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.

1define2 marks
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Define the term incineration.
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2define2 marks
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Define the term hazardous waste.
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3state2 marks
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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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4define2 marks
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Define the term composting.
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5calculate3 marks
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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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6define2 marks
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Define the term circular economy.
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7define2 marks
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Define the term waste hierarchy.
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8state2 marks
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State the correct order of the waste hierarchy from most preferred to least preferred.
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9identify2 marks
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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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10identify2 marks
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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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11define2 marks
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Define the term landfill.
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12define2 marks
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Define the term leachate.
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13state1 mark
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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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14define2 marks
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Define the term municipal solid waste (MSW).
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15outline4 marks
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An incinerator is proposed near a residential area. Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of waste-to-energy incineration.
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16outline4 marks
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A town has grown rapidly and its waste collection cannot keep up. Outline two likely environmental problems caused by uncollected waste.
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17explain4 marks
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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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18explain5 marks
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A family replaces phones frequently. Explain why e-waste is both a resource opportunity and an environmental risk.
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19suggest3 marks
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Suggest one reason why informal e-waste recycling can cause health impacts in low-income communities.
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20outline4 marks
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A landfill is built near a river. Outline two design features that reduce water pollution risk.
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