IGCSE Environmental Management 0680 · Topic 4

The atmosphere and human activities: past paper questions

40 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2024usually: Suggest, State, Complete, Describe, Explain

Real questions on the atmosphere and human activities

The newest 20 of 40 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q5c_v[4]
Volcanic eruptions can cause acid rain. Describe the formation of acid rain.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q6c_ii[1]
Suggest one impact of El Niño on the people living in Peru.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[1]
the name of one type of compound that is responsible for smog.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q2b[1]
one effect of smog on human health that can cause an early death.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q2c[2]
diagram B using the words in the box. Each word can be used once, more than once or not at all.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q5e[2]
reasons why locust populations may increase in the future.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[1]
The increase in methane concentration between 2010 and 2020.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q2b[1]
The 5-year period that had the greatest increase in methane concentration.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q2c[3]
Reasons why methane concentration in the atmosphere increased between 1985 and 2020.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q7a[1]
The diagram with the name of the layer.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q7b[2]
The table with the percentage of gases in the troposphere.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q7c[3]
The statements to the numbered processes shown in the diagram.
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0680/12 · October/November 2023 · Q7d[5]
Reasons why a national policy to limit vehicle emissions is not enough to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect.
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0680/12 · May/June 2023 · Q1a[3]
Complete the diagram to show the layers in the atmosphere.
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0680/21 · May/June 2023 · Q1c[2]
Suggest two reasons why nitrous oxide emissions from farming in Denmark will not reach zero tonnes in the future.
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0680/21 · May/June 2023 · Q1d[4]
Suggest reasons why the population of Denmark may be impacted by climate change.
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0680/11 · October/November 2022 · Q6a(i)[3]
The diagram by labelling the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.
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0680/11 · October/November 2022 · Q6a(ii)[1]
The height of the stratosphere above the Earth.
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0680/11 · October/November 2022 · Q6a(iii)[1]
An X on the diagram to show which layer has the highest concentration of ozone.
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0680/11 · October/November 2022 · Q6b[4]
The natural greenhouse effect.
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What examiners said

There was varied success in identifying the layers of the atmosphere. Some candidates showed great confidence and there were some who left the answer lines blank.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0680/12 Q1(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates suggested several reasons why the population of Denmark may be impacted by climate change and gained full credit. These candidates understood the question and wrote about Denmark being a low-lying country with a long coastline. They went on to explain how sea level rise would cause flooding, farmland would be submerged, crops would fail, weather would become more extreme and people...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0680/21 Q1(d) (Cambridge)

Candidates were asked to complete the diagram of the Earth’s atmosphere by labelling 3 layers, the stratosphere having already been given in the diagram. Most candidates were confident labelling one of these layers, usually the troposphere; the correct labelling of the thermosphere and mesosphere proved to be challenging for some.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0680/11 Q6(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 the atmosphere and human activities

In the syllabus

1 0680.4.1.1 — Describe the structure and composition of the atmosphere, limited to: (a) the names and relative order of the layers: troposphere, stratosph

Describe the structure and composition of the atmosphere, limited to: (a) the names and relative order of the layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere (b) the location of the ozone layer in the lower stratosphere (c) percentage composition of clean air: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour.
Define climate as the weather conditions in a location based on the weather over many years.
Describe the natural greenhouse effect, limited to: (a) solar radiation passes through the Earth’s atmosphere (b) some solar radiation is absorbed by the land and oceans, heating the Earth (c) some solar radiation is reflected back into space (d) some solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted back to the Earth’s surface by greenhouse gases and clouds (e) this natural process warms the Earth enough to support life.

2 0680.4.1.2 — Define climate as the weather conditions in a location based on the weather over many years.

Define climate as the weather conditions in a location based on the weather over many years.

