A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 1

Marking Scheme - Geography H2 Practice Paper 1 (Version 1)

Section A: Resource-Based Analysis

Question 1 (a) Comparative Analysis (5m)

• 1m for identifying all 4 cities.
• 2m for using comparative language (e.g., "City A's score in Social Equity is significantly higher than City D's").
• 2m for synthesizing patterns (e.g., "While City B excels in Economic Viability, it lags in Environmental Quality compared to City A").

(b) Waste Impact (6m)

• 2m for extracting data from Resource 2 (e.g., high % of plastics).
• 2m for linking Resource 3 (leachate/runoff) to the waste type (organic decomposition producing leachate).
• 2m for explaining the environmental impact (e.g., eutrophication of streams, soil toxicity).

(c) Economic Development Link (7m)

• 3m for arguing that high development provides funds for incineration/recycling plants.
• 3m for arguing that low development leads to "informal" waste sectors (ragpickers) which are inefficient.
• 1m for a nuanced conclusion (e.g., political will vs. financial capacity).

Question 2 (a) Köppen-Geiger (4m)

• 1m for correct code (e.g., Af - Tropical Rainforest).
• 3m for supporting data: Temperature >18°C every month; Precipitation >60mm every month.

(b) Vegetation Structure (3m)

• 2m for describing layers: Emergent (tallest), Canopy (continuous/dense), Understory (sparse), Ground.
• 1m for stating mean biomass with units (e.g., tonnes/ha).

(c) Biomass Loss (6m)

• 3m for explaining processes: Deforestation $\rightarrow$ removal of canopy $\rightarrow$ soil erosion $\rightarrow$ loss of nutrient cycling.
• 3m for linking to "management failures" (e.g., illegal logging, unsustainable cattle ranching).

Question 3 (a) Identification (2m)

• 1m for "Karst Landscape" or "Limestone Landscape".
• 1m for identifying specific features (clints/grikes or sinkholes).

(b) Karst Processes (7m)

• 2m for Carbonation: $H_2O + CO_2 \rightarrow H_2CO_3$ (carbonic acid).
• 2m for Dissolution: Acid reacting with $CaCO_3$ to form soluble calcium bicarbonate.
• 3m for subsurface process: Infiltration through joints $\rightarrow$ enlargement of cavities $\rightarrow$ roof instability $\rightarrow$ collapse (sinkhole).

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Section B: Structured Response

Question 4 (a) Slum Comparison (12m)

• Developing (4-6m): Rural-urban migration, rapid pop growth, lack of affordable housing, weak land tenure.
• Developed (4-6m): Deindustrialization, gentrification, systemic poverty/marginalization.
• Comparison (2m): Use of "whereas" or "similarly" to link the two contexts.

(b) Green Infrastructure (8m)

• 4m for examples: Green roofs, permeable pavements, urban forests.
• 4m for sustainability link: Reducing Urban Heat Island (UHI), managing stormwater (reducing floods), improving mental health.

Question 5 (a) Resource Curse (10m)

• 3m for Economic Overdependence: Volatility of commodity prices.
• 3m for Dutch Disease: Currency appreciation killing manufacturing.
• 4m for Governance: Corruption, rent-seeking, conflict over resource control (e.g., DRC cobalt).

(b) Strategies (10m)

• 5m for Strategy 1: Sovereign Wealth Funds (e.g., Norway) to save for future generations.
• 5m for Strategy 2: Economic Diversification (investing resource wealth into education/tech).

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Section C: Extended Response Essays

General Marking Rubric (20m):

• L1 (1-5m): Descriptive, lacks case studies, one-sided.
• L2 (6-11m): Some analysis, basic case studies, limited evaluation.
• L3 (12-16m): Strong analysis, specific case studies (data-backed), balanced argument.
• L4 (17-20m): Sophisticated synthesis, critical evaluation of "all" or "impossible", nuanced conclusion.

Question 6 (Sustainable Urban Development):

• Agreement: Environmental limits, social stability, economic resilience.
• Counter: Competing priorities in LDCs (healthcare/food security), cost of transition.
• Case studies: Singapore (integrated water), Curitiba (BRT).

Question 7 (Foreign Aid):

• Agreement: Capital gaps, technology transfer, capacity building.
• Counter: Domestic resource mobilization, aid dependency/corruption, success stories without aid (e.g., Vietnam).
• Case studies: Contrast aid-dependent LDCs vs. self-reliant emerging economies.

Question 8 (Natural Resources):

• Blessing: Revenue, infrastructure, GDP growth (e.g., Botswana diamonds).
• Curse: Conflict, corruption, environmental ruin (e.g., Nigeria oil).
• Synthesis: The role of institutional quality/governance as the deciding factor.