O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanOct/Nov 2024 · Q325 Marks

Study Fig. 3.1 (Insert), a map of average wind speeds in southern and western Pakistan.

(a)(i)The locations labelled U, V, W, X, Y, Z on Fig. 3.1 are possible sites for generating wind power. Identify the two possible sites with the least potential for generating wind power.[2]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 3.1 only, describe the distribution of areas with very high wind speeds.[3]
(a)(iii)Describe two advantages of using wind power to generate electricity in Pakistan.[2]
(a)(iv)Study Fig. 3.2, a diagram showing how wind power is used to generate electricity. Complete the labels on Fig. 3.2 in the spaces provided. [Figure 3.2][2]
(b)(i)Oil is a non-renewable fuel. Name one other non-renewable fuel.[1]
(b)(ii)Describe how crude oil is extracted.[3]
(c)(i)State two methods used to transport oil over land in Pakistan.[2]
(c)(ii)Explain why it is necessary to import large amounts of oil to Pakistan. You should develop your answer.[4]
(d)Pakistan's energy consumption is growing rapidly at around 5% a year. Read the following statement: 'The use of solar power is better than wave and tidal power to help meet increasing demand for electricity in Pakistan.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? 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 (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] V
[1] Z
[1] widespread/uneven/scattered/clustered
[1] close to coast/Arabian Sea/along the coast
[1] mainly in SE/S/SW/W
[1] cluster/small area in NE/N
[1] small areas/clusters/linear pattern in central area
[1] close to/along Afghanistan/India/Iran border/international boundary
[1] (mainly) found between 23°/24°N – 31°/32°N
[1] (mainly) found between 62°/63°E – 70°/71°/72°E
[1] it is renewable/will not run out/infinite
[1] does not produce CO2/harmful gases/air pollution/environmentally friendly/ecofriendly/green energy
[1] Pakistan has many/large areas suitable for wind power/many windy days
[1] low running costs (after initial investment/set up)
[1] do not need to be connected to a national grid
[1] can help remote/rural locations (generate their own power)
[1] creates jobs to manufacture/sell/install/maintain turbines
[1] reduces reliance on fossil fuels/non-renewables
[1] Top arrow: blade(s)/rotor blades
[1] Middle arrow: turbine/generator/gear box
[1] Bottom arrow: pylon(s)/(electricity) tower(s)/transmission/cables/power lines/national/electricity/power grid
[1] coal/anthracite/bituminous/coke/lignite/peat OR (natural) gas/liquid natural gas (LNG)/liquid petroleum gas (LPG)/butane/ethane/methane/propane OR uranium
[1] A survey is conducted to locate oil fields.
[1] Feasibility studies are carried out.
[1] A derrick or oil rig is built and used.
[1] Drilling equipment is used to drill for oil, sinking a well, shaft, bore, or hole.
[1] Pipes are installed.
[1] Oil is pumped out using valves.
[1] Water may be pumped down to force out remaining oil.
[1] pipeline
[1] road tanker/truck/lorry
[1] rail tanker/truck/wagon
[2] The demand for oil in Pakistan is high due to a rising and large population, increasing economic development, and its use to fuel vehicles, industry, and machinery.
[2] Pakistan has limited oil reserves that are either unsuitable or depleting, with most accessible sources already used up. The remaining reserves are often difficult to extract due to low quality or challenging locations, making exploration and drilling expensive, impractical, and time-consuming compared to importing.
[2] There is a limited supply of skilled oil workers and specialized equipment for drilling and refining oil, requiring significant investment in education, higher wages for foreign workers, or expensive imported machinery.
[2] Pakistan's refineries have a low capacity to process oil or do not produce the specific types of oil needed, leading to a demand-supply gap that necessitates importing refined products.
[2] Domestic finance for further oil extraction and refining is often unavailable, making importing a cheaper option. Unreliable foreign investment further hinders the exploitation of potential reserves.
[L3] The use of solar power is better than wave and tidal power because: solar power is relatively affordable; solar power can be done on a small-scale (households/businesses); solar does not need to be connected to the national grid unlike wave/tidal; solar power is already being used whereas wave/tidal is not; there are limited areas of coastline for wave and tidal; wave/tidal power could obstruct shipping lanes/fishing; wave/tidal power requires large investment; wave/tidal needs specialist equipment/workers.
[L3] The use of wave and tidal power is better than solar power because: Pakistan has 1000 km coastline for wave/tidal power; (Makran) coast has strong wave energy for wave power; wave power could be active 24 hours a day; solar power is limited to daylight hours; wave/tidal power has potential to provide power to rapidly developing coastal cities e.g. Gwadar; solar power requires skilled maintenance; there are areas of Pakistan with shorter daylight hours; there are areas that experience much cloud cover e.g. in winter; solar panels need cleaning/get covered with dust/snow.