Analyze and interpret quantitative data

Energy use in four countries

Units 5, 6 and 7
10 points
About 23 minutes

You can use a calculator on this question, just like on exam day.

You read values and trends from a data table or described graph, explain what the data show about an environmental problem, and propose and justify a solution. On the exam: Question 2 of 3 in the 70-minute free-response section (Section II is 40% of the exam score).

The question and its sources

Table 1 shows energy and economic data for four countries. Traditional biomass means wood, charcoal, crop waste and animal dung burned for cooking and heating.

Table 1: Energy and footprint data

Country	Energy use per person (GJ per year)	GDP per person (US$)	Share of energy from traditional biomass (%)	Ecological footprint (global hectares per person)
W	280	62,000	1	8.0
X	140	38,000	3	4.9
Y	40	9,000	18	2.0
Z	8	1,200	75	1.1

Source: Hypothetical data

Suggested time: 23 minutes

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Part (a)

1 point

Describe the relationship between GDP per person and energy use per person shown in Table 1.

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Part (b)

1 point

Using Table 1, calculate how many times more energy a person in Country W uses than a person in Country Z.

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Part (c)

1 point

Explain why traditional biomass provides most of the energy used in Country Z.

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Part (d)

1 point

Describe one environmental problem that can result when a large population depends on wood and charcoal for fuel.

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Part (e)

1 point

Describe one human health problem caused by burning wood, dung or charcoal indoors for cooking.

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Part (f)

1 point

Explain why a country's ecological footprint per person tends to increase as its GDP per person increases.

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Part (g)

1 point

Earth has about 1.6 global hectares of biologically productive area per person. Use the data in Table 1 to explain whether it would be sustainable for everyone on Earth to live like the average person in Country W.

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Part (h)

1 point

Country Z's economy is beginning to industrialize. Describe one reason its energy use per person is likely to increase over the next few decades.

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Part (i)

1 point

Propose one realistic way to reduce the use of wood and charcoal for cooking in Country Z.

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Part (j)

1 point

Explain how the solution you proposed in part (i) would benefit the environment or human health in Country Z.

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