Monitoring and maintaining the environment: OCR GCSE Biology A questions

Every OCR GCSE Biology A exam question on B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 94 questions on Monitoring and maintaining the environment, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): Ecotourism can be useful in helping to protect ecosystems. What is a possible disadvantage of ecotourism? A More money is made available for conservation projec
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(v) (2 marks): Describe one way that burning large amounts of surplus food can damage ecosystems. [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(d) (6 marks): The diagram shows a food web from a lake in America. trout shrimp dragonfly carp microscopic animals microscopic plants (d)* Carp feed at the bottom of the lake
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(a) (3 marks): The students sample the pitch to find the mean number of dandelion plants per m2 in each part. Explain how the students use a quadrat to find the mean number of
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b) (3 marks): The table shows some of the students’ results. Area (m2) Part of the pitch Mean number of Total number of dandelions per m2 dandelions Both penalty areas 1300 4
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(d) (2 marks): Describe how the pupils could extend their experiment to show that soil pH was the same in each part of the pitch. [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a) (3 marks): The students sample the pitch to find the mean number of dandelion plants per m2 in each part. Explain how the students use a quadrat to find the mean number of
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b) (3 marks): The table shows some of the students’ results. Area (m2) Part of the pitch Mean number of Total number of dandelions per m2 dandelions Both penalty areas 1300 4
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(d) (2 marks): Describe how the pupils could extend their experiment to show that soil pH was the same in each part of the pitch. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate how many times more elephants there were in 1979 compared to in 2015. Answer = [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why it is difficult for scientists to give an accurate estimate for the number of elephants living in Africa. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b) (2 marks): Elephants are very important for ecotourism in southern Africa. Explain how ecotourism benefits the elephants and the local people. Elephants benefit from ecoto
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q24(e)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why scientists are against the plan to build the bridge. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): What is the advantage of sampling using a transect line rather than using random sampling? A A transect allows changes in the size of populations over time to b
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(e)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why scientists are against the plan to build the bridge. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (3 marks): Calculate the percentage decrease in the population size between 1979 and 2015. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. Percentage decrease = % [3]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b) (1 mark): What is the best description for how the population of elephants changed between 1979 and 2015? Tick (3) one box. Dropping at a decreasing rate Dropping at a st
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by the term ecotourism. [2]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c)(ii) (3 marks): In ecotourism areas, elephant numbers are increasing. This is causing problems as the elephants are eating crops. Scientists therefore want to control the popul
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(d) (6 marks): In many areas, the number of elephants living in Africa is decreasing. They are often killed by hunters. The table shows how the number of elephants in Africa h
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Ecotourism can cause benefits and problems for conservation. Which row gives a benefit and a problem caused by ecotourism? Benefit Problem A educates people abo
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Which statement describes why seeds from seedbanks are an important tool in conservation? A If there is a food shortage then the seeds can be used for food. B T
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(a) (3 marks): Describe how scientists could estimate the number of one type of plant in a habitat. [3]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(i) (1 mark): What is the independent variable in this investigation? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(ii) (1 mark): Identify the pH of the pondwater where the mean number of duckweed plants is the same as the mode for the four beakers. Tick (3) one box. 4.5 6.5 8.5 [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(iii) (2 marks): The student thinks that there is a problem with their data at pH 8.5. This resulted in the mean being inaccurate. Explain how the student could improve their in
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(iv) (2 marks): The student concluded that acid pollution slows the rate of duckweed reproduction. Explain how acid pollution slows the rate of duckweed reproduction. Use ideas
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b)(v) (2 marks): The student also concluded that pH 6.5 is the best pH for duckweed reproduction. The student’s teacher says that they need to extend the experiment to be sure o
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Lichens grow on trees and can indicate air pollution levels. A student wants to find out the level of pollution in an area by measuring the abundance of a parti
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): A rare species of animal is found in a less economically developed country. The government of the country want to set up a conservation area. Which of these is
