Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management 0680 — 2023 Feb/March Paper 1 · Variant 2
0680/12/F/M/23 · 80 marks · ≈90 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper20 pages




















Mark scheme12 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.












Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
This document has 20 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. [Turn over Cambridge IGCSE™ DC (CE/SG) 315293/3 © UCLES 2023 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 0680/12 Paper 1 Theory February/March 2023 1 hour 45 minutes You must answer on the question paper. No additional materials are needed. INSTRUCTIONS ● Answer all questions. ● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. ● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. ● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. ● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid. ● Do not write on any bar codes. ● You may use a calculator. ● You should show all your working and use appropriate units. INFORMATION ● The total mark for this paper is 80. ● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. * 9 7 2 0 5 0 8 2 9 7 *
Question paper, page 2
2 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 Section A 1 (a) The list contains examples of different types of rock. basalt granite limestone marble slate Circle two rocks in the list that are igneous. [2] (b) The diagram represents the rock cycle. h e a t a n d p r e s s u r e m el ti n g a n d c o ol in g e r o si o n h e at a n d pr e s s ur e e r o si o n m el ti n g a n d c o ol in g rock C rock B rock A Identify the rock, A, B or C, that represents: • igneous rock … • sedimentary rock … • metamorphic rock. … [2]
Question paper, page 3
3 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (c) Igneous rocks are made from crystals. Explain why some igneous rocks have smaller crystals than other igneous rocks. … … … … [2] [Total: 6]
Question paper, page 4
4 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 2 (a) The graph shows fertiliser use in four regions of the world. 1970 0 50 100 150 200 250 1980 1990 year 2000 fertiliser use / kg per hectare Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia South America East Asia Key (i) Calculate the increase in fertiliser use in South Asia between 1980 and 2000. increase = … kg per hectare [2] (ii) Compare the fertiliser use in South America with the fertiliser use in East Asia, describing the changes between 1970 and 2000. … … … … … … [3]
Question paper, page 5
5 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (b) Using organic fertiliser is one strategy for making agriculture sustainable. Name and describe one other strategy for making agriculture sustainable. name of strategy … description of strategy … … … … [2] [Total: 7]
Question paper, page 6
6 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 3 The maps show the global distribution of malaria in 1900 and 2000. Equator Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer 1900 Key no malaria present malaria present Equator Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer 2000
Question paper, page 7
7 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (a) Describe how the global distribution of malaria has changed between 1900 and 2000. … … … … [2] (b) (i) The use of antimalarial drugs is one strategy for controlling malaria. Describe the benefits and limitations of the use of antimalarial drugs as a strategy for controlling malaria. benefits … … … … limitations … … … … [3] (ii) Name and describe one other strategy for controlling malaria. name of strategy … description of strategy … … … [2] [Total: 7]
Question paper, page 8
8 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 Section B 4 (a) (i) Use words from the list to complete the sentences describing the composition of soils. chlorophyll microorganisms mineral ozone water Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all. Soils are composed of: • … particles • air • … • and organic content. This organic content consists of: • plants • animals • … • and their dead remains. [2] (ii) Sand, silt and clay are the three different sizes of soil particle. Arrange these soil particles in order of increasing size. smallest largest … … … [2]
Question paper, page 9
9 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (b) The diagram shows the names of some soil types and their percentage composition of clay, silt and sand. The shaded area represents a sample of loam soil that contains 40% silt, 40% sand and 20% clay. 90 10 20 80 30 70 40 20 60 50 50 60 40 70 30 80 90 10 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 100% clay 100% silt 100% sand percent clay percent silt percent sand clay sandy clay sandy clay loam sandy loam loamy sand sand silty clay loam silt loam silt loam silty clay clay loam (i) Identify the soil type with a composition of 20% silt, 70% sand and 10% clay. … [1] (ii) Determine a percentage composition for a silty clay loam soil. silt … % sand … % clay … % [2]
Question paper, page 10
10 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 (c) The photograph shows farmers in Ecuador. Suggest four strategies that these farmers could use to reduce soil erosion. 1 … 2 … 3 … 4 … [4] [Total: 11]
Question paper, page 11
11 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over 5 New Zealand has several important marine fisheries. It is estimated that 95% of all marine species harvested in New Zealand are from sustainable fisheries. (a) (i) Describe what is meant by the term, sustainable fisheries. … … … … [2] (ii) Explain the importance of sustainable fisheries for humans. … … … … [2]
Question paper, page 12
12 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 (b) Toothfish are harvested in the Southern Ocean off New Zealand. The graph shows the harvest of toothfish over a 13-year period. 1 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 2 3 4 5 6 7 year 8 9 10 11 12 13 catch / tonnes (i) Describe the trends in the harvest of toothfish. … … … … … … [3] (ii) Calculate the percentage increase in catch between year 1 and year 5. Give your answer as a whole number. percentage increase = … [3]
Question paper, page 13
13 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (c) Toothfish are large predatory fish that live in very deep water. They grow slowly and are 10 years old before they can reproduce. (i) Explain two reasons why toothfish are not suitable for fish farming. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (ii) Suggest how fish farming can impact marine ecosystems. … … … … … … [3] [Total: 15]
Question paper, page 14
