A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 5

Answer Key - A-Level Geography H2 Quiz: Resources Sustainability

Section A

1. Comparative Analysis (5m):

   • Award 1m for identifying the highest/lowest performers in each dimension.
   • Award 2m for using comparative language (e.g., "Bangkok's environmental score is significantly lower than Jakarta's").
   • Award 2m for synthesizing patterns (e.g., "While all cities score moderately in Economic sustainability, there is a wide variance in Environmental scores").

2. Identification (2m):

   • Correct city identified based on the gap between Economic and Environmental indices. (1m for city, 1m for referencing the gap).

3. Explanation (3m):

   • 1m for identifying rapid industrialization/urbanization.
   • 1m for explaining the economic gain (GDP growth, jobs).
   • 1m for explaining the environmental cost (pollution, loss of green space, carbon emissions).

4. Vegetation Description (3m):

   • 1m for mentioning vertical layers (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor).
   • 1m for describing density/height (e.g., "dense continuous canopy").
   • 1m for stating mean biomass (350 tonnes/ha).

5. Sustainability Link (4m):

   • 1m for mentioning biodiversity (niches in different layers).
   • 1m for nutrient cycling (rapid decomposition on forest floor).
   • 1m for climate regulation (transpiration/carbon sequestration).
   • 1m for protection of soil (canopy intercepts rain, preventing erosion).

6. Identification (2m):

   • 1m each for: Deforestation/Logging, Forest Fires, or Agricultural Conversion (e.g., soy/cattle).

7. Karst Processes (7m):

   • 1m: Identification of soluble carbonate rock (limestone).
   • 2m: Chemical weathering process (Rainwater + CO2 $\rightarrow$ Carbonic acid $\rightarrow$ Dissolution of CaCO3).
   • 2m: Physical pathway (Infiltration/percolation through joints and bedding planes).
   • 2m: Formation of features (Cavities $\rightarrow$ roof collapse $\rightarrow$ sinkholes; underground drainage $\rightarrow$ towers).

8. Role of Rainfall (3m):

   • 1m: Source of water for dissolution.
   • 1m: Absorption of atmospheric CO2 to create weak acid.
   • 1m: Transport of dissolved minerals away from the site.

9. Sustainable Management (2m):

   • 1m for strategy (e.g., zoning, visitor quotas, boardwalks).
   • 1m for explanation of how it prevents degradation.

10. Groundwater Vulnerability (3m):

    • 1m: High permeability of limestone.
    • 1m: Lack of filtration (water moves quickly through conduits/joints).
    • 1m: Direct connection between surface sinkholes and aquifers.

Section B

11. Waste Description (3m):

    • 1m: Dominance of organic waste (60%).
    • 1m: Significant plastic component (15%).
    • 1m: Relatively low paper/other components.

12. Synthesis (5m):

    • 1m: Link between high plastic waste in Nairobi (Resource D) and leakage into waterways.
    • 2m: Process of transport (urban drains $\rightarrow$ rivers $\rightarrow$ Indian Ocean).
    • 2m: Impact on marine environment as shown in Resource E (e.g., ingestion by wildlife, coral reef degradation).

13. Strategies (4m):

    • 2m: Composting/Biogas (targeting the 60% organic waste).
    • 2m: Plastic ban/Circular economy initiatives (targeting the 15% plastic waste).

14. Slum Comparison (12m):

    • Developing (4m): Rural-urban migration, rapid population growth, lack of affordable formal housing, weak land tenure.
    • Developed (4m): Deindustrialization (rust belt), gentrification, systemic poverty/marginalization, failure of social housing.
    • Comparison (4m): Similarities (poor sanitation, social exclusion); Differences (scale of growth, primary driver—growth vs. decay).

15. Resource Curse (6m):

    • 2m: Economic overdependence (volatility of commodity prices).
    • 2m: Governance failure (corruption, rent-seeking behavior).
    • 2m: Conflict (competition for control of resource-rich areas, e.g., "blood diamonds").

Section C

16. Natural Resources Essay (20m):

    • Agreement: Revenue for infrastructure, foreign exchange, industrialization (e.g., Botswana diamonds).
    • Disagreement: Dutch Disease, corruption, environmental degradation, conflict (e.g., DRC minerals).
    • Evaluation: Role of institutional strength and governance in determining the outcome.

17. Foreign Aid Essay (20m):

    • Agreement: Financial gaps in LDCs, need for technology transfer (green tech), capacity building.
    • Disagreement: Domestic resource mobilization (taxation), aid dependency/conditionality, success of self-reliant models (e.g., Vietnam).
    • Evaluation: Aid is a catalyst but not a substitute for good governance and urban planning.

18. Water Scarcity (10m):

    • Evaluation of desalination (high cost/energy), rainwater harvesting (low scale), and drip irrigation (efficient but requires initial investment).

19. Trade-offs (10m):

    • Discussion of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), immediate economic gains vs. long-term ecological collapse, and the "grow now, clean up later" mentality.

20. Renewable Energy (10m):

    • Analysis of viability based on geography (solar/wind potential) and economic capacity (cost of transition). Contrast between developed (grid upgrades) and developing (leapfrogging to off-grid solar).