3 0680.4.1.3 — Describe the natural greenhouse effect, limited to: (a) solar radiation passes through the Earth’s atmosphere (b) some solar radiation is ab

Describe the natural greenhouse effect, limited to: (a) solar radiation passes through the Earth’s atmosphere (b) some solar radiation is absorbed by the land and oceans, heating the Earth (c) some solar radiation is reflected back into space (d) some solar radiation is absorbed and re-emitted back to the Earth’s surface by greenhouse gases and clouds (e) this natural process warms the Earth enough to support life.

4 0680.4.2.1 — Define a greenhouse gas as a gas that absorbs radiation and emits the energy as thermal (heat) energy.

Define a greenhouse gas as a gas that absorbs radiation and emits the energy as thermal (heat) energy.
State that carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O) and methane (CH4) are greenhouse gases.
Describe the causes of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, limited to: (a) combustion of fossil fuels: releases carbon dioxide (b) agriculture: digestion by cattle, manure decomposition and rice fields release methane (c) deforestation: reduces removal of carbon dioxide by photosynthesis (d) changes in land use: wetland drainage releases methane (e) cement manufacture: calcium carbonate (limestone) is heated to produce calcium oxide (lime) and releases carbon dioxide (f) increasing human population and increased energy usage: releases carbon dioxide.
Describe and explain the effects from increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect, limited to: (a) greenhouse gases absorb solar radiation causing global warming (b) global warming can result in climate change.
Describe and explain the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) increase in temperature of Earth’s surface (b) increase in temperature of ocean surface (knowledge of ENSO, El Niño and La Niña is not required) (c) melting of ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost leading to a rise in sea level (d) ocean acidification due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (e) disruption to food chains (f) change in biodiversity (g) loss of habitat (h) forced migration of humans and other animals (i) increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events leading to flooding and loss of land, drought and wildfires (j) change in crop yields (k) increased pest outbreaks and invasive species (l) food shortages.
Describe strategies for reducing carbon footprints to limit the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) reduced use of fossil fuels (b) make more sustainable food choices: plant-based diet, seasonal food, buy locally produced foods (c) reduction in livestock farming (d) reduction in number of children per woman (e) increase in energy efficiency (f) reforestation and afforestation (g) carbon sequestration: capture, remove and store carbon dioxide (h) transport policies (i) international agreements and policies (j) taxation (k) research and climate models (l) use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the impacts of climate change and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Define climate change adaptation as altering behaviour, practices and infrastructure to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Describe climate change adaptation strategies, limited to: (a) crops that resist warmer, drier or wetter conditions (b) improve flood defences (c) legislation about building near coasts and on floodplains (d) building design and materials.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of climate change.

5 0680.4.2.2 — State that carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O) and methane (CH4) are greenhouse gases.

State that carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O) and methane (CH4) are greenhouse gases.

6 0680.4.2.3 — Describe the causes of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, limited to: (a) combustion of fossil fuels: releases

Describe the causes of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, limited to: (a) combustion of fossil fuels: releases carbon dioxide (b) agriculture: digestion by cattle, manure decomposition and rice fields release methane (c) deforestation: reduces removal of carbon dioxide by photosynthesis (d) changes in land use: wetland drainage releases methane (e) cement manufacture: calcium carbonate (limestone) is heated to produce calcium oxide (lime) and releases carbon dioxide (f) increasing human population and increased energy usage: releases carbon dioxide.

7 0680.4.2.4 — Describe and explain the effects from increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the enhanced greenhouse effe

Describe and explain the effects from increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect, limited to: (a) greenhouse gases absorb solar radiation causing global warming (b) global warming can result in climate change.

8 0680.4.2.5 — Describe and explain the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) increase in temperature of Earth’s surface (b) increase in temperature o

Describe and explain the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) increase in temperature of Earth’s surface (b) increase in temperature of ocean surface (knowledge of ENSO, El Niño and La Niña is not required) (c) melting of ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost leading to a rise in sea level (d) ocean acidification due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (e) disruption to food chains (f) change in biodiversity (g) loss of habitat (h) forced migration of humans and other animals (i) increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events leading to flooding and loss of land, drought and wildfires (j) change in crop yields (k) increased pest outbreaks and invasive species (l) food shortages.