14 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 6 The map shows the main distribution of tropical cyclones. Equator Tropic of Capricorn Tropic of Cancer Cape Verde islands cyclones cyclones cyclones cyclones cyclones cyclones Tropical cyclones only form under certain conditions. Many Atlantic tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes, form near the Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa. (a) (i) Suggest why tropical cyclones form near the Cape Verde islands. … … … … … … [3]
Question paper, page 15
15 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (ii) Suggest how climate change may affect the number and distribution of tropical cyclones. Explain your answer. … … … … … … [3] (b) After tropical cyclones, people are often affected by water-related diseases. Explain how tropical cyclones increase the chance of water-related diseases. … … … … … … [3] (c) State two other impacts that tropical cyclones have on people. 1 … … 2 … … [2] [Total: 11]
Question paper, page 16
16 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 7 Air pollution can contribute to deaths in humans. The table shows the number of deaths per 100 000 people linked to air pollution between 1990 and 2015. year number of deaths per 100 000 people 1990 110 1995 104 2000 no data available 2005 83 2010 75 2015 67 (a) Plot a line graph to show the number of deaths per 100 000 people linked to air pollution between 1990 and 2015. Draw a straight line between each point. [4] (b) Use your graph to estimate the number of deaths per 100 000 people in 2000. Show on your graph how you determined your answer. number of deaths = … [2]
Question paper, page 17
17 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (c) One strategy for reducing atmospheric pollution is to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The graph shows the annual percentage change in oil use for five countries. China India Canada Norway 0 annual percentage change 2 4 6 –2 –4 –6 –8 United States of America (i) Explain why annual percentage change is used for the comparison of oil use. … … [1] (ii) Suggest strategies that Norway has used to reduce its use of oil. … … … … … … … … … … [5] [Total: 12]
Question paper, page 18
18 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 8 The diagram shows the distribution of water on Earth. oceans 97.5% ice caps and glaciers 79% water in lakes 52% water in soil 38% groundwater 20% X water in rivers water in living organisms (a) (i) Use the diagram to determine the percentage of the Earth’s water that is fresh water. … [1] (ii) State the name of the source of water labelled X on the diagram. … [1] (iii) Suggest why the percentages shown on the diagram are estimates. … … [1]
Question paper, page 19
19 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 (b) Reservoirs can store large volumes of fresh water for people to use. State two other stores of fresh water that people can use. 1 … 2 … [2] (c) A local government wants to build a dam across a river valley to form a large reservoir covering an area of 10 km2. The reservoir means that a small village and the people living there must be moved. A government officer says: Building the dam has more advantages than disadvantages. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6] [Total: 11]
Question paper, page 20
20 0680/12/F/M/23 © UCLES 2023 The boundaries and names shown, the designations used and the presentation of material on any maps contained in this question paper/insert do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by Cambridge Assessment International Education concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area or any of its authorities, or of the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge. BLANK PAGE
Mark scheme, page 1
This document consists of 12 printed pages. © UCLES 2023 [Turn over Cambridge IGCSE™ ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 0680/12 Paper 1 Theory February/March 2023 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 80 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2023 series for most Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.
Mark scheme, page 2
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 2 of 12 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: • the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question • the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question • the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awarded positively: • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate • marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do • marks are not deducted for errors • marks are not deducted for omissions • answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Mark scheme, page 3
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 3 of 12 GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5: Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6: Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind. Science-Specific Marking Principles 1 Examiners should consider the context and scientific use of any keywords when awarding marks. Although keywords may be present, marks should not be awarded if the keywords are used incorrectly. 2 The examiner should not choose between contradictory statements given in the same question part, and credit should not be awarded for any correct statement that is contradicted within the same question part. Wrong science that is irrelevant to the question should be ignored. 3 Although spellings do not have to be correct, spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. ethane / ethene, glucagon / glycogen, refraction / reflection). 4 The error carried forward (ecf) principle should be applied, where appropriate. If an incorrect answer is subsequently used in a scientifically correct way, the candidate should be awarded these subsequent marking points. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted. 5 ‘List rule’ guidance For questions that require n responses (e.g. State two reasons …): • The response should be read as continuous prose, even when numbered answer spaces are provided. • Any response marked ignore in the mark scheme should not count towards n. • Incorrect responses should not be awarded credit but will still count towards n. • Read the entire response to check for any responses that contradict those that would otherwise be credited. Credit should not be awarded for any responses that are contradicted within the rest of the response. Where two responses contradict one another, this should be treated as a single incorrect response. • Non-contradictory responses after the first n responses may be ignored even if they include incorrect science.
