O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · May/June 2024 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 2.1 (Insert), a graph showing information about the number of people living in urban areas between 1950 and 2050 (estimated).

(a)(i)What was the total urban population in 2000? .......................................................................... billion[1]
(a)(ii)Compare the urban population living in North America in 1950 with 2050 (estimated). Use statistics to support your answer.[2]
(a)(iii)Put the following continents in rank order according to their urban population in 1950, 2000 and 2050 (estimated). Africa Asia Europe 1950 first ........................................ highest second ........................................ third ........................................ lowest 2000 first ........................................ highest second ........................................ third ........................................ lowest 2050 (estimated) first ........................................ highest second ........................................ third ........................................ lowest[3]
(a)(iv)Describe four different problems faced by people living in large urban areas in LEDCs. 1 2 3 4[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 2.2 (Insert), a photograph taken in Mumbai, an urban area in India (an LEDC in Asia). Describe three characteristics of the housing shown by X in Fig. 2.2. 1 2 3[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why urban areas are attractive to migrants from rural areas in LEDCs.[5]
(c)For an area you have studied, describe and explain the service provision. Name of area ................................................................[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 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] 2.75 to 2.85 (billion) 1 mark
[2] Increased; From 0.1 billion (100 million) to 0.3/0.4 billion (300–400 million)/by 3 to 4 times/by 0.2/0.3 billion or by 200–300 million. 2 @ 1 mark
[3] 1950: Europe ... Asia ... Africa 2000: Asia ... Europe ... Africa 2050 (estimated): Asia ... Africa ... Europe Note: Correct order needed. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: Difficult to find/cannot afford housing/expensive housing/cramped houses/squatter settlements/homelessness; Spread of disease; Lack of employment/low pay/poverty; Crime/or example; Lack of/pressure on/cannot afford health services; Lack of/pressure on/cannot afford education; Lack of/cannot afford food; Lack of water; Poor sanitation; Pollution of water/waterborne diseases; Traffic congestion/jams; Air pollution/smog/car exhausts; Noise/or example such as car horns; Lack of space for recreation/lack of open space/green space; Large amounts of waste/difficulty of disposing of waste; Etc. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] High rise/5 storeys; Concrete; Flat roof; Specified item on roof (e.g. satellite dish/aerials/AC unit); Apartments/flats; Some are unoccupied/only a few are lived in; Windows; Balconies; Decorative concrete blocks; Behind metal grids/bars; Run down/in need of repair/dirty/mouldy; Various colours; Etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Employment available/higher pay/better jobs; Better access to food/more food supply/more shops to buy food; Better availability of hospitals/health care/doctors/clinics; Better access to water/better water supply/sanitation; More access to electricity; Safety from natural disaster/drought/wars; Better provision of education; Bright lights/entertainment/leisure facilities or e.g.; Better Wi-Fi/mobile phone signals; Access to public transport; Etc. Note: Accept urban pulls or rural pushes but do not double credit. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe and/or explain service provision. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed or linked statements which describe and explain service provision. (Note: Max. 5 if no named or inappropriate example.) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe and explain service provision with some place specific reference. Content Guide: Candidates can choose any size area and explanations are likely to refer to ideas such as: Population size/market; Threshold population; Spheres of influence; Nearby competition; Etc. Simple descriptions of services are likely to refer to examples of types of services, however more developed ones should refer to order of services. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Population size, Locational details, Specific details/names of the services, Other nearby settlements etc.