O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/13 · Oct/Nov 2011 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 3, which shows maps of four rural settlements. Settlement A is an area of dispersed rural settlement. What is meant by a dispersed settlement pattern?

(a)(i)Study Fig. 3, which shows maps of four rural settlements. Settlement A is an area of dispersed rural settlement. What is meant by a dispersed settlement pattern?[1]
(a)(ii)Describe the shapes of settlements B and C. Settlement B Settlement C[2]
(a)(iii)Suggest reasons for the different shapes of settlements B and C.[3]
(a)(iv)Suggest reasons why settlement D has developed into a large settlement.[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 4 (Insert), which shows a rural area in Tanzania (an LEDC). Describe three features of the distribution of rural settlement in the area shown by Fig. 4.[3]
(b)(ii)Suggest reasons for the distribution of rural settlement in the area shown by Fig. 4.[5]
(c)Name two settlements of different population size which you have studied. Compare the shops and services provided in the two settlements which you have named. Settlement 1 Settlement 2[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 (Oct/Nov 2011). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Buildings are scattered around/spread out/separated from each other.
[2] Ideas such as:
B is nucleated/clustered;
C is linear/long and thin
[3] Ideas such as:
B has grown round a crossroad;
B is flat all around
B has nothing to restrict its growth
C around a single road;
C is restricted by highland/in a river valley;
C is restricted by the river etc.
Reserve 1 mark for each of B and C.
[4] Ideas such as:
accessibility/travel in all directions/main road junction;
river for water supply;
river for food supply/fishing;
transport along river;
bridging point/bridge,
no restrictions to growth/flat land etc.
[3] Ideas such as:
settlement is generally below 1530/1680 metres/lower land/avoids high land;
close to roads/tracks/footpaths;
close to rivers;
mainly in central section of map/southern three quarters/NW corner;
avoids forest/bush/scattered trees/swamp etc.
[5] Ideas such as:
(near roads/tracks/paths) for accessibility;
e.g. to transport crops to market/travel to work etc. (dev);
(lower land) for better farmland/(avoids highland) as it is easier for construction;
where soils would be more fertile (dev)
(close to rivers) for water supply;
for domestic use/irrigation;
rivers for defence;
(avoids forested area) where there is less space;
(avoids swamps) as houses will be unstable etc.
[7] Level 1 (1-3 marks)
Statements including limited detail comparing services in two different sized settlements.
(e.g. more shops, better choice of leisure facilities, one has schools but the other doesn't etc.)
Level 2 (4-6 marks)
Uses named example
More developed statements comparing services in two different sized settlements.
(e.g. higher order shops/services, department stores, shoe shops/jewellers etc. in X compared with general store in Y etc., cinemas and theatres in X compared with village hall in Y, indoor malls in X compared with small individual shops in Y; secondary schools in X compared with primary schools in Y, church in X but cathedral in Y etc.)
(NB MAX 5 with no named example)
Level 3 (7 marks)
Uses named example (e.g. London and Thaxted).
More developed statements describing the main features of a CBD, including some place specific reference.
(e.g. high order shops/services all along major streets like Oxford Street in Thaxted mainly low order along the main street, department stores such as Harrods/Selfridges in London but newsagent, general store and butcher in Thaxted, cinemas and theatres in the West End of London just pubs for entertainment in Thaxted, indoor malls such as Westfield in London, individual small shops in Thaxted etc.)