O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/13 · May/June 2017 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 3, which shows information about a settlement hierarchy. [Fig. 3]

(a)(i)What type of settlement is shown by F on Fig. 3? Choose from the types below and circle your answer. city town village[1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 3 only, describe the relationship between: population size and the number of settlements; ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ population size and sphere of influence. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[2]
(a)(iii)Give three reasons why some settlements grow into large urban areas but others remain small.[3]
(b)(i)Which of Photographs A, B, C or D shows: a transportation service; a service providing entertainment; a service providing health care; a service selling comparison goods? Photograph ......................................... Photograph ......................................... Photograph ......................................... Photograph .........................................[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why low order services are found in most settlements.[4]
(b)(iii)Explain why shops selling comparison goods are usually located in middle and high order settlements.[5]
(c)For an urban area you have studied, state one problem which occurs and explain its causes. You should choose from the following problems: Housing issues Traffic congestion Air pollution Name of urban area ................................................................ Problem ................................................................[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Village (can mark it in any way)
[2] The larger the population size the smaller the number of settlements (or vice versa) / there are many small settlements but only few large ones; The larger the population size the larger the sphere of influence (or vice versa)
[3] Ideas such as some large settlements: are on flat land / have room for expansion; have industry / factories / businesses; have markets for surrounding area / trade from surrounding area; experience in-migration; have commercial / retail development; grow due to mining / raw materials / extraction of resources; are at meeting of roads / route center / transport links meet together / good access / good transport links; are in central locations; port; settlements merge into a larger one Note: Accept vice versa but do not double credit.
[3] B D A C All 4 correct = 3 marks 2 or 3 correct = 2 marks 1 correct = 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: Low order services are used by most people / they are essential items / needed every day / needed by all people; Low order services are used frequently; People will not travel far to use low order services / smaller sphere of influence; And often walk / cycle to get to them; So they need to be close to everyone's homes; Low threshold population etc.
[5] Ideas such as: Middle and high order settlements have large populations; and also people travel there from the surrounding smaller settlements; as they have a large sphere of influence; so the shops will do good business / make a profit; they need a large threshold population; middle and large order settlements will have CBDs / malls where other similar shops are located; if located there people using other services may use them too; middle and high order settlements will have good transport networks; (Note: Accept reverse ideas in relation to low order settlements)
[7] Levels marking: Level 1 (1-3 marks): Statements including limited detail which explain the causes of the chosen urban problem. Level 2 (4-6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which explain the causes of the chosen urban problem. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements, with some place specific reference. Content Guide: Answers will depend on chosen urban problem: e.g. Traffic congestion: Inadequate public transport High car ownership Poor road network Large population Lots of people commuting to work Most businesses / workplaces / schools in similar location Most workplaces start / finish at the same time etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details / named areas within / around the urban area, Specific details of problems / causes etc. Note: Focus on causes and development is of the explanation