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Paper 1 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 Paper 1-style Case Studies. 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 Paper 1 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?

A Case Study can be attempted in either Open Study or Examination mode. Open Study mode will allow you to answer each question at your own pace. You can also receive carefully tailored AI feedback and consult the written markscheme and video solution at each step.

Alternatively, you might choose to answer all of the questions for the Case Study at once, in Examination Mode. Under this mode, you can tackle questions in any order you wish and go back to change answers before you submit the whole Case Study at once when finished. You can choose to time yourself, using the duration indicated for each Case Study. 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.

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 themes taken from the ESS curriculum. Some relate to the structure and function of nature, while others are about the resources humans need and how their use impacts the environment. This allows you to choose a Case Study that will give you more practice in a particular area of the curriculum, and so better tailor your revision. Note that while most Case Studies relate to multiple subtopics and are therefore more useful towards the end of your course, some Case Studies focus on one topic, making them ideal for practice for one topic.

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.