O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanMay/June 2025 · Q125 Marks

(a) (i) Study Fig. 1.1, a map showing a mountain range in southern and western Pakistan.

(a)(i)Name the country labelled W and the city labelled X on Fig. 1.1. • W • X[2]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 1.1 only, measure the length of the Sulaiman Range. ......................................................................................................... km[1]
(a)(iii)Using Fig. 1.1 only, describe the location of the Sulaiman Range.[3]
(a)(iv)Suggest why mining may be difficult in mountainous areas.[2]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 1.2, a bar graph showing mineral resources extracted in Pakistan. Using Fig. 1.2 only, identify the amount of granite extracted. ........................................................................................... million tonnes[1]
(b)(ii)Describe how mineral extraction is beneficial to Pakistan.[2]
(c)(i)Study Fig. 1.3, a diagram showing forest types and altitude. Complete Fig. 1.3 by using arrows to match the forest type to the altitude where it grows. forest type altitude tropical thorn/rakh 4000–4500 m alpine 1000–4000 m coniferous below 1000 m[2]
(c)(ii)State two human activities which are reducing the extent of forests in Pakistan.[2]
(c)(iii)Explain two reasons for afforestation in Pakistan. You should develop your answer.[4]
(d)Evaluate the opportunities for, and challenges of, continuing to develop mineral resource extraction sustainably in Pakistan. Give reasons to support your judgement and refer to examples you have studied. You should consider different points of view in your answer.[6]

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 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[2] W: Afghanistan
X: Hyderabad/Nawabshah
2 @ 1 mark
[1] 340 (330–350) (km)
1 @ 1 mark
[3] in central Pakistan
in Balochistan/KPK/Punjab or on/along boundary between, e.g. Balochistan and KPK/Punjab
near international boundary
N/NE of Sindh
NE of the Arabian sea
near/E/NE/SE of Quetta
SW/SSW/S of Peshawar
distance from Quetta 180–330 km/from Peshawar 250–600 km
between 28° and 32° N/latitude or 68° and 72° E/longitude or accurate pair within given ranges, e.g. 29° N and 70°E
3 @ 1 mark
[2] uneven terrain/rugged land topography/steep (relief)
rockfalls/landslides/avalanches/snow and ice
extreme climate/extreme/very cold/hot temperatures
difficult to bring/use machinery/build mining infrastructure
remote location/inaccessible/lack of roads/rail networks
lack of electricity/water/education/healthcare
cost of mining operations is high/expensive
sparsely populated/shortage of workers
dangerous/difficult working conditions/accidents likely
2 @ 1 mark
[1] 4100 (million tonnes)
1 @ 1 mark
[2] minerals are valuable
large contribution to GDP/GNP/can be exported/reduces need for imports/improves the balance of payments/provides foreign exchange/attracts foreign investment
provides jobs/reduces unemployment/increases tax revenue
helps the development of remote areas
provides raw materials for agriculture/industries/manufacturing/to make value added goods
provides raw materials for construction/building/roads/bridges, etc.
enables generation of electricity/power
2 @ 1 mark
[2] tropical thorn = below 1000m
alpine = 4000-4500m
coniferous = 1000-4000m
3 correct = 2 marks
1 or 2 correct = 1 mark
[2] fuelwood/firewood/cooking/heating
farming/agriculture/over-grazing
industries/factories/logging/furniture making
mining
(building) dams/reservoirs
(building) settlements/houses/urbanisation
(building) road/rail/transport network
forest fires started accidentally
2 @ 1 mark
[4] to create wildlife habitats; to encourage biodiversity/species/ breeding
to reduce flooding/surface runoff/to soak up water; trees intercept rainfall/reduce siltation/prevent waterlogging
to protect coast from tidal surges/tsunami: many mangroves/forests have been damaged/removed
to prevent soil erosion/desertification/to increase soil fertility; tree roots stabilise soil
to combat the impacts of climate change/global warming/to provide cleaner air; trees absorb carbon dioxide/ trees produce oxygen/ to reduce Pakistan's carbon emissions
to create shade; to reduce (local) temperatures/provide shelter for animals/people from sun
to increase rainfall; to provide water for irrigation/drinking
to provide materials for future/use; in construction/furniture/named industry/to sell/generate income/export
for tourism/increases areas of scenic beauty; creating areas for recreation/leisure/to benefit human health
to create jobs/reduce unemployment; such as forest workers/rangers/which increases tax revenue
Note: 1 mark for simple point and a further mark for the development of the point. 1 mark for second simple point and a further mark for development of the second point.
Note: Max. 2 marks if no development.
2 @ 2 marks
[6] Levels marking
No valid response
Level 1
Simple point referring to one view (1)
Simple points referring to any view (2)
Level 2
Developed point referring to one view only (3)
Developed points referring to both views or developed point and a relevant example (4)
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)
Content guide
opportunities for continuing to develop mineral resource extraction sustainably:
Pakistan is rich in mineral resources, if more were extracted it could contribute to GDP growth/create employment
higher amounts of minerals may provide necessary materials to expand secondary industries to increase value added goods
greater extraction may lead to reduced need to import resources and improve the balance of trade
education and use of technology/efficient methods could make mineral extraction less environmentally damaging
damage from mineral extraction could be repaired by afforestation schemes, etc. and areas could be enhanced
challenges of continuing to develop mineral resource extraction sustainably:
mineral extraction can cause air/water/land pollution, land reparations after mining take a long time and add to costs
Pakistan's mineral resources are finite, mining operations are not cost effective as they cause great environmental damage for limited amounts of mineral resources
it is primary industry and there is greater potential for economic growth by developing secondary industries (manufactured goods have higher values) and service industries
some minerals are in areas that are difficult to access so require road building, this increases cost and degrades environments
mining is dangerous work and can cause long-term health problems, safety equipment is required which increases costs
requires specialist machinery, importing this can be expensive as is recruiting high skilled workers