Unit 7: Climate Change and Energy Production
Topic 7.3: Solid Waste Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB ESS Topic 7.3. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
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Define the term hazardous waste.
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A hospital upgrades its waste system. State one example of clinical or medical waste that should be treated as hazardous.
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Table 1 shows per capita waste generation in two countries. Using the data, calculate how many times higher Country A is than Country B.
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Define the term waste hierarchy.
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A school switches from disposable cutlery to washable cutlery. Identify which level of the waste hierarchy this best represents.
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Define the term circular economy.
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State the correct order of the waste hierarchy from most preferred to least preferred.
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A company designs a phone with a battery that can be easily replaced and offers spare parts. Identify one circular economy design principle shown here.
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A student says: "High-income countries usually produce less waste because they have better recycling." State whether this is correct.
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Define the term incineration.
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Define the term composting.
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Define the term municipal solid waste (MSW).
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A country’s waste composition changes as incomes rise. Explain why the proportion of organic waste often falls while plastics and packaging rise.
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A landfill is built near a river. Outline two design features that reduce water pollution risk.
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A supermarket sends food waste to anaerobic digestion instead of landfill. Outline one advantage of anaerobic digestion compared with landfill.
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Outline how extended producer responsibility (EPR) can reduce waste.
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A city introduces a landfill tax. Suggest one intended effect of this policy on waste management.
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A recycling program has low success because many items are contaminated with food. Explain why contamination reduces recycling rates.
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