A Level H2 Geography Human Geography Quiz

A-Level Geography H2 Quiz - Human Geography (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 60

Section A: Urban Systems and Sustainable Cities

1. Define ‘urban sustainability’. [2]

• Answer: Urban sustainability refers to the ability of a city to meet the needs of its present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [1]. It involves balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection within an urban context [1].

2. Describe the relationship in Resource 1. [2]

• Answer: There is a negative (inverse) correlation [1]. As urban green space per capita increases, the average summer temperature decreases [1].

3. Explain one environmental benefit of urban green spaces. [3]

• Answer:
  • Point: Reduction of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect [1].
  • Explanation: Vegetation provides shade and releases moisture through evapotranspiration, which cools the surrounding air [1]. This reduces the need for air conditioning, lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions [1].
  • (Alternative: Biodiversity habitat, stormwater absorption).

4. ‘Gentrification always leads to negative social outcomes.’ To what extent do you agree? [4]

• Answer:
  • Agreement (Negative): Original low-income residents may be displaced due to rising rents and property taxes (social cleansing) [1]. Loss of community cohesion and local cultural identity [1].
  • Disagreement (Positive): Improvement in housing stock and local infrastructure/services (e.g., schools, parks) benefits remaining residents [1]. Reduction in crime rates and increased economic activity can improve safety and quality of life [1].
  • Conclusion: It is not always negative; outcomes depend on policy interventions (e.g., affordable housing quotas).

5. Compare causes of slum formation in Mumbai (LEDC) and Detroit (MEDC). [4]

• Answer:
  • Mumbai (LEDC): Rapid rural-to-urban migration driven by search for employment exceeds housing supply [1]. Lack of formal planning and land tenure systems leads to informal settlements [1].
  • Detroit (MEDC): Deindustrialization and economic decline led to job losses and population outflow [1]. Remaining poor populations are concentrated in neglected areas due to lack of investment and racial segregation/history of redlining [1].
  • Comparison: Mumbai is driven by growth and lack of infrastructure; Detroit is driven by decline and abandonment.

Section B: Development and Resource Management

6. Distinguish between ‘economic growth’ and ‘economic development’. [2]

• Answer:
  • Economic Growth: A quantitative increase in a country’s output of goods and services, usually measured by GDP or GNI [1].
  • Economic Development: A qualitative improvement in living standards, health, education, and freedom, often measured by HDI [1].

7. Suggest one reason why Country B has higher HDI than Country A despite lower GNI. [2]

• Answer: Country B may have better income distribution (lower Gini coefficient), ensuring wealth reaches the poor [1]. Or, Country B may have strong government investment in public services (healthcare/education) funded by non-monetary means or efficient spending [1].

8. Explain how FDI contributes to narrowing the development gap. [3]

• Answer:
  • Point: FDI brings capital and technology into LEDCs [1].
  • Explanation: This creates jobs and transfers skills/technology to the local workforce (spill-over effect) [1].
  • Result: Increased tax revenue for the government to invest in infrastructure and social services, raising HDI [1].

9. ‘The resource curse is inevitable.’ How far do you agree? [4]

• Answer:
  • Agree (Curse): Resource dependence can lead to ‘Dutch Disease’ (currency appreciation hurts other exports) and corruption/conflict over rents (e.g., Nigeria’s oil delta) [2].
  • Disagree (Not Inevitable): Good governance and institutions can manage resources effectively. Example: Botswana used diamond revenues to invest in education and infrastructure, avoiding the curse [2].
  • Conclusion: It is not inevitable; it depends on political and economic management.

10. Evaluate the effectiveness of microfinance. [4]

• Answer:
  • Effectiveness: Provides access to capital for the unbanked, enabling small enterprise creation and women’s empowerment [2].
  • Limitations: High interest rates can lead to debt traps; small loans may not be sufficient for significant structural development or scaling up businesses [2].
  • Evaluation: Effective for poverty alleviation at the household level, but limited impact on national macro-development.

