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IB ESS SL 2.4 Climate and Biomes Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 2.4 by interpreting climate graphs and biome evidence, then explaining how water, temperature and circulation control productivity.

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Course
ESS SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Calculate temperature range and extract precipitation and temperature limits from climate graphs.
  • Identify a biome from mapped location and climate evidence.
  • Explain how water, temperature, insolation and circulation control productivity and biome distribution.

Covered syllabus points

2.4.1—Climate vs. weather2.4.2—Biome definition2.4.3—Biome distribution determinants2.4.4—Biome categories2.4.5—Tricellular model2.4.6—Ocean heat distribution2.4.7—Global warming effects

2.4 Climate and biomes question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Question (a)

(a)
Fact file on Hokkaido

Figures:Fact file on Hokkaido and Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido

Using the climate graph for Sapporo, state the annual temperature range for Sapporo.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)
World map showing location of Japan

Figure:World map showing location of Japan

Fact file on Hokkaido

Figures:Fact file on Hokkaido and Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido

Elevation map of Hokkaido

Figure:Elevation map of Hokkaido

Using Figures: World map showing location of Japan, Climate graph for Sapporo, Hokkaido and Elevation map of Hokkaido, identify one terrestrial biome found on Hokkaido.

[ 1 ]

2.4 Climate and biomes question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Define the term biome.

2.4 Climate and biomes question 3

[Maximum number: 2]
Climate data for Norilsk and Novosibirsk within the tundra and taiga biome respectively

Table:Climate data for Norilsk and Novosibirsk within the tundra and taiga biome respectively

Table: Climate data for Norilsk and Novosibirsk within the tundra and taiga biome respectively climate comparison
• Norilsk (tundra): colder annual temperatures and fewer sunshine hours, especially during the growing season.
• Novosibirsk (taiga): warmer temperatures and generally more sunshine hours during the growing season.
• Precipitation is broadly comparable, so temperature and sunshine are the relevant contrasts for primary productivity.

With reference to Table: Climate data for Norilsk and Novosibirsk within the tundra and taiga biome respectively, suggest two reasons why primary productivity is greater in the taiga than in the tundra.

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