Unit 7: Climate Change and Energy Production
Topic 7.2: Energy Sources — Uses and Management Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB ESS Topic 7.2. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Outline2 marks
• Aimnova PP-practice — 7.2.1
Outline two reasons why fossil fuels are classified as non-renewable energy resources.
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A student says nuclear power is renewable because it does not emit carbon dioxide during operation. State whether this is correct and justify your answer.
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• Aimnova PP-practice — 7.2.3
State the main raw material used as fuel in a conventional nuclear fission power station.
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• Aimnova PP-practice — 7.2.1
Using the energy-source data, identify the single non-renewable fuel that supplies the largest share of the country's total energy.
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Outline how electricity is generated in a nuclear power station.
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Define the term nuclear fission.
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A drilling company proposes hydraulic fracturing near farmland that relies on groundwater wells. Outline two water-related risks of fracking.
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Table 1 shows lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for electricity from different sources. Identify the source with the highest emissions and the source with the lowest emissions.
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Define the term renewable energy source.
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• Aimnova PP-practice — 7.2.1
Using the data, calculate by how many years the country's proven coal reserves would last if consumption stayed at the current annual rate.
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A city is choosing between electricity from coal-fired power and natural gas. State one environmental impact linked to coal extraction.
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• Aimnova PP-practice — 7.2.2
Identify one renewable energy source whose output depends directly on the local climate.
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Define the term energy return on investment (EROI).
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A student compares two energy options and only discusses cost. Outline two other criteria that could be used to evaluate energy sources.
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Residents living near an oil refinery complain of breathing problems on still days. State one air pollutant linked to burning fossil fuels and one possible health effect.
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A government proposes a large hydroelectric dam on a river that supports fisheries and farming downstream. Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of this dam.
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A town is considering geothermal heating but is far from plate boundaries. Explain why location matters for geothermal energy.
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A country imports uranium fuel. Suggest one geopolitical or security concern linked to nuclear power.
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A wind farm is planned near a bird migration route. State one possible environmental concern and one way it could be reduced.
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A community near a coal mine is worried about orange-stained streams. Suggest how coal mining can pollute water in this way.
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