O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2020 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 2.1, which shows information about the increasing percentage of people living in urban areas in 1950, 2007 and 2030 (estimated). Percentage of population in urban areas [Figure 2.1]

(a)(i)Which word in the list below is used to describe the increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas? Circle one of the following: depopulation emigration immigration urbanisation[1]
(a)(ii)Identify the continent where the percentage of population living in urban areas: was the largest in 2007 is estimated to increase the most between 2007 and 2030.[2]
(a)(iii)Describe three impacts of the growth of urban areas on the surrounding natural environment.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why rural areas experience problems when large numbers of people move away from them.[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 2.2 (Insert), which is a photograph showing homes in a squatter settlement in Accra, Ghana (an LEDC in Africa). Describe three features of the buildings shown in Fig. 2.2.[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why many people who live in squatter settlements suffer from diseases.[5]
(c)Explain why people have migrated to a named rapidly growing urban area you have studied. 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 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] urbanisation
[2] Largest in 2007 = North America
Estimated to increase the most between 2007 and 2030 = Africa
2 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as:
Deforestation/loss of vegetation/green areas destroyed;
Habitat loss;
Wildlife scare/frightened/moves away/killed/endangered/becomes extinct;
Loss of food for wildlife/impacts on food chains;
Air pollution/increased carbon dioxide or other named gas/smog;
Water pollution, etc.
3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as:
Loss of working population/economically active/shortage of workers;
Mainly women/elderly/children are left behind;
There are not enough people to do heavy work/manual work/skilled work (or example, e.g. doctor, teacher);
Less people to farm/Less food produced/crops grown/famine/starvation/land remains uncultivated;
Family break up/nobody to care for elderly/no father figure to act as role model for boys, etc.;
Insufficient numbers to support/closure of services/businesses (or example);
Lack of development/(government) investment (or example – installing electricity/building roads), etc.
4 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as:
Made of wood;
With some sacking/plastic sheeting/tarpaulins;
Metal/zinc/corrugated/tin/flat iron roofs;
Small/single storey;
Close together/cramped;
Weak/not stable/easily destroyed;
Boards/shutters over window space, etc.
Note: Features must be visible in the photograph.
3 @ 1 mark
[5] Ideas such:
People live close to each other so disease easily spread;
Lack of clean/piped/running water;
Water borne disease/typhoid/cholera;
Lack of hygienic food production;
Lack of sanitation/sewage disposal/unhygienic;
Presence of mosquitoes/stagnant water;
Smoke causes breathing problems/lung diseases;
Poor access to health care/doctors/hospitals/clinics;
People lack/cannot afford treatment/vaccinations/medication;
Rubbish/garbage/waste;
Vermin/insects or example, e.g. rats, cockroaches, flies;
Lack of/poor (quality)/lack of variety of food or example, e.g. fruit and vegetables;
Lack of education about health care/hygiene, etc.
5@1 mark or development
[7] Levels marking
Level 1 (1-3 marks): Statements including limited detail which explain why people have migrated to a rapidly growing urban area.
Level 2 (4-6 marks): Uses named example. More developed statements which explain why people have migrated to a rapidly growing urban area.
(Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example)
Level 3 (7 marks): Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which explain why people have migrated to a rapidly growing urban area with some place specific reference.
Content Guide: Answers are likely to include reference to either pulls or pushes such as: Employment/example, (Note: Employment + example = L2 e.g. jobs for unskilled workers Low skilled jobs in factories Earning money in the informal sector) (Note: More jobs/better paid jobs are separate L1 ideas) Education, Health care, Water supply, Electricity, Food supply, Bright lights, Specified natural disasters, War/conflict/persecution; To join family/friends; Greater variety of shops/services, etc.
Note: Do not double credit pulls/pushes
Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details, Named services/features, etc.
Note: Urban area can be LEDC or MEDC