O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanMay/June 2025 · Q425 Marks

(a) (i) Study Fig. 4.1, a map showing airports, dry ports and international seaports in southern and western Pakistan.

(a)(i)Identify the international seaports labelled Y and Z on Fig. 4.1. Y ........................................................................................................................ Z ........................................................................................................................[2]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 4.1 only, state the compass direction from Peshawar to Quetta.[1]
(a)(iii)Using Fig. 4.1 only, compare the distribution of dry ports with the distribution of airports.[2]
(a)(iv)State three factors which can affect the development of airports.[3]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 4.2, a line graph showing goods transported by rail in Pakistan from 2015 to 2022. Complete Fig. 4.2 using the information in the table. year goods transported by rail (million tonnes) 2018 7.2 2019 8.3[2]
(b)(ii)Complete the statements about the railway network in Pakistan. Choose the correct words from the box and place them in the spaces provided. Pakistan has a large rail network linking major cities: a main line runs from north to south, connecting Peshawar in the north and ................................................ in the south. Some areas in ................................................ Pakistan have few railway lines. The province with the most dense rail network is ................................................ eastern Islamabad Karachi KPK northern Punjab[2]
(b)(iii)Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using roads to transport goods in Pakistan.[2]
(c)(i)Define 'dry port'.[1]
(c)(ii)Explain one reason why dry ports and one reason why international seaports have been developed in Pakistan. You should develop your answer.[4]
(d)To what extent can building new airports in Pakistan support its future sustainable development? 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] Y = Gwadar
Z = (Muhammad) (Bin) Qasim / Port Qasim
2 @ 1 mark
[1] south-west/SW
1 @ 1 mark
[2] there are more airports than dry ports/9 airports versus 4 dry ports
both are scattered/widespread/uneven across the country
airports exist further north than dry ports
airports are in all provinces but dry ports are not / both are found in Balochistan/Punjab/Sindh
Balochistan has the most airports and dry ports
Sindh has the least airports and dry ports
dry ports are all close to an airport, but airports can be located far from dry ports
2 @ 1 mark
[3] topography/flat/plain/cheap/vacant/large land
funding/capital/investment/costs
government policy/subsidies/loans/tax incentives
population/workers/expertise
demand/tourism/disposable income
electricity supply
water supply
road/rail links/transport links
security/crime
3 @ 1 mark
[2] Correctly plotted graph:
2018: 7.2
2019: 8.3
line completed
1 mark for 2 correct points plotted
1 mark for line joining points
[2] Pakistan has a large rail network linking major cities: a main line runs from north to south, connecting Peshawar in the north and Karachi in the south. Some areas in northern Pakistan have few railway lines. The province with the most dense rail network is Punjab.
3 correct = 2 marks
1 or 2 correct = 1 mark
[2] advantages:
motorway network exists/connects cities/industries/other countries
flexible choice of routes/times of day/night to travel
a door-to-door service
can carry multiple goods/use vehicles of different sizes
disadvantages:
roads not built everywhere/areas are inaccessible/blocked/unmetalled roads
toll roads add cost
cause congestion/traffic/delays
emissions/causes air pollution/noise pollution
2 @ 1 mark
[1] inland port/depot/terminal
1 @ 1 mark
[4] dry ports:
to increase trade/for import/export of goods; which can help increase GDP/improves balance of payments/increases foreign exchange earnings/reduces cost of importing/exporting
reduces burden at seaports/completes customs processing; there are very few seaports/increases volume of cargo/goods can be loaded quickly/saves time for import/exporters
stimulate trade in cities inland; which can reduce uneven development/helps develop local industries/ service industries develop nearby/creates jobs/removes need to travel to seaport
to help government collect revenue; stimulates further economic development/can be spent on service provision
to make use of existing transport networks; goods can be moved efficiently/reducing costs for industry/increasing import/export capacity
international seaports:
to increase trade/provide access to international shipping routes/for import/export of goods; which can help increase GDP/improves balance of payments/increases foreign exchange earnings/reduce pressure on other seaports
to access warm/deep waters; maximises economic benefits/all year-round access to the sea/trade
main roads and railway lines are built; linking ports to settlements/industries
can help to promote tourism/fishing/other industries; can be used for passengers/increase employment/revenue
container ships carry heavy/bulky/huge amounts of goods; lowers transport costs/can be moved over a long distance
attracts (foreign) investment/Pakistan has a coastline; land-locked countries use the port services/giving advantages in trade
Note: 1 mark for simple point for dry ports and a further mark for the development of the point. 1 mark for simple point for international seaports and a further mark for development of this 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
new airports can support future sustainable development:
international airports will encourage tourism
will encourage trade of high-value or perishable goods
travel is fast so people/goods reach destinations quickly
increase the volume of trade
creates jobs in construction/within the airport/increase economic sustainability
encourages investment in the nearby area
tourism and travel promotes culture of Pakistan/travel around the country to see family and friends more easily
new airports would be limited in supporting future sustainable development/other projects would be more successful:
air transport has a large environmental impact/carbon footprint/CO2 emissions are high
planes cause noise pollution for people living nearby
building new airports takes up land that could be used for farming/other industries/destroys habitats
Pakistan has recently built new international airports so further might not be needed
money may be better spent improving road/rail networks and links into neighbouring countries/domestically
major exports from Pakistan are heavy so air transport is expensive/efficient seaports would be better