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IB ESS SL 4.2 Water Access and Security Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 4.2 by interpreting water-demand and scarcity data and evaluating conservation, supply and transfer strategies.

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Course
ESS SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Calculate sectoral water-use percentages and interpret projected demand or scarcity patterns.
  • Distinguish physical scarcity from economic limits on storage, treatment or distribution.
  • Evaluate conservation, desalination, dams and transfers through social, economic and ecological effects.

Covered syllabus points

4.2.1—Water security definition4.2.2—Factors affecting water availability4.2.3—Water supply increase needs4.2.4—Increasing water supplies4.2.5—Water scarcity types4.2.6—Domestic water conservation4.2.7—Industrial water conservation4.2.8—Water scarcity mitigation strategies

4.2 Water access, use and security question 1

[Maximum number: 2]
Figure: World population growth, 1750–2050

Figure:World population growth, 1750–2050

Figure: World population growth, 1750–2050 below shows world population growth from 1750 to 2050.

Philippe Rekacewicz, UNEP/GRID-Arendal]

The lack of food and fresh water may limit the rate of global population growth beyond 2050.

Identify two reasons that may cause fresh water supply to be limiting.

4.2 Water access, use and security question 2

[Maximum number: 6]
Figure: Water transfers and transformations after rainfall in forest and urban environments

Figure:Water transfers and transformations after rainfall in forest and urban environments

Figure: Global water demand by sector for 2014 and projections for 2025 and 2040

Figure:Global water demand by sector for 2014 and projections for 2025 and 2040

Question (a)

(a)

Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2025, shown in Figure: Global water demand by sector for 2014 and projections for 2025 and 2040.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Suggest one reason for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2014 and 2025, shown in Figure: Global water demand by sector for 2014 and projections for 2025 and 2040.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Outline two reasons why water demand shown in Figure: Global water demand by sector for 2014 and projections for 2025 and 2040 is projected to increase globally from 2014-2040.

[ 2 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Outline two strategies to meet an increasing demand for domestic water.

[ 2 ]

4.2 Water access, use and security question 3

[Maximum number: 7]

Evaluate rainwater harvesting and desalination as a means of sustainably managing water supply.

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