Case study questions are common in IB Environmental Systems and Societies exams. These questions test whether you can apply environmental concepts to real-world situations, not just recall definitions.
Many students lose marks because they describe the case study but fail to connect it to ESS concepts.
What examiners look for
When answering ESS case study questions, examiners expect:
- Application of environmental knowledge
- Clear explanation of environmental processes
- References to information provided in the case study
Simply repeating the information in the question rarely earns full marks.
How to structure your answer
- Step 1: Identify the key environmental issue
- Step 2: Link the issue to an ESS concept or system
- Step 3: Explain the environmental impact
Practise case study responses and get instant AI feedback that shows exactly where you gained or lost marks.
Example
Case study topic: Coral reef damage
Coral reefs are highly sensitive ecosystems. Rising ocean temperatures can cause coral bleaching, where corals expel the algae living in their tissues. This weakens the coral and can eventually lead to reef death.
This demonstrates the concept of a positive feedback loop — as bleaching increases, the reef's ability to recover decreases, leading to further ecosystem degradation.
Common mistakes
- Only describing the case study: Students must explain the environmental concept behind it
- Ignoring ESS terminology: Using key concepts helps examiners award marks
- Writing too generally: Always connect explanations to the specific example provided
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