IGCSE Environmental Management 0680 · Topic 1

Natural resources: past paper questions

171 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2027usually: Describe, State, Suggest, Calculate, Explain

Real questions on natural resources

The newest 20 of 171 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q1b[3]
Match the geological processes to their descriptions.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q1c(i)[2]
Define permeability.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q1c(ii)[2]
Name one permeable and one impermeable sedimentary rock.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q2a(i)[2]
Identify transfer Y and transfer Z.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4a[2]
Circle the renewable energy sources.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4b(i)[3]
List three stages in the generation of electricity from bioethanol.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4b(ii)[3]
List three disadvantages of using bioethanol as an energy source.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4c(i)[3]
Calculate the difference in energy consumption per capita between 2033 and 2013. Show your working.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4c(ii)[2]
Explain two reasons for the predicted increase in energy demand in HICs.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q4c(iii)[2]
Explain two reasons why predictions of future energy consumption may be inaccurate.
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0680/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1a[3]
The diagram shows the rock cycle. rock type C rock type A rock type B heat and pressure weathering and erosion compacting and cementing weathering and erosion weathering and erosion sediment cooling magma melting melting heat and pressure Identify each type of rock. A .................................... B ...............
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q1a[2]
Igneous and sedimentary are types of rock. Complete the sentences about rocks. An example of an igneous rock is ............................................................................................. An example of a sedimentary rock is .................................................................................
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[3]
Describe the formation of a sedimentary rock.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8a_i[1]
State the number of countries that have more than 30 nuclear reactors in power stations.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8a_ii[1]
State the fuel used in a nuclear reactor in a power station.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8a_iii[1]
Suggest why nuclear power is a non-renewable energy resource.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8a_iv[2]
State two other non-renewable energy resources.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8a_v[2]
Suggest two reasons why many countries do not have nuclear power stations.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8b[3]
Describe how this power station generates electricity.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q8c[6]
A student says: Building more nuclear power stations is the best way of reducing the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.
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What examiners said

This question required were candidates were required to give two reasons why some people think feeding animals on farms fish meal to help them grow quickly is not a sustainable activity, was not well understood. The most common reason given was that it causes overfishing and a decline in numbers of fish. Some candidates stated that it would affect food chains. Many responses did not answer the que...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0680/21 Q4(b) (Cambridge)

The vast majority of candidates read the table accurately and gave the correct answer, Canada. The most common incorrect answer was Zimbabwe, which in the table was the country with the second lowest annual production of lithium.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0680/11 Q1(a)(i) (Cambridge)

This question proved to be difficult for some candidates. 20 years was the correct answer (16 ÷ 0.8) but a common error was 0.8 × 16.0 = 12.8.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0680/11 Q1(a)(ii) (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 natural resources

In the syllabus

1 0680.1.1.1 — Describe the formation of named igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, limited to: (a) igneous: granite and basalt (b) sedimentary: lim

Describe the formation of named igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, limited to: (a) igneous: granite and basalt (b) sedimentary: limestone, sandstone and shale (c) metamorphic: marble and slate.
Describe and interpret the rock cycle, limited to: (a) weathering (b) erosion (c) transportation (d) sedimentation (e) compaction (f) cementation (g) crystallisation (h) deposition.
Define permeability as the ability of water to pass through the pore spaces of rock and soil.
Classify rocks as permeable and impermeable, limited to: (a) permeable: most sedimentary rocks (limestone and sandstone) (b) impermeable: igneous, metamorphic and some sedimentary rocks (shale).

2 0680.1.1.2 — Describe and interpret the rock cycle, limited to: (a) weathering (b) erosion (c) transportation (d) sedimentation (e) compaction (f) cement

Describe and interpret the rock cycle, limited to: (a) weathering (b) erosion (c) transportation (d) sedimentation (e) compaction (f) cementation (g) crystallisation (h) deposition.

3 0680.1.1.3 — Define permeability as the ability of water to pass through the pore spaces of rock and soil.

Define permeability as the ability of water to pass through the pore spaces of rock and soil.

4 0680.1.1.4 — Classify rocks as permeable and impermeable, limited to: (a) permeable: most sedimentary rocks (limestone and sandstone) (b) impermeable: ig

Classify rocks as permeable and impermeable, limited to: (a) permeable: most sedimentary rocks (limestone and sandstone) (b) impermeable: igneous, metamorphic and some sedimentary rocks (shale).

5 0680.1.2.1 — Define an ore as rock containing minerals and metals.

Define an ore as rock containing minerals and metals.
Describe the methods of extracting rocks, ores and minerals from mines, limited to: (a) surface extraction: opencast, open-pit, open-cut and strip mining (b) subsurface extraction: deep mining and shaft mining (c) biological extraction: phytomining and bioleaching.
Describe the factors that affect the decision to extract rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) exploration (b) geology (c) accessibility and terrain (d) quantity and quality of deposit (ore grade) (e) climate (f) environmental impact assessment (g) supply and demand (h) cost and profit.
Describe and explain the environmental, economic and social impacts of extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) loss of habitat and biodiversity (b) air, land, noise, visual and water pollution (c) water usage (d) waste management (e) changes in employment opportunities (f) local and national economies (g) facilities and infrastructure.
Describe strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) land restoration: replacement of overburden, soil improvement, bioremediation and tree planting (b) repurposing land: landfill, lakes, recreation and nature reserves.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals.

6 0680.1.2.2 — Describe the methods of extracting rocks, ores and minerals from mines, limited to: (a) surface extraction: opencast, open-pit, open-cut and

Describe the methods of extracting rocks, ores and minerals from mines, limited to: (a) surface extraction: opencast, open-pit, open-cut and strip mining (b) subsurface extraction: deep mining and shaft mining (c) biological extraction: phytomining and bioleaching.

