Examples of data based questions
There are many data based questions in IB exams. These questions are found in section A of paper two and also in Section B of paper three, the option paper.
This page list a number of examples of data based questions which can be found in this InThinking Biology website.
There are also data based questions in each of the IB style end ot topic tests in the assessment and revision section.
Data analysis questions about cancer and the digestive tract
Try this data analysis activity about mitosis. This link to mitosis is not immediately obvious, this is the sort of question which tests a students ability to work out what is happening in a specific biological study which they haven't seen before.
- Why do some 'villi' grow longer than others?
- What causes growth?
The evidence in the study supports the concept of mitosis which has become deregulated in the small intestines, which may cause cancer.
Cancer and the digestive tract - linking cell division, cancer and histology
To answer the questions precisely it's important to understand the command terms commonly found in data based questions.
| State | Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation. |
| Measure | Obtain a value for a quantity. |
| Calculate | Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working. |
| Estimate | Obtain an approximate value. |
| Describe | Give a detailed account. |
| Distinguish between | Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items. |
| Compare | Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. |
| Compare and contrast | Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. |
| Analyse | Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. |
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- Eukaryotic Cell Ultrastructure This activity contains range of resources to teach about the structure of eukaryotic cells. An introduction to cell ultrastructure including a student activity sheet with examiner's hints is followed by a short screencast explaining how to draw a eukaryotic cell diagram simply so that it doesn't take too long during the exam. Flashcards help students' learn the organelle labels, followed by some questions including a data based IB style question.
- Calculating Magnification and Size In this activity students are shown how to calculate magnification and image sizes using scale bars. Then they learn how to calculate specimen size using magnification. The resources can be projected on the interactive whiteboard and there is a student worksheet with some extra examples for students to practice. There is also a short video screencast for this activity.
- Enzyme Theory This activity covers the lock and key hypothesis and enzyme activity. Enzymes like RNA polymerase are at the centre of most of the cells biochemical activity. This lesson answers the question, "How do enzymes work?" Students complete research, work with an online animation, make structured notes using a worksheet then test their knowledge with a range of questions including a data analysis.
- Base substitution mutation. Sickle cell disease is used as an example of a base substitution mutation. Students build on the basic vocabulary and apply their understanding to an IB style question about the consequences of a base substitution leading to sickle cell anaemia. This is an introduction to alleles. A structured worksheet helps students to keep their notes clear. The last activity contains three further IB style questions which give students an opportunity to improve their exam technique by improving typical student responses.
- Stargardt disease This activity provides a great opportunity for students to make links between the Cells, Molecules and Genetics topics of the IB course. Perfect preparation for difficult exam questions.
- Carbon Cycle Skills. The size and speed of carbon flux between different carbon reservoirs and the processes responsible give students a detailed understanding of the carbon cycle. This lesson begins with the identification of different carbon molecules, the reservoirs and the processes which make up the carbon cycle. Analysis of data from the latest research is where todays controversies lie and students are given opportunities to test their understanding in data analysis questions in the third activity.
- Evolution examples Students investigate adaptive radiation and industrial melanism as well as gradual divergence of populations into separate species. All of these ideas have been contested, especially in social media, so IB students should give them close scrutiny to see if the biological explanations are convincing and to understand the roles of genetic variation and overproduction of offspring in evolution.
- Hormones and the menstrual cycle Students are introduced to the hormones of the menstrual cycle and their functions using a short presentation. This is followed by an activity looking at the effects the hormones have on one another and an explanation of positive and negative feedback. Students are asked to draw a diagram and then answer data based IB style questions to further consolidate learning. Activity 3 is a data based question on hormones of the menstrual cycle
- Plastic debris Students watch an short emotive presentation and video about the tragic death of Laysan albatross chicks on Midway Atoll in the north Pacific. They are given an opportunity to deconstruct this presentation and to think about it scientifically using critical thinking. A research activity follows leading to a data based IB style question about Laysan Albatross chicks and other species of seabirds.
- Biomagnification Biomagnification is the process where pollutants become concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels. In this activity students analyse and explain some simple data from a food chain including ring-billed gulls and discuss the trade-off between control of the malarial parasite and DDT pollution.
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