Question 19M.3.HL.TZ1.a.ii
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 19M.3.HL.TZ1.a.ii |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Suggest | Question number | a.ii | Adapted from | N/A |
The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a small rodent that is only found on Vancouver Island and is listed as critically endangered. Captive breeding and release programs for this species began in 1997 to attempt to restore population numbers on the island. The graph shows the causes of death of the marmots born in the wild and of those marmots released after being born and reared in captivity.
Suggest reasons for the differences in predation.
[2]
a. the marmots have experience with/recognize predators ✔
b. parents shield them from predators
OR
parents teach them about predators ✔
c. those born in the wild are favoured in natural selection ✔
Most candidates were able to score at least 1 mark here by commenting on either the greater experience with predators for marmots in the wild, or the role of learning. However, some examiners noted that students tended to use anthropomorphisms when discussing animals in this option. Also, it was surprising that very few students were able to achieve the marking point that those born in the wild were favoured by natural selection, as natural selection is one of the central ideas in biology.
