23. [Maximum mark: 1] 18M.2.SL.TZ0.d.

i
De ne the term renewable resource. [1]

Markscheme

a (natural) resource that does not run✓

out

a (natural) resource that can replenish itself (over a period of✓

time)

✓nite
a (natural) resource that can be used more than once/is in

Award [1] for a de nition of renewable resource

Answers in brackets are not required to award the mark

21.

[Maximum mark: 3] 22N.2.SL.TZ0.4

Figure 10 shows the Banana 88 bicycles for adult and child. The adult bicycle is foldable
and has a motor that is powered by a lithium polymer (LiPo) battery.
The child version of the bicycle aims to introduce young children to cycling.

The bicycles were developed through a series of freehand sketches, see Figure 11.
The design for the adult bicycle was further explored using physical models such as
the mock-up in Figure 12.

Figure 10: Mak, R. [Adult and child Banana 88 bicycles] n.d. [image online] Available at:
www.yankodesign.com/2019/03/25/like-father-like-son/ [Accessed 20 December 2020].

Figure 11: Mak, R. [Working prototype of Banana 88 bicycles] n.d. [image online]
Available at: www.yankodesign.com/2019/03/25/like-father-like-son/ [Accessed 20
December 2020].

Figure 12: Mak, R. [Wooden mock-up of the adult Banana 88 bicycle] n.d. [image online]
Available at: www.yankodesign.com/2019/03/25/like-father-like-son/ [Accessed 20
December 2020].

Explain one reason why lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries contribute to

efficient energy use. [3]

Markscheme

lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries have high energy efficiency/charge

capacity;

compared to other rechargeable batteries;

which provides longer periods between charges;

lightweight;

does not add to the overall weight (of the bicycle);

allowing optimal (motor) performance;

Award[1]for identifying a reason why lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries contribute to efficient energy use
and[1]for each subsequent development of that
up toreason
[3 max].

Examiners report

Another good discriminator - that was not well answered. The question was
challenging as it asked 'why' and 'how'. Quite easy for 1 mark as most
candidates discussed the length of timecharges.
betweenAlmost all
attempted to gain a mark by saying LiPo batteries are rechargeable. Only a
fewcandidates achieved 2 marks and almost none were able to get 3. Very
few candidates went for thecluster.
2nd
25. [Maximum mark: 3] 19M.2.SL.TZ0.3
Explain why end-of-pipe technologies may not be the most effective
strategy to reduce pollution. [3]

Markscheme

end-of pipe technologies only focus on reducing pollutants at the end of a

✓
process
✓
however pollutants may still be released during the production process
strategies (system level solutions) that capture the pollutants earlier in the
✓
production process can result in less pollutants being emitted overall

end-of pipe technologies only focus on reducing pollutants at the end of a

✓
process
different types of pollutants can be released during the manufacturing
process✓
✓ solution
that may not be addressed/eliminated with one single

Award[1]for each of three distinct points in an explanation of why end-of-pipe technologies may not be
the most effective strategy to reduce pollution
up to[3 max]
of .

Answer in brackets is not required to award the mark

Do not award marks across clusters

Examiners report

Straightforward question but only a few candidates obtained full marks.

Candidates showed a poor depth of understanding of the concept beyond
it occurring at the end of a process. The markscheme addressed the end of a
manufacturing process, not just any process, which may have caused
candidates to perform poorly in this question. That said, a reasonable
number still achieved 1-2 marks.
26. [Maximum mark: 20] 22M.2.SL.TZ0.1
Figure 1 shows the rapid increase in global plastics production. Concerns have been
raised about the environmental impact as vast quantities of discarded plastics are
found in the oceans, like the Great Paci c Garbage Patch (GPGP).

Figure 1: World global plastics production (1950–2015)

Some countries have developed strategies to recover these plastics. These strategies
have been more successful in some countries than others. Figure 2 compares the
percentage of plastics recovered in European countries.

Figure 2: Plastic – wasted or recovered?

Figure 1: Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2018) - “Plastic Pollution”. Published online at
OurWorldInData.org.
Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution [Online Resource].
Source: based on Jambeck et al (2015) and
Eriksen et al (2014). Icon graphics from Noun Project. Data is based on global estimates
from Jambeck
(2015) based on plastic waste generation rates, coastal pollution sizes, and waste
management practices

by country. This is a visualization from OurWorldDate.org, where you will nd

data and research on how the world is changing. License under CC-BY-SA by
the authors Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [Accessed 20 April 2020].
Source adapted.

Figure 2: © DEUTSCHE WELLE.

Many governments have introduced legislation to ban single-use plastic straws.
As a result many customers have started to use metal straws, see Figure 3.

Figure 3: Different types of straw

Figure 3: s-cphoto / iStock.

(a.i) State the trend of plastic production between 1950 and 2015. [1]

Markscheme

increasing;

rising;

Award [1] for stating the trend of plastic production between 1950 and 2015.
 Award a mark for any appropriate word that describes an increase but do not accept terms such
as ‘positive trend’ or ‘improving’.

Examiners report

A straightforward graph reading question. Most students found this

easy but a small percentage did not express their answer using clear
language.

