A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 1

Answer Key & Marking Scheme - Geography H2 Practice Paper (Version 1)

Section A: Structured Questions

Question 1 (a) Sustainable Development [3]

• Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (1)
• Context: In resource management, this involves balancing economic extraction with environmental regeneration and social equity. (2)

(b) Resource Curse [7]

• Explanation: Over-dependence on a single primary resource (e.g., oil/minerals) leads to "Dutch Disease" where currency appreciates, making other exports uncompetitive. (2)
• Governance: High resource wealth often fuels corruption, rent-seeking behavior, and political instability/conflict over control of resources. (3)
• Economic: Volatility in global commodity prices leads to unstable national budgets. (2)

(c) Renewable Energy Transition [10]

• Agreement: "Green Growth" allows for new job creation in solar/wind sectors; reduces long-term health costs from pollution. (4)
• Disagreement: High initial capital costs (CAPEX) for infrastructure; potential loss of jobs in traditional coal/oil sectors; energy intermittency may hinder industrial productivity. (4)
• Synthesis: Transition depends on "leapfrogging" technology and international financing (e.g., Green Climate Fund). (2)

Question 2 (a) Non-renewable Resources [2]

• Fossil Fuels (e.g., Coal/Oil/Gas) (1)
• Metallic Minerals (e.g., Copper/Gold/Iron) (1)

(b) Governance & Institutions [8]

• Blessing: Strong legal frameworks, transparent auditing, and sovereign wealth funds (e.g., Botswana's diamond management) ensure wealth is reinvested in education/health. (4)
• Curse: Weak institutions lead to "elite capture" of wealth, lack of diversification, and civil unrest (e.g., DRC cobalt/gold). (4)

(c) Water Management in Arid Regions [10]

• Tech-led: Desalination, drip irrigation, cloud seeding. High efficiency but high energy/cost. (4)
• Policy-led: Water pricing, quotas, legislation against wastage, integrated water resource management (IWRM). (4)
• Evaluation: Tech provides the means, but policy provides the will and regulation to ensure sustainability. (2)

---

Section B: Data-Based Questions

Question 3 (a) Comparison of Scores [5]

• Must use comparative language (e.g., "City A is significantly higher in Env Quality than City D").
• Reference all 3 dimensions.
• Identify highest/lowest performers.

(b) Waste Impacts [7]

• Organic (60%): Anaerobic decomposition $\rightarrow$ Methane ($\text{CH}_4$) emissions $\rightarrow$ Greenhouse effect; leachate $\rightarrow$ groundwater contamination. (4)
• Plastics (20%): Non-biodegradable $\rightarrow$ clogging of urban drainage $\rightarrow$ flash floods; ingestion by wildlife/microplastics. (3)

(c) Forest Degradation Processes [8]

• Mining $\rightarrow$ Deforestation for access roads/pits $\rightarrow$ loss of canopy $\rightarrow$ increased soil erosion/leaching. (4)
• Chemical runoff from mining $\rightarrow$ water pollution $\rightarrow$ loss of aquatic biodiversity. (2)
• Fragmentation of habitat $\rightarrow$ disruption of nutrient cycling and wildlife corridors. (2)

Question 4 (a) Most Sustainable City [4]

• Identify city with highest aggregate or balanced score.
• Justify using specific numbers from Resource 1.

(b) Waste Strategies [6]

• Organic: Composting or Anaerobic Digestion (Biogas) to reduce methane. (3)
• Plastics: Circular economy approach (Recycling/Plastic bans) or Waste-to-Energy incineration. (3)

(c) Protected Areas Evaluation [10]

• Effectiveness: Legal boundaries provide a framework for enforcement; protect core biodiversity hotspots. (4)
• Limitations: "Paper Parks" (lack of funding/patrols); high global demand for minerals creates incentives for illegal poaching/mining. (4)
• Conclusion: Only effective if combined with community-based management and alternative livelihoods. (2)

(d) Economic Viability Driver [7]

• Analyze correlation between Economic Viability score and overall sustainability.
• If cities with high economic scores have low environmental scores, then economic growth is a trade-off, not a driver of sustainability. (7)

---

Section C: Extended Response Essays

Question 5 (Economic Dev vs Env Degradation) [15]

• Agree: Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) - pollution increases during early industrialization; lack of regulation in LDCs.
• Disagree: "Leapfrogging" (skipping dirty stages of dev); sustainable agriculture; international treaties (Paris Agreement).
• Synthesis: Degree of degradation depends on the type of development (extractive vs. service/tech).

Question 6 (Foreign Aid & Megacities) [15]

• Agree: Massive infrastructure gaps; lack of domestic capital; need for specialized tech (e.g., sewage treatment plants).
• Disagree: Domestic resource mobilization (taxation); local innovation (e.g., informal sector efficiency); political will is more important than money.
• Synthesis: Aid is a catalyst, but governance is the determinant.

Question 7 (Global Fisheries) [15]

• Treaties: Necessary for "High Seas" (transboundary resources); quotas (TACs); combating IUU fishing.
• Local Management: Community-based (e.g., TURFs); traditional knowledge; higher compliance due to local ownership.
• Synthesis: A multi-scalar approach is required; treaties set the rules, local management ensures execution.

Question 8 (Institutional Capacity) [15]

• Case Study 1 (Success): Botswana (Diamonds) - used wealth for infrastructure and education.
• Case Study 2 (Failure): Nigeria (Oil) or DRC (Minerals) - corruption, conflict, environmental ruin.
• Analysis: Compare transparency, rule of law, and economic diversification strategies.