7 0680.1.2.3 — Describe the factors that affect the decision to extract rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) exploration (b) geology (c) accessibility

Describe the factors that affect the decision to extract rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) exploration (b) geology (c) accessibility and terrain (d) quantity and quality of deposit (ore grade) (e) climate (f) environmental impact assessment (g) supply and demand (h) cost and profit.

8 0680.1.2.4 — Describe and explain the environmental, economic and social impacts of extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) loss of habitat

Describe and explain the environmental, economic and social impacts of extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) loss of habitat and biodiversity (b) air, land, noise, visual and water pollution (c) water usage (d) waste management (e) changes in employment opportunities (f) local and national economies (g) facilities and infrastructure.

9 0680.1.2.5 — Describe strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) land restoration: replacement of

Describe strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) land restoration: replacement of overburden, soil improvement, bioremediation and tree planting (b) repurposing land: landfill, lakes, recreation and nature reserves.

10 0680.1.2.6 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for managing landscapes damaged by extracting rocks, ores and minerals.

11 0680.1.3.1 — Define a finite resource as a natural resource that is used up at a faster rate than it is replaced.

Define a finite resource as a natural resource that is used up at a faster rate than it is replaced.
Define sustainable management of resources as the use of strategies that ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Describe sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) reduce and reuse (b) recycling: accessibility, ease and education (c) increased efficiency of extraction (d) avoiding resource depletion (e) legislation (f) enforcement (g) use of alternative materials.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals.

12 0680.1.3.2 — Define sustainable management of resources as the use of strategies that ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ab

Define sustainable management of resources as the use of strategies that ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

13 0680.1.3.3 — Describe sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) reduce and reuse (b) recycling: accessibility, ease

Describe sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals, limited to: (a) reduce and reuse (b) recycling: accessibility, ease and education (c) increased efficiency of extraction (d) avoiding resource depletion (e) legislation (f) enforcement (g) use of alternative materials.

14 0680.1.3.4 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of sustainable management strategies for rocks, ores and minerals.

15 0680.1.4.1 — Describe the formation of fossil fuels, limited to: (a) coal (b) petroleum (oil) (c) natural gas (methane).

Describe the formation of fossil fuels, limited to: (a) coal (b) petroleum (oil) (c) natural gas (methane).
Classify energy resources as renewable (non-finite) and non-renewable (finite), limited to: (a) renewable (non-finite): biofuels (bioethanol, biomass, biogas and wood), geothermal power, hydro-electric power, tidal power, wave power, solar power and wind power (b) non-renewable (finite): fossil fuels and nuclear power using uranium.
Describe how the energy resources in 1.4.2 are used to generate electricity.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of the energy resources in 1.4.2.
Describe and explain the factors affecting demand for energy, limited to: (a) transport (b) personal and national wealth (c) climate (d) human population size (e) industry (f) disruption to supply (g) unreliable supply (h) scarcity of resources.

16 0680.1.4.2 — Classify energy resources as renewable (non-finite) and non-renewable (finite), limited to: (a) renewable (non-finite): biofuels (bioethanol

Classify energy resources as renewable (non-finite) and non-renewable (finite), limited to: (a) renewable (non-finite): biofuels (bioethanol, biomass, biogas and wood), geothermal power, hydro-electric power, tidal power, wave power, solar power and wind power (b) non-renewable (finite): fossil fuels and nuclear power using uranium.

17 0680.1.4.3 — Describe how the energy resources in 1.4.2 are used to generate electricity.

Describe how the energy resources in 1.4.2 are used to generate electricity.

18 0680.1.4.4 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of the energy resources in 1.4.2.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of the energy resources in 1.4.2.

19 0680.1.4.5 — Describe and explain the factors affecting demand for energy, limited to: (a) transport (b) personal and national wealth (c) climate (d) hum

Describe and explain the factors affecting demand for energy, limited to: (a) transport (b) personal and national wealth (c) climate (d) human population size (e) industry (f) disruption to supply (g) unreliable supply (h) scarcity of resources.

20 0680.1.5.1 — Describe strategies for the management of energy resources, limited to: (a) reducing consumption (b) insulation (c) energy-efficient devices

Describe strategies for the management of energy resources, limited to: (a) reducing consumption (b) insulation (c) energy-efficient devices including vehicles and electrically propelled vehicles (d) exploiting existing energy resources (e) education on energy conservation (f) transport policies (g) battery storage (h) development of new energy resources.
Describe the development of new energy resources, limited to: (a) blue hydrogen fuel: produced from natural gas (b) green hydrogen fuel: produced using renewable resources (c) ground source heat pumps: transfer of heat from the ground for heating (d) air source heat pumps: transfer of heat from the air for heating.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for the management of energy resources.

21 0680.1.5.2 — Describe the development of new energy resources, limited to: (a) blue hydrogen fuel: produced from natural gas (b) green hydrogen fuel: pro

Describe the development of new energy resources, limited to: (a) blue hydrogen fuel: produced from natural gas (b) green hydrogen fuel: produced using renewable resources (c) ground source heat pumps: transfer of heat from the ground for heating (d) air source heat pumps: transfer of heat from the air for heating.

22 0680.1.5.3 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for the management of energy resources.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for the management of energy resources.

23 0680.1.6.1 — Define fracking as the extraction of natural gas or petroleum from shale rock by hydraulic fracturing.

Define fracking as the extraction of natural gas or petroleum from shale rock by hydraulic fracturing.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of fracking.

24 0680.1.6.2 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of fracking.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of fracking.

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