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A Level H1 Geography Resources Sustainability Quiz

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A-Level Geography H1 Quiz - Resources Sustainability

Name: __________________________
Class: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Score: _______ / 60

Duration: 60 Minutes
Total Marks: 60

Instructions:

Answer all questions.
This quiz focuses on Theme 1: Resources and Sustainability, specifically Climate Change, Flooding, and Urban Sustainability.
Marks are indicated in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part-question.
Use specific case studies and geographical terminology where appropriate.

Section A: Data and Source-Based Questions (25 Marks)

Study Resource 1: Global Temperature Anomalies (1880–2020) (Imagine a line graph showing a gradual increase from 1880 to 1980, followed by a sharp upward trend from 1980 to 2020, with the highest anomalies recorded in the last decade.)

1. Describe the trend in global temperature anomalies shown in Resource 1 from 1980 to 2020. [3]

2. Account for the accelerated rise in temperatures observed in the period after 1980. [4]

Study Resource 2: Flood Hydrograph for River X (Imagine a hydrograph with a steep rising limb, a high peak discharge of 45 cumecs occurring 6 hours after peak rainfall, and a steep falling limb. The basin is described as urbanised with concrete surfaces.)

3. Explain two characteristics of the flood hydrograph in Resource 2 that indicate a high flood risk. [4]

4. With reference to Resource 2, explain how urbanisation influences the hydrological processes within the drainage basin. [6]

Study Resource 3: Photograph of a Favela in Rio de Janeiro (Imagine a photograph showing densely packed, self-built housing on a steep hillside, with visible lack of formal sanitation infrastructure and narrow, unpaved access routes.)

5. Explain the characteristics of the informal settlement shown in Resource 3. [4]

6. Evaluate the usefulness of Resource 3 in helping to understand the challenges of providing sustainable services in informal settlements. [4]

Section B: Structured Response Questions (20 Marks)

7. Distinguish between mitigation and adaptation as responses to climate change. [4]

8. Explain two natural causes of climate change. [4]

9. Describe two impacts of tropical cyclones on coastal communities. [4]

10. Explain why slums often develop in cities in Low-Income Countries (LICs). [4]

11. Suggest two reasons why hard engineering strategies for flood management may be considered unsustainable. [4]

Section C: Short Structured Questions (15 Marks)

12. Define the term 'carbon footprint'. [2]

13. State one example of a renewable energy source and one advantage it has over fossil fuels. [2]

14. Identify two social challenges faced by residents in informal settlements. [2]

15. Explain one way in which deforestation contributes to global warming. [2]

16. Distinguish between 'flash flooding' and 'river flooding'. [2]

Section D: Application and Evaluation (15 Marks)

17. Suggest one reason why international cooperation is difficult in addressing climate change. [3]

18. Explain how the 'urban heat island' effect impacts energy consumption in cities. [3]

19. "Soft engineering is always better than hard engineering for flood management." Do you agree? Justify your answer. [4]

20. Evaluate the effectiveness of one strategy used to improve sustainability in a named city. [5]

Answers

A-Level Geography H1 Quiz - Resources Sustainability (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 60

Section A: Data and Source-Based Questions

1. Describe the trend in global temperature anomalies shown in Resource 1 from 1980 to 2020. [3]

1 mark: Identification of the overall upward trend (warming).
1 mark: Reference to the acceleration/sharpness of the rise post-1980 compared to earlier periods.
1 mark: Use of specific data from the resource (e.g., "Anomalies rose from approx. 0.2°C in 1980 to over 1.0°C in 2020" or "The last decade shows the highest peaks").
Note: Pure description without data reference is limited to 2 marks.

2. Account for the accelerated rise in temperatures observed in the period after 1980. [4]

1 mark: Increased burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) due to industrialisation and global economic growth.
1 mark: Resulting increase in greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2, Methane) enhancing the greenhouse effect.
1 mark: Deforestation (especially in tropics) reducing carbon sinks.
1 mark: Positive feedback loops (e.g., melting ice reduces albedo, leading to more absorption of heat).
Award marks for clear causal links. General statements like "pollution" without specifying GHGs are limited.

3. Explain two characteristics of the flood hydrograph in Resource 2 that indicate a high flood risk. [4]

Characteristic 1 (2 marks): Steep rising limb / Short lag time (6 hours). Explanation: Indicates rapid surface runoff reaching the channel quickly, giving little time for warning or response.
Characteristic 2 (2 marks): High peak discharge (45 cumecs). Explanation: The volume of water exceeds the channel capacity, leading to bank overflow and flooding.

4. With reference to Resource 2, explain how urbanisation influences the hydrological processes within the drainage basin. [6]

1 mark: Impermeable surfaces (concrete/asphalt) reduce infiltration.
1 mark: Reduced infiltration leads to increased surface runoff (overland flow).
1 mark: Artificial drainage systems (gutters, pipes) transfer water to channels faster than natural vegetation/soil would.
1 mark: Removal of vegetation reduces interception and evapotranspiration.
1 mark: Link to Resource 2: The steep rising limb and short lag time are direct results of these urban features.
1 mark: Conclusion: Urbanisation alters the basin response to rainfall, making flash flooding more likely.

5. Explain the characteristics of the informal settlement shown in Resource 3. [4]

1 mark: High density/overcrowding (houses built very close together).
1 mark: Precarious location (steep hillside), increasing risk of landslides.
1 mark: Lack of formal infrastructure (visible absence of paved roads, sanitation pipes).
1 mark: Self-built/informal construction materials (scavenged materials, lack of planning).
Must link explanation to visual evidence.

