Unit 5: Soil Systems and Terrestrial Food Production
Topic 5.2: Agriculture and Food Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB ESS Topic 5.2. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1identify2 marks
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A river downstream of farmland has frequent algal blooms in summer. Identify the most likely type of pollution from agriculture causing this problem.
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In one sentence, explain what trophic efficiency means.
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Define the term extensive agriculture.
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A rancher keeps cattle on a very large area of semi-arid grassland with minimal feed, fertilizer, or irrigation. Identify whether this system is intensive or extensive and give one reason.
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Outline the sequence of events linking fertilizer runoff to fish deaths in a lake.
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A family reduces the amount of beef they eat and replaces it with beans and lentils. Suggest one reason this could lower the ecological footprint of their diet.
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A dairy farm produces milk and also produces manure that runs into a stream. Outline two outputs from this system.
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Define the term intensive agriculture.
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A farmer grows vegetables in heated greenhouses using artificial lighting and hydroponics. Identify whether this system is intensive or extensive.
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State one way agricultural fertiliser use can affect aquatic ecosystems.
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State one method used to reduce soil erosion on sloping land.
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Define the term terrestrial food production system.
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State one feature of intensive agriculture.
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A student chooses locally grown apples instead of imported apples. Define the term food miles.
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A wheat farm uses seeds, tractors, fertilizer and irrigation. Identify two inputs to this food production system.
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State what is meant by “food miles”.
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A smallholder farm uses animal manure, compost and local labour with little machinery. Identify the type of farming system and justify your choice.
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Outline one environmental output from terrestrial food production that can affect water quality.
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State what is meant by sustainable agriculture.
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Define the term sustainable agriculture.
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