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A Level H2 Geography Practice Paper 5

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H2 A-Level

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI)

Subject: Geography H2 (9173)
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper – Resources & Sustainability (Version 5 of 5)
Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Total Marks: 60

Name: __________________________
Class: __________________________
Date: __________________________

Instructions to Candidates

Answer all questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on Section A and 45 minutes on Section B.
Use specific case studies and geographical terminology where appropriate.

Section A: Source-Based Questions (30 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section. Refer to the Resources provided below.

Resource 1: Global Critical Mineral Production Shares (2023 Estimates)

Mineral	Primary Use	Top Producer (Share %)	Second Producer (Share %)	Third Producer (Share %)
Lithium	EV Batteries	Australia (47%)	Chile (26%)	China (16%)
Cobalt	EV Batteries	DRC (73%)	Indonesia (5%)	Madagascar (4%)
Rare Earths	Electronics/Magnets	China (69%)	USA (13%)	Myanmar (9%)
Graphite	Battery Anodes	China (65%)	Mozambique (10%)	Brazil (8%)

Source: Adapted from International Energy Agency (IEA) Critical Minerals Market Review.

Resource 2: The "Resource Curse" in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

"The DRC holds over 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, essential for the global transition to green energy. However, the local population sees little benefit. Artisanal mining, often involving child labour, dominates the sector. Revenue leakage is high due to corruption and opaque contracts with foreign multinational corporations (MNCs). Furthermore, the environmental cost is severe, with toxic runoff contaminating local water sources, affecting agriculture and health. While global demand for cobalt skyrockets, the DRC remains one of the poorest nations, illustrating the paradox of plenty."

Source: Adapted from a NGO Report on Extractive Industries, 2024.

Resource 3: Singapore’s Water Sustainability Strategy (The Four National Taps)

Local Catchment Water: Two-thirds of Singapore’s land area is catchment area.
Imported Water: From Johor, Malaysia (agreement expires 2061).
NEWater: High-grade reclaimed water produced via microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection. Meets up to 40% of demand.
Desalinated Water: Treated seawater. Meets up to 30% of demand. Energy-intensive but weather-resilient.

Source: PUB Singapore.

1. Compare the market concentration of Lithium production with Cobalt production as shown in Resource 1. [4]

2. Using Resource 2, explain two reasons why the abundance of cobalt in the DRC has not led to sustainable development for its local population. [6]

3. "Resource security is determined more by technology than by physical availability." With reference to Resource 3 and your own knowledge, to what extent do you agree with this statement regarding Singapore’s water security? [10]

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4. Study Resource 1. Suggest one geopolitical risk associated with the dominance of China in Rare Earth Element (REE) production. [2]

5. With reference to Resource 2, assess the effectiveness of current governance structures in managing the environmental impacts of artisanal mining in the DRC. [8]

Section B: Structured & Extended Response Questions (30 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section.

6. Define the term physical scarcity in the context of water resources. [2]

7. Describe two strategies used by countries to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. [4]

8. Explain how economic access can be a greater barrier to food security than physical availability in Low-Income Countries (LICs). [6]

<stage5_exam_md> 9. "The transition to a green economy will create more geopolitical conflicts than it resolves." With reference to named examples, discuss this statement. [12]

End of Paper

Answers

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography H2 A-Level

Suggested Answers & Marking Scheme

Section A: Source-Based Questions

1. Compare the market concentration of Lithium production with Cobalt production as shown in Resource 1. [4]

Lithium: Production is relatively diversified compared to Cobalt. The top producer (Australia) holds 47%, but the second (Chile, 26%) and third (China, 16%) hold significant shares. The top three account for 89% of production. [2]
Cobalt: Production is highly concentrated/monopolistic. The DRC dominates with 73% of global production. The second and third producers (Indonesia and Madagascar) have negligible shares (5% and 4% respectively). This indicates a much higher dependency on a single nation for Cobalt than for Lithium. [2]

2. Using Resource 2, explain two reasons why the abundance of cobalt in the DRC has not led to sustainable development for its local population. [6]

Reason 1: Economic Leakage and Corruption. The resource mentions "revenue leakage" due to "corruption and opaque contracts with foreign MNCs." This means the wealth generated from cobalt extraction does not reach the state treasury or local communities, preventing investment in infrastructure, education, or healthcare. [3]
Reason 2: Environmental and Social Degradation. The text highlights "artisanal mining... involving child labour" and "toxic runoff contaminating local water sources." This negatively impacts human capital (health/education of children) and agricultural productivity, undermining the long-term social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. [3]

3. "Resource security is determined more by technology than by physical availability." With reference to Resource 3 and your own knowledge, to what extent do you agree with this statement regarding Singapore’s water security? [10]

