O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of Pakistan2059/20 · Oct/Nov 2016 · Q125 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 1 which shows the distribution of monthly rainfall in Karachi. [Figure 1]. (b) Study Photographs A and B (Insert) which show parts of the lower Indus valley. (c) Study Fig. 2 which is a map showing different forest types in Pakistan. [Figure 2].

(a)(i) AFor how many months does Karachi experience less than 10mm rainfall?[1]
(a)(i) BEstimate the total rainfall in Karachi for the period July to September.[1]
(a)(ii)Describe briefly the climatic region in which Karachi is located.[1]
(a)(iii)What is the main source of rainfall in Karachi? From which direction do the rain-bearing winds come?[2]
(a)(iv)Describe the effects of tropical cyclones on cities such as Karachi.[4]
(b)Study Photographs A and B (Insert) which show parts of the lower Indus valley. Using the photographs and your own knowledge, explain the advantages for agriculture in areas like this.[4]
(c)(i)In the key, name the types of forest shown on the map.[2]
(c)(ii)For one of the forest types you have named in (i): • Describe the features of the forest. • Explain the uses or purpose of the trees that grow there.[4]
(d)Read the following two views about the possibilities for tourism in Sindh province: A Hotels and tourist resorts need to be developed along the Sindh coast to bring foreign exchange and boost the economy. B The coastal area of Sindh cannot support large numbers of tourists. There could be negative effects from tourism. Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your answer and refer to places or examples you have studied.[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 (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

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