IB ESS HL 7.1.11 Resource-use choices Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 7.1.11 by applying resource-use choices concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the relevant environmental system, process or evidence
- apply the correct ESS concept and explain the causal relationship
- evaluate the outcome using ecological, social or management evidence
7.1.11—Resource-use choices question 1
[Maximum number: 9]
To what extent are human food production systems more greatly influenced by cultural factors than they are by political, environmental or economic factors?
The following guide for using the markbands suggests certain features that may be offered in responses. The five headings coincide with the criteria in each of the markbands (although ESS terminology has been conflated with 'understanding concepts') This guide simply provides some possible inclusions and should not be seen as requisite or comprehensive. It outlines the kind of elements to look for when deciding on the appropriate markband and the specific mark within that band.
Answers may demonstrate
Understanding concepts and terminology:
Food production systems are influenced by factors such as scale; industrialization; mechanization; fossil fuel use; seed, crop and livestock choices; GMOs; water use; fertilizers; pest control; pollinators; antibiotics; legislation; and levels of commercial versus subsistence food production. Each of the above may have cultural, economic, political or environmental enablers.
Breadth in addressing and linking:
Cultural factors (beliefs, traditions, food preferences; religion) with political factors (international agreements, legislations, national security) and environmental factors (local climate, biomes, landscape, topography, soils, degradation) and economic factors (export/import, cash crops, cost of technology, land tenancy, employment).
Examples: Food production systems of different societies, including cultural/political/environmental/economic factors that might drive food production choices; Examples of legislation/laws/subsidies or lack thereof; Examples of economic drivers such as cash crops/subsidies;
Balanced Analysis: Of whether, and to what extent, cultural factors have a greater influence on food production systems than political, environmental and economic factors. Could include a range of societies with different factors that drive selection of food production systems;
A conclusion that is consistent with and supported by analysis and examples given e.g.: Cultural, economic, environmental and political factors all influence the nature of food production systems in complex and integrated ways that are difficult to isolate but perhaps the bottom line is in the environmental factors that ultimately determine what processes and crop choices are possible and effective.
Please see markbands on page 19.
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