O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2024 · Q125 Marks

Study Fig. 1.1, information about four countries. area (km²) population population density (people per km²) France 543940 65512203 120.4 Spain 505990 46784756 92.5 Tunisia 163610 12023273 73.5 Turkey 783356 85840907 [Figure 1.1]

(a)(i)Using Fig. 1.1, identify which one of the following countries is most sparsely populated. Underline your answer. France Spain Tunisia[1]
(a)(ii)Calculate the population density of Turkey. You should include your calculations in the box provided. per km²[2]
(a)(iii)Study Fig. 1.2 (Insert), a photograph of a mountainous area. Explain why mountainous areas, like the one shown in Fig. 1.2, have an uneven population distribution.[3]
(a)(iv)Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), a photograph of a hot desert area. Explain why hot desert areas, like the one shown in Fig. 1.3, are not attractive places to live.[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 1.4 (Insert), a photograph of a coastal settlement in Spain (an MEDC in Europe). Suggest reasons why many coastal lowland areas, like the one shown in Fig. 1.4, have a high population density.[3]
(b)(ii)Describe the problems experienced by people living in areas with a high population density.[5]
(c)For a named country you have studied, describe a policy which has been used to reduce or increase natural population growth rates. 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 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a)(i) Tunisia
[2] (a)(ii) 85 840 907 divided by 783 356; =109.58 (109.6)
[3] (a)(iii) Ideas such as; Variation in relief/terrain/population concentrated on lower/flatter land (in valleys)/few people live in higher/steeper areas (mountains)/danger of avalanche/landslide in mountains/more expensive to build in mountains; Variation in soil fertility/farming/farming is more productive in areas of higher soil fertility/valley/flat land/farming is not possible on rocky/infertile/steeper/higher land/variation in soil quality; Variation in weather/climate/high mountains are more exposed/valleys are sheltered/mountains have harsher/colder climate; Variation in access/valleys are communication routes/many areas in mountains are hard to reach/remote/isolated etc. Variation in availability of work; NOTE The answer must address the uneven distribution NOT just why the entire area is sparsely populated.
[4] (a)(iv) Ideas such as; Rainfall is low/aridity/area or land dry/drought; It is hot/cold at night so it is uncomfortable to live/people suffer heatstroke etc; Lack of/expense of obtaining water/water supplies/die of thirst; Agriculture is not productive/easy to establish/no fertile land/no soil/can't grow food; Need for irrigation; Lack of (natural) resources/mines or other examples; Lack of jobs; Poor transport/communications/remote/inaccessible; Lack of flat land/rocky/steep slopes/mountainous/uneven; Sandstorms;
[3] (b)(i) Ideas such as: Flat land; Good road/rail/communications/transport (on land); Industrial development/business/industry; Port/trade/transport by sea; Tourist industry; Fishing; Moderating influence of sea;
[5] (b)(ii) Ideas such as: Difficult to find housing/cramped houses/overcrowded houses/squatter settlements/homelessness/high house prices/lack of privacy/lack of living space; Spread of disease; E.g. COVID etc. (dev) Lack of employment/low pay; Causes crime/poverty (only credit as dev); Lack of/pressure on/cannot afford health services; Lack of/pressure on/cannot afford education; Lack of food/farmland/cannot afford food; Lack of/cannot afford water; Pollution of water; Waterborne diseases; E.g. Cholera/typhoid etc. (dev); Poor sanitation/hygiene; Traffic congestion/jams/too much (lots of traffic); Air pollution (or named gas)/smog/car exhausts; Causes breathing difficulties (dev); Noise/or example such as car horns; Lack of space for recreation; Lack of space for waste disposal; Etc.
[7] (c) Levels marking Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe a population policy used to influence growth rate. e.g. One child Policy; incentives/penalties Level 2 (4–6 marks) More developed statements which describe how a population policy is used to influence growth rate NOT the impacts. NOTE Credit different approaches within a policy, so for example, when marking a China One Child Policy answer, ideas will often cover the following: Incentives; Penalties; Exceptions; Enforcement; NOTE If another country is given generally apply the same principle, but other ideas in the Content Guide will be relevant e.g. gender equality acts or educating women etc. (NOTE Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place specific reference which can be named parts of the chosen country, Population data, reference to a specific named policy/specific details about it etc. Content Guide: Answers can refer to anti-natal policy, pro-natal policy and could include ideas such as: e.g. China one child policy/limit number of babies/restrict number of children Make (free) contraceptives available Examples of specific incentives (e.g. free education, free health care) Examples of disincentives (e.g. if have a 2nd child e.g. fines, lose jobs reduce benefits for people having children e.g. reduced maternity leave/child benefit/child tax credits) Free goods e.g. radios in India Marriage regulations e.g. late marriage/must seek permission to marry etc. Educate people about contraception Legalise abortion Introduce pensions for elderly Educate women to encourage them to take jobs or careers Gender equality acts Advertise the benefits of small families Etc. (The reverse ideas would apply to pro-natal policies) NOTE: Development should refer to the policy itself not reasons or explanations for it.