AQA Alevel Env Sci - Sustainability - Knowledge Check & MS

This resource is a diagnostic knowledge check for the Sustainability topic of the AQA A-level Environmental Science specification.

It is designed to help students and teachers identify gaps in understanding after teaching the Sustainability topic. The questions are original and structured to assess recall, application and skills/data analysis.

The knowledge check covers:

• sustainability as a systems concept
• dynamic equilibria in natural systems
• negative feedback mechanisms that resist change
• positive feedback mechanisms that increase change
• equilibrium tipping points and new equilibria
• why diverse systems are often more resistant to change
• natural energy systems and renewable energy inputs
• energy efficiency in natural and human systems
• material cycles and the recycling of wastes as raw materials
• comparisons between natural and human systems
• circular economy principles
• separation of biological and technical materials
• optimum production rather than maximum production
• reducing resource use and designing for reuse, repair and recycling
• ecological footprints and biocapacity
• ecological deficits and ecological reserves
• links between sustainable development, HDI and resource use

The resource includes:

• Section A: Recall questions
• Section B: Application questions
• Section C: Skills and data analysis
• full teacher mark scheme
• specification point mapping for each question
• maths and working scientifically links where relevant
• diagnostic notes for teachers

This resource is suitable for:

• AQA A-level Environmental Science students
• end-of-topic review
• retrieval practice
• diagnostic assessment
• Paper 2 revision
• identifying misconceptions and gaps before assessment
• structured homework or independent revision
• preparing students for sustainability evaluation questions

The mark scheme is designed to support teacher feedback and student self-assessment. It includes acceptable answers, specification links and guidance on common areas where students may lose marks.