Secondary 4 Geography Preliminary Examination Paper 2

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper – Geography Secondary 4

Answer Key – Version 2 of 5

Section A: Map Skills

1. Six-figure grid reference of the summit of Hill 124:

• Accept any valid six-figure reference within the correct grid square where Hill 124 is located (e.g., 458 317 – accept the reference as read from the provided figure).
• Award 1 mark for correct easting, 1 mark for correct northing. [2]

2. Distance calculation:

• Step 1: Measure the straight-line distance on the map (e.g., 6 cm).
• Step 2: Multiply by the scale. At 1:50,000, 1 cm = 0.5 km, so 6 cm × 0.5 = 3.0 km.
• Accept answers consistent with the figure provided.
• Award 1 mark for correct method/working, 1 mark for correct final answer with unit. [2]

3. Compass direction:

• The bridge is to the south-east of the school (accept SE or south-east). [1]

4. Relief description (grid squares 455–460 E / 315–320 N):

• Award marks for any three valid points:
  • The land is hilly / undulating, as shown by closely spaced contour lines. [1]
  • The height ranges from approximately 80 m to 124 m above sea level. [1]
  • There is a ridge or hilltop in the north-western part of the area, with contours forming concentric closed loops. [1]
• Vague answers such as "the land is high" without reference to contour evidence receive 0 marks. [3]

5. Factors for choosing a campsite location:

• Award 2 marks per factor (1 for identifying the factor, 1 for explanation), for any two of the following:
  • Flat ground – Contour lines are widely spaced, indicating level terrain suitable for pitching tents and preventing water runoff pooling. [2]
  • Away from steep slopes / cliffs – Closely spaced contours indicate steep gradients that pose landslide or rockfall risks. [2]
  • Proximity to a water source – A river or stream nearby provides water for drinking and cooking, but the site should be above the flood plain. [2]
  • Sheltered location – A site behind a hill or in a valley may offer protection from strong winds. [2]
  • Accessibility – Near a track or path for ease of reaching the site. [2]
• Maximum [4]

Section B: Graph and Data Interpretation

6. Total annual rainfall:

• Step 1: Read each month's rainfall value from the graph.
• Step 2: Sum all 12 monthly values.
• Example working: 120 + 110 + 130 + 150 + 180 + 200 + 190 + 210 + 170 + 160 + 140 + 130 = 1,890 mm (accept values consistent with the figure).
• Award 1 mark for method, 1 mark for correct total with unit. [2]

7. Month with highest rainfall:

• August (accept the month as read from the provided figure). [1]

8. Annual temperature range:

• Step 1: Identify the highest monthly temperature (e.g., 31°C in May).
• Step 2: Identify the lowest monthly temperature (e.g., 25°C in December).
• Step 3: Range = 31 − 25 = 6°C.
• Award 1 mark for correct identification of highest and lowest, 1 mark for correct range with unit. [2]

9. Relationship between temperature and rainfall:

• Award marks for any three valid points:
  • In general, the months with higher temperatures (e.g., April–June) tend to have moderate to high rainfall, showing a positive correlation. [1]
  • The coolest months (e.g., November–January) tend to have lower rainfall, indicating that temperature and rainfall rise and fall together. [1]
  • However, the relationship is not perfectly direct – for example, the highest rainfall month (August) does not coincide with the hottest month, suggesting other factors (e.g., monsoon winds) also influence rainfall. [1]
• Award 1 mark per valid descriptive point; purely stating "they are related" without evidence = 0. [3]

10. Reason for rainfall pattern in Southeast Asia:

• Award 2 marks for any one well-explained reason:
  • Monsoon climate – Southeast Asia experiences seasonal monsoon winds (southwest monsoon from June to September brings heavy rainfall; northeast monsoon from December to February brings drier conditions to some areas). [2]
  • Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) – The ITCZ passes over the region, bringing convective rainfall, especially during equinox periods. [2]
  • High temperatures year-round lead to high rates of evaporation and convection, resulting in frequent rainfall. [2]
• Award 1 mark for identifying the reason, 1 mark for brief explanation. [2]

11. Country with highest tourist numbers in 2019:

• Country B (accept as read from the provided figure). [1]

