Managing natural hazards — IGCSE Environmental Management (0680) questions by topic
Counting earthquake tallies from a 10-year regional record, reading monthly cyclone frequency off a 60-year bar chart, judging whether a news article actually proves the climate crisis is worsening, and estimating cyclone travel distance from a map scale are the core tasks in this topic, worth 5 to 30 marks across 12 real questions from 2023 to 2024 papers.
State, suggest, explain, describe and complete top the command words, and suggest here means identifying a specific flaw or gap in the evidence given, not a general opinion about climate change. Examiners report this kind of evaluative reasoning as one many candidates find difficult, so drafting a full answer and checking it against instant marking is a useful way to confirm each distinct point is actually a separate, creditable reason.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is many weaker candidates finding evaluative 'suggest why' questions on evidence challenging to answer well.
- Examiners note many struggled to give a second distinct reason needed to gain full credit.
- Reports flag descriptions of lack of rain drying out soils that fail to connect this to lighter, more erosion-prone soil.
- Strong answers identified several distinct issues with an article at once, such as a lack of comparative data alongside the point that not all disasters can be linked to climate change, and correctly connected drought to plant death and so fewer roots holding soil.
May–June 2024, Paper 11
The bar chart shows the number of active volcanoes in some countries (USA, Indonesia, Iceland, Japan, Chile, Ethiopia, Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Mexico). Complete the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
In 2011, a tsunami occurred 130 km from the coast of Japan. The tsunami killed 18 000 people and damaged many buildings including the Fukushima nuclear power station. Describe how…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
The bar chart shows the number of active volcanoes in some countries (USA, Indonesia, Iceland, Japan, Chile, Ethiopia, Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Mexico). Complete the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
The bar chart shows the number of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean for a 60-year period. The y-axis is 'number of tropical cyclones' (0-80); bars by month show…
Answer this question and get it marked →The map shows the number of people per country predicted to be at risk from coastal flooding by 2030. A choropleth key shades countries by risk level: 0 = no risk; 1 to 599 = low…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
In 2021, there were 94 tropical cyclones. Draw an X on the world map to show a location where a tropical cyclone can form. (The map shows lines of latitude at 60°N, 40°N, 20°N,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
The bar chart shows the number of reported natural hazards caused by extreme weather from 1970 to 2019 (y-axis 'number of hazards' 0-4000). Bars: 1980-1989 about 1430, 1990-1999…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
A student records some data on the number of earthquakes in a region of Greece during a 10-year period. The data is shown as a tally (4 groups of 5 plus IIII). State the number of…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
The student concludes that the article does not prove the climate crisis is getting worse. Suggest why.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Tsunamis are a natural hazard. The drawing shows a sign used in areas at risk from tsunamis, showing a figure running uphill towards an 'EVACUATION SHELTER'. Suggest reasons why…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Estimate the distance the cyclone moved between 18:30 on Monday and 06:30 on Tuesday. (Use the map scale of 0–100 km.)
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
The photograph shows an area affected by drought (cracked, dry land with little vegetation). Describe the effects of drought on the area shown in the photograph.
Answer this question and get it marked →