O-LevelGeographyEconomic development2217/11 · May/June 2010 · Q625 Marks

Study Fig. 9, which shows the percentage use of water in different parts of the world. [Figure 9] Study Fig. 10, which shows information about access to safe drinking water. [Figure 10]

(a)(i)What is meant by agricultural use of water?[1]
(a)(ii)State two differences between the percentage use of water in North America and Sub-Saharan Africa.[2]
(a)(iii)Suggest reasons for the variation in the percentage use of water in North America and Sub-Saharan Africa.[3]
(a)(iv)The total amount of water used for agriculture in the world is increasing. Suggest reasons for this.[4]
(b)(i)Describe the distribution of areas where less than 60% of the population has access to safe drinking water.[3]
(b)(ii)Many areas have a shortage of water supplies. Describe the likely impacts of a water shortage on the people and development of an area.[5]
(c)Describe how people can be provided with a reliable supply of safe drinking water. You should refer to an area or country which you have studied.[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 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Use of water on farms/irrigation/to water crops/grow food. 1 mark
[2] Differences such as: Greater percentage use in industry in North America Greater percentage used for agriculture in sub Saharan Africa Slightly higher percentage used domestically in North America Main use in sub Saharan Africa is agriculture and main use in North America is industry. More balanced use in North America. NB: Must have a comparison. 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Expect ideas such as: people are more dependent on the land in Africa than in North America; Greater proportion used for industry in North America as there are more factories; Greater proportion used in homes in North America because supply infrastructure is more efficient; people own more domestic appliances (washing machines/dishwashers) in North America. NB: Don't need to look for comparisons. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: growing population (to feed); more use of irrigation/need for irrigation; more droughts occurring; more agriculture taking place in marginal areas; higher temperatures in many areas; development of hydroponics; use of HYV seeds; etc. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as: In tropical areas/close to Equator/tropics; Lots in Southern Hemisphere/South; Many are in Africa; With exception of e.g. Egypt; Some in South/South East Asia; More in LEDC's/poor countries/under developed countries; Clustered pattern; One mark MAX for examples (e.g. Ethiopia/Nigeria/Somalia; etc) 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Ideas such as: Loss of lives/higher death rates; due to dehydration (dev). Less food production/crops die; so people die of starvation (dev)/malnutrition (dev). Migration to urban areas; as crops fail in rural areas (dev). Slows down economic development; Puts off tourists; Lowers production of manufacturing industries; as water not available for cooling or processing goods (dev). Reduction in levels of hygiene/sanitation; so diseases like cholera spread easily (dev). Rationing/water restrictions etc; NB: Could refer to an MEDC during a drought. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail describing how population can be supplied with clean water. (e.g. dam/reservoir building; desalination plants; boreholes/wells; cloud seeding; etc) Level 2 (4-6 marks) Uses named example More developed statements describing how population can be supplied with clean water. (e.g. dam/reservoir building so water is retained after rainy periods; desalination plants in order to remove salt from sea water; boreholes/wells to obtain water from aquifer; cloud seeding by spraying silver iodide into atmosphere etc) NB Max 5 if no named example Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (e.g. Saudi Arabia). Comprehensive and accurate statements describing how population can be supplied with clean water including some place specific reference. NB Place specific references could include names of locations within the country or area, or names of reservoirs.