(a.ii) List two reasons why polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is often used
for food packaging. [2]

Markscheme

lightweight;

low cost/cheap;

easily shaped/moulded;

non toxic/food safe;

widely available;

recyclable;

waterproof/non absorbent;

Award[1]for listing each reason why polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is often used for food
packaging up [2
to max].
 Examiners report

A list two question. Quite straightforward with most students able to

achieve 1 or 2 marks.

(b.i) Outline one reason why products that are made of more than one
material can be difficult to recycle. [2]

Markscheme

need to be separated;
as they may fall into different recycling categories/have different
recycling requirements;

need to be separated;
which can be time/energy consuming/costly;

Award[1]for identifying a reason why products that are made of more than one material can be
difficult to recycle [1]
andfor a development up
[2 to
max].

Do not award marks across clusters.

Examiners report
 Quite straightforward with most students able to achieve 1 or 2
marks.

(b.ii) List two reasons why some countries recycle a larger percentage of
plastics than others. [2]

Markscheme

government policy/legislation/regulations;

infrastructure/capability/resources/facilities;

public awareness/community driven;

Award[1]for listing each reason why some countries recycle a larger percentage of plastics than
others[2 max].

Examiners report

Another list two question. Quite straightforward with most students

able to achieve 1 or 2 marks.
(c.i) Outline why thermoplastics tend to be easier to recycle than
thermosetting plastics. [2]

Markscheme

thermoplastics have a linear chain structure/weak secondary bonds;

which allows them to be heated/melted and reformed/reshaped;

thermosetting plastics have cross-linked chains/strong secondary

bonds;
which make them difficult to be heated/melted and
reformed/reshaped;

Award[1]foridentifying why thermoplastics tend to be easier to recycle than thermosetting

plastics and
[1]for a development [2
upmax
to ].

Do not award marks across clusters.

Examiners report

Most students were able to achieve at least one mark with a few
achieving two. Most attained a mark from the second line of the rst
cluster.
(c.ii) Explain one negative environmental impact of incinerating plastic
waste. [3]

Markscheme

incineration results in toxic chemicals being released into the

atmosphere;
resulting in pollution/harmful emissions;
leading to health issues/damage to plants and wildlife;

incinerating plastic waste requires high energy usage;

which utilises fossil fuels;
leading to high carbon emissions/climate change/global
warming/depletion of nite resources;

Award[1]for each distinct point in an explanation of one negative environmental impact of

incinerating plastic waste
up to[3 max].

Do not award marks across clusters.

Examiners report

A question that allowed students to achieve 1 or 2 marks although

only a few achieved 3. The most common responses related to the
 rst cluster, but responses were not always well structured. Some
candidates included cross cluster responses.

(d.i) State how the plastic straw gains its stiffness. [1]

Markscheme

cylindrical shape;

wall thickness;

Award[1]for stating how the plastic straw gains its stiffness

[1 maxup
]. to

Examiners report

A question most candidates struggled with as there was possibly

some confusion caused by the stem and images/discussion of both
metal and plastic straws. Very few achieved the one mark.
(d.ii) Outlineonereason why the plastic straw is mass produced. [2]

Markscheme

straws are high consumption/disposable/single-use items;

creating demand for the product from retailers/consumers;

large consumer base / target audience / target market;

allows for bene ts derived from economies of scale;

Award[1] for identifying a reason why the plastic straw is mass produced
[1] for
anda
development up to
[2 max].

Do not award marks across clusters.

Examiners report

Quite a straightforward question. Most candidates achieved at least

one mark, with the most common responses identifying 'demand'
for the product.
(e.i) Outline one appropriate manufacturing method for making the
plastic straw. [2]

Markscheme

extrusion;

allows for production be made quickly/in high volume;

Award[1]for identifying an appropriate manufacturing method for making the plastic straw
and[1]for a development
up to[2 max].

Examiners report

A very challenging question for candidates which showed a poor

understanding of how plastic straws would be manufactured. Many
wrote about injection moulding, blow moulding and some about
3D printing. Very few achieved any marks at all for this question. This
question was similar to Q1e(i) from May 2021 about carbon
reinforced plastics which was also poorly answered.

(e.ii) Explain how market pull has in uenced the release of the metal
straw. [3]

Markscheme
 a new idea is needed as a result of demand from the marketplace;

due to a greater awareness of the negative impact of plastic on the

environment;

resulting in consumer pressure for eco friendly alternatives to single

use plastic products;

Award[1]for each of three distinct

points in an explanation of how market pull has in uenced
the release of the metalup
straw
to[3 max].

Examiners report

Many candidates answered this with relevant points although again

responses were not always well structured. This question was a good
discriminator. Almost all candidates were able to achieve at least
one mark, a number were able to achieve 2 but very few achieved 3.
Some similarity on responses compared to 1d(i) relating to 'demand'.

27. [Maximum mark: 20] 19N.2.SL.TZ0.1

Greenfeet publishes a sustainability progress report every year which
summarizes the total environmental impact of the products it produces, see
Figure 1.

In 2018, Greenfeet launched the Vertue shoe with an upper made entirely from
plastic recovered from the ocean, see Figure 2. In 2019, Greenfeet expected to make
1.5 million pairs of Vertue shoes from 200 tons of recovered plastic, using
approximately 13 bottles per shoe.

International Baccalaureate Organization, 2023