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A Level H1 Geography Practice Paper 2

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H1 A-Level

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI)

Subject: Geography H1
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper 1 (Theme: Resources & Sustainability)
Version: 2 of 5
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 60

Name: _________________________
Class: _________________________
Date: _________________________

Instructions to Candidates

Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on Section A and 45 minutes on Section B.
This paper focuses on the theme of Resources and Sustainability, covering urban liveability, informal settlements, and sustainable management strategies.

Section A: Source-Based Questions (30 Marks)

Study Resources 1, 2, and 3 below.

Resource 1: Graph showing the change in access to improved sanitation facilities in two districts of a developing city (District A: Formal Settlement; District B: Informal Settlement/Favela) from 2010 to 2022.

Year	District A (% Access)	District B (% Access)
2010	98%	45%
2014	99%	52%
2018	100%	68%
2022	100%	85%

Resource 2: Photograph of a community-led waste management initiative in an informal settlement in Jakarta, Indonesia. The image shows residents sorting recyclable materials at a local collection point, with a sign reading "Bank Sampah" (Waste Bank).

Resource 3: Extract from a report on Urban Sustainability in Southeast Asia (2023).

"While state-led infrastructure projects have successfully improved water and sanitation coverage in formal urban areas, informal settlements often remain underserved due to legal ambiguities regarding land tenure. However, recent trends show a shift towards 'co-production' models, where local communities partner with NGOs and municipal governments to deliver services. These grassroots initiatives, such as community waste banks and rainwater harvesting systems, have proven cost-effective and socially sustainable, though they lack the scale of centralised government projects."

Question 1
Describe the trends in access to improved sanitation facilities in District A and District B as shown in Resource 1. [4]

Question 2
With reference to Resource 1 and Resource 3, account for the difference in the rate of improvement in sanitation access between District A and District B from 2010 to 2022. [6]

Question 3
Explain how the initiative shown in Resource 2 contributes to sustainable urban development in informal settlements. [5]

Question 4
"Evaluate the usefulness of Resource 3 in helping to understand the challenges of achieving sustainable service provision in informal settlements." [7]

Question 5
A group of students is investigating the liveability of different urban neighbourhoods. They propose using both quantitative data (like Resource 1) and qualitative data (like Resource 2).
Discuss the advantages of using a mixed-methods approach in this investigation. [8]

Section B: Structured and Extended Response Questions (30 Marks)

Question 6
(a) Define the term urban liveability. [2]

(b) Explain two reasons why access to basic services (such as water and sanitation) is a key indicator of urban liveability. [4]

Question 7
"Slums are merely a problem to be removed."
To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer, refer to the role of informal settlements in providing housing and livelihoods. [8]

Question 8
Assess the effectiveness of site-and-service schemes as a strategy to improve living conditions in informal settlements. Use specific examples to support your answer. [8]

Question 9
"'Technological solutions are the most important factor in achieving resource sustainability in cities.'
Discuss this statement. In your answer, consider the role of technology versus social and political factors." [8]

End of Paper

Answers

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H1 A-Level

Answer Key & Marking Scheme
Version: 2 of 5
Topic: Resources & Sustainability

Section A: Source-Based Questions

Question 1: Describe the trends in access to improved sanitation facilities in District A and District B as shown in Resource 1. [4]

District A (Formal): Access was already very high in 2010 (98%) and reached near-universal coverage (100%) by 2018, remaining stable thereafter. The trend shows saturation/high baseline. [2 marks]
District B (Informal): Access started much lower in 2010 (45%) but showed a consistent and significant upward trend, rising to 85% by 2022. The rate of improvement was faster in District B compared to District A during this period. [2 marks]
- Note: Awards marks for accurate data citation and description of direction/magnitude of change.

Question 2: With reference to Resource 1 and Resource 3, account for the difference in the rate of improvement in sanitation access between District A and District B from 2010 to 2022. [6]

District A (High Baseline/Stagnant Growth): As a formal settlement, it likely benefited from early state-led infrastructure investment and clear land tenure, allowing for rapid initial coverage (Resource 3 mentions state-led projects succeed in formal areas). By 2010, it was near saturation, leaving little room for growth. [2 marks]
District B (Low Baseline/Rapid Growth): Initially lagged due to "legal ambiguities regarding land tenure" which hindered formal government infrastructure rollout (Resource 3). [2 marks]
Reason for Improvement in B: The subsequent rise (52% to 85%) can be attributed to the "shift towards co-production models" and grassroots initiatives (Resource 3) which bypassed legal barriers, allowing for incremental improvements where state projects could not initially reach. [2 marks]

Question 3: Explain how the initiative shown in Resource 2 contributes to sustainable urban development in informal settlements. [5]

Environmental Sustainability: The "Waste Bank" promotes recycling and proper waste disposal, reducing pollution and health hazards associated with unmanaged waste in dense settlements. [2 marks]
Economic Sustainability: It creates livelihoods/income opportunities for residents through the sale of recyclables, addressing poverty (a key aspect of slum challenges). [2 marks]
Social Sustainability: It fosters community engagement and collective action ("community-led"), empowering residents and improving social cohesion/liveability. [1 mark]

Question 4: "Evaluate the usefulness of Resource 3 in helping to understand the challenges of achieving sustainable service provision in informal settlements." [7]

