A Level H2 Geography Resources Sustainability Quiz

A-Level Geography H2 Quiz - Resources Sustainability

Name: _________________ Class: _________________ Date: _________________

Score: _____ / 50 Duration: 45 minutes

Instructions:

• Answer all questions in the spaces provided
• Use the resources provided where indicated
• Show your working for all calculations
• Write clearly and use geographical terminology appropriately

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Section A: Short Answer Questions [20 marks]

Question 1 [2 marks] Identify two types of mass movement hazards that commonly occur in tropical mountainous regions.

Type 1: _________________________________

Type 2: _________________________________

Question 2 [3 marks] Describe the vegetation structure of a typical tropical rainforest, including reference to biomass distribution.

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Question 3 [4 marks] Using the data below, compare the sustainability scores for the four Southeast Asian cities.

City	Environmental Score	Social Score	Economic Score
Singapore	85	78	92
Bangkok	52	61	68
Manila	48	55	59
Jakarta	45	58	62

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Question 4 [3 marks] State three processes involved in the formation of karst landscapes.

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Question 5 [4 marks] Explain how climate data can be used to identify a tropical monsoon climate (Am) according to the Köppen-Geiger classification system.

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Question 6 [4 marks] Analyze the waste composition data shown below for a developing city and suggest two environmental challenges this might create.

Waste Composition: Organic waste 65%, Plastic 18%, Paper 8%, Metal 5%, Glass 4%

Environmental Challenge 1: _________________________________________________

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Environmental Challenge 2: _________________________________________________

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Section B: Structured Response Questions [15 marks]

Question 7 [8 marks] (a) Compare the reasons for slum development in developing countries versus developed countries. [6 marks]

Developing Countries:

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Developed Countries:

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(b) Suggest one similarity in slum characteristics between both contexts. [2 marks]

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Question 8 [7 marks] Explain the processes that contribute to the formation of sinkholes in limestone regions.

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Section C: Extended Response [15 marks]

Question 9 [15 marks] "Natural resources are always beneficial for countries at low levels of development."

To what extent do you agree with this statement? Support your answer with specific examples.

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

Total Marks: 50

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Section A: Short Answer Questions [20 marks]

Question 1 [2 marks] Identify two types of mass movement hazards that commonly occur in tropical mountainous regions.

Answer: Type 1: Landslides/Debris flows (1 mark) Type 2: Rockfalls/Mudflows (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Accept any two appropriate mass movement types. Award 1 mark each for correct identification.

Question 2 [3 marks] Describe the vegetation structure of a typical tropical rainforest, including reference to biomass distribution.

Answer:

• Multi-layered structure with emergent layer (45-60m), continuous canopy (25-45m), understory (5-25m), and ground layer (1 mark)
• Dense canopy intercepts most sunlight, creating shaded understory conditions (1 mark)
• High biomass concentration (300-400 tonnes per hectare) mainly in canopy and trunk wood (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Award marks for structural description and biomass reference. Accept equivalent descriptions.

Question 3 [4 marks] Compare the sustainability scores for the four Southeast Asian cities.

Answer:

• Singapore scores highest across all dimensions (85, 78, 92) while Jakarta scores lowest overall (45, 58, 62) (1 mark)
• Environmental scores show greatest variation: Singapore (85) significantly exceeds others, with Bangkok (52), Manila (48), and Jakarta (45) clustered together (1 mark)
• Economic scores follow similar pattern to environmental, with Singapore (92) leading, followed by Bangkok (68), Jakarta (62), and Manila (59) (1 mark)
• Social scores show least variation between cities, ranging from Singapore's 78 to Manila's 55 (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Award marks for comparative language and specific data references. Must compare across cities, not just state individual scores.

Question 4 [3 marks] State three processes involved in the formation of karst landscapes.

Answer:

1. Chemical weathering/carbonation - rainwater + CO₂ forms weak carbonic acid (1 mark)
2. Solution/dissolution - carbonic acid dissolves limestone (CaCO₃) (1 mark)
3. Underground erosion - water flow through joints and bedding planes enlarges cavities (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Accept equivalent process descriptions. Must be specific to karst formation.

Question 5 [4 marks] Explain how climate data can be used to identify a tropical monsoon climate (Am).

