A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 4

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

Version: 4 of 5
Subject: Geography H2 (9173)
Topic: Resources & Sustainability

Section A: Source-Based Questions (30 Marks)

1. Refer to Resource 1. Describe the global pattern of water stress. [4]

• Marking Scheme:
  • 1 mark for identifying regions of High Stress: Concentrated in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia (India/Northern China). [1]
  • 1 mark for identifying regions of Low Stress: Predominantly in equatorial regions (Amazon, Central Africa) and high-latitude regions (Canada, Russia). [1]
  • 1 mark for noting the contrast between hemispheres or development levels (e.g., arid regions vs. humid tropics). [1]
  • 1 mark for accurate use of geographical terminology (e.g., "arid," "equatorial," "withdrawal-to-availability"). [1]
  • Note: Answers must refer to the spatial distribution, not just list countries.

2. Refer to Resource 2. Compare the water consumption patterns of India and Singapore. [4]

• Marking Scheme:
  • 1 mark for stating India’s dominance in Agricultural use (90%) vs Singapore’s minimal use (1%). [1]
  • 1 mark for stating Singapore’s dominance in Industrial (59%) and Domestic (40%) use vs India’s low percentages (5% each). [1]
  • 1 mark for using comparative language (e.g., "In contrast," "Whereas," "Significantly higher"). [1]
  • 1 mark for quoting data accurately to support the comparison. [1]

3. Refer to Resource 2 and your own knowledge. Explain why the industrial sector accounts for a significantly higher percentage of water use in Singapore compared to India. [6]

• Marking Scheme:
  • Point 1: Economic Structure. Singapore is a post-industrial economy with high-value manufacturing (semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals) which are water-intensive for cooling and processing. India’s economy is still heavily agrarian. [2]
  • Point 2: Agricultural Efficiency/Scale. India has a vast agricultural sector requiring irrigation for subsistence and cash crops, diluting the industrial percentage. Singapore has negligible agriculture (<1% land use). [2]
  • Point 3: Technology & Regulation. Singapore’s industries are regulated for efficiency but still require high purity water for high-tech manufacturing. India’s industrial sector is less dominant in total GDP contribution compared to agriculture. [2]
  • Award marks for clear explanation linking economic structure to water demand.

4. Refer to Resource 3. Identify two negative socio-economic impacts of the Aral Sea crisis on the local population. [2]

• Marking Scheme:
  • 1 mark for Health impacts: Respiratory diseases, cancer due to toxic dust. [1]
  • 1 mark for Economic impacts: Collapse of fishing industry, unemployment, out-migration. [1]
  • Note: Must be socio-economic. Purely environmental answers (e.g., "sea shrank") do not score unless linked to human impact.

5. Refer to Resource 3 and your own knowledge. Assess the effectiveness of technological solutions in resolving resource depletion issues like the Aral Sea crisis. [8]

• Marking Scheme:

  • Level 3 (7-8 marks): Balanced assessment. Acknowledges tech can help (e.g., drip irrigation, desalination, dam construction for North Aral) but argues it is insufficient without political/willpower changes. Uses specific examples.

  • Level 2 (4-6 marks): Describes technological solutions but lacks critical assessment or depth. May focus only on success or only on failure.

  • Level 1 (1-3 marks): Simple description of technology or the Aral Sea crisis without assessment.

  • Indicative Content:

    • Effectiveness: The Kok-Aral Dam (technological/engineering solution) successfully raised water levels in the North Aral Sea, restoring some fisheries. [2]
    • Limitations: Technology cannot fix the root cause: unsustainable water diversion for cotton (economic/political issue). The South Aral remains dry despite tech attempts. [2]
    • Cost/Benefit: High cost of tech solutions (desalination, pipeline repair) may be unaffordable for developing regions. [2]
    • Conclusion: Tech is a tool, not a panacea. Governance and sustainable agricultural practices are more critical. [2]

Section B: Structured & Essay Questions (30 Marks)

6. "Physical availability is the main constraint on resource security." To what extent do you agree? [10]

• Marking Scheme:
  • AO1 (Knowledge): Define resource security (physical + economic access). Define physical availability (natural endowment). [2]
  • AO2 (Understanding): Explain how physical scarcity (e.g., Saudi Arabia water, Japan energy) constrains security. [2]
  • AO3 (Analysis): Analyze counter-arguments. Economic access (ability to pay) is often more important. Example: Singapore has no physical water but high security via imports/tech. Japan has no oil but high security via trade. [3]
  • AO4 (Evaluation): Judgement. Physical availability is a baseline, but in a globalized world, economic and political factors (trade, diplomacy, tech) often override physical limits. "Resource curse" countries have physical abundance but low security due to governance. [3]

7. Evaluate the success of one named city in managing urban waste sustainably. [10]

• Marking Scheme:
  • Case Study Requirement: Must name a specific city (e.g., Singapore, San Francisco, Tokyo, Curitiba). [1]
  • Strategies: Describe specific strategies (e.g., Singapore’s Incineration + Landfill, Semakau; San Francisco’s Zero Waste goal; Tokyo’s strict sorting). [3]
  • Success Indicators: Use data (recycling rates, landfill lifespan extension, waste-to-energy output). [3]
  • Evaluation/Limitations: Discuss challenges (high cost, public compliance, residual waste, e-waste issues). Is it truly "sustainable" or just "efficient"? [3]

8. "International cooperation is essential for achieving global resource sustainability." Discuss. [10]

• Marking Scheme:
  • Argument for Cooperation: Transboundary resources (rivers like Mekong/Nile, atmosphere/Climate Change) require treaties (Paris Agreement, UN Watercourses Convention). Shared technology transfer (Green Climate Fund). [4]
  • Argument against/Challenges: National sovereignty often overrides cooperation (e.g., Ethiopia’s GERD dam vs Egypt). Free-rider problem in climate accords. Competition for resources leads to conflict rather than cooperation. [4]
  • Synthesis/Conclusion: Cooperation is essential for global commons (atmosphere, oceans) but difficult for national resources. Success depends on enforcement mechanisms and equity. [2]

General Marking Notes

• Levels of Response:
  • L1 (1-3 marks): Basic knowledge, descriptive, limited use of case studies.
  • L2 (4-6 marks): Clear understanding, some analysis, relevant case studies, partial evaluation.
  • L3 (7-10 marks): Detailed knowledge, strong analysis, specific case study evidence, balanced evaluation, clear conclusion.
• Case Studies: Candidates must use specific geographical examples. Generic answers ("a developing country") should be capped at Level 2.
• Terminology: Use of terms like "resource security," "sustainability," "carrying capacity," "transboundary," and "circular economy" should be rewarded.