(a) Study Fig. 1 which shows the distribution of monthly rainfall in Karachi. [Figure 1] (i) A For how many months does Karachi experience less than 10mm rainfall? B Estimate the total rainfall in Karachi for the period July to September. (ii) Describe briefly the climatic region in which Karachi is located. (iii) What is the main source of rainfall in Karachi? From which direction do the rain-bearing winds come? Source Direction (iv) Describe the effects of tropical cyclones on cities such as Karachi.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] A 7 (may simply list the 7 months)
2. [2] B 173 mm Tolerance 171–175mm
3. [1] Arid / coastal (maritime) / warm summer, mild winter
4. [2] Source: [Secondary] monsoon Direction: SW
5. [4] Widespread / great / huge / much / many / a lot of – damage [Flash] floods / blocked drains / sewers Lives lost / injuries / people missing Damage to / loss of homes / belongings / slums Damage to named transport – e.g. roads, railways, ports, airports so people unable to get to work Damage to named services – e.g. schools / hospitals / clinics Damage to workplaces / industry - e.g. the fishing industry destroyed so no source of income or loss of income / disrupts exports Loss to local economy – e.g. through damaged industry / cost of rebuilding / loss of jobs Damage to transmission lines / power stations / lack of power Damage to communication – e.g. lack of telecommunications / telephone lines / internet / social media Shortage / contamination – drinking water / food causing disease to spread
6. [4] Near to river / lake / water source (for ease of irrigation / plentiful water for sugar cane or cotton) [Active / old] flood plain (allows floods to spread over a large area) River floods regularly / every 1–8 years (e.g. depositing alluvium / providing water and nutrients / which is useful for rice / suitable for Buffalo to wallow idea) Alluvium / fertile soil (to increase crop yields) Wide area / floodplain / space / up to 40 km wide (which provides large area of land for intensive cropping) Flat (e.g. for ease of cultivation / easy to grow crops / easy to use machinery / easy for cattle to graze) Maximum of 2 + 2 (mark + development mark)
7. [2] (Top to bottom) Mangrove, Riverain / Bela, Irrigated, Coniferous / Alpine (Mark as one or two correct 1 mark; three or four correct 2 marks)
8. Description: 2 Marks MANGROVE • Leaves - broad / drip tips / leathery / pointed • Low / 3-8 m / do not grow tall / general height 3 m • Grow on mudflats • Survive in sea water / salt tolerant • Roots bend into water • Roots filter salt from water Uses / Purpose: 2 Marks MANGROVE • Firewood • Breeding ground for fish / shrimps • Leaves food / nutrition for fish • Fodder for camels / livestock • Protects from coastal erosion • Furniture • Thatching material • Barrier against floods, tsunami, storms / intensity of earthquakes General points: max 1 Mark • Reduce surface run-off • Prevent floods • Prevent soil erosion • Protect against air pollution / purify air • Protect soil (conserve soil) • Humus to increase soil fertility • Increase rainfall • Timber • Habitats / breeding and conserving areas for birds and wildlife Description: 2 Marks RIVERAIN / BELA • Shishum / babul / willow / dhak • Commercial hardwoods Uses / Purpose: 2 Marks RIVERAIN / BELA • For furniture / agricultural instruments / construction • Firewood Description: 2 Marks IRRIGATED • Blocks of same species shishum / babul / eucalyptus / jhand • Dense / compact Uses / Purpose: 2 Marks IRRIGATED • Firewood • Shade • For construction / fencing Description: 2 Marks CONIFEROUS / ALPINE • 30 m • Spruce / fir / deodar / kail / chir • Evergreen • Conical shape / downward • sloping branches • Leaves small / narrow / needle-shaped / leathery • Roots wide-spreading / shallow • Survive in low temps Uses / Purpose: 2 Marks CONIFEROUS / ALPINE • For furniture / boxes / crates • For paper and pulp • Protection from landslides • Tourism • For scenic beauty • For construction • Firewood
9. L3 5-6 marks 6 – Developed points explaining both views. Evaluation gives clear support to one view. At least one reference to an appropriate place or example 5 – Developed points explaining both views. Evaluation gives clear support to one view L2 3-4 marks 4 – Developed point(s) explaining both views. No evaluation 3 – Developed point(s) explaining one view L1 1-2 marks 2 – Simple point(s) addressing both views 1 – Simple point(s) addressing one view 0 - No valid response Indicative content (development of points or examples in parentheses) For tourism Sindh has many tourist attractions Beaches (Clifton Beach / Sand spit / Hawkes Bay / Paradise Point) Historical buildings (Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleum / National Museum / Mohatta Palace) Tourism industry undeveloped / has scope for development / investment Creates employment (such as drivers / guides / hotel staff) Against tourism Sensitive environment (threats to mangrove forests / fishing grounds) Tourists bring culturally unacceptable behaviour / dress code Tourists can pollute the environment with noise / litter / oil from jet skis, etc. (which disturbs local residents / looks unsightly / is a danger to wildlife) Indus delta / most of Sindh coast unsuitable for development (swamps / marshes / creeks / forests) Karachi needs tourist industry infrastructure (e.g. no passenger ferry terminal) Declining / lack of tourist numbers Employment only seasonal Loss of livelihood due to construction of resorts (e.g. fishermen)