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 examples and case studies where appropriate
• Quality of written communication will be assessed
• Calculators may be used where necessary

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Section A: Short Answer Questions [20 marks]

1. Define the term 'circular economy' and explain how it differs from a linear economy model. [4]

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2. Identify TWO ecosystem services provided by tropical rainforests and explain their importance for sustainable development. [4]

Service 1: ___________________________________________________

Importance: _________________________________________________

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Service 2: ___________________________________________________

Importance: _________________________________________________

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3. Explain what is meant by the 'resource curse' and provide ONE example of a country that has experienced this phenomenon. [3]

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Example: ____________________________________________________

4. State THREE factors that contribute to groundwater depletion in rapidly developing countries. [3]

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2. ---

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5. Using an example, explain how climate change is affecting coral reef ecosystems. [6]

Example: ____________________________________________________

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Section B: Data Analysis Questions [15 marks]

6. The table below shows renewable energy capacity (GW) for selected countries in 2020 and 2023.

Country	2020	2023	Population (millions)
China	895	1,350	1,412
USA	292	352	331
Brazil	150	175	215
India	134	179	1,380
Germany	132	148	83

(a) Calculate the percentage increase in renewable energy capacity for China between 2020 and 2023. Show your working. [2]

Working: ____________________________________________________

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Answer: _____________________________________________________

(b) Compare the renewable energy capacity per capita for USA and India in 2023. Comment on the significance of this difference for sustainable development. [4]

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7. The graph below shows projected water stress levels for different regions by 2030.

[THIS IS FIGURE: Bar chart showing water stress levels (Low, Medium, High, Extremely High) for regions: Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Europe & Central Asia]

(a) Identify the region with the highest projected water stress by 2030. [1]

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(b) Suggest TWO strategies that could help reduce water stress in the most affected regions. [4]

Strategy 1: __________________________________________________

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Strategy 2: __________________________________________________

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(c) Explain why water stress is a barrier to sustainable development. [4]

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Section C: Extended Response [15 marks]

8. "Sustainable resource management is impossible without international cooperation."

To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples to support your answer. [15]

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END OF QUIZ

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

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Section A: Short Answer Questions [20 marks]

1. Define the term 'circular economy' and explain how it differs from a linear economy model. [4]

Answer:

• Circular economy: An economic model that eliminates waste through the continual use of resources via reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling (2 marks)
• Linear economy follows 'take-make-dispose' model where resources are extracted, used once, then discarded as waste (1 mark)
• Circular economy creates closed loops where waste becomes input for new production, minimizing resource extraction and environmental impact (1 mark)

2. Identify TWO ecosystem services provided by tropical rainforests and explain their importance for sustainable development. [4]

Sample Answer: Service 1: Carbon sequestration/storage (1 mark) Importance: Helps mitigate climate change by removing CO2 from atmosphere, supporting global climate stability essential for sustainable development (1 mark)

Service 2: Biodiversity conservation/habitat provision (1 mark) Importance: Maintains genetic resources for medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology; supports ecosystem resilience and long-term sustainability (1 mark)

Alternative services: Water regulation, soil protection, timber/non-timber products, cultural/spiritual values

3. Explain what is meant by the 'resource curse' and provide ONE example of a country that has experienced this phenomenon. [3]

Answer:

• Resource curse: Paradox where countries with abundant natural resources experience slower economic growth, increased corruption, and political instability compared to resource-poor countries (2 marks)
• Example: Nigeria (oil), Venezuela (oil), Sierra Leone (diamonds), Democratic Republic of Congo (minerals) - any valid example with brief explanation (1 mark)

4. State THREE factors that contribute to groundwater depletion in rapidly developing countries. [3]

Sample Answer:

1. Intensive agriculture requiring irrigation (1 mark)
2. Rapid urbanization increasing domestic water demand (1 mark)
3. Industrial expansion requiring water for manufacturing processes (1 mark)

Alternative factors: Poor water management, inefficient irrigation systems, lack of regulation, climate change reducing recharge rates

5. Using an example, explain how climate change is affecting coral reef ecosystems. [6]

Sample Answer: Example: Great Barrier Reef, Australia / Southeast Asian coral reefs (1 mark)

Explanation should include:

• Rising sea temperatures causing coral bleaching (2 marks)
• Ocean acidification from increased CO2 absorption weakening coral skeletons (2 marks)
• Consequences: biodiversity loss, reduced fish populations, tourism impacts, coastal protection loss (1 mark)

Marking: Award marks for clear cause-effect relationships and specific impacts

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Section B: Data Analysis Questions [15 marks]

6(a) Calculate the percentage increase in renewable energy capacity for China between 2020 and 2023. [2]

Answer: Working: (1,350 - 895) ÷ 895 × 100 (1 mark) = 455 ÷ 895 × 100 = 50.8% (1 mark)

6(b) Compare the renewable energy capacity per capita for USA and India in 2023. [4]

Answer: USA: 352 GW ÷ 331 million = 1.06 GW per million people India: 179 GW ÷ 1,380 million = 0.13 GW per million people (2 marks for calculations)

USA has approximately 8 times higher renewable capacity per capita than India (1 mark) Significance: Higher per capita capacity in USA suggests better energy security and lower carbon intensity per person, while India's lower capacity indicates need for massive renewable expansion to meet development goals sustainably (1 mark)

7(a) Identify the region with the highest projected water stress by 2030. [1]

Answer: Middle East & North Africa (1 mark)

7(b) Suggest TWO strategies that could help reduce water stress in the most affected regions. [4]

Sample Answer: Strategy 1: Improve water use efficiency through drip irrigation and precision agriculture (2 marks) Strategy 2: Develop alternative water sources such as desalination or water recycling (2 marks)

Alternative strategies: Rainwater harvesting, groundwater management, water pricing policies, drought-resistant crops

7(c) Explain why water stress is a barrier to sustainable development. [4]

Answer:

• Limits agricultural productivity and food security (1 mark)
• Constrains industrial development and economic growth (1 mark)
• Affects human health and quality of life (1 mark)
• Can lead to conflict and social instability, undermining governance (1 mark)

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Section C: Extended Response [15 marks]

8. "Sustainable resource management is impossible without international cooperation." To what extent do you agree with this statement? [15]

Marking Scheme:

Level 4 (13-15 marks): Excellent response

• Clear understanding of sustainable resource management and international cooperation
• Balanced argument with strong examples
• Sophisticated analysis of when cooperation is essential vs. when domestic action suffices
• Well-structured with clear conclusion

Level 3 (10-12 marks): Good response

• Good understanding with relevant examples
• Some balance but may lean one way
• Clear structure and reasoning

Level 2 (7-9 marks): Satisfactory response

• Basic understanding with limited examples
• One-sided argument or weak balance
• Some structure evident

Level 1 (4-6 marks): Weak response

• Limited understanding
• Few or no examples
• Poor structure

Level 0 (0-3 marks): Very weak or no response

Sample points for agreement:

• Transboundary resources (rivers, oceans, atmosphere) require cooperation
• Climate change is global problem needing coordinated action
• Examples: Montreal Protocol (ozone), Paris Agreement (climate), CITES (wildlife trade)
• Technology transfer and capacity building needs
• Global supply chains require international standards

Sample points for disagreement:

• Many resources are national (domestic water, forests, minerals)
• Strong domestic governance can achieve sustainability
• Examples: Costa Rica (forest conservation), Botswana (diamond management)
• International cooperation can be slow and ineffective
• National sovereignty over resources

Synthesis: Depends on resource type, scale of impact, and governance capacity