9 0680.4.2.6 — Describe strategies for reducing carbon footprints to limit the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) reduced use of fossil fuels (b) m

Describe strategies for reducing carbon footprints to limit the impacts of climate change, limited to: (a) reduced use of fossil fuels (b) make more sustainable food choices: plant-based diet, seasonal food, buy locally produced foods (c) reduction in livestock farming (d) reduction in number of children per woman (e) increase in energy efficiency (f) reforestation and afforestation (g) carbon sequestration: capture, remove and store carbon dioxide (h) transport policies (i) international agreements and policies (j) taxation (k) research and climate models (l) use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the impacts of climate change and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change.

10 0680.4.2.7 — Define climate change adaptation as altering behaviour, practices and infrastructure to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Define climate change adaptation as altering behaviour, practices and infrastructure to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

11 0680.4.2.8 — Describe climate change adaptation strategies, limited to: (a) crops that resist warmer, drier or wetter conditions (b) improve flood defenc

Describe climate change adaptation strategies, limited to: (a) crops that resist warmer, drier or wetter conditions (b) improve flood defences (c) legislation about building near coasts and on floodplains (d) building design and materials.

12 0680.4.2.9 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of climate change.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of climate change.

13 0680.4.3.1 — Describe the formation of acid rain, limited to: (a) sulfur dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels which contain sulfur compounds (b) sulfu

Describe the formation of acid rain, limited to: (a) sulfur dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels which contain sulfur compounds (b) sulfur dioxide from volcanic gases (c) oxides of nitrogen when nitrogen from the atmosphere reacts with oxygen in the high temperature of vehicle engines (d) sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen react with oxygen and water vapour in the atmosphere to form acid rain.
Describe the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) acidification of bodies of water (b) reduced fish populations (c) effect on aquatic food webs (d) acidification of soils (e) damage to crops and vegetation: plant defoliation and reduced crop yields (f) damage to buildings.
Describe strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) flue-gas desulfurisation to remove sulfur dioxide by reacting with calcium carbonate or calcium oxide (b) catalytic converters to remove oxides of nitrogen (c) transport policies.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain.

14 0680.4.3.2 — Describe the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) acidification of bodies of water (b) reduced fish populations (c) effect on aquatic food

Describe the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) acidification of bodies of water (b) reduced fish populations (c) effect on aquatic food webs (d) acidification of soils (e) damage to crops and vegetation: plant defoliation and reduced crop yields (f) damage to buildings.

15 0680.4.3.3 — Describe strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) flue-gas desulfurisation to remove sulfur dioxide by reacting with c

Describe strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain, limited to: (a) flue-gas desulfurisation to remove sulfur dioxide by reacting with calcium carbonate or calcium oxide (b) catalytic converters to remove oxides of nitrogen (c) transport policies.

16 0680.4.3.4 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of acid rain.

17 0680.4.4.1 — State that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosols and refrigerants are the cause of ozone depletion in the ozone layer.

State that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosols and refrigerants are the cause of ozone depletion in the ozone layer.
Describe the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) higher levels of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface (b) increased rates of cancer and cataracts (c) damage to vegetation resulting in reduced crop yields.
Describe strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) international agreement and policies (b) CFC ban and alternatives to CFCs (c) safe disposal of CFCs.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion.

18 0680.4.4.2 — Describe the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) higher levels of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface (b) increased rates o

Describe the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) higher levels of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface (b) increased rates of cancer and cataracts (c) damage to vegetation resulting in reduced crop yields.

19 0680.4.4.3 — Describe strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) international agreement and policies (b) CFC ban and alternati

Describe strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion, limited to: (a) international agreement and policies (b) CFC ban and alternatives to CFCs (c) safe disposal of CFCs.

20 0680.4.4.4 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies to manage the impacts of ozone depletion.

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