Answer:

• Coldest month temperature must exceed 18°C to qualify as tropical (A) (1 mark)
• Annual precipitation typically exceeds 2000mm, indicating high moisture (1 mark)
• Short dry season present (1-3 months below 60mm) distinguishing from Af (1 mark)
• Distinct wet season with heavy monsoon rains compensates for dry period (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Must reference specific temperature and precipitation criteria. Award marks for Köppen-Geiger classification understanding.

Question 6 [4 marks] Analyze waste composition and suggest environmental challenges.

Answer: Analysis: High organic content (65%) indicates biodegradable waste dominance, while significant plastic proportion (18%) creates disposal challenges (1 mark)

Environmental Challenge 1: Methane emissions from decomposing organic waste in landfills contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (1.5 marks)

Environmental Challenge 2: Plastic pollution in waterways and soil due to poor disposal infrastructure, creating long-term contamination (1.5 marks)

Marking Notes: Must link composition to specific environmental impacts. Award partial marks for incomplete explanations.

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Section B: Structured Response Questions [15 marks]

Question 7 [8 marks]

(a) Compare reasons for slum development [6 marks]

Answer: Developing Countries:

• Rural-to-urban migration driven by economic opportunities in cities (1 mark)
• Rapid urbanization outpacing formal housing supply and infrastructure development (1 mark)
• Low incomes preventing access to formal housing markets (1 mark)

Developed Countries:

• Deindustrialization leading to economic decline and property abandonment (1 mark)
• Gentrification displacing low-income residents to marginal areas (1 mark)
• Inadequate social housing provision and welfare support (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Award marks for clear distinction between contexts. Must show understanding of different underlying causes.

(b) Suggest similarity [2 marks]

Answer: Both contexts feature inadequate basic services (water, sanitation, electricity) and overcrowded living conditions due to poverty and marginalization (2 marks)

Marking Notes: Accept any valid similarity with explanation. Award 1 mark for identification, 1 mark for elaboration.

Question 8 [7 marks] Explain sinkhole formation processes in limestone regions.

Answer:

• Limestone (CaCO₃) is chemically vulnerable to weak acids in natural water (1 mark)
• Rainwater combines with atmospheric CO₂ to form weak carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) (1 mark)
• Carbonic acid infiltrates through soil and joints in limestone bedrock (1 mark)
• Chemical dissolution gradually enlarges joints and bedding planes, creating underground cavities (1 mark)
• Continued dissolution weakens overlying rock structure and soil support (1 mark)
• Eventually, surface materials collapse into enlarged underground void, forming sinkhole (1 mark)
• Process accelerated by groundwater flow and may be triggered by heavy rainfall or human activities (1 mark)

Marking Notes: Award marks for logical sequence of processes. Must explain chemical weathering and structural collapse.

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Section C: Extended Response [15 marks]

Question 9 [15 marks] "Natural resources are always beneficial for countries at low levels of development."

Answer Framework:

Level 4 (13-15 marks): Excellent

• Clear disagreement with nuanced analysis
• Explains both benefits and problems (resource curse)
• Uses 2-3 specific, detailed case studies
• Discusses mediating factors (governance, institutions)
• Sophisticated conclusion about conditional outcomes

Level 3 (10-12 marks): Good

• Shows understanding of both sides
• Uses some specific examples
• Makes connections between resources and development outcomes
• Some evaluation of factors affecting success/failure

Level 2 (7-9 marks): Satisfactory

• Basic understanding of resource curse concept
• Limited examples or generic statements
• Some attempt at evaluation
• Descriptive rather than analytical

Level 1 (4-6 marks): Weak

• One-sided argument or confused understanding
• No specific examples
• Largely descriptive
• Poor geographical terminology

Sample Answer Points: Benefits: Export revenue (Botswana diamonds), employment, infrastructure investment Problems: Economic overdependence (Nigeria oil), conflict (Sierra Leone diamonds), corruption, Dutch disease Mediating factors: Governance quality, diversification strategies, institutional strength Case studies: Botswana vs. Nigeria, Chile vs. Venezuela, Norway vs. resource-cursed states

Marking Notes: Reward balanced arguments, specific examples, and sophisticated analysis of causation.