6. Evaluate the usefulness of Resource 3 in helping to understand the challenges of providing sustainable services in informal settlements. [4]

Strengths (2 marks):
- Visual evidence of physical barriers (steep slopes, narrow paths) makes it clear why installing pipes/roads is difficult and expensive.
- Shows the density, highlighting the scale of the population needing services.
Limitations (2 marks):
- Static image: Does not show temporal changes or community resilience/organisations.
- Limited scope: Does not show data on water quality, crime rates, or economic activities which are also part of "sustainability challenges."
- Single perspective: May not represent all types of informal settlements (e.g., flat land favelas).
Judgment required: "Useful for physical constraints but limited for social/economic understanding."

Section B: Structured Response Questions

7. Distinguish between mitigation and adaptation as responses to climate change. [4]

Mitigation (2 marks): Actions taken to reduce the cause of climate change, specifically by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or enhancing sinks. Example: Switching to renewable energy, reforestation.
Adaptation (2 marks): Actions taken to adjust to the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or expected. Example: Building sea walls, developing drought-resistant crops.
Clear distinction between "cause" and "impact" is key.

8. Explain two natural causes of climate change. [4]

Cause 1 (2 marks): Volcanic eruptions. Explanation: Release ash and sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere, reflecting sunlight and causing short-term cooling (or CO2 for long-term warming, though cooling is the distinct short-term effect often cited).
Cause 2 (2 marks): Solar output variations (Sunspots). Explanation: Changes in the sun’s energy output over 11-year cycles or longer periods can alter the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth, affecting temperatures.
Other acceptable answers: Orbital changes (Milankovitch cycles).

9. Describe two impacts of tropical cyclones on coastal communities. [4]

Impact 1 (2 marks): Physical damage to infrastructure (homes, roads, power lines) due to high wind speeds and storm surges. Result: Economic loss and displacement.
Impact 2 (2 marks): Saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies and agricultural land due to storm surges. Result: Contamination of drinking water and loss of crops.
Other acceptable answers: Loss of life, spread of disease.

10. Explain why slums often develop in cities in Low-Income Countries (LICs). [4]

Reason 1 (2 marks): Rapid rural-urban migration. Explanation: People move to cities for jobs but cannot afford formal housing, leading to informal settlement on unused land.
Reason 2 (2 marks): Inadequate urban planning and housing policy. Explanation: Governments lack resources or political will to provide affordable housing or regulate land use, allowing informal growth.

11. Suggest two reasons why hard engineering strategies for flood management may be considered unsustainable. [4]

Reason 1 (2 marks): High economic cost. Explanation: Expensive to build and maintain; funds may be diverted from other sustainable development goals (education/health).
Reason 2 (2 marks): Environmental disruption. Explanation: Dams/embankments disrupt natural sediment flow, damage ecosystems, and may increase flood risk downstream (false sense of security leading to development in risky areas).

Section C: Short Structured Questions

12. Define the term 'carbon footprint'. [2]

1 mark: The total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions.
1 mark: Usually expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.

13. State one example of a renewable energy source and one advantage it has over fossil fuels. [2]

1 mark: Example: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal, or Biomass.
1 mark: Advantage: Does not deplete finite resources / Produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation / Reduces air pollution.

14. Identify two social challenges faced by residents in informal settlements. [2]

1 mark: Lack of access to clean water/sanitation leading to disease.
1 mark: High crime rates / Lack of security / Social stigma / Lack of legal tenure/security of residence.
(Any two valid social challenges accepted).

15. Explain one way in which deforestation contributes to global warming. [2]

1 mark: Trees absorb CO2; removing them reduces the carbon sink capacity.
1 mark: Burning or decaying trees releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2.

16. Distinguish between 'flash flooding' and 'river flooding'. [2]

1 mark: Flash flooding occurs rapidly (within hours) usually due to intense rainfall on impermeable surfaces.
1 mark: River flooding occurs more slowly over days/weeks as river levels rise and overflow banks due to prolonged rainfall or snowmelt.

Section D: Application and Evaluation

17. Suggest one reason why international cooperation is difficult in addressing climate change. [3]

1 mark: Identification of reason (e.g., Economic disparity, Sovereignty issues, Lack of trust).
1 mark: Explanation: Developed nations want emerging economies to cut emissions, while emerging economies argue they need to grow economically first (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities).
1 mark: Elaboration/Example: Disagreements at COP summits regarding funding for loss and damage.

18. Explain how the 'urban heat island' effect impacts energy consumption in cities. [3]

1 mark: UHI causes cities to be significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
1 mark: This increases the demand for air conditioning and cooling systems.
1 mark: Higher energy consumption leads to higher electricity bills and potentially higher emissions if the energy is fossil-fuel based, creating a feedback loop.

19. "Soft engineering is always better than hard engineering for flood management." Do you agree? Justify your answer. [4]

1 mark: Agreement point: Soft engineering (e.g., afforestation, wetland restoration) is more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and often cheaper to maintain.
1 mark: Disagreement point: Hard engineering (e.g., dams, levees) provides immediate, high-level protection for high-value economic areas where land is scarce.
1 mark: Justification/Nuance: "Always" is incorrect; the best approach is often integrated (mixed) management. Soft engineering may not be sufficient for extreme events in densely populated areas.
1 mark: Conclusion: Soft engineering is preferable for sustainability, but hard engineering is necessary for immediate protection in critical zones.

20. Evaluate the effectiveness of one strategy used to improve sustainability in a named city. [5]

1 mark: Identification of city and strategy (e.g., Singapore: NEWater; Curitiba: BRT system; London: Congestion Charge).
1 mark: Description of how the strategy works.
1 mark: Positive impact (e.g., Reduced traffic congestion, improved water security).
1 mark: Limitation/Negative impact (e.g., High initial cost, social equity issues, limited scope).
1 mark: Overall evaluation/judgment on effectiveness (e.g., "Highly effective in reducing reliance on imports, but requires high energy input for purification").