AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2021: Question 7

9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Analyze trends in biodiversity spending from a bar chart, calculate a percentage decrease, and identify uses of peat and methods to increase biodiversity.

Practise this question

Question

The image shows a bar chart (Figure 6) titled 'Money spent on conserving biodiversity in the UK by the government'. The y-axis is 'Money spent in millions of pounds' ranging from 300 to 700, and the x-axis is 'Year' from 2005 to 2017. The bars show an initial increase from 2005 to a peak in 2008, followed by a general decline with another peak in 2013. Below the chart are four questions: 07.1 asks to describe trends from 2005 to 2011; 07.2 provides a formula for percentage decrease and asks for a calculation from 2013 to 2017 to 2 significant figures; 07.3 asks for two uses of peat; and 07.4 asks for two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK.
Question text

07 Figure 6 shows the money spent on conserving biodiversity in the UK by

the government.

Figure 6

07.1 Describe the trends in the money spent on conserving biodiversity from 2005 to 2011.

Use data from Figure 6 in your answer.

[2 marks]

07.2 Calculate the percentage decrease in the money spent on conserving biodiversity

from 2013 to 2017.

Use the equation:

change in money spent from 2013 to 2017

percentage decrease = × 100

money spent in 2013

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

[3 marks]

Percentage decrease (2 significant figures) = %

07.3 Conservation of peat bogs can help maintain biodiversity.

Give two uses of peat taken from peat bogs.

[2 marks]

07.4 Describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK.

Do not refer to money spent or to peat in your answer.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme table provides marking points for questions 07.1 to 07.4. For 07.1, marks are given for noting the increase to 2008 (690 million) and the decrease to 2011 (630 million). For 07.2, the calculation is shown as ((690 - 460) / 690) x 100, resulting in 33.3%, which must be rounded to 33% for the final mark. For 07.3, accepted answers are compost and burning/fuel. For 07.4, a list of acceptable ways to increase biodiversity is provided, including reducing pollution, planting trees, breeding programmes, and rewilding.

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

07.1 increases (from 2005) to 690 allow peak in 2008 1 AO2

million or increases to 2008 allow peak at 690 million 4.7.3.1

4.7.3.6

decreases (from 2008) to 630 1

million

if no other mark awarded,

allow overall increase from

470 million

or

overall increase to 630 million

or

(overall) increase of 160 million

or

increases to 690 and decreases

to 630 (without units)

for 1 mark

07.2 allow AO2

690(million) − 460(million) 230(million) 1 4.7.3.1

× 100 × 100

690(million) 690(million) 4.7.3.6

33.3 (%) ignore number of decimal places 1

allow calculated value from

incorrect graph readings

33 (%) allow calculated answer 1

correctly given to 2 significant

figures

07.3 compost allow improving soil (texture / 1 AO1

drainage / quality) 4.7.3.3

ignore farming unqualified

ignore as fertiliser

burning 1

or

as a fuel

ignore references to carbon

dioxide, greenhouse gases or 19

07.4 AO1

global warming

2 4.7.3.1

any two from:

• reduce pollution allow reduce named example of 4.7.3.2

pollution, eg smoke or acidic 4.7.3.4

gases or sewage or fertiliser 4.7.3.6

allow reduce toxic waste

dumping

• plant trees allow afforestation

allow reforestation

ignore reduce / stop

deforestation

• breeding programmes (for

endangered species)

• rewilding / regeneration of allow planting wild flower seeds

habitats / hedgerows /

meadows

• (reintroducing) wider field

margins

• plant a variety of crops allow reduce monoculture

• reduce use of pesticide /

herbicide / insecticide

ignore recycling

ignore protect / conserve

habitat(s) / areas

Total 9

How to answer it

Biodiversity: Data Analysis & Conservation

What this question tests

This question assesses your ability to interpret complex bar charts, perform multi-step percentage calculations, and recall specific human impacts on biodiversity, such as the use of peat and conservation strategies.

Question Part 07.1

Describing Trends from Graphs

Describe the trends in money spent from 2005 to 2011.

Correct Answer

  • Spending increases from 2005 to 2008 (reaching 690 million). [1 mark]
  • Spending then decreases from 2008 to 2011 (falling to 630 million). [1 mark]

Exam Technique

When asked to "describe a trend" using data, you must:

  1. Identify the turning point (the peak).
  2. Use specific years or values from the axes.
  3. Check the scale: each small square on the y-axis represents 10 million.
Question Part 07.2

Percentage Decrease Calculation

Calculate the percentage decrease from 2013 to 2017 to 2 significant figures.

Step-by-Step Calculation

1 Identify the values:
Money in 2013 = 690 million
Money in 2017 = 460 million

2 Calculate the change:
690 - 460 = 230 million [1 mark]

3 Apply the formula:
(230 ÷ 690) × 100 = 33.333...% [1 mark]

4 Round to 2 Significant Figures:
33% [1 mark]

Common Errors

  • Misreading the graph: Students often mistake 460 for 450. Look closely at the grid lines!
  • Significant Figures: Writing "33.3" or "33.33" loses the final mark. The question specifically asks for 2 sig figs.

Examiner Insight

Top-level responses show all working. Even if you make a mistake reading the graph, you can still get "Error Carried Forward" marks if your calculation method is correct.

Question Part 07.3

Uses of Peat

Give two uses of peat taken from peat bogs.

Key Knowledge

Peat is partially decayed plant matter. It is removed for two main reasons:

  • Compost: Used in gardens to improve soil quality/texture.
  • Fuel: It is dried and burned for heating or electricity.

What to Avoid

Do not just say "fertiliser". While it's used in gardening, examiners prefer "compost" or "soil improver". Also, avoid "farming" as it is too vague.

Question Part 07.4

Increasing Biodiversity

Describe two ways to increase biodiversity in the UK.

Accepted Answers (Choose Two)

  • Breeding programmes for endangered species.
  • Rewilding or regeneration of habitats (e.g., planting wildflower meadows).
  • Planting trees (afforestation).
  • Reducing pollution (e.g., reducing waste in rivers or limiting acidic gases).
  • Reintroducing hedgerows or wider field margins in farming.
  • Reducing pesticide/herbicide use to protect food chains.

Read the Constraints!

The question says: "Do not refer to money spent or to peat." If you mentioned "stopping peat removal," you would score 0 marks for that point because the examiner specifically excluded it.

Common Misconception

Many students mention "recycling." While good for the environment, recycling does not directly increase biodiversity in a measurable way for this syllabus. Stick to habitat and species-based answers.

Topics

Biology · B7: Ecology

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Biology Paper 2 (Foundation), 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.