O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · May/June 2011 · Q225 Marks

(a) Study [Figure 3], which shows an area of rural settlement in an MEDC.

(a)(i)What is meant by the term rural settlement?[1]
(a)(ii)Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the site of settlement Y on [Figure 3]. Advantage Disadvantage[2]
(a)(iii)Suggest reasons why most settlements are in the area marked X on [Figure 3].[3]
(b)(i)Describe the differences in the growth of the urban populations between Lesotho and Niger. Refer to figures and years in your answer.[3]
(b)(ii)Suggest how urban growth may have created problems for people in Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho.[4]
(b)(iii)Describe the effects of rapid urban growth on the natural environment.[5]
(c)Name a city in an LEDC and describe what has been done to improve the quality of life of the people who live there. Name of city........[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 2011). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Small settlement/settlement (village) in the countryside/settlement in a farming area/settlement with few services/settlement with low order services etc.
[2] Advantage = It is unlikely to flood/sheltered from wind/a good defensive site Disadvantage = distance from water supply/steeply sloping land/ sloping land makes building difficult 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as: availability of water; above flood level of river; flat/gently sloping land; access to river for fishing; good crop growing land/fertile soil; water for animals/irrigation from river; easy access along valley/transport routes/can travel along river; sheltered etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as: More rapid growth in Lesotho (reserve); (1970 to 2010) Lesotho from 4% to 26/28% (or by 22/24%); (1970 to 2010) Niger 6% to 18/20% (or by 12/14%); Continuous/even growth in Lesotho/from 2000 onwards little growth in Niger. NB Candidates can use figures for 1980/1990/2000 rather than 1970 to 2010 but must state years if they do that. If figures for 1970 to 2010 are used the dates do not need stating. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: more crowded/overcrowded; many people are unable to obtain jobs/more jobs are needed; work for low pay/cannot afford housing/work in informal sector; inadequate investment in housing stock/people live in squatter settlements/more housing is needed; pressure on schools/inadequate education provision; pressure on hospitals/inadequate medical care provision; increased crime rates or example (max 1); difficulties of waste/litter disposal; traffic congestion; noise pollution; spread of disease; food shortages; lack of sanitation/fresh water/poor hygiene; poor quality of life/standard of living; loss of farmland etc. 4 @ 1 mark
[5] Ideas such as: loss of vegetation/deforestation; loss of habitats; impacts on food chains; pollution of rivers; death of fish/other species; pollution of ground water/seepage of toxins from dumps; air/atmospheric pollution; rivers dry up due to water extraction/water table lowered etc. 5 @ 1 mark or development.
[1-3] Statements including limited detail on methods used to improve quality of life in LEDC cities. (e.g. improve water supply, create employment, provide better education facilities, improve transport facilities etc.)
[4-6] Uses named example. More developed statements on methods used to improve quality of life in LEDC cities. (e.g. improve water supply by laying water mains, create employment by employing people to clean up litter, increase government spending on building schools, building tarred roads which provides transport to the shanty town etc.) (NB MAX 5 marks if no named example)
[7] Uses named example (e.g. Rio de Janeiro). Comprehensive and accurate statements on methods used to improve quality of life in LEDC cities, including some place specific reference. (e.g. improve water supply by laying water mains to the favelas, create employment by employing people to clean up litter in areas such as Rocinha, increase government spending on building schools; build tarred roads to shanty towns on mountain slopes on edge of city.)