AS & A Level Biology 9700 · Topic 18

Classification, biodiversity and conservation: past paper questions

99 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Outline, Suggest, Describe, State, Explain

Real questions on classification, biodiversity and conservation

The newest 20 of 97 written questions, plus 2 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9700/42 · October/November 2025 · Q8c(ii)[1]
Calculate the value for Simpson’s index of diversity (D).
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9700/42 · October/November 2025 · Q8c(iii)[2]
Using your value for D, comment on the biodiversity of this temperate woodland.
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9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[4]
Describe the principles by which organisms such as E. turcicum and Z. mays are classified in the taxonomic hierarchy.
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9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[3]
Explain how IUCN Red List™ assessments help to conserve biodiversity.
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9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[2]
With reference to Fig. 6.1 and the IUCN assessments for P. arion, suggest how the abundance of the butterfly differs across its distribution.
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9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
Use the information given to suggest why P. arion went extinct in the United Kingdom in 1979.
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9700/43 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[4]
Outline the advantages of restoring habitats for endangered species.
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9700/42 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[4]
The biodiversity of an area can be assessed using a variety of sampling methods. Outline how a frame quadrat could be used to assess the biodiversity of plants in a field.
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9700/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8a[3]
The Boelen’s python, Simalia boeleni, is a non-venomous snake found only on the island of Papua New Guinea. Fig. 8.1 The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not assessed the conservation status of S. boeleni because the python is very hard to detect and locate. S. boeleni is listed in one of the a...
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9700/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8b[4]
S. boeleni is a member of the kingdom Animalia. Outline the characteristic features of the kingdom Animalia.
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9700/52 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
The scientists standardised some variables. State two other variables that the scientists should standardise in this investigation.
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9700/52 · May/June 2025 · Q2b[2]
The scientists compared the species diversity of sponges between different sampling stations using an index of diversity known as beta diversity. The higher the beta diversity index, the higher the species diversity at a sampling station. Fig. 2.3 shows a graph of the beta diversity index for each sampling station. 1.7...
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9700/52 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(i)[3]
A student concluded that the species diversity of sponges was higher in the sampling stations where there was less human activity. Using the information in Fig. 2.2 and in Fig. 2.3, evaluate this conclusion. Use the values in Fig. 2.3 to support your answer.
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9700/42 · February/March 2025 · Q7a(ii)[3]
There are a number of different ways to help conserve Sumatran tigers. For example, some zoos have captive breeding programmes. Outline ways in which Sumatran tigers may be conserved, other than captive breeding programmes.
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9700/42 · February/March 2025 · Q7b[4]
Outline reasons for maintaining animal biodiversity.
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9700/41 · October/November 2024 · Q9a[4]
Outline the characteristic features of the kingdoms Protoctista and Fungi.
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9700/41 · October/November 2024 · Q9b(i)[3]
A student planned a method to measure the relative abundance of Usnea and Xanthoria on trees along a transect from the town centre at 0 km to unpolluted countryside at 4 km. Suggest why measuring the relative abundance of the two types of lichen gives information that is useful for conservation.
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9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q9a[3]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species TM states that the red ruffed lemur is critically endangered. Suggest why the red ruffed lemur has become critically endangered.
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9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q9b[3]
Many zoos around the world operate captive breeding programmes for the red ruffed lemur. Fig. 9.2 shows the numbers of captive‑born red ruffed lemurs in North American zoos from 1970 to 2020. 200 150 number of 100 captive-born red ruffed lemurs 50 0 1970 1980 1990 year 2000 2010 2020 Fig. 9.2 Describe the results shown...
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9700/42 · October/November 2024 · Q9c(i)[3]
Suggest problems that may affect the success of captive breeding programmes of mammals like the red ruffed lemur.
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What examiners said

This question was well answered by many candidates. Most focussed on the control of hunting and trade but suggestions to set up national reserves for the tiger coupled with education programmes were also commonly seen. A significant minority of candidates described aspects of captive breeding programmes even though careful reading of the question would have made clear that this approach was precl...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/42 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)

Candidates showed a good understanding of the importance of maintaining animal biodiversity. Responses were wide ranging and included ethical and aesthetic reasons, ecotourism and the need to maintain gene pools and ecosystems. Some candidates did not realise that the question was only about animal biodiversity and gave descriptions of the benefits of plant biodiversity.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/42 Q7(b) (Cambridge)

A significant proportion of candidates identified tissue T as cartilage. Many were able to spell this term correctly. Incorrect responses included muscle tissue and epithelial tissue.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/21 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise classification, biodiversity and conservation

In the syllabus

18.1 Classification

discuss the meaning of the term species, limited to the biological species concept, morphological species concept and ecological species concept
describe the classification of organisms into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya
state that Archaea and Bacteria are prokaryotes and that there are differences between them, limited to differences in membrane lipids, ribosomal RNA and composition of cell walls
describe the classification of organisms in the Eukarya domain into the taxonomic hierarchy of kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species
outline the characteristic features of the kingdoms Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia
outline how viruses are classified, limited to the type of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) and whether this is single stranded or double stranded

18.2 Biodiversity

define the terms ecosystem and niche
explain that biodiversity can be assessed at different levels, including: • the number and range of different ecosystems and habitats • the number of species and their relative abundance • the genetic variation within each species
explain the importance of random sampling in determining the biodiversity of an area
describe and use suitable methods to assess the distribution and abundance of organisms in an area, limited to frame quadrats, line transects, belt transects and mark-release- recapture using the Lincoln index (the formula for the Lincoln index will be provided, as shown in the Mathematical requirements) continued

18.2 Biodiversity continued

18.3 Conservation

explain why populations and species can become extinct as a result of: • climate change • competition • hunting by humans • degradation and loss of habitats
outline reasons for the need to maintain biodiversity
outline the roles of zoos, botanic gardens, conserved areas (including national parks and marine parks), ‘frozen zoos’ and seed banks, in the conservation of endangered species
describe methods of assisted reproduction used in the conservation of endangered mammals, limited to IVF, embryo transfer and surrogacy
explain reasons for controlling invasive alien species
outline the role in conservation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

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