Agreement (Technology is key):
- Singapore lacks natural aquifers and large land area for catchment (physical scarcity). However, technology has allowed it to overcome this.
- NEWater: As per Resource 3, technology (microfiltration, RO, UV) allows Singapore to reclaim wastewater, meeting 40% of demand. This turns a waste product into a resource, decoupling security from rainfall.
- Desalination: Technology allows the use of seawater (30% of demand), which is physically abundant but previously unusable. This provides weather-resilience.
- Conclusion: Without these technologies, Singapore’s physical limitations would make water security impossible.
Disagreement (Physical Availability/Other factors matter):
- Physical Constraints still apply: Technology is energy-intensive (Desalination). If energy security is compromised, water security fails. Also, local catchment (Tap 1) still relies on physical rainfall patterns.
- Geopolitical/Physical Availability: Imported water (Tap 2) relies on physical availability in Johor and political agreements. Technology cannot replace this entirely yet.
- Cost: Technology is expensive. Economic accessibility is a factor in resource security.
Judgment: To a large extent, technology is the determining factor for Singapore because it transforms physically unavailable or scarce resources (seawater, used water) into viable supplies. However, it is not the only factor; energy security and diplomatic relations (for imports) remain critical physical and geopolitical constraints. [10]

4. Study Resource 1. Suggest one geopolitical risk associated with the dominance of China in Rare Earth Element (REE) production. [2]

Risk: Supply chain weaponization/Embargoes. Since China controls 69% of production, it can restrict exports to rival nations during political tensions (e.g., trade wars), causing shortages in high-tech and defense industries globally. [2]

5. With reference to Resource 2, assess the effectiveness of current governance structures in managing the environmental impacts of artisanal mining in the DRC. [8]

Ineffectiveness:
- The text states governance is weak due to "corruption and opaque contracts." This suggests a lack of regulatory enforcement.
- "Toxic runoff contaminating local water sources" indicates that environmental regulations are either non-existent or not enforced.
- The prevalence of "artisanal mining" suggests the state has failed to formalize the sector, making it difficult to monitor and regulate environmental practices.
Assessment: Current governance structures are highly ineffective. The focus appears to be on elite capture of rents rather than sustainable management or public welfare. The "paradox of plenty" persists because institutions are too weak to translate resource wealth into environmental protection or development. [8]

Section B: Structured & Extended Response Questions

6. Define the term physical scarcity in the context of water resources. [2]

Physical scarcity occurs when the demand for water exceeds the natural supply available in a region. It is typically defined as when more than 75% of a country's or region's river flows are allocated to agriculture, industry, or domestic purposes. [2]

7. Describe two strategies used by countries to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. [4]

Strategy 1: Investment in Renewable Energy. Countries subsidize or mandate the use of solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to replace coal and gas in electricity generation. [2]
Strategy 2: Carbon Pricing/Taxation. Implementing carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems makes fossil fuels more expensive, encouraging industries and consumers to switch to cleaner alternatives or improve energy efficiency. [2]

8. Explain how economic access can be a greater barrier to food security than physical availability in Low-Income Countries (LICs). [6]

Physical Availability vs. Economic Access: Food may be physically present in markets (imported or local harvest), but if people lack the purchasing power, they cannot access it.
Poverty: In LICs, a large proportion of income is spent on food. Price spikes (due to inflation or global market shifts) can make food unaffordable even if stocks are adequate.
Infrastructure: Poor roads and storage can lead to high post-harvest losses or high transport costs, raising prices for consumers in remote areas, limiting economic access despite local production.
Example: During food crises, famines often occur not because there is no food, but because the poorest cannot buy it (Entitlement Failure). [6]

9. "The transition to a green economy will create more geopolitical conflicts than it resolves." With reference to named examples, discuss this statement. [12]

Arguments for "More Conflicts":
- Critical Mineral Competition: The shift to EVs and renewables requires Lithium, Cobalt, and REEs. This creates new dependencies. E.g., Tensions between the West and China over REE supply chains; or competition for Cobalt in the DRC involving various global powers.
- Green Protectionism: Policies like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can be seen as trade barriers, sparking trade disputes with developing nations or rivals.
- Land Use Conflicts: Large-scale renewable projects (hydro dams, solar farms) can cause cross-border tensions (e.g., Nile River disputes over the GERD dam between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan).
Arguments for "Resolves Conflicts":
- Reduced Fossil Fuel Geopolitics: Reducing reliance on oil and gas diminishes the strategic power of petrostates (e.g., Russia, Saudi Arabia) and reduces conflicts driven by oil pipeline routes or supply interruptions (e.g., Europe reducing dependence on Russian gas after 2022).
- Energy Independence: Distributed renewable energy (solar on roofs) can enhance national energy security, reducing vulnerability to external shocks and thus reducing geopolitical leverage of suppliers.
- Cooperation: Climate change is a global threat requiring cooperation (Paris Agreement), potentially fostering diplomatic ties rather than conflict.
Conclusion:
- The transition shifts the nature of geopolitical conflict rather than simply increasing or decreasing it.
- While it reduces conflicts related to fossil fuel supply lines, it introduces new tensions over critical minerals and green technology dominance.
- Overall, it may create new types of conflicts in the short term (transition phase) but could lead to a more stable, less resource-war-prone world in the long term if managed through international cooperation. [12]