Useful Aspects:
- Identifies the root cause of service gaps: "legal ambiguities regarding land tenure," which explains why formal state projects fail in these areas. [2 marks]
- Highlights a key solution/challenge dynamic: The tension between "scale" (government) and "cost-effectiveness/social sustainability" (grassroots). This helps understand the trade-offs in policy. [2 marks]
Limitations:
- Lack of Specific Data: It is a general extract ("Southeast Asia") and lacks specific statistics on coverage gaps or failure rates, making it hard to quantify the magnitude of the challenge. [1 mark]
- Bias/Perspective: It presents a somewhat optimistic view of "co-production" without detailing the difficulties in scaling these initiatives or the potential for elite capture within communities. [1 mark]
- Temporal/Spatial Scope: It does not specify which cities or timeframes, limiting its applicability to specific case studies. [1 mark]
Conclusion: Useful for understanding the structural and political challenges, but limited in providing quantitative evidence of the extent of the problem. [1 mark for judgment]

Question 5: Discuss the advantages of using a mixed-methods approach in this investigation. [8]

Triangulation/Validity: Combining quantitative data (Resource 1: stats on sanitation) with qualitative data (Resource 2: visual/community context) allows for cross-verification. Stats show what is happening; photos/interviews show how and why. [2 marks]
Breadth and Depth: Quantitative data provides a broad overview of trends across the population (e.g., % access), while qualitative methods provide deep insight into individual experiences, perceptions of liveability, and community dynamics. [2 marks]
Addressing Complexity: Urban liveability is multidimensional (physical, social, economic). Numbers alone cannot capture social cohesion or fear (qualitative), while anecdotes alone cannot prove systemic trends. Mixed methods capture this complexity. [2 marks]
Policy Relevance: Provides a more holistic evidence base for planners. Stats justify infrastructure investment; qualitative data ensures interventions are socially acceptable and targeted correctly. [2 marks]

Section B: Structured and Extended Response Questions

Question 6
(a) Define the term urban liveability. [2]

Urban liveability refers to the overall quality of life in an urban area. [1 mark]
It encompasses factors such as access to services, safety, environmental quality, social cohesion, and economic opportunity. [1 mark]

(b) Explain two reasons why access to basic services (such as water and sanitation) is a key indicator of urban liveability. [4]

Health and Well-being: Lack of clean water and sanitation leads to the spread of waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid), directly reducing life expectancy and quality of life. [2 marks]
Dignity and Social Inclusion: Access to private, safe sanitation is linked to personal dignity, particularly for women and vulnerable groups. Lack of access forces unsafe practices, increasing vulnerability to harassment and social exclusion. [2 marks]

Question 7: "Slums are merely a problem to be removed." To what extent do you agree? [8]

Argument for "Problem": Slums are associated with overcrowding, poor sanitation, fire hazards, and crime. They can strain city resources and are often seen as blights on urban aesthetics and formal planning. [2 marks]
Argument Against (Slums as Solution/Asset):
- Housing Affordability: Slums provide the only affordable housing option for low-income migrants and workers who are essential to the city’s economy (e.g., service workers). Removing them creates a housing crisis. [2 marks]
- Livelihoods & Social Networks: They offer vibrant informal economies and strong social support networks that formal housing often lacks. They are sites of resilience and entrepreneurship. [2 marks]
Evaluation/Conclusion: Disagree to a large extent. While slums present challenges, they are a symptom of rapid urbanisation and housing policy failures, not just a "problem to be removed." Removal (eviction) often worsens poverty. Upgrading and integration are more sustainable approaches than removal. [2 marks]

Question 8: Assess the effectiveness of site-and-service schemes as a strategy to improve living conditions in informal settlements. [8]

Description: Site-and-service schemes provide plots of land with basic infrastructure (water, electricity, roads) to residents, who then build their own homes. [1 mark]
Effectiveness (Pros):
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper for governments than building full housing units, allowing for wider coverage. [1 mark]
- Empowerment: Allows residents to build according to their needs and financial capacity, fostering ownership and community stability. [1 mark]
- Improved Conditions: Provides legal tenure and basic services, significantly improving health and safety compared to spontaneous squatter settlements. [1 mark]
Limitations (Cons):
- Affordability: Even with subsidies, the poorest may not afford the plot or construction costs, leading to gentrification or exclusion of the most vulnerable. [1 mark]
- Location: Sites are often located on the urban periphery, far from jobs and services, increasing transport costs and time for residents. [1 mark]
- Pace: Self-building is slow; conditions may remain substandard for years. [1 mark]
Conclusion: Effective as a middle-ground strategy that balances state support with individual agency. However, its success depends heavily on location and affordability safeguards to ensure it helps the target population. [1 mark]

Question 9: "'Technological solutions are the most important factor in achieving resource sustainability in cities.' Discuss this statement. [8]

Argument for Technology:
- Efficiency: Technologies like smart grids, water recycling plants, and energy-efficient building materials directly reduce resource consumption and waste. [2 marks]
- Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, and waste-to-energy technologies are essential for decarbonising urban energy supplies. [1 mark]
Argument for Social/Political Factors (Counter):
- Behavioral Change: Technology is ineffective if residents do not adopt sustainable practices (e.g., recycling, conservation). Education and cultural shifts are crucial. [2 marks]
- Governance & Equity: Political will is needed to enforce regulations (e.g., carbon taxes, zoning laws). Without equitable policies, tech solutions may only benefit the wealthy (e.g., green gentrification), failing to achieve overall sustainability. [2 marks]
Conclusion: Technology is a necessary tool but not sufficient on its own. It is an enabler, but social acceptance and political frameworks are the most important drivers for implementation and equitable distribution. Therefore, the statement is only partially valid. [1 mark]