O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2015 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 3, which shows a sector of an urban area in an MEDC. [Figure 3]

(a)(i)What is meant by urban area?[1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 3 only, compare the service provision in the inner city and outer suburbs.[2]
(a)(iii)Suggest reasons why a local shopping centre developed at X.[3]
(a)(iv)Describe the characteristics of retail and business parks such as the one at Y.[4]
(b)(i)Describe the characteristics of the row of shops and services shown in Fig. 4 using the following headings: order sphere of influence frequency of use[3]
(b)(ii)Study Photograph A (Insert), which shows the empty shop in Fig. 4. The empty shop is for sale. Choose a likely use for it and explain your choice.[5]
(c)Describe the problems which occur in the CBD of an urban area you have studied. Explain why these problems occur. Name of urban 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 (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) (i) Built up area/densely populated area/town/city/area with a large population/areas where lots of people live/lots of houses or businesses or services or industry/area with high order services/area with higher order services; 1 mark
[2] (ii) Inner city: convenience stores/individual shops Outer suburbs: shopping centres/rows of shops 2 @ 1 mark
[3] (iii) Lots of people living around/surrounded by housing or residential areas; at a major cross roads/road junction; easy to get to (for customers)/accessible; deliveries can be made easily/it's easy to transport goods to the shops; lower cost land; away from congestion in the CBD; passing trade etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] (iv) Ideas such as: modern; low level; landscaped/plants and tree surround it; areas of parking; large or specialist shops or suitable example; offices; hi-technology industry or example of any other valid industry; specific entertainment example such as cinema complex/restaurants/stadium/hotels; specific services e.g. tyre repair centre, car service centre large area of land/spacious etc. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] (b) (i) Low order; small sphere of influence/for the people who live nearby; high frequency of use/use daily 3 @ 1 mark
[5] (ii) Candidates can choose any appropriate shop or service. No mark for named example. Accept description or type. Reasoning should be appropriate to choice of shop or service but generic ideas are likely to include: People will use it regularly; It will get lots of customers; And make large profits; There is not one there already; So no competition; Parking areas; Window space etc.; NB: if there is no example then 0 marks overall. If candidate writes about several options, then choose example which gains the most credit. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] (c) Levels marking
Level 1 (1–3 marks): Statements including limited detail which describe and/or explain problems in CBD.
Level 2 (4–6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which describe and/or explain problems in CBD (NB max. 5 if no or inappropriate named example)
Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe and explain problems in CBD including some place specific reference.
Content Guide: Answers could refer to any problems in the CBD including congestion, atmospheric pollution, crime etc.
Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named parts/streets in the chosen CBD.
NB: need to develop description or explanation for L2 not description (L1) then explanation (L1) to make a L2.
Level 1: For example, air pollution (L1 description) caused by high volume of traffic (L1 explanation).
Level 2: For example, air pollution where more than 100 days per year in the city have smog (L2 description). For example, there are large numbers of cars which emit carbon monoxide from their exhausts (L2 explanation).
People and environment focus. Scale is CBD. Unspecified pollution = 0.