Section C: Globalisation and Economic Flows

11. Define ‘time-space compression’ and give an example. [2]

• Answer:
  • Definition: The phenomenon where the time it takes to travel or communicate between places decreases, making the world feel ‘smaller’ [1].
  • Example: Instant communication via the internet allows real-time financial trading between New York and Tokyo [1].

12. Describe the spatial pattern in Resource 3. [2]

• Answer: The manufacturing hubs are unevenly distributed [1]. They are highly concentrated in East Asia (e.g., Taiwan, South Korea, China) and North America (USA), with very few in Africa or South America [1].

13. Explain one reason TNCs locate R&D in developed countries. [3]

• Answer:
  • Point: Access to skilled labour and specialized knowledge clusters [1].
  • Explanation: Developed countries have prestigious universities and a high concentration of scientists/engineers [1].
  • Result: This fosters innovation and protects intellectual property through stronger legal frameworks [1].

14. ‘Globalisation has led to cultural homogenisation.’ Discuss. [4]

• Answer:
  • Agree: Spread of global brands (McDonald’s, Nike) and media (Hollywood) creates a uniform global consumer culture, eroding local traditions [2].
  • Disagree: ‘Glocalisation’ occurs, where global products are adapted to local tastes (e.g., McDonald’s serving vegetarian options in India). Also, globalisation allows local cultures to reach a global audience (hybridity) [2].

15. Assess the impact of supply chain disruptions on ‘just-in-time’ (JIT) manufacturing. [4]

• Answer:
  • Impact: JIT relies on minimal inventory, making it highly vulnerable to disruptions (e.g., Suez Canal blockage, pandemic) [1].
  • Consequence: Production halts when one component is missing, causing massive economic losses [1].
  • Shift: Companies are moving towards ‘just-in-case’ (holding more stock) or ‘near-shoring’ (shortening supply chains) to increase resilience [2].

Section D: Synthesis and Evaluation

16. Explain ‘urban resilience’. [2]

• Answer: The capacity of an urban system to absorb, recover from, and adapt to shocks and stresses (such as climate events or economic crises) while maintaining essential functions [2].

17. Suggest two push factors for rural-urban migration in Brazil. [2]

• Answer:
  1. Mechanisation of agriculture reducing rural labour demand [1].
  2. Lack of basic services (healthcare/education) in rural areas [1].

18. To what extent is technology the most important factor in sustainable urban development? [4]

• Answer:
  • Technology’s Role: Smart grids, waste-to-energy plants, and efficient public transport systems reduce environmental footprints [2].
  • Other Factors: Political will, governance, and citizen behaviour are equally important. Technology fails without policy enforcement (e.g., zoning laws) or funding [2].
  • Conclusion: Technology is an enabler, but not the sole determinant; governance is arguably more critical.

19. Compare waste management challenges in London (Developed) vs Lagos (Developing). [4]

• Answer:
  • London: Challenge is high volume of consumer waste and recycling contamination; solution involves advanced incineration and strict recycling laws [2].
  • Lagos: Challenge is lack of formal collection infrastructure and rapid urbanisation outpacing services; reliance on informal waste pickers and open dumping [2].
  • Comparison: London deals with processing efficiency; Lagos deals with basic access and collection.

20. ‘Sustainable development is impossible without significant foreign aid.’ Evaluate. [6]

• Answer:
  • Argument for Aid: LEDCs often lack the capital for large infrastructure (water, energy) needed for sustainability. Aid can bridge the savings gap and transfer green technology (e.g., solar projects in Africa) [2].
  • Argument against Aid (Self-Reliance): Aid can create dependency and distort local markets. Domestic resource mobilization (tax reform) and foreign direct investment (FDI) are more sustainable long-term sources of finance [2].
  • Nuance: Aid is most effective when targeted at capacity building and governance, not just cash transfers. Some countries (e.g., Vietnam) have developed with limited aid through trade liberalization [1].
  • Conclusion: Sustainable development is difficult without aid for the poorest nations, but not impossible. Aid must be complemented by good governance and private investment to be effective [1].