12. Percentage increase for Country B (2015–2019):

• Step 1: Tourist numbers in 2015 = 40,000 (example); in 2019 = 64,000 (example).
• Step 2: Increase = 64,000 − 40,000 = 24,000.
• Step 3: Percentage increase = (24,000 ÷ 40,000) × 100 = 60%.
• Award 1 mark for correct values read from graph, 1 mark for correct formula/method, 1 mark for correct final answer with % sign. [3]

13. Comparison of trends (Country A vs. Country C):

• Award marks for any three valid comparative points:
  • Country A shows a steady/gradual increase in tourist numbers from 2015 to 2019. [1]
  • Country C shows a fluctuating trend, with a dip in 2017 before rising again in 2018–2019. [1]
  • Both countries end with higher tourist numbers in 2019 compared to 2015, but the rate of increase differs – Country A's growth is more consistent while Country C's is more variable. [1]
• Award 1 mark per valid point of comparison. [3]

14. Reasons for changes in tourism numbers:

• Award 2 marks per reason (1 for identifying the reason, 1 for explanation), for any two of the following:
  • Economic growth – As the country's economy develops, more people have disposable income to travel, increasing outbound tourism. [2]
  • Improved transport links – New flight routes or better infrastructure make the destination more accessible, attracting more tourists. [2]
  • Political stability / safety – A period of peace and stability encourages tourists to visit, while conflict or unrest deters them. [2]
  • Marketing and promotion – Government tourism campaigns raise awareness and attract visitors. [2]
  • Exchange rates – A favourable exchange rate makes the destination more affordable for foreign tourists. [2]
• Maximum [4]

Section C: Photograph and Source Interpretation

15. Coastal landform identification:

• Sea stack (accept: stack, sea stack, or other valid landform as shown in the photograph). [1]

16. Two features visible in Photograph A:

• Award 1 mark per feature, for any two of the following:
  • The landform is a tall, vertical column of rock standing separately from the main cliff. [1]
  • The base of the landform shows evidence of undercutting / a notch where wave action has eroded the rock. [1]
  • The surrounding area shows a wave-cut platform / flat rocky area at the base of the cliff. [1]
  • The rock face shows visible layers / strata, indicating sedimentary rock. [1]
• Maximum [2]

17. Formation of the landform:

• Award marks for a logical sequence of processes:
  • Waves erode lines of weakness (cracks/joints) in the cliff face through hydraulic action and abrasion, forming a cave. [1]
  • Continued erosion causes the cave to be excavated further until it breaks through the headland, forming a natural arch. [1]
  • Weathering (e.g., freeze-thaw, biological weathering) and continued wave erosion cause the roof of the arch to collapse. [1]
  • This leaves an isolated column of rock called a sea stack, separated from the main cliff. [1]
• Award 1 mark per valid stage in the sequence. Maximum [4]
• Common mistake: Students describe only the final landform without explaining the sequence of cave → arch → stack. Award a maximum of 2 marks if no process sequence is given.

18. City with lowest population density:

• City R (3,210 persons/km²). [1]

19. Mean population density:

• Step 1: Sum = 7,840 + 12,560 + 3,210 + 9,430 + 15,720 = 48,760.
• Step 2: Mean = 48,760 ÷ 5 = 9,752 persons/km².
• Award 1 mark for correct sum, 1 mark for correct mean with unit. [2]

20. Challenges of high population density (City T):

• Award 2 marks per challenge (1 for identifying the challenge, 1 for explanation), for any two of the following:
  • Housing shortage / overcrowding – High demand for limited land leads to cramped living conditions, high property prices, and the growth of informal settlements. [2]
  • Traffic congestion – A large population using limited road infrastructure results in long commute times, air pollution, and reduced quality of life. [2]
  • Strain on public services – Hospitals, schools, and water/sewage systems may be overburdened, leading to longer wait times and reduced service quality. [2]
  • Environmental degradation – Increased waste generation, pollution, and loss of green spaces due to urban expansion. [2]
  • Unemployment / competition for jobs – A large labour force competing for limited job opportunities may lead to higher unemployment rates. [2]
• Maximum [4]

END OF ANSWER KEY

© TuitionGoWhere Secondary School (AI) – Preliminary Practice Paper Answer Key, Version 2 of 5