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b) (3 marks): Describe a sampling technique that could be used to estimate the number of one species of butterfly in a habitat. [3]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c) (2 marks): Explain how there can be a large community of butterflies but a low biodiversity of butterflies in an area. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the students put different volumes of clean pond water into each beaker. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a)(ii) (1 mark): To improve their experiment, the students should make sure that the carbon dioxide levels are the same in each beaker. Describe how they could achieve this. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): In beaker 4, how many generations of duckweed plants are present after 10 days? Number of generations = [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (3 marks): An article said that the run-off water contains waste from cows and this makes the pond water cloudy. The run-off water is reducing the growth of submerged plan
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(d) (1 mark): The students change their method to use a submerged plant rather than using duckweed. Describe how the students could change their method to measure the growth
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): The table shows the number of insects caught using a net on different days in a week. Day M Tu W Th F S Su Number of insects 6 8 5 4 8 9 2 What is the median an
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(a) (3 marks): The gardener estimates the number of thistle plants in each metre squared of the back garden. He gets an estimate of 2.5 thistle plants / m2. Describe an experi
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b) (2 marks): The front garden is smaller so he counts all the thistle plants growing in the lawn. He counts 36 plants. Calculate the number of thistle plants per metre squar
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Animal populations can be estimated using a method called capture-recapture. The number of animals in the population is estimated using the formula: population
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): The table shows the number of insects caught using a net in a week. Day M Tu W Th F S Su Number of 6 8 5 4 8 9 2 insects Which of these types of average have th
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): The gardener estimates the number of thistle plants in each metre squared of the back garden. He gets an estimate of 2.5 thistle plants / m2. Describe an experi
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b) (2 marks): The front garden is smaller so he counts all the thistle plants growing in the lawn. He counts 36 plants. Calculate the number of thistle plants per metre squar
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these changes would cause an increase in biodiversity? A Draining ponds to build a car park. B Keeping tigers in a zoo. C Reintroducing otters into an
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A student estimated the population of insects at different distances from a factory using capture- recapture. They plotted their results on a graph. 1000 800 60
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(a) (3 marks): Write down why they would use a quadrat and a biological key in this process. Quadrat Key [3]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Plot the data for the five fields on the grid in Fig. 22.2. 2.4 2.2 2.0 Mean number of 1.8 plant species (per m of hedge) 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit on the graph in Fig. 22.2. [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(iii) (2 marks): There is a formula that can be used to estimate the age of a hedge. mean number of ⎛ ⎞ age in years = plant species × 110 + 30 ⎜ ⎟ per m of hedge ⎝ ⎠ The hedges
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(iv) (2 marks): To try to grow more crops, farmers now use larger machines. Modern farms have larger fields to make it easier to use these machines. Does the scientists’ data s
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b)(ii) (2 marks): One of the students makes this conclusion: ‘The results of our experiment show that sulfur dioxide is affecting the plant and it is doing this because it forms
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest how the students could modify their experiment to prove that sulfur dioxide is affecting the plant because it is an acid. [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A student estimated the population of insects at different distances from a factory using capture- recapture. They plotted their results on a graph. 1000 800 60
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): Write down why they would use a quadrat and a biological key in this process. Quadrat Key [3]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): Plot the data for the five fields on the grid in Fig. 16.2. 2.4 2.2 2.0 Mean number of 1.8 plant species (per m of hedge) 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit on the graph in Fig. 16.2. [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): There is a formula that can be used to estimate the age of a hedge. mean number of ⎛ ⎞ age in years = plant species × 110 + 30 ⎜ ⎟ per m of hedge ⎝ ⎠ The hedges
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(iv) (2 marks): To try to grow more crops, farmers now use larger machines. Modern farms have larger fields to make it easier to use these machines. Does the scientists’ data s
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): One of the students makes this conclusion: ‘The results of our experiment show that sulfur dioxide is affecting the plant and it is doing this because it forms
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest how the students could modify their experiment to prove that sulfur dioxide is affecting the plant because it forms an acid. [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (3 marks): Hybrid rice is produced by breeding inbred rice with other types of rice found growing in the wild. Explain why seedbanks might be useful if the climate changes
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Seedbanks store many types of seed for long periods of time. Why were seedbanks set up? A To act as a store of biodiversity. B To be used to feed animals if foo
