Unit 9: C1 People in context
Topic 9.1: Designer responsibility Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Design Technology Topic 9.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Explain9 marks
2026
Explain how the style, function and sustainability of a pair of wireless earbuds can be designed so that it becomes obsolete.
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Unlock Question2Outline2 marks
2026
Outline why repeated charging can eventually make a rechargeable desk lamp less useful.
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Outline how a worn battery could cause functional obsolescence in a cordless cleaner.
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2026
Outline why a delivery scanner may need more frequent charging after several years.
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Unlock Question5Explain3 marks
2026
Explain why a ski helmet with a built-in Bluetooth audio module is likely to have a shorter product life than a plain ski helmet.
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Unlock Question6Identify1 mark
2026
Which effect of obsolescence falls on the PLANET part of the triple bottom line?
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Unlock Question7Identify1 mark
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A smart speaker still works perfectly, but the company switches off the servers it depends on. What kind of obsolescence is this?
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Unlock Question8Explain1 mark
2026
How is planned obsolescence distinguished from functional obsolescence?
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Unlock Question9Identify1 mark
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Which is the STRONGEST way to control a hazard on a product?
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Unlock Question10Evaluate4 marks
2026
A drinks bottle's wall is thinned to use 18% less plastic. Evaluate this as an environmental decision.
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Unlock Question11Identify1 mark
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Which group does a loss of local repair businesses affect, in the triple bottom line?
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Unlock Question12Identify1 mark
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Which is the strongest evidence that a designer acted responsibly?
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Unlock Question13State1 mark
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State one commercial reason why a producer might deliberately give a portable music player a short service life.
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Unlock Question14State1 mark
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State one reason a manufacturer might plan a connected gadget to become obsolete after a short period.
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Unlock Question15State1 mark
2026
A product manager proposes a deliberately limited lifetime for a low-cost electronic toy. State one possible commercial motive.
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Unlock Question16Identify1 mark
2026
A bottle is redesigned to use 18% less plastic, but users replace it far more often. How should the impact be judged?
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Unlock Question17Outline6 marks
2026
Headphones are assembled by ultrasonically welding the earcups shut rather than using screws. Outline the impacts of this decision on the client, the community and the environment.
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Unlock Question18Explain3 marks
2026
A kettle carries a warning label saying the lid may release steam. Explain why this is a weak safety solution and what should be done instead.
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Unlock Question19Analyse6 marks
2026
A washing machine's drum bearing fails at six years, and the bearing is pressed into a welded drum that costs more than the machine to replace. Analyse this against the triple bottom line and explain how it could be designed out.
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Unlock Question20State1 mark
2026
What does a safety standard convert a designer's duty into?
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