A Level H1 Geography Practice Paper 3

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H1 A-Level

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI) - Version 3

Subject: Geography H1
Level: A-Level
Paper: Paper 1 (Themes in Geography)
Duration: 3 Hours
Total Marks: 100
Name: __________________________ Class: __________ Date: __________

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Instructions to Candidates

1. This paper consists of two sections.
2. Answer all questions in the data-response sections.
3. Answer one essay question from each section.
4. Support your answers with specific case study evidence and geographical terminology.
5. Use the provided space for your responses.

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Section A: Climate Change and Flooding

Part 1: Data Response (30 Marks)

This section focuses on the interaction between atmospheric processes and hydrological responses.

Resource 1: A line graph showing the trend of Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) from 1900 to 2020, indicating an accelerating rate of rise after 1990. Resource 2: A map of the South Pacific showing the tracks of three major tropical cyclones in 2021 and the corresponding sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies (ranging from +0.5°C to +1.8°C). Resource 3: A storm hydrograph of a river in a coastal region of Fiji, showing a very short lag time and a high peak discharge following a cyclone event.

1. (a) Describe the temporal trend of Global Mean Sea Level as shown in Resource 1. [3]
   
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2. (b) With reference to Resource 2, explain how the sea surface temperature anomalies may have influenced the intensity of the tropical cyclones in the South Pacific. [6]
   
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3. (c) Using Resource 3, explain two reasons why the river in Fiji exhibited a short lag time and high peak discharge. [6]
   
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4. (d) Evaluate the usefulness of Resources 1 and 2 in helping to understand the overall vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to climate change. [8]
   
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5. (e) Suggest one mitigation strategy and one adaptation strategy that could be implemented in Fiji to manage the risks identified in Resource 3. [7]
   
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Part 2: Essay (20 Marks)

Answer one question from this section.

6. (a) "The collective effort of nations is the only effective way to mitigate the impacts of global climate change." To what extent do you agree with this statement? [20] OR
7. (b) "Climatic factors are more significant than human factors in determining the flood risk of a drainage basin." Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to examples. [20]

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Section B: Urban Change

Part 1: Data Response (30 Marks)

This section focuses on urban sustainability and the challenges of informal settlements.

Resource 4: A photograph of a favela in Rio de Janeiro, showing high-density housing built on steep slopes with visible open sewage drains and precarious electrical wiring. Resource 5: A table showing the percentage of residents with access to piped water and sanitation in three different urban districts of a developing city from 2000 to 2020. Resource 6: A map of a neighborhood in Singapore (Taman Jurong), highlighting the locations of community centers, elderly care clinics, and public transport hubs.

8. (a) Explain the characteristics of the informal settlement as seen in Resource 4. [5]
   
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9. (b) Account for the changes in service provision shown in Resource 5 between 2000 and 2020. [6]
   
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10. (c) Using Resource 6, explain why the elderly population in this neighborhood may experience high levels of urban liveability. [6]
    
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11. (d) A group of students conducted an investigation into "urban fear" in this neighborhood using bipolar surveys. Evaluate the reliability of using this method to assess liveability. [7]
    
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12. (e) Suggest how the urban challenges seen in Resource 4 could be addressed through sustainable urban development strategies. [6]
    
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Part 2: Essay (20 Marks)

Answer one question from this section.

13. (a) "Slums are the greatest impediment confronting cities in achieving sustainable urban development." How far do you agree with this statement? [20] OR
14. (b) Assess the success of strategies used by a city of your choice to improve urban liveability for a specific social group. [20]

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H1 A-Level

Answer Key & Marking Scheme (Version 3)

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Section A: Climate Change and Flooding

Part 1: Data Response

1. (a) Temporal Trend (3m)

   • 1 mark for identifying the general upward trend (sea level is rising).
   • 1 mark for noting the acceleration after 1990 (steeper gradient).
   • 1 mark for referencing specific data points from Resource 1 (e.g., "from X cm to Y cm").