Mark scheme, page 4
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 4 of 12 6 Calculation specific guidance Correct answers to calculations should be given full credit even if there is no working or incorrect working, unless the question states ‘show your working’. For questions in which the number of significant figures required is not stated, credit should be awarded for correct answers when rounded by the examiner to the number of significant figures given in the mark scheme. This may not apply to measured values. For answers given in standard form (e.g. a 10n) in which the convention of restricting the value of the coefficient (a) to a value between 1 and 10 is not followed, credit may still be awarded if the answer can be converted to the answer given in the mark scheme. Unless a separate mark is given for a unit, a missing or incorrect unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark is not awarded. Exceptions to this general principle will be noted in the mark scheme. 7 Guidance for chemical equations Multiples / fractions of coefficients used in chemical equations are acceptable unless stated otherwise in the mark scheme. State symbols given in an equation should be ignored unless asked for in the question or stated otherwise in the mark scheme.
Mark scheme, page 5
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 5 of 12 Question Answer Marks 1(a) basalt circled; granite circled; 2 1(b) 3 correct = 2 marks, 1 or 2 correct = 1 mark igneous: rock A sedimentary: rock C metamorphic: rock B 2 1(c) some rocks are on the surface (of the Earth); cool more rapidly / cool at different rates / depends on rate of cooling; slower rate of cooling causes large crystal size; 2 Question Answer Marks 2(a)(i) (in 1980) 35 AND (in 2000) 105; (increase = 105 – 35 =) 70; 2 2(a)(ii) any three from: both increase; East Asia uses more fertiliser than South America in each year; South America increases gradually whereas East Asia rises rapidly (after 1975) / AW; suitable comparative data quoted; idea that use in East Asia fluctuates more than South America; 3
Mark scheme, page 6
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 6 of 12 Question Answer Marks 2(b) managed grazing; limit the number of animals grazing / rotate grazing land / don’t allow grazing all year / AW; OR crop rotation; don’t plant the same crop year on year / plant crops that fix nitrogen / plant green manure / have a fallow year / AW; OR pest-resistant crops; allow less pesticide to be used / AW; OR drought-resistant crops; allow less water to be used / allow for long periods without rain / allow for changing weather patterns; OR trickle drip irrigation; allows less water to be used / provides water at soil level / reduces evaporation / AW; OR rainwater harvesting; reduces the need for extraction of water / allows water to be stored for dry period / AW; OR any valid strategy named; any valid description of the strategy; 2 Question Answer Marks 3(a) any two from: general trend identified, e.g. more widespread in 1900; in 1900, malaria extended further north and south / AW; in 2000, malaria mainly limited to, tropics / central America / South America / Africa / (southern) Asia / AW; in 2000, no longer occurs in, Australia / USA / Europe; 2
Mark scheme, page 7
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 7 of 12 Question Answer Marks 3(b)(i) any three from (max two from each section): benefits: easy to take; (relatively) effective at preventing malaria; limit transmission; drugs cheaper than creating vaccines; AVP; limitations: drugs are costly / AW; drugs are not widely available / AW; not everyone wants to take drugs / AW; drugs have side effects / cannot take some when pregnant / named side effect; not 100% effective / AW; drugs are only one strategy / drugs should be used in combination with other strategies; malaria resistance to drugs; 3 3(b)(ii) vector control; removing standing water / draining wetlands / insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) / residual spraying / AVP; OR eradication; vaccines / widespread use of insecticides / idea of genetically modifying mosquitoes / toxic fungi / AVP; 2 Question Answer Marks 4(a)(i) mineral – water – microorganisms 1 correct; 3 correct; 2 4(a)(ii) clay → silt → sand 1 correct; 3 correct; 2 4(b)(i) sandy loam; 1
Mark scheme, page 8
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 8 of 12 Question Answer Marks 4(b)(ii) 40–73% silt AND 0–33% sand AND 27–40% clay; sum of the percentages = 100%; 2 4(c) any four from: build terraces; build bunds; use wind breaks; add organic matter to the soil; control irrigation / control drainage; vegetation to reduce bare soil; use contour ploughing; 4 Question Answer Marks 5(a)(i) (sustainable fisheries means that) species can be harvested to meet the needs of the present / AW; (and also) meets the needs of future generations / AW; 2 5(a)(ii) any two from: stocks of marine species, can still be harvested / remain productive and healthy / AW; provides food for humans; source of, protein / vitamins / minerals / oils; incomes / jobs, are maintained into the future; 2 5(b)(i) any three from: overall increase; increases (rapidly) from 1–5; relatively stable from 5–13 / 5–7; fall from 7–8 / 5–8; increases after 8 / 8–12; catch 5–6 times greater in 13 than in 1 / comparative data quote; 3
