5 (a) (i) Study Fig. 5.1, a map of rail networks in southern and western Pakistan.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Main line stations: Bahawalpur/Hyderabad/Karachi Cantt/ Khanewal/Khanpur/Kotri/Multan/ Nawabshah/Peshawar/Rohri/Sukkur
2. [1] Branch line stations: Bahawalpur/Dera Ghazi Khan/Hyderabad/Jacobabad/Khanewal/Kotri/Larkana/Mirpur Khas/Multan/ Quetta/Sargodha/Sibi/Sukkur
3. [1] Quetta
4. [1] mountainous areas/rugged topography make railways impossible to build/flat land promotes the building of railways
5. [1] desert/sandy soil makes railways much more expensive/difficult to build
6. [1] the network connects main urban areas/focuses on areas of higher population density/low population areas make building railway lines not economically viable
7. [1] serves main industrial areas/connects ports/locations for trade
8. [1] avoids areas with extreme climates/snow would block railway lines in winter/railway lines could buckle in high temperatures/extreme climates are harsh to do construction work in
9. [1] opposition to new railway lines in some areas
10. [1] priorities during British rule/linking previously important locations
11. [1] Advantages: fast/convenient
12. [1] Advantages: can easily buy tickets/book seats
13. [1] Advantages: working to a timetable
14. [1] Advantages: no luggage restrictions
15. [1] Advantages: cheaper than air travel /cheap over long distances
16. [1] Advantages: safer than road travel
17. [1] Advantages: more productive/can work on a train/more relaxing travel
18. [1] Disadvantages: overcrowding
19. [1] Disadvantages: old trains/tracks/lack of maintenance/unsafe tracks/ derailments
20. [1] Disadvantages: delays/not a door-to-door service
21. [1] Disadvantages: lines do not serve all areas
22. [1] Disadvantages: too expensive for many/some people
23. [1] ticketing/reservation system is computerised/online/apps
24. [1] new/extended railway lines/more stations
25. [1] new train services have opened/faster trains/the Karakoram Express/night coach trains (Karachi to Lahore)/Green line trains (Karachi to Islamabad)/Orange line metro trains (driverless)
26. [1] electrification of trains/tracks
27. [1] track replacement/changes from single to dual track/ narrow gauge to double gauge (to reduce derailments)
28. [1] signalling upgrades to reduce accidents
29. [1] trains more comfortable/toilets/air-conditioned carriages/ sleeper carriages
30. [1] Accurate completion of Asia/ Europe dividing line at 74%
31. [1] Accurate completion of shading for Asia (vertical lines)
32. [1] Accurate completion of shading for Europe (horizontal lines)
33. [1] close by/proximity to Pakistan/neighbouring countries/shares a border
34. [1] possible to transport by road/rail
35. [1] cheaper transport costs
36. [1] sea trade by ship/through the Arabian Sea (e.g. to Iran)/access (to Asian) countries by sea
37. [1] positive/friendly relations with nearby countries/many trading partners (in Asia)
38. [1] trading agreements/belong to the same trading blocs
39. [1] goods (or services) sold to other countries/outside of Pakistan
40. [1] main exports: carpets/rugs//meat//cereals/flour//medical/pharmaceutical /optical equipment//chemicals//rice//copper//salt/sulphur/stone/plaster/ lime/cement//cotton//spices//clothing//sports goods//edible oil(s)//sugar//fish/crustaceans//surgical goods//fruits/nuts/vegetables// textiles//leather goods
41. [2] tariffs imposed on trade; these extra costs make imports more expensive/less attractive
42. [2] quotas applied to a product; which place a limit on the amount of value of imports
43. [2] government subsidies for their own products; which make imported goods more expensive than local ones
44. [2] cost of transportation of goods; make it economically challenging to export goods/too expensive for small traders to pay/adds costs to the goods
45. [2] restrictions/embargoes; due to labour/working conditions
46. [2] Pakistan is not a member of big trading blocs (like the EU); this limits the number of countries Pakistan can trade with
47. [2] quality/standardisation of goods; not meeting international standards means some countries will not import/only a limited amount of value-added goods produced in Pakistan
48. [2] currency exchange rates; exports from countries with higher value currencies are expensive for Pakistan to purchase
49. [2] policy changes/political instability; deter trade agreements/led to uncertainty/countries reluctant to trade/invest
50. [6] Level 1: Simple point referring to one view (1) Simple points referring to any view (2)
51. [6] Level 2: Developed point referring to one view only (3) Developed points referring to both views or developed point and a relevant example (4)
52. [6] Level 3: Developed points referring to both views with evaluation or relevant example (5) Developed points referring to both views with evaluation and relevant example (6)