Changing ecosystems: past paper questions
Real questions on changing ecosystems
The newest 20 of 100 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
Define ‘commercial farming’.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[2]
Describe the natural features of the landscape shown in Fig. 6.1.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(iii)[3]
Suggest how the natural features of the landscape shown in Fig. 6.1 are likely to influence agricultural land use.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(iv)[4]
Describe methods used by commercial farmers to increase their output of crops and livestock.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[3]
Describe the changes in the production of sugar cane in South Africa between 2001 and 2022. You should refer to years and use statistics.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[5]
Suggest why the amount of sugar cane production varies from year to year.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(iii)[3]
Identify the following features of the rainforest vegetation labelled in Fig. 3.2. X Y
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(iv)[4]
Using information from Fig. 3.1 only, explain why there are large amounts of vegetation in a tropical rainforest as shown in Fig. 3.2.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[3]
Using Fig. 3.3 only, compare the deforestation of tropical rainforests in South America and Africa. Do not use statistics.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[5]
Describe the impacts of deforestation on people who live in tropical rainforests.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[7]
For an area of tropical rainforest you have studied, describe the impacts of deforestation on the local natural environment. Name of area
See it on the paper → - 0460/22 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[4]
Fig. 4.2 (Insert) shows some vegetation found in hot deserts. Using Fig. 4.2, explain two ways vegetation adapts to a desert climate.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q3a(ii)[2]
Using Fig. 3.1 only, describe the distribution of tropical rainforests in South America.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q3a(iii)[3]
Explain why areas of tropical rainforest have a small annual temperature range.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q3c[7]
Describe and explain the characteristics of tropical rainforest vegetation.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q5c[7]
In many areas, tourism is an important economic activity. For a named area you have studied where tourism is important, describe the problems it causes for local people. Name of area
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(i)[3]
Using Fig. 3.2, compare the reasons for deforestation in the Amazon and Congo tropical rainforests. Do not use statistics.
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[5]
Explain how large-scale deforestation affects the local natural environment of tropical rainforests.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2024 · Q3[4]
Fig. 3.2 shows deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in 2021. Analyse the spatial distribution of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
See it on the paper → - 0460/23 · May/June 2024 · Q5a(i)[2]
Name layers X and Y. X
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates scored three marks for identifying features X, Y and Z. Other candidates simply guessed and gave incorrect answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/12 Q3(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates observed that there is high rainfall and/or high temperature all year round, as indicated by Fig. 3.1. Some also referred to high amounts of sunlight enabling photosynthesis and rapid/continuous growth. Weaker answers showed some knowledge but often used terms such as ‘optimum’ or ‘adequate’ to describe rainfall or temperature rather than being more precise. As the question instruc...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/12 Q3(a)(iv) (Cambridge)
Most candidates interpreted the divided bars and compared South America and Africa effectively. Full marks were frequently awarded.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/12 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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