SST201 JAN 2017 PYP PDF

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JAN 2017Question 1 Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate answer. (a) The process of implementing new ideas to create value is innovation. (2 marks) (b) The human pressure on the environment results from population, affluence and technology. (6 marks) (c) Agriculture is the greatest use of wat...

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JAN 2017 Question 1 Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate answer. (a) The process of implementing new ideas to create value is innovation. (2 marks) (b) The human pressure on the environment results from population, affluence and technology. (6 marks) (c) Agriculture is the greatest use of water, globally. (2 marks) (d) The soil’s capacity is its ability to bind and hold nutrient ions until they are absorbed by roots of plants. (2 marks) (e) The two main technologies in the Gene Revolution are Genetic Modification and Marker-Assisted Breeding. (4 marks) (f) The main methods of disposing municipal solid wastes in middle and high-income countries are landfilling and combustion. (4 marks)

Question 2 (a) Compare and contrast the following pairs of terms: (i) desertification and soil erosion (8 marks) Desertification – a process which make the land to become drylands and barren permanently with no vegetation caused by overgrazing, soil erosion, deforestation, extended drought and overcultivation. soil erosion – a process where the topsoil which is barred and exposed been washed away or carried by water or wind which can cause desertification. (ii) eutrophication and acid rain (8 marks) Eutrophication – when a body of water overly enriched with minerals and nutrients such as nitrogen from the acid rain which can rapidly cause excessive growth of algae. acid rain – cause by the chemical reaction when compounds from sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide released and then mix and react with water and oxygen in the air.

(iii) non-renewable and renewable energy sources(8 marks) non-renewable energy – energy generate from natural sources that are irreplaceable and depleted slowly such as fossil fuels, coal and oil. renewable energy– energy generate from natural sources that can be replaced over time solar such as solar energy, hydropower and wind power

(b) Examine the composition of global solid waste in Figure Q2(b) and answer the following questions:

Figure Q2(b) Global Solid Waste Composition

(i) Outline the factors that influence waste composition and briefly explain if the percentages of waste composition are similar for all countries. (8 marks) • High income countries have highest MSW from inorganic materials like paper and plastic • Urbanized and richer populations have increased inorganic material consumption and decreased organic fractions • Low income countries have highest organic wastes • Influenced by economic development, culture, climate and energy sources

(ii) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Waste-to-Energy combustion. (8 marks)

Question 3 (a) Discuss any FIVE (5) impacts of climate change on the environment or ecosystems. (15 marks) Agriculture • Heat stress and reduced quality of food endangers livestock • Temperature changes allows bacteria and other contaminants to exists • Fisheries and yields reduced Coastal Area • Rising sea levels could flood coastal ecosystems and eliminate wetlands • Ocean acidification and warming affects coastal and marine ecosystems Ecosystems • Transform existing ecosystems • Crumbling food webs affecting organisms • Rate of species extinction increased Energy • Increases electricity demand for cooling • Rising sea levels and storms affects energy production and delivery • Affects amount of water available for electricity production or fuel extraction Forests • Alter frequency of forest disturbances and productivity of forests • Worsens land development and air pollution issues

(b) Debate if you believe climate change is real. Include a well-formed argument in your answer instead of just an opinion. (5 marks) • Sea level rise • Global temperature rise • Warming oceans • Melting ice • Increased greenhouse gases • Ocean acidification

Question 4 (a) Use the case of Easter Island to explore the importance of sustainability in a society. (10 marks) • Deforestation to build statues of ancestors which caused environmental degradation • Tree trunks used for tracks, levers and rollers to move statues

(b) Describe the need and use of technology in building a smart city. (10 marks) • Raise quality of life by improving efficiency of services to meet people’s need, reduce costs and resource consumption • Harnesses infocomm technology, internet of things and data to create smart applications...