Case Studies for Environmental Systems and Societies
Welcome to the Revision Village IB Environmental Systems & Societies Case Studies Collection. These Case Studies are designed to support students in their preparation for the IB ESS examinations, in particular for Paper 1.
What is in the Case Study Collection?
The IB Environmental Systems & Societies Case Study Collection is composed of Topic-specific Paper 1-style Case Studies that are focused on one or more topics and Exam-style Case Studies that may cover the entire syllabus. Each Case Study presents you with resources about a country or region and a corresponding set of questions. The variety of resources and questions ensures that you have ample opportunity to practice interpreting and analysing data, applying your knowledge to the context presented in the Case Study, and formulating concise and accurate responses for each question type found in Paper 1. The Case Studies are accompanied by written markschemes and a concise sample answer, as well as video explanations that further clarify the content and the best approach to the question. Finally, you can submit your responses for detailed and targeted feedback from Newton AI.
How should the Case Studies be best used?
IB ESS students will benefit from actively practising the type of questions that are on the exams, so the Case Studies are set up just like Paper 1. Practice a topic-specific Case Study as you complete each topic in class and move on to Case Studies that cover multiple topics later on in the course. Approach each Case Study as if it were an exam, by taking the 5 minutes ‘reading time’ to quickly look at the questions and then look at the Figures in detail. After this, you will be better prepared for applying your knowledge and the information from the Figures to answer the questions. The mark schemes, video solutions, and Newton AI will support you every step of the way.
The Case Studies are also a wealth of information about a country or region that could be helpful for providing named examples in the essay questions on Paper 2. Use the RV Paper 1 Case Studies to select a few countries and become an expert on them. Build up a dedicated file for each, collecting examples that relate to every aspect of the ESS syllabus.
What is the difference between Open Study and Examination Mode?
This feature can be attempted in either Open Study or Examination Mode. The Open Study Mode will allow you to answer and review each question at your own pace. You can receive carefully tailored AI feedback and consult the written markscheme and video for each question at each step.
The Examination Mode is a simulation of exam conditions. Under this mode, you submit all your answers when finished. You may choose to answer questions in any order you wish and go back to change answers before you submit. After completion, you will have access to all markschemes and video solutions, and you will receive AI feedback and an overall 1 - 7 mark on your submitted work. To best simulate exam conditions, we advise that you time yourself using the duration indicated.
In Examination Mode, your answers will be saved so you can always return to them. In Open Study Mode, you can attempt each question anew.
How are the Case Studies organised? Should I go in order?
The Case Studies are organised by topic, focusing on that topic alone or in combination with one or two other topics that are a natural fit. This allows you to choose a Case Study that will provide more practice in a particular area of the curriculum, and so better tailor your revision. We recommend starting with topic-specific Case Studies as you learn each topic in class and then moving on to multi-topic Case Studies to revise for larger assessments. Finally, the Exam-style Case Studies are most useful when preparing for your mocks or final exams, as they may include questions from the entire syllabus.
How long are the Case Studies?
The best practice for Paper 1 is to do an entire Case Study. However, we recognise that IB students have a lot going on, so we have created Case Studies of different lengths. You can complete the shortest Case Study worth 18 marks in 40 minutes. Case Studies of 35 marks can be completed in 60 minutes, which is the length of a Paper 1 for the ESS SL course. For ESS HL students we have full-length Paper 1 Case Studies that are worth 70 marks and take 2 hours to complete.
How hard are the Case Studies?
In order to tailor your revision for Paper 1 we have created Case Studies that are relatively easy, medium or hard. The individual questions in RV ESS Case Studies range in difficulty from easy to hard, as indicated.