O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q125 Marks

Study Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 (Insert), which are photographs of areas with a low population density.

(a)(i)What is meant by population density?[1]
(a)(ii)State two reasons why the climate of the area shown in Fig. 1.1 may result in a low population density.[2]
(a)(iii)Suggest three different reasons why the area shown in Fig. 1.2 has a low population density.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why the availability of natural resources may lead to an area becoming densely populated.[4]
(b)(i)Using Fig. 1.3 only, describe the distribution of population in Kenya.[3]
(b)(ii)Using information from Figs. 1.3 and 1.4 only, suggest reasons for the distribution of population in Kenya.[5]
(c)For a named country you have studied, describe the impacts of overpopulation. Name of country[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 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] A measure of how crowded an area is/number of people in an area in comparison to its size; Number/amount of people living in a certain area/given area/per unit of area/square kilometre/square mile. 1 mark
[2] Ideas such as: Lack of water/lack of rain/drought/dry/arid; Temperatures too high/very high/very hot/extremely hot/unbearably hot; Sandstorms/wind blows sand etc. 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as: Steep slopes/relief/high land/mountainous/rugged/hilly/uneven/limited amount of flat land; Difficult access/poor roads/isolation/remote/poor communications; Lack of farmland/producing food is difficult/poor soils/bare rock; cold temperatures/ice/snow; Lack of employment; Forested/dense vegetation etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Ideas such as: Water/river is available for drinking/washing/fishing/water crops/HEP/for factories etc; Fertile land/good soil for food production/agriculture (farming); Wood/stone/trees/forests for building; Wood/coal for burning/cooking/heating; Mining/quarrying/minerals provide employment/jobs/industry/ wealth etc. 4 @ 1 mark Note: 1 Accept reverse ideas E.g. If there is no water people will not be able to irrigate crops 2 The uses of the resources are not exhaustive and some may be interchangeable, however each use can only be credited once.
[3] Ideas such as: uneven; clustered/many people live on/close to Equator; clustered/many people live in south/near Tanzania/near Uganda (border); clustered/many people live in south west/Lake Victoria; clustered/many people live south east/near Indian Ocean; many live close to Nairobi/capital city etc. few live/scattered in north/east/NW/NE/centre/near Ethiopia/Somalia/Lake Turkana etc. 3 @ 1 mark Note: Accept 'high density' as an alternative to 'many people'
[5] Ideas such as people live in/are attracted to (stated or implied): areas which have more rainfall/are likely to receive more than 750 mm rainfall (in 4 years out of 5); So agriculture/food production will be possible/drinking water is available/good water supply (dev); close to Lake Victoria; For water supply/fishing/tourism etc. (dev); highland areas/land over 1000 metres; Where temperatures will be cooler (dev); close to railway; So communications are easier/transport available/to move goods (dev); close to port; To export/import/trade/business/commerce (dev); close to Nairobi/capital (important) city/important (major) towns; Where work/industries are available/major services (or examples) are provided (dev) etc. 5 @ 1 mark or development Note: 1 Points can be credited for development or stand-alone ideas. 2 Development ideas are just examples and are not exhaustive 3 Candidates may refer to either areas where lots of people live or where few people live but do not double credit. 4 Only allow 1 × dev mark for each underlined idea
[7] Levels marking Level 1(1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe the impacts of overpopulation. Level 2(4-6 marks) Uses named example. More developed or linked statements which describe the impacts of overpopulation. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3(7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe the impacts of overpopulation, including some place specific reference. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: employment housing pressure on services lack of food lack of water supplies spread of disease pressure on health services pressure on educational facilities traffic congestion air pollution water pollution deforestation crime etc Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Named parts of the chosen country, Population data etc.