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IB Geography Past Papers & Drilling (Paper 1): Land Use and Urban Sprawl Essays
TUTORZONE ORIGINAL DRILLING MOCK · IB GEOGRAPHY PAPER 1 (CURRENT COURSE)
Written to the current IB Geography course: Paper 1 (optional themes) SL 40 marks, 1 h 30 min (two questions, 20 marks each = a 10-mark structured question with a graphic/map plus a 10-mark essay); HL 60 marks, 2 h 15 min (three questions). This is a Paper 1 drilling mock with answers and techniques.
What is in IB Geography Paper 1?
Direct answer: optional themes, 20 marks per question (10-mark structured plus 10-mark essay). SL answers two, 40 marks, 1 h 30 min; HL three, 60 marks, 2 h 15 min.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Themes) | SL two questions/40 marks; HL three/60 | SL 35%／HL 35% | SL 1 h 30 min / HL 2 h 15 min |
| Paper 2 (Core: Global Change) | Section A short responses + B visual stimulus + C essay | SL 40%／HL 25% | 1 h 15 min |
IB Geography Paper 1 drilling technique: count the marks per part first (3 marks = three points, 4 marks = two points plus mechanism); structured parts use the figure only – do not recite the textbook; a 10-mark essay needs an intro, both sides and a judgement – Evaluate/To what extent demands a conclusion; about 45 minutes per question, never more than 50 on one.
How this paper was built
This is a TutorZone original drilling mock: the questions follow the IB Geography Paper 1 format and the answers are our own, not IB past papers, marking references or IB publications; the figures and data are teaching samples.
Pacing
| Section | Marks | Suggested time | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Themes) | SL 35%／HL 35% | about 45 min per question | structured question + 10-mark essay |
| Paper 2 (Core: Global Change) | SL 40%／HL 25% | about 35 min for Section A | core themes (population, climate, resources) |
Structured question vs essay?
Direct answer: the 10-mark structured part is answered from the figure/map only, one point per mark; the 10-mark essay needs an intro, both sides and an explicit judgement.
Paper 1: two optional themes (20 marks each)
Structured parts use the figure; the 10-mark essay needs both sides and a judgement.
Question 1 (3 marks)
[Urban Environments] (a) Describe the pattern of urban land use shown in the map.
Question 2 (4 marks)
(b) Explain two causes of urban sprawl.
Question 3 (3 marks)
(c) Name one megacity and explain one urban challenge it faces.
Question 4 (10 marks)
(d) Essay: “Evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable urban planning strategies in reducing traffic congestion.”
Question 5 (20 marks)
[Second theme sample] Another optional theme follows the same format: a 10-mark structured question with a graphic/map plus a 10-mark essay (choice of two).
How long per question?
Direct answer: about 45 minutes per question across the 1 h 30 min SL paper – never more than 50 minutes on one.
Paper 1 answers and marks
Question 1
Describe from the map only (1 mark each): (1) the CBD sits at the centre; (2) residential density declines outwards; (3) industry follows main roads/rivers.
Question 2
2 marks each (cause + mechanism): (1) better transport (motorways/metro) lowers commuting cost so people live further out; (2) land prices and housing demand push families to suburbs for more space.
Question 3
Must name it with a figure (1) plus challenge + explanation (2), e.g. a city over 20 million people -> slum expansion and inadequate water supply.
Question 4
A 10-mark essay needs argument, evidence and evaluation: (1) Intro defining sustainable urban planning (1-2); (2) Support – e.g. BRT, congestion charging, cycle networks – with evidence of effect (3-4); (3) Counter/limits – cost, equity, dependence on urban form (3-4); (4) Judgement on how far it works (1-2). Evaluate requires a conclusion.
Question 5
SL answers two questions (two optional themes), 20 marks each; HL answers three (60 marks). Before starting, count the marks per part; a 10-mark essay runs about 6-8 paragraphs.
Which topics does this paper drill?
Direct answer: describing urban land use, causes of urban sprawl, megacity challenges and the structure of a 10-mark evaluative essay.
Where these marks are usually lost
| Mistake | What it looks like | What it costs | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reciting in structured parts | Textbook theory | Describe from the figure only | use the figure |
| Point count not matching marks | One point for a 3-mark part | One point per mark | match the marks |
| 10-mark essay with no conclusion | Strengths only | Both sides plus judgement | reach a conclusion |
| Over 50 minutes on one question | Overlong first answer | About 45 min per question | control the clock |
How to use this paper
First drill: the full 1 h 30 min (45 min per question) with no notes.
Mark it: check the point count per part, whether structured parts used the figure, and whether the essay reached a conclusion.
Second drill: redo three to seven days later, aiming to finish inside 1 h 20 min.
What should I do after drilling this paper?
Direct answer: log answers with mismatched point counts or no conclusion; redo in three to seven days; and drill Paper 2 (core theme).
FAQ
Is this an IB past paper?
No. The questions and answers are TutorZone originals, not IB past papers, marking references or IB publications.
What is in IB Geography Paper 1?
Optional themes: 20 marks per question (a 10-mark structured question with a graphic/map plus a 10-mark essay). SL: two questions, 40 marks, 1 h 30 min; HL: three, 60 marks, 2 h 15 min.
How do I write the 10-mark essay?
Define the key term, give the supporting argument with named cases, then the counter or limits, then an explicit judgement. Evaluate/To what extent always requires a conclusion.
Official references
| Resource | What to check |
|---|---|
| IB Geography subject page (IBO) | Confirm the Paper 1-3 marks and times |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-ib-history-paper-1-mock-2027/ | IB History Paper 1 drilling mock |
Related: practice area · IB Geography Paper 2 drilling mock · IB Geography Paper 3 drilling mock (HL) · IB History Paper 1 mock · IB Geography drilling guide
Next step: find a tutor / register as a tutor
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