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A group of students collected some measurements from a field. They plotted the measurements on this graph. Grass Percentage cover Buttercups 0 5 10 15 20 25 Dis
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (3 marks): Give the name of the equipment and explain how the scientists would use it to collect insects. Name of equipment How it is used [3]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Estimate the population size of insects on the tree. Use this formula: Estimated population size = Number in first sample × Number in second sample Number in se
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): To mark each insect the scientists put a small spot of paint on the underside of the insect. Explain why they marked the underside of the insects and not the to
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c)(i) (2 marks): The scientists found that sulfur dioxide can make the waxy cuticle of leaves thinner. Suggest how this could explain the number of insects on the trees, further
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c)(ii) (1 mark): Look at section A of the graph in Fig. 18.3. Which is a possible explanation for the shape of the graph nearest the factory, in section A? Tick (3) one box. Low
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(e)(ii) (1 mark): Carbon dioxide is given off in the making of the compost. This causes most of the decrease in mass. Scientists think that the bokashi method of composting might
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A group of students collected some measurements from a field. They plotted the measurements on this graph. Grass Percentage cover Buttercups 0 5 10 15 20 25 Dis
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b) (1 mark): Student A and student B study the plants growing on a salt marsh. They both sample the plants present by laying out two tape measures at right angles across the
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (3 marks): The whole salt marsh has an area of 2500 m2. Each square frame has an area of 0.25 m2. Calculate the percentage of the whole salt marsh that was sampled by stud
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (3 marks): Look at the two students’ sampling shown in the diagrams. Explain which student is likely to get the most accurate estimate for the number of plants in the salt
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(d) (6 marks): A salt marsh is a large, muddy area of land where a river joins the sea. (d)* In some salt marshes large sand banks have been built. These stop tides from enter
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A student estimates the number of snails in a pond. Part of his method involves collecting snails and marking them. What is the name of the method that he is us
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Which of these is an example of ecotourism? A Setting up monkey parks in the UK. B Allowing people to sponsor endangered animals. C Encouraging people to view a
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (4 marks): Blue tits usually lay their eggs in the month of May. For many years, the scientists have recorded the first day that an egg was laid. This data is shown in the
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(i) (3 marks): The salt marsh measured 50 m × 50 m. Each quadrat measured 0.5 m × 0.5 m. Calculate the percentage of the whole salt marsh that was sampled by the student. Perc
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (3 marks): A second student sampled by placing five quadrats close together in the centre of the salt marsh. Evaluate the sampling method of the second student compared to
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest one factor that the students should consider in a risk assessment for their experiment. [1]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (2 marks): In some salt marshes large sand banks have been built. This stops tides from entering the salt marsh. The level of soil on the salt marsh builds up and the mars
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a) (1 mark): Write down one other factor that the student should have kept the same in this investigation. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b) (2 marks): Describe what this investigation shows about the effect of acid rain on seed growth. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): For the seeds at pH 6.0, the mean root length was 5 mm. Calculate the GI for these seeds. Answer = [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (1 mark): Look at the equation for GI. This is a better way of measuring the effect of acid rain on seed growth than just counting the number of seeds growing. Explain wh
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): The table shows changes in the forest cover in some continents of the world. Total forest cover (millions of hectares) Continent 1990 2000 2005 Africa 699 656 6
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): A scientist is estimating the number of rabbits in a field. He has eight different estimates, 12, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22 and 26. Which is the median value for h
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): What is the dependent variable in this investigation? [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(b) (1 mark): State why the student changed the volume of water in each flask. [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c) (1 mark): The student kept each flask at the same temperature during the experiment to make it a fair test. Explain one other reason why she kept each flask at the same t
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(d) (2 marks): Explain what this experiment shows about the effect of acid rain on seed germination. [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(e)(i) (2 marks): For the seeds in 20 cm3 of sulfuric acid, the mean root length was 5 mm and the mean shoot length was 2 mm. Calculate VI for these seeds. Use the equation: VI =
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(e)(ii) (2 marks): Using VI is a better way of comparing the effects of acid rain than just using the number of seeds germinated. Explain why. [2]

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