2. (b) SST and Cyclone Intensity (6m)

   • Identification: SST anomalies are positive (+0.5 to +1.8°C), meaning waters are warmer than average. (2m)
   • Explanation: Warmer SSTs increase the rate of evaporation $\rightarrow$ more latent heat released during condensation $\rightarrow$ fuels the cyclone's energy and intensifies wind speeds/rainfall. (4m)

3. (c) Short Lag Time/High Peak Discharge (6m)

   • Reason 1: Physical factor (e.g., steep slopes in Fiji's coastal highlands) $\rightarrow$ rapid surface runoff. (3m)
   • Reason 2: Meteorological factor (e.g., intense rainfall from the cyclone) $\rightarrow$ soil saturation leading to high overland flow. (3m)

4. (d) Evaluation of Resources (8m)

   • Strengths: Resource 1 shows the long-term global threat (sea-level rise); Resource 2 shows the immediate, acute threat (cyclone intensity). Together they provide a multi-scalar view of vulnerability. (4m)
   • Limitations: Neither resource shows the socio-economic capacity of SIDS to respond (e.g., GDP, governance). They show the hazard, not the vulnerability. (4m)

5. (e) Mitigation vs Adaptation (7m)

   • Mitigation: Reducing GHG emissions (e.g., transitioning to solar power in Fiji) to slow long-term sea-level rise. (3m)
   • Adaptation: Building sea walls or improving drainage systems to manage the high peak discharge seen in Resource 3. (4m)

Part 2: Essay

6. (a) Collective Effort (20m)

   • Agree: Climate change is a global commons problem; carbon leakage occurs if only some nations act; Paris Agreement requires unified targets.
   • Disagree: National policies (e.g., Singapore's Green Plan) and corporate initiatives (Net Zero) can drive rapid change regardless of global treaties.
   • Conclusion: Collective effort is essential for scale, but national/local action is the engine of implementation.

7. (b) Climatic vs Human Factors (20m)

   • Climatic: Rainfall intensity, duration, and seasonality (e.g., Monsoons) are the primary triggers for flooding.
   • Human: Urbanization (impermeable surfaces), deforestation, and poor drainage (e.g., Mumbai) exacerbate the physical risk.
   • Synthesis: The most severe floods occur where high climatic triggers meet high human vulnerability.

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Section B: Urban Change

Part 1: Data Response

8. (a) Characteristics of Favela (5m)

   • High density/overcrowding (houses close together). (2m)
   • Poor infrastructure (open sewage, precarious wiring). (2m)
   • Marginal land use (steep slopes). (1m)

9. (b) Service Provision Changes (6m)

   • Identification: Increase in % access to water/sanitation. (2m)
   • Explanation: State-led slum upgrading programs, investment in infrastructure, or the formalization of land tenure allowing utilities to be installed. (4m)

10. (c) Liveability for Elderly (6m)

    • Proximity: High density of clinics and community centers reduces travel distance for those with limited mobility. (3m)
    • Accessibility: Integration of public transport hubs ensures the elderly can access services independently. (3m)

11. (d) Reliability of Bipolar Surveys (7m)

    • Strengths: Quantifies subjective feelings (fear/safety), allowing for statistical comparison between sites. (3m)
    • Limitations: Subjective bias; "snapshot" in time (time of day affects fear); does not explain why people feel unsafe. (4m)

12. (e) Sustainable Strategies (6m)

    • Social: Land tenure regularization (giving residents ownership). (3m)
    • Environmental: Slope stabilization/reforestation to prevent landslides in high-density areas. (3m)

Part 2: Essay

13. (a) Slums as Impediment (20m)

    • Impediment: Health risks (cholera), environmental degradation (pollution), lack of tax base for city revenue.
    • Not Impediment: Provide affordable housing for the urban poor; hubs of informal entrepreneurship/employment; social support networks.
    • Conclusion: Slums are a symptom of failed planning, not the primary cause of unsustainability.

14. (b) Success of Liveability Strategies (20m)

    • Case study required (e.g., Singapore's "Age-Friendly" initiatives or Medellin's cable cars).
    • Evaluation: Measure success by accessibility, safety, and social inclusion. Discuss trade-offs (e.g., gentrification pushing the poor further away).