O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/13 · May/June 2018 · Q125 Marks

Study Figs. 1.1 and 1.2, which show information about population. [Figure 1.1] [Figure 1.2]

(a)(i)Using Fig. 1.1 only, define optimum population.[1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 1.2 only, define: under-population over-population[2]
(a)(iii)Explain why some countries become over-populated.[3]
(a)(iv)Describe four problems which are caused by over-population. 1 2 3 4[4]
(b)(i)Using Fig. 1.3 only, identify three possible methods which could be used in Canada to reduce the impacts of under-population. 1 2 3[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why countries with large areas of land may not be under-populated.[5]
(c)For a named country you have studied, describe the problems caused by a large percentage of dependent population. Name of country[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 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a)(i) The total population at which GDP (per head) is at its high/highest level.
[2] (a)(ii) Under-population = too few people (population) for the available resources/the number of resources is greater than the number of people Over-population = too many people (population) for the available resources/the number of people is greater than resources
[3] (a)(iii) Ideas such as: High population growth/high population increase; High birth rates or reason for high birth rates/a lot of children born; Low or decreasing death rates or reason for decreasing death rate/long life expectancy; Large amount of immigration/high positive net migration; Few resources/resources become exhausted/increased demand for resources etc.
[4] (a)(iv) Problems such as: lack of work/unemployment; poverty; pressure on health care; pressure on education services; lack of housing/growth of shanty towns/house prices rise; famine/lack of food/food prices rise; traffic congestion; lack of clean water/water shortage; shortage of electricity/fuel; deforestation; loss of habitat; soil infertility/soil exhaustion; air/water pollution; pressure on sanitation;
[3] (b)(i) Ideas such as: Easier visas (for skilled immigrants); Lower taxation (to attracts immigrants); Give more benefits or incentives for larger families/people who have children/pronatalist policy etc. Note: Must be from Figure 1.3
[5] (b)(ii) Ideas such as: Many people could be living there/high population density/many people have moved there; There could be limited amounts of habitable land/large areas of land could be of little use; E.g. deserts/mountains; Few resources might be available/there are not lots of resources available; Such as coal/oil/minerals/fertile land etc.; High level of technology in the country (allows economy to develop) without much labour/capital intensive production; So all resources can be easily exploited be few people;
[7] (c) Levels marking Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe the problems caused by a large percentage of dependent population. Level 2 (4-6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which describe the problems caused by a large percentage of dependent population (Note: 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 ∞ High dependency ratios ∞ Strain of supporting dependents ∞ Increasing need for provision of health care ∞ High cost of provision of services/goods for elderly ∞ High cost of provision of provision of schools/nurseries/goods for young ∞ Pressure on government revenues ∞ Need to pay pensions/child allowances ∞ Difficulty of obtaining workforce ∞ Defence of country is difficult etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named parts of the chosen country, statistical data etc. Note: Max 1 × L2 for using statistics for development. Development is of the description.