A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 3

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TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)

Subject: Geography H2
Level: A-Level
Paper: Paper 1 (Thematic Studies - Resources & Sustainability)
Version: 3 of 5
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 60
Name: __________________________ Class: __________ Date: __________

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Instructions to Candidates

1. This paper consists of two sections: Section A (Structured Questions) and Section B (Essay).
2. Answer all questions in Section A and one question in Section B.
3. Use the provided resources to support your answers where required.
4. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

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Section A: Structured Questions (40 Marks)

Resource 1: Sustainability Index Scores for Four Southeast Asian Cities

City	Environmental Quality	Social Equity	Economic Viability	Overall Score
Singapore	72	81	94	82.3
Jakarta	41	52	61	51.3
Bangkok	48	58	68	58.0
Kuala Lumpur	55	64	72	63.7

Question 1 (a) Compare the scores for the four Southeast Asian cities shown in Resource 1. [5]




(b) Explain how the "Economic Viability" score in Resource 1 might be linked to a city's ability to implement sustainable urban development strategies. [7]






Resource 2: Waste Composition in Accra, Ghana

• Organic Waste: 58%
• Plastics: 14%
• Paper/Cardboard: 11%
• Glass/Metal: 9%
• Other: 8%

Resource 3: Infographic on Plastic Pollution in the Gulf of Guinea (Infographic shows increasing microplastic concentrations in fish populations and blocked urban drainage systems leading to flash floods)

Resource 4: Photograph of an informal landfill site in Accra (Photograph shows open burning of waste and leachate seeping into nearby soil)

Question 2 (a) Using Resource 2, describe the waste composition in Accra. [3]


(b) With reference to Resources 3 and 4, explain the environmental and social impacts of the waste management situation in Accra. [6]





(c) Discuss the challenges a city like Accra faces in transitioning to a circular economy. [9]








Question 3 (a) Identify two types of mass movement hazards that often threaten resource extraction sites in tropical highlands. [2]


(b) Explain the processes that contribute to the formation of karst landscapes in regions where limestone is the primary resource. [8]







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Answer Key & Marking Scheme - Geography H2 (Resources & Sustainability)

Paper Version 3

Section A: Structured Questions

Question 1(a) [5 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 1 mark for using comparative language; 1 mark for each city correctly compared across dimensions.
• Expected Response: Singapore has the highest overall score (82.3), significantly exceeding the others, particularly in Economic Viability (94). Jakarta has the lowest overall score (51.3) and the lowest scores across all three dimensions (e.g., Environmental Quality at 41). Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur occupy the middle ground, with Kuala Lumpur consistently scoring higher than Bangkok (e.g., 63.7 vs 58.0 overall).

Question 1(b) [7 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 2 marks for defining the link; 5 marks for detailed explanation of mechanisms.
• Expected Response: High economic viability implies greater financial capital and tax revenue. This allows for:
  1. Investment in expensive green infrastructure (e.g., MRT systems, vertical greenery).
  2. Ability to subsidize sustainable transitions for citizens.
  3. Capacity to employ expert consultants for urban planning.
  4. Ability to implement strict environmental regulations without risking immediate economic collapse.

Question 2(a) [3 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 1 mark for identifying dominant waste; 1 mark for mentioning plastics/paper; 1 mark for referencing percentages.
• Expected Response: Organic waste is the dominant component at 58%. Plastics make up the second largest portion (14%), followed by paper/cardboard (11%).

Question 2(b) [6 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 3 marks for environmental impacts; 3 marks for social impacts.
• Expected Response:
  • Environmental: Open burning (Res 4) releases toxic fumes/GHGs; leachate contaminates soil and groundwater; microplastics (Res 3) enter the marine food chain.
  • Social: Blocked drains (Res 3) lead to flash floods, disrupting transport and increasing water-borne diseases; health risks for informal waste pickers at landfills (Res 4).

Question 2(c) [9 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 3 marks for identifying challenges; 6 marks for explaining the "why" (socio-economic context).
• Expected Response:
  • Financial Constraints: Lack of capital for advanced recycling plants.
  • Informal Sector: Reliance on informal waste pickers makes formalizing the system difficult.
  • Governance: Weak enforcement of anti-littering laws or waste segregation.
  • Infrastructure: Lack of organized collection points in slum areas.

Question 3(a) [2 marks]

• Expected Response: 1 mark each for: Landslides/Slumps and Mudflows/Debris flows.

Question 3(b) [8 marks]

• Marking Descriptor: 2 marks for rock type/carbonation; 3 marks for infiltration/percolation; 3 marks for feature formation.
• Expected Response:
  1. Carbonation: Rainwater absorbs $\text{CO}_2$ to form weak carbonic acid.
  2. Dissolution: Acid reacts with calcium carbonate ($\text{CaCO}_3$) in limestone, dissolving the rock.
  3. Infiltration: Water enters through joints and bedding planes.
  4. Cavity Formation: Over time, subsurface erosion creates conduits and caves.
  5. Surface Features: Roof collapse leads to sinkholes; emergence of water leads to springs.

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Section B: Essay (20 Marks)

Question 4: "All cities need to make sustainable urban development a priority." Do you agree?

• L1 (1-6): Descriptive account of sustainable cities.
• L2 (7-12): One-sided argument (agree or disagree) with some examples.
• L3 (13-16): Balanced argument considering constraints of different development levels.
• L4 (17-20): Nuanced synthesis with specific case studies (e.g., Singapore vs. Lagos) and a clear evaluative conclusion.

Framework:

• Agreement: Environmental urgency (climate change), social stability (reducing slum growth), long-term economic resilience.
• Counter-argument: Immediate survival needs in LDCs (food security, basic healthcare) may outweigh "sustainability" goals; cost of green tech.
• Synthesis: Priority is universal, but the nature of the priority differs (e.g., Singapore focuses on carbon neutrality, while Nairobi may focus on sustainable sanitation).

Question 5: "An abundance of natural resources can be both a blessing and a curse for countries at low levels of development." Discuss.

• L1 (1-6): Basic definition of resource curse/blessing.
• L2 (7-12): Discussion of benefits and drawbacks without strong linkage.
• L3 (13-16): Analysis of mechanisms (Dutch Disease, conflict, revenue) with examples.
• L4 (17-20): Comprehensive evaluation of the role of governance in determining the outcome.

Framework:

• Blessing: Export revenue, infrastructure funding, job creation (e.g., Botswana's diamond management).
• Curse: Dutch Disease (currency rise killing manufacturing), corruption, "blood diamonds" conflict (e.g., Sierra Leone), environmental degradation.
• Conclusion: Resources are neutral; the outcome depends on institutional strength and governance.