0654.B18.2.13 — Explain why the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another is often not efficient: past paper questions
Real questions on 0654.b18.2.13 — explain why the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another is often not efficient
The newest 6 of 6 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0973/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[3]
Explain why food chains usually have fewer than five trophic levels.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(vi)[2]
Explain why the energy transfer from one trophic level to another is not efficient.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[3]
Fig. 4.2 shows another food chain that includes the python. monkey banana tree python Fig. 4.2 Explain why it is more efficient for the python to eat a monkey and not a frog. Include trophic levels in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2023 · Q7a(ii)[3]
State three ways that energy is lost between trophic levels.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · October/November 2020 · Q7a(iv)[2]
Suggest reasons why the population of desert foxes is much smaller than the population of kangaroo rats.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2020 · Q7a(iii)[3]
Explain why the number of trophic levels in this food chain is unusual.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Stronger candidates understood that the relative position of the monkey and the frog in their respective food chains needed to be compared. The idea that energy is lost between trophic levels was commonly seen. Not all candidates gave examples of ways this loss occurs. Common incorrect ideas included that it was more efficient to eat a monkey as it was larger than a frog, or that the monkey was hi...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/41 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
Candidates could state several ways that energy is lost between the trophic levels.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0973/42 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
The best reasons for the lower population of desert foxes identified how energy is lost between trophic levels so that the energy available is only sufficient to support a small population of predator. Comparison between foxes and rats based on predation and litter size were less successful suggestions. Most candidates found this question challenging.
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 0973/41 Q7(a)(iv) (Cambridge)
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