Study Fig. 3, which shows a settlement hierarchy. [Figure 3] depicts a pyramid-shaped settlement hierarchy with layers from bottom to top: isolated buildings/farmsteads, hamlet, village, small town, large town, city, conurbation, capital city. An arrow on the left indicates 'increasing population and area' upwards, and an arrow on the right indicates 'decreasing number of services' downwards. A double-headed arrow at the bottom indicates 'number of settlements'. Study Photographs A, B and C (Insert), which show three different types of shops in the Central Business District (CBD) of Madrid, the capital city of Spain (MEDC).

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] (A list of/diagram to show) settlements in an area arranged in size/importance or a list of settlements in order of size/importance or settlements arrange in levels/rank order
2. [2] the larger the size of the settlement the fewer of that type of settlement; the larger the size of the settlement the greater the number of services; N.B. 3 ticks = 1 mark if 2 are correct; Candidates can indicate their choice in any way.
3. [3] Services in a large town are likely to be: higher order; more specialist/more comparison stores/less convenience stores; be larger in size/larger shopping centres; have greater variety/choice; they are more advanced/sophisticated; comparative example, e.g. department store compared with general store, secondary school compared with primary, etc. The answer should compare similar sorts of examples. (2 max.) N.B. Needs to compare. Assume the answers relates to the town unless otherwise stated.
4. [3] A = Comparison (shop); B = Specialist (shop); C = Convenience (store)
5. [4] Ideas such as: they are high order services/goods; they are specialist/they sell comparison goods; people travel a long way to use them/large range; as there are none available where they live/villages do not have these services; they may use them infrequently/goods are high cost; they are easily accessible/centrally located; other high order services or tourist sites or work places are available nearby; they use advertising; wide variety of goods/large in size; services are more advanced/sophisticated/high quality goods, etc.
6. [5] Benefits such as: safer shopping environment/no danger from cars; less atmospheric pollution/exhaust fumes; less noise from vehicles; easier access for disabled people/wheelchair users; aesthetically pleasing; encourages walking which is healthy; Problems such as: more difficult access for delivery vehicles/emergency vehicles; public transport stops may need to be more distant from shops/people may need to walk further; no passing trade from road traffic; people have to carry heavy shopping further to their cars/cannot park vehicles outside the shops; creates traffic congestion elsewhere in the city, etc. (N.B. max. 3 on Benefits/Problems)
7. [7] Levels marking Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain the original growth of an out of town shopping area. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain the original growth of an out of town shopping area. (N.B. max. 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: Accessibility Market area/sphere of influence Cost of land Availability of space Planning regulations Environmental quality, etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details Details of transport/communication network Named shops and services, etc. N.B. The example can be a town/city or an out of town shopping centre. However, for L3 both must be correct and can be used for place specific. The answer should offer explanation. The focus should be the original growth.