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IB MYP Global Contexts
Understand the 6 Global Contexts and how to use them in your assessments.
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What are Global Contexts?
Global Contexts are the six themes that the IB MYP uses to connect learning across subjects to real-world issues. Each eAssessment session focuses on one Global Context, meaning every exam question is framed through that lens.
Understanding the current Global Context helps you interpret questions correctly, write relevant answers, and demonstrate the kind of connected thinking examiners are looking for.
Key insight: You're not tested on the Global Context itself. Instead, the GC provides the setting for subject-specific questions. A maths question about statistics might be set in the context of identity surveys; a science question might explore how relationships affect health.
The 6 Global Contexts
🧑
Identities and Relationships
Who we are, health, human relationships, what it means to be human
📍
Orientation in Space and Time
History, geography, personal histories, civilisations, migration
🎨
Personal and Cultural Expression
Aesthetics, craft, creativity, culture, beauty, imagination
🔬
Scientific and Technical Innovation
Natural world, technology, adaptation, ingenuity, problem-solving
🌎
Globalisation and Sustainability
Interconnectedness, environment, consumption, resources, trade
⚖️
Fairness and Development
Rights, law, power, ethics, equality, justice, peace
🧑 Identities and Relationships
Who we are, what it means to be human, health, well-being, and human relationships
What this context explores
This GC focuses on identity, self-worth, mental and physical health, human development, family, friends, communities, and cultures. It asks students to consider how people form identities and what influences human behaviour and relationships.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Personal identity, self-image, and self-esteem
- Physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being
- Human relationships - family, peer groups, communities
- Beliefs, values, and moral reasoning
- What makes us human - nature vs nurture
- Motivation, competition, and personal development
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Statistics on health data, population surveys, identity-related datasets
- Sciences: Human body systems, hormones, genetics, mental health, nutrition
- English: Texts about personal identity, coming-of-age, relationships
- Humanities: Migration, cultural identity, social structures
- Arts: Self-portraits, personal expression, art as identity
Example exam framing
"A school counsellor surveys 120 students about their stress levels during exams. The data is shown in the table below. Calculate the mean stress score and discuss what this suggests about student well-being."
Practice Questions by Subject
These sample questions show how Identities and Relationships appears across different subjects in eAssessments:
Maths
- A researcher surveys 200 teenagers about how many hours per week they spend on social media. The results are: 0–2 hrs (18%), 3–5 hrs (32%), 6–10 hrs (35%), 11+ hrs (15%). Draw a pie chart for this data and calculate the mean number of hours. Discuss what the data suggests about the relationship between social media use and teenage identity.
- A psychologist measures self-esteem scores (out of 50) for two groups: students who play team sports and students who do not. Team sport group: 38, 42, 35, 41, 39, 44, 37. Non-sport group: 28, 33, 31, 25, 30, 27, 34. Calculate the mean and range for each group and discuss what the data suggests about the relationship between team sports and self-image.
- The probability that a randomly selected student at a school speaks more than one language is 0.45. If 3 students are chosen at random, find the probability that at least one speaks more than one language. Explain what multilingualism might mean for personal identity.
Sciences (Biology / Chemistry / Physics)
- Explain how hormonal changes during puberty affect both the physical body and emotional well-being of adolescents. Describe the role of at least two hormones in this process.
- A student investigates how caffeine intake affects heart rate. Design an experiment to test this, including a hypothesis, variables (independent, dependent, controlled), and explain what the results might reveal about how lifestyle choices affect our physical identity.
- Genetic inheritance determines many physical traits. Using a Punnett square, show the possible genotypes when two heterozygous parents (Bb) have children. Discuss the extent to which our genes define "who we are."
English (Language and Literature)
- Read the extract in which a character moves to a new country and struggles to fit in. How does the writer use language to convey the character's sense of lost identity? Comment on specific literary devices.
- Compare how two texts present the theme of "belonging." One is a memoir about growing up between two cultures; the other is a poem about leaving home. Analyse how each writer's choices reflect their perspective on identity.
