O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanMay/June 2025 · Q325 Marks

(a) (i) Study Fig. 3.1, a map showing selected thermal power stations in southern and western Pakistan.

(a)(i)Using Fig. 3.1 only, identify: – the city that is located close to a thermal power station in the west of Pakistan. ....................................................................................................................... – the number of thermal power stations located in Sindh. .......................................................................................................................[2]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 3.1 only, describe the distribution of thermal power stations.[3]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 3.2, a diagram of a coal-fired thermal power station. Complete the labels on Fig. 3.2. Choose the correct words from the box and place them in the spaces provided. boiler cooling tower generator turbine[2]
(b)(ii)Describe how coal is mined in an open cast mine.[2]
(b)(iii)Cost is one factor that can affect the availability of electricity. State three other factors that can affect the availability of electricity in Pakistan.[3]
(b)(iv)Explain why the cost of some non-renewable power sources in Pakistan may increase. You should develop your answer.[4]
(c)(i)Define 'renewable energy'.[1]
(c)(ii)Describe how electricity can be generated from geothermal resources.[2]
(d)Read the following two views about ways to increase renewable power generation in Pakistan: A Pakistan should focus more on small-scale power generation such as solar panels in villages. B Pakistan should focus more on large-scale power-generation projects such as hydel dams. Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your answer and refer to examples you have studied. You should consider view A and view B 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] the city that is located close to a thermal power station in the west of Pakistan: Quetta
the number of thermal power stations located in Sindh: 6
2 @ 1 mark
[3] clustered/widespread/uneven
in E/SE/S/central Pakistan
most are in Sindh (and Punjab)/Sindh has the highest number of power stations
more in Sindh than Punjab/Balochistan/KPK/more in Punjab than Balochistan/KPK
around/near Karachi
S/SE of Peshawar
one/isolated power station in west/near/S/SSW of Quetta
along/near/on/around rivers/Indus
on/along boundaries between, e.g. Balochistan/Punjab/Sindh
2/3 are close to international boundaries
3 @ 1 mark
[2] (Labels on diagram)
boiler
cooling tower
generator
turbine
3 or 4 correct = 2 marks
1 or 2 correct = 1 mark
[2] drills are used to create holes in the rock/prepare the area
the surface rocks are removed/explosives/blasting used
excavators/machinery/power shovels used to remove overburden/rock/debris / to scoop up/dig out coal/mineral
(coal/mineral) is loaded into / transported by lorries/trucks/railway wagons/trolleys/conveyors
2 @ 1 mark
[3] topography/rugged terrain/mountains/deserts
extreme temperatures/heavy rainfall/extreme climate
flooding/high winds/(thunder)storms/earthquakes/landslides
supply of, e.g. fossil fuels/coal/oil/gas/water/sunshine
power stations/network/grid/power lines/pylons
siltation in reservoirs/dams
population density/demand/high usage
industrialisation/industrial estates
load shedding
loss of electricity from (long) transmission lines
workers/labour
3 @ 1 mark
[4] scarcity/running out/limited supply of natural resources available in Pakistan; natural resources have to be imported
need for higher quality minerals; which have higher value, increasing cost of energy produced
natural resources have to be imported; causing higher transportation costs
high(er) costs of imported minerals; due to currency depreciation/changes in exchange rates
decreased production of natural resources in other countries; can affect global trade values (e.g. oil)
higher costs of mineral extraction; technology/machinery/ skilled labour required
costs of building/maintaining pylons/powerlines/pipelines; causes higher energy costs for consumers
increased demand for power/growing population; demand higher than supply/competition increases prices
political factors; increasing tariffs/taxes on natural resources/influence of international organisations (e.g. IMF/OPEC)
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
[1] Energy that can be reused/will not run out/is infinite
1 @ 1 mark
[2] drill down to find/use areas of underground heat/hot water
water is pumped down/heated by hot rocks/Earth's core
water turns to steam/steam comes to the surface
spins/turns/rotates/drives turbines/generator creates electricity
2 @ 1 mark
[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
arguments for focusing on small-scale power generation such as solar panels in villages:
small scale power generation can support households that don't have access to the national grid (around 25%)/in more remote areas to improve quality of life/access to education
potential to generate electricity during load shedding
relatively inexpensive, NGOs sometimes provide finance to set up such equipment
arguments against focusing on small-scale power generation such as solar panels in villages:
would not produce sufficient energy to meet future demand for domestic or industrial use, which could impact GDP
equipment may still be too expensive for some households
some power generation methods are not available 24/7
batteries to store energy are extremely expensive
arguments for focusing on large-scale power generation such as hydel dams:
capacity to generate large amounts of energy which reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, improving balance of trade
can provide a more consistent supply of energy which is needed for industry/could reduce frequency of loadshedding
large-scale construction projects can generate employment
arguments against focusing on large-scale power generation such as hydel dams:
hydel dams require a lot of land to be flooded for reservoir
may require international experts to support, which can be expensive
overall costs of large-scale projects are very high, which may mean investment in other areas/services is reduced