niño in the eastern tropical Pacific.

[2]
E

Evaluate the claim that the ENSO phase alone determines fishery yield in the eastern tropical Pacific.

[4]
Question 26
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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Figure 7 summarizes global tropical-cyclone observations for two 15-year periods.

Figure 7. Global tropical-cyclone observations; satellite coverage and storm detection improved during the observation period.

Observation period / yearMean SST anomaly / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Proportion reaching major intensity / %\%Mean annual count / storms yr−1\text{storms yr}^{-1}Count uncertainty range / storms yr−1\text{storms yr}^{-1}
1981–19950.10248682–90
2006–20200.70368884–92
A

Calculate the percentage increase in the proportion of tropical cyclones reaching major intensity between the two periods.

[2]
B

Analyse the extent to which the data support an increase in tropical-cyclone activity.

[3]
C

Explain how warmer ocean and air temperatures may increase tropical-cyclone intensity, and state one limitation of using Figure 7 to establish causation.

[3]
Question 27
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Outline four ways in which temperature, precipitation and insolation influence the distribution of terrestrial biomes.

[4]
B

Explain how the tricellular model links atmospheric circulation to the distribution and relative productivity of terrestrial biomes.

[7]
C

Using named examples, to what extent can the tricellular model explain the global distribution of terrestrial biomes?

[9]
Question 28
SL • Paper 2
Hard
Calculator Permitted
SL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Outline four characteristics of the tundra biome that result from its climatic conditions.

[4]
B

Explain how global warming may change the location and composition of mountain and high-latitude biomes.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate strategies for conserving biodiversity as biomes shift in response to global warming.

[9]

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Question 29
SL • Paper 2
Hard
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SL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Define productivity and biodiversity, and outline one climatic limiting factor for each of terrestrial and marine biomes.

[4]
B

Explain how climatic limiting factors may produce differences in productivity and biodiversity between tropical rainforest and hot desert biomes.

[7]
C

Using named examples from terrestrial and aquatic biomes, discuss the claim that high productivity necessarily results in high biodiversity.

[9]
Question 30
HL • Paper 1
Hard
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HL • Paper 1
Hard
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A research consortium analysed tropical cyclones in the fictional Meridia Ocean basin from 1980 to 2024.

Image

Image

Tropical-cyclone indicators and contextual observations for the Meridia Ocean basin.

Indicator1980–19992005–2024Change / note
Total cyclones / decade7477+3 per decade
Major cyclones / decade1425+11 per decade
Maximum 24-hour rainfall during major cyclones / mm310430+120 mm
Satellite coverageIncomplete before 1988Not statedEarly observations limit comparison
Coastal population change, 1980–1999 to 2005–2024Baseline+58%+58\% relative to 1980–1999Exposure increased
Mangrove area change, 1980–1999 to 2005–2024Baseline−35%-35\% relative to 1980–1999Area decline may reduce natural coastal protection
A

State the sustained wind-speed threshold at or above which a tropical cyclone is classified as a hurricane or typhoon.

[1]
B

Calculate the percentage increase in the mean number of major cyclones per decade between the two periods.

[2]
C

Describe the evidence for changes in tropical-cyclone activity shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c).

[3]
D

Explain how warmer ocean and air temperatures can increase tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall.

[4]
E

Evaluate the conclusion that global warming has increased the risk to communities in the Meridia basin.

[5]
Question 31
HL • Paper 1
Hard
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HL • Paper 1
Hard
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Oceanographers studied deep-water formation in the fictional Norda Sea and its relationship with poleward ocean heat transport.

Image

Image

Modelled current and reduced-ocean-heat-transport climate outputs for two coastal regions, with their relationship to the warm poleward current.

RegionModel scenarioWinter temperature / ∘C^\circ\text{C}Annual precipitation / mmProjected natural biomeCoastal setting
Western coastCurrent climate71120Temperate forestAdjacent to warm poleward current
Western coastReduced ocean heat transport4920Boreal forestAdjacent to warm poleward current
Eastern coastCurrent climate-5610Boreal forestNot directly supplied by warm current
Eastern coastReduced ocean heat transport-6590Boreal forestNot directly supplied by warm current
A

Define thermohaline circulation.

[2]
B

Calculate the percentage decrease in the deep-water formation index between the two five-year periods.

[2]
C

Explain how the temperature and salinity changes in the Norda Sea could reduce deep-water formation.

[3]
D

Explain why reduced ocean heat transport is projected to affect the western coastal region more than the eastern coastal region.

[3]
E

Evaluate the reliability of the conclusion that weaker deep-ocean circulation will cause a shift from temperate forest to boreal forest in the western coastal region.

[5]
Question 32
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Distinguish between temperate maritime and temperate continental climates and state one biome associated with each climate type.

[4]
B

Explain how thermohaline circulation redistributes heat and nutrients through the great ocean conveyor belt.

[7]
C

Using named examples, to what extent are ocean currents more important than atmospheric circulation in determining regional climates and biome distribution?

[9]

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Question 33
HL • Paper 2
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HL • Paper 2
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A

Outline four characteristics of neutral atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

[4]
B

Explain how El Niño and La Niña develop and affect marine productivity and rainfall patterns.

[7]
C

Using named examples, evaluate strategies for reducing the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of ENSO events.

[9]
Question 34
HL • Paper 2
Hard
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HL • Paper 2
Hard
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A

Outline four conditions required for the formation and organization of a tropical cyclone.

[4]
B

Explain why evidence links global warming more strongly to increasing tropical-cyclone intensity and rainfall than to an increase in the total number of tropical cyclones.

[7]
C

Using named examples, to what extent is adaptation more effective than climate-change mitigation in reducing risks from increasingly intense tropical cyclones?

[9]

2.3 Biogeochemical cycles

2.5 Zonation, succession and change in ecosystems