- Write a personal essay titled "The Moment I Understood Who I Was." Use narrative techniques such as imagery, dialogue, and reflection to explore a moment that shaped your sense of identity.
Humanities (History & Geography)
- History: Explain how the Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968) changed the identity of African Americans. Consider both legal changes and shifts in cultural pride and self-perception.
- History: Evaluate the role of migration in shaping national identity, using one specific case study (e.g., the Windrush generation in Britain, or Italian immigration to the USA).
- Geography: Describe how urbanisation can change community identity. Use a named example of a megacity to discuss the tension between traditional culture and modern urban life.
- Geography: Explain how forced migration (e.g., the Syrian refugee crisis) affects the identities of both the displaced people and the host communities. Consider cultural, economic, and social perspectives.
Tips for answering
- Connect your answer back to people - don't just give a number, explain what it means for individuals
- Use language like "this suggests that...", "this could affect someone's well-being by..."
- If discussing data, think about who the people behind the numbers are
- Consider multiple perspectives - age, culture, gender, background
📍 Orientation in Space and Time
Personal histories, civilisations, migration, displacement, transformation over time
What this context explores
This GC is about understanding our position in time and space - how the past shapes the present, how places influence people, and how things change over time and across boundaries.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Historical events and their consequences
- Change over time - trends, evolution, progress
- Geography - location, movement, land use, natural features
- Migration, displacement, and journeys
- Scale - local vs global, micro vs macro
- Turning points, eras, and timelines
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Time-series data, rate of change, distance/speed problems, historical datasets
- Sciences: Evolution, geological time, astronomy, plate tectonics
- English: Historical fiction, diaries, memoir, colonial/post-colonial texts
- Humanities: Civilisations, empires, exploration, cartography
- Arts: Art movements through history, cultural heritage, architecture
Example exam framing
"The graph below shows the population of a coastal city from 1950 to 2020. Describe the trend and suggest two factors that could explain the changes observed."
Tips for answering
- Always reference time - use phrases like "over the period", "from X to Y", "this changed because..."
- Think about cause and effect across time periods
- Consider both short-term and long-term impacts
- If given a location, think about how geography influences the scenario
🎨 Personal and Cultural Expression
Aesthetics, creativity, culture, beauty, imagination, and the ways ideas are expressed
What this context explores
This GC focuses on how people express ideas, feelings, and culture through language, art, music, design, and creativity. It explores what we find beautiful, meaningful, or artistically important.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Creativity, imagination, and artistic expression
- Cultural practices, traditions, and rituals
- Language, storytelling, and communication
- Design, aesthetics, and visual culture
- Music, performance, and media
- How culture shapes and is shaped by people
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Patterns, symmetry, tessellations, golden ratio, geometric art
- Sciences: Biomimicry, colour science, materials in art, sound waves and music
- English: Poetry, literary analysis, creative writing, cultural narratives
- Humanities: Cultural practices, traditions, festivals, cultural conflict
- Arts: Artistic intention, cultural influences, personal portfolios
Example exam framing
"A designer uses geometric transformations to create a repeating pattern for a cultural festival banner. Describe the transformations used and calculate the total area of the design."
Tips for answering
- Acknowledge the cultural or creative context - don't ignore it even if the question is technical
- Think about why something was designed or expressed in a particular way
- If analysing text or art, consider the creator's intention and audience
- Use terms like "this expresses...", "the design choice reflects..."
🔬 Scientific and Technical Innovation
The natural world, technology, adaptation, ingenuity, and evidence-based problem-solving
What this context explores
This GC is about how humans interact with the world through science and technology - how we understand natural processes, solve problems through innovation, and the impact of technological change.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Scientific discovery and the scientific method
- Technology, engineering, and invention
- Evidence, data, and logical reasoning
- Adaptation and evolution (biological and technological)
- Impact of innovation on society and the environment
- Systems, models, and simulations
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Modelling, optimisation, algorithm design, measurement accuracy
- Sciences: Experiments, hypotheses, lab techniques, energy, materials
- English: Science fiction, persuasive writing about technology, ethical debates
- Humanities: Industrial revolution, digital age, space exploration
- Arts: Digital art, design thinking, technology in performance
Example exam framing
"Engineers are testing a new water filtration system. The graph shows bacteria removal rates at different flow speeds. Determine the optimal flow speed and explain the scientific reasoning behind your answer."
