O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanOct/Nov 2025 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 2.1 (Insert), a photograph of a cash crop farm in Pakistan. [Figure 2.1]

(a)(i)Identify the crop shown in Fig. 2.1.[1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 2.1 only, identify two features of the cash crop farm shown.[2]
(b)(i)Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of using tubewells for irrigation in Pakistan.[2]
(b)(ii)Study Fig. 2.2, a diagram of the processes involved in crop production. [Figure 2.2] Complete Fig. 2.2 by placing the correct words from the box in the spaces in the diagram. harvesting ploughing sowing threshing [Diagram shows a sequence of processes with 'irrigating' in the middle, and four blank spaces above and below it.][2]
(b)(iii)Explain two human factors that can affect the production of crops in Pakistan. You should develop your answer.[4]
(c)(i)Study Fig. 2.3, a bar graph showing information about the number of livestock reared in different provinces in Pakistan. [Figure 2.3] Complete Fig. 2.3, using the information in the table. province | number of sheep (million) ---|--- Sindh | 4 Balochistan | 14[2]
(c)(ii)Using Fig. 2.3 only, identify the province with the largest number of goats.[1]
(c)(iii)Describe two factors necessary for keeping buffalo.[2]
(c)(iv)State three uses of buffalo products in Pakistan.[3]
(d)Read the following two views about agriculture and sustainability in Pakistan: A Small-scale subsistence farming has the most potential to improve the sustainability of farming practices in Pakistan. B Cash crop farming has the most potential to improve the sustainability of farming practices in Pakistan. 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 (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] rice
[2] large area/wide area/vast area
irrigated land/water on the land/flooded/sprinkler/plants growing in the water/abundant water
flat/plain land
rectangular plots/sectors
separated by raised areas/bunds/walkways
(young) shoots/short plants
densely packed/plants very close to each other/crops evenly distributed/planted in lines
[2] reliable water supply which replaces reliance on rain
prevents waterlogging/water table is lowered
can help flush salt from the soil
can provide water to irrigate large farms/areas
leads to larger crop output/higher quality crop
reduces the need for labour
can use solar power/be powered by renewable energy
requires a motor/needs electricity/fuel/diesel/can create air pollution
expensive to install/maintain/run/some people cannot afford
can lead to over extraction of ground water/wells can dry up/lowers water table
can be blocked by soil/silt
increased salinity/leaks can cause waterlogging
[2] ploughing (first space), sowing (second space), threshing (last space)
[4] education/literacy/knowledge/training the farmers have received; can help farmers understand how to use machinery to increase output
capital/loans/money; can dictate how much new machinery/how many labourers/the quality of chemical fertilisers etc. used on a crop
machinery; increases size of area to be harvested in a short time
HYV seeds; increase resistance to drought/flood/pests etc. that have shorter growing season
irrigation systems; depending on finances available/can ensure optimum conditions for growth
labour; to enable efficient sowing/harvesting/can enable multiple crops per year
fertilisers; increases nutrients in the soil/increase output
pesticides; reduces the loss of crops from pests
unlined/perennial canals/overwatering; can cause waterlogging or salinity which makes land unfit for growth
increased building of homes/industries; reduces space for farming
deforestation; causes loss of soil quality to grow crops
land reform/land consolidation; makes use of machinery more effective
increased population; which increases the demand for production of food and agricultural products
[2] Completed bar graph; Sindh= 4, Balochistan= 14
[1] Punjab
[2] flat topography/flat land/plain land
water/canals/pools/supply of water to drink/bathe
shade for cooling/shelter or sheds during extreme temperatures
vegetation for fodder/grass for grazing/food such as e.g. straw/grazing fields
available/nearby/close to/local markets to sell the buffalo/to buy food for buffalo
population/demand for named product
mild or moderate climate/ avoiding extreme temperatures
vaccinations/available veterinary care to keep them healthy
[3] milk to drink/to make butter/ghee/milk/named product powder/cheese/dairy products/baby food
meat for eating/sale
dung used for fuel/biogas
bones/dung used for fertilisers
hides/skins used to make leather/shoes/named product
horns used for craft/buttons
hair used to make brushes
gelatine used in medicines/food
[6] subsistence farmers in Pakistan produce sufficient food to support families
allows production of crops in areas which may be less accessible by road/rail/does not require long distance food transportation
uses less chemicals/machinery so has a lower environmental impact
crop failures can lead to food shortages for families/subsistence does not provide significant income
small areas of land and often little investment mean yields are usually low
education of some farmers/some farmers may not know if practices are damaging to the environment
cash crops (wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, cotton) represent around 4.5 % of GDP
commercial farming is important for economic sustainability, retaining jobs, livelihoods
Pakistan has large areas of land suitable for farming cash crops, the Indus Plain, for example
cash crop farming produces raw materials for export or for manufacturing industries
modern techniques may be less environmentally damaging
commercial farming can lead to environmental impacts such as water pollution/eutrophication
commercial farming can lead to deforestation to provide land to grow crops
largely uses machinery and may employ fewer people