A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 1

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H2 A-Level (Version 1) Answer Key

Subject: Geography H2
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper (Resources Sustainability Focus)
Total Marks: 60

Section A Answers (30 marks)

Q1. [5 marks] Compare the four SEA cities (Resource 1).

• Singapore scores highest in all dimensions: Air 88, Green 47%, Waste 92, Water 99. [1]
• Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila lag; Manila lowest in air (49), green (19%), waste (58), water (81). [1]
• Bangkok performs best among the three lower cities (air 61, waste 70, water 90). [1]
• Jakarta exceeds Manila in air (54 vs 49) and waste (61 vs 58) but both below Bangkok. [1]
• Pattern: city-state (Singapore) outperforms large developing metros; water access uniformly high (>80) but air/green/waste vary widely. [1] Teaching note: Use comparative language (higher/lower than). Reference all 4 cities and all 4 indicators. Common mistake: listing numbers without comparing.

Q2. [3 marks] Vegetation structure & biomass (Resource 2).

• Four layers: emergent (~45 m, sparse tall trees), continuous canopy (~30 m, dense), understory (sparse shrubs), forest floor. [1]
• Structure: tall, dense continuous canopy intercepts light; emergent breaks canopy. [1]
• Mean biomass = 450 tonnes per hectare. [1] Teaching note: Describe vertical structure not species. State biomass with unit t/ha.

Q3. [7 marks] Karst formation (Resource 3).

• Limestone = soluble carbonate rock vulnerable to dissolution. [1]
• Rain + CO₂ → weak carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) infiltrates via joints/bedding. [1]
• Chemical weathering: CaCO₃ + H₂CO₃ → Ca(HCO₃)₂ (dissolved). [1]
• Percolation enlarges joints → cavities/caves over long timescale. [1]
• Subsurface erosion by underground river deepens system. [1]
• Surface sinkhole forms when cave roof collapses. [1]
• Tropical rainfall accelerates rate. [1] Teaching note: Must link water + chemistry + time. Avoid generic weathering.

Q4. [2 marks] Mass movement = slump (rotational slide).

• Curved failure surface, rotated block, toe accumulation. [1]
• Type: slump. [1]

Q5. [3 marks] Reserves.

• Proven: scientifically measured, economically extractable at current tech. [1]
• Speculative: undiscovered, uncertain existence/quantity. [1]
• Difference: proven = known & viable; speculative = inferred only. [1]

Q6. [5 marks] E-waste recycling (Resource 6).

• Country X low (35%) due to weak policy, few collection points (50). [2]
• Country Y high (72%) due to strong policy, 300 points infrastructure. [2]
• Conclusion: institutional capacity drives rate gap. [1]

Q7. [4 marks] Solar power.

• Reduces fossil use by generating clean electricity during day. [1]
• Limitations: intermittent (no sun at night), needs storage. [1]
• Land use conflict, grid integration cost. [1]
• Thus energy security not fully assured without mix. [1]

Q8. [2 marks] Nation B vulnerability.

• Downstream (12% withdrawal) so reliant on A's release. [1]
• High scarcity index 0.81 = physical water stress. [1]

Q9. [3 marks] Challenges.

• Economic: short-term growth prioritised over green investment. [1.5]
• Political: conflicting national interests, weak enforcement. [1.5]

Q10. [3 marks] Habitat destruction.

• Provisioning = food, water, raw materials. [1]
• Destruction removes habitats → less fish, timber, crops. [1]
• Reduces supply of provisioning outputs. [1]

Section A Total: 30

Section B Answers (15 marks)

Q11. [1] Malthus: limits from nature; Boserup: tech expands base. (any one difference)

Q12. [2] Provisioning, regulating, cultural, support. (0.5 each)

Q13. [2] Years = 1200 / 120 = 10 years. [1 for working, 1 for answer]

Q14. [3] Invasive species.

• Outcompete natives → fewer pollinators/predators. [1]
• Disrupt nutrient cycles. [1]
• Reduce flood/erosion control (regulating). [1]

Q15. [2] Strategies: local employment, community consultation, resettlement compensation. (1 each)

Section B Total: 15

Section C Answers (15 marks)

Q16. [3] Extent agree.

• Boserup: tech expands (e.g., fertiliser). [1]
• Malthus: finite limits, uneven access. [1]
• Verdict: partially true, not always (access gap). [1]

Q17. [3] Trade-offs.

• Hydropower = low-carbon energy. [1]
• But blocks fish, floods forest (loss regulating/provisioning). [1]
• Trade-off: energy vs ecology; mitigate by run-of-river. [1]

Q18. [3] Strategies.

• Treaty (Mekong commission) partial success. [1.5]
• Joint authority better but politics limit. [1.5]

Q19. [3] Provisioning variation.

• Demand: palm oil now provisioning due to demand. [1]
• Tech: fracking made shale gas provisioning. [1]
• Space: arid areas value groundwater more. [1]

Q20. [3] SDG measurement.

• Quantitative targets (poverty %) allow tracking. [1]
• But social inclusion hard to quantify. [1]
• Mixed indicators needed. [1]

Section C Total: 15 Total: 60