Mark scheme, page 9
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 9 of 12 Question Answer Marks 5(b)(ii) (reading values from graph) 3500 AND 600; (calculation) (3500 – 600 = 2900, 2900 ÷ 600 100 =) 483.33; (rounding) 483; 3 5(c)(i) any two from: slow to mature AND financial return is slow / cost more to keep; need deep water AND may not grow well in shallow water / providing good conditions for growth may be difficult / AW; need deep cages AND may be expensive / requires large initial investment / difficult to design; predatory AND may not survive on artificial feed / may only eat live food; AVP; 2 5(c)(ii) any three from: creates waste / creates sediment / lowers water quality; eutrophication; increases the demand for, artificial feed / fish food / fish protein; pesticides pollute the water; protects natural stocks; reduces the damage caused by fishing; farmed species can escape into the wild; spread disease; food chains affected; 3 Question Answer Marks 6(a)(i) between 5° and 20° North / South of the Equator; ocean (surface) temperature of at least 27 °C; ocean depth of at least 60 m; 3 6(a)(ii) number increases; wider distribution (further away from the tropics); (more areas have) high enough water temperatures; increase in sea levels results in more areas with deep water; 3
Mark scheme, page 10
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 10 of 12 Question Answer Marks 6(b) any three from: damage to infrastructure / flooding; sewage / dead animals / named pollutant; lack of clean drinking water/ have to drink contaminated water; sewage contains bacteria / cholera; standing/stagnant water; increase in breeding site mosquitoes; increase in vectors / ref to malaria; 3 6(c) any two from: flooding; loss of life; financial losses / loss of jobs; damage to buildings and infrastructure; loss of, crops / animals; malnutrition / famine; 2 Question Answer Marks 7(a) line graph with: both axes labelled; linear scale on both axes with a scale that uses at least half of the grid; all 5 data points plotted to within half of a small square; point-to-point lines drawn with no extrapolation; 4 7(b) 93 2; (value to be fixed once graph plotted) indication shown on graph at 2000; 2 7(c)(i) (percentage change) allows each country to be directly compared / takes into account different total quantities / population / industrialisation; 1
Mark scheme, page 11
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 11 of 12 Question Answer Marks 7(c)(ii) any five from: developing renewable energy sources; taxation / increase price of oil / fuel; reduce extraction / imports; reduce amount of oil used as a raw material / plastic / electricity generation; exploiting other existing non-renewable energy sources / named example e.g. nuclear / coal; increase efficiency in oil use; transport policies / idea of public transport explained; use of electric cars / ban oil powered vehicles; government incentives to buy electric cars: AVP; 5 Question Answer Marks 8(a)(i) 2.5 (%); 1 8(a)(ii) water vapour / atmospheric water; 1 8(a)(iii) idea that water cycles / volumes change; 1 8(b) any two from: aquifers; wells; rivers; lakes; 2
Mark scheme, page 12
0680/12 Cambridge IGCSE – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED February/March 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 12 of 12 Question Answer Marks 8(c) Level of response marked question: Level 3 [5–6 marks] A coherent response is given that develops and supports the candidate’s conclusion using relevant details and examples. Indicative content and subject-specific vocabulary are generally used precisely and accurately. Good responses are likely to present a balanced evaluation of both statements. Level 2 [3–4 marks] Development and support of the conclusion is evident, though the response may lack some coherence and / or detail. Irrelevant detail may be present. Indicative content and subject-specific vocabulary are used but may lack some precision and / or accuracy. Responses contain evaluation of the statement, but this may not be balanced. Level 1 [1–2 marks] The response may be limited in development and/or support. Contradictions and / or irrelevant detail may be present. Indicative content and subject-specific vocabulary may be limited or absent. Responses may lack structure or be in the form of a list. Evaluation may be limited or absent. No response or no creditable response [0 marks] Indicative content: agree: (construction will) create jobs / generate income (reservoir will) provide drinking water / allow crops to be irrigated / allow animals to be raised / create new habitats (generate opportunity for) tourism / fishing industry / additional population / generating hydroelectric power / prevent flooding downstream / effect on biodiversity qualified do not agree: (construction will mean people) lose their homes / forced to move / community destroyed / farmland lost (reservoir may) affect people downstream that use the river / impact migratory fish / destroy important habitats / trap sediments / lower water quality / effect on biodiversity qualified 6
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 Feb/March, Paper 1 · Variant 2. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.