Tips for answering
- Emphasise evidence - say "the data shows", "based on the results"
- Discuss both benefits and limitations of innovations
- Use scientific terminology precisely
- Think about real-world applications - how does this solve a problem?
🌎 Globalisation and Sustainability
Interconnectedness, environment, consumption, resources, trade, and human impact
What this context explores
This GC examines how the world is connected through trade, technology, and culture, and how human activity affects the environment. It focuses on sustainability, resource management, and our shared responsibility for the planet.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation
- Resource management - water, energy, food, raw materials
- Global trade, economics, and supply chains
- Urbanisation and population growth
- Biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation
- Sustainable development and the UN SDGs
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Carbon footprint calculations, population modelling, resource allocation
- Sciences: Climate data, ecology, renewable energy, chemical pollution
- English: Environmental journalism, persuasive speeches, dystopian fiction
- Humanities: Trade routes, economic development, environmental policy
- Arts: Environmental art, sustainable design, activism through art
Example exam framing
"A country's CO₂ emissions from 2000 to 2025 are shown below. Using the data, predict emissions for 2030 and evaluate one strategy the country could use to reduce them."
Tips for answering
- Think globally and locally - show awareness of interconnected effects
- Discuss sustainability - long-term consequences, not just short-term gains
- Consider multiple stakeholders - governments, businesses, communities, individuals
- Reference real-world examples if appropriate
⚖️ Fairness and Development
Rights, law, power, ethics, equality, justice, peace, and conflict resolution
What this context explores
This GC addresses issues of equity, justice, and the distribution of power and resources. It asks students to think about what is fair, who benefits, who is disadvantaged, and how systems can be improved.
Key themes to look for in exam questions
- Human rights, justice, and law
- Inequality - wealth, access to education, healthcare
- Governance, democracy, and political systems
- Conflict, peace-building, and cooperation
- Ethics, responsibility, and moral dilemmas
- Development - economic, social, and human
How it appears across subjects
- Maths: Data on inequality, fair division problems, probability in legal contexts
- Sciences: Access to medicine, ethical experimentation, technology gaps
- English: Social justice texts, speeches, dystopian/utopian literature
- Humanities: Human rights movements, governance, international relations
- Arts: Protest art, social commentary, art for change
Example exam framing
"The table shows access to clean water in five different regions. Compare the data and discuss how mathematical analysis could be used to support fairer resource distribution."
Tips for answering
- Address who benefits and who doesn't - show awareness of different perspectives
- Use terms like "equitable", "just", "access", "rights"
- Consider power dynamics - who makes decisions and who is affected?
- Think about solutions, not just problems
💡 How to Answer GC-Related Questions
1
Read the scenario carefully. The GC is embedded in the question's context (a story, dataset, or situation). Identify which GC theme is being used - this tells you what kind of thinking the examiner expects.
2
Answer the subject first, then connect. Your primary job is to show subject knowledge (do the maths, explain the science). Then, link your answer to the GC context - e.g., "This result suggests that the community's well-being is affected by..."
3
Use the GC language. Mirror the vocabulary of the Global Context in your response. If the question is about identity, use words like "identity", "self", "well-being". If it's about sustainability, use "resources", "impact", "long-term".
4
Show multiple perspectives. GC questions reward nuanced thinking. Consider different viewpoints - cultural, ethical, environmental, personal. A one-sided answer misses marks.
5
Don't force it. If the question is purely technical (e.g., "solve this equation"), focus on the maths. Only bring in the GC when the question asks you to "discuss", "evaluate", "explain the significance", or "suggest".
6
Practise with past papers. Look at eAssessment papers from previous sessions. Notice how the GC shapes the stimulus material - this helps you anticipate the framing in your own exam.
eAssessment GC Cycle
The IB rotates through the 6 Global Contexts on a fixed schedule. Here's the current cycle: