Total marks: 75 · Duration: 105 minutes
Instructions to candidates
• Answer all questions in Section A and Section B. • Write your answers in the spaces provided on the Question Paper. • You are advised to spend 65 minutes on Section A and 40 minutes on Section B. • A copy of the Insert for use with Section A is provided separately. • You may use a calculator. • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
Paper
Section A — Structured Questions (45 marks)
Question 1
[Figure 1 shows a weather station data table for a settlement in a tropical region]
| Month | Temperature (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | 15 |
| Feb | 28 | 20 |
| Mar | 29 | 25 |
| Apr | 29 | 50 |
| May | 28 | 180 |
| Jun | 27 | 280 |
| Jul | 26 | 320 |
| Aug | 26 | 300 |
| Sep | 27 | 250 |
| Oct | 27 | 120 |
| Nov | 27 | 40 |
| Dec | 27 | 20 |
(a) State the total annual rainfall for this location. [1]
(b) Calculate the temperature range for this location. Show your working. [2]
(c) Describe the pattern of rainfall shown in Figure 1. [3]
(d) Explain how the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) influences the pattern of rainfall you have described. [4]
Question 2
[Figure 2 shows a diagram of a river meander with labels A, B, C and D marking different positions on the river channel]
[Outer bank - steep cliff labeled 'A']
╱──────╲
────╱ ╲────
───── ─────B [Inner bank - gentle slope with deposition]
────╲ ╱────
╲──────╱
[Direction of flow indicated by arrow]
C [River cliff on opposite bend]
D [Point bar deposit]
(a) Identify the landforms at positions B and D. [2]
(b) Describe the characteristics of the river channel at position A. [2]
(c) Explain the processes of erosion that form the river cliff at position A. [4]
(d) Suggest why deposition occurs at position B. [3]
Question 3
[Figure 3 shows population pyramids for two countries, X and Y]
Country X: Country Y:
Male | Female Male | Female
80+ 80+ ░░|░░
75-79 ░|░ 75-79 ░░░|░░░
70-74 ░░|░░ 70-74 ░░░░|░░░░
65-69 ░░|░░ 65-69 ░░░░|░░░░
60-64 ░░░|░░░ 60-64 ░░░░░|░░░░░
55-59 ░░░|░░░ 55-59 ░░░░░|░░░░░
50-54 ░░░░|░░░░ 50-54 ░░░░|░░░░
45-49 ░░░░|░░░░ 45-49 ░░░░|░░░░
40-44 ░░░░|░░░░ 40-44 ░░░░|░░░░
35-39 ░░░░|░░░░ 35-39 ░░░|░░░
30-34 ░░░░░|░░░░░ 30-34 ░░|░░
25-29 ░░░░░|░░░░░ 25-29 ░|░
20-24 ░░░░░|░░░░░ 20-24 |
15-19 ░░░░░░|░░░░░░ 15-19 |
10-14 ░░░░░░|░░░░░░ 10-14 |
5-9 ░░░░░░░|░░░░░░░ 5-9 |
0-4 ░░░░░░░|░░░░░░░ 0-4 |
(a) State which country, X or Y, has a higher proportion of elderly people. [1]
(b) Describe two differences between the population structures of countries X and Y. [4]
(c) Suggest reasons for the narrow base of the population pyramid in Country Y. [4]
Question 4
Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries and can have devastating impacts on human populations.
(a) Define the term epicentre. [2]
(b) Describe the distribution of earthquakes along destructive plate boundaries. [3]
(c) Explain how earthquakes occur at destructive plate boundaries. [5]
(d) Suggest why two earthquakes of similar magnitude might have very different impacts on people. [4]
Question 5
[Figure 4 shows climate data for two locations]
Location P:
- Mean annual temperature: 18°C
- Temperature range: 8°C
- Annual rainfall: 650mm
- Rainfall pattern: Winter maximum
Location Q:
- Mean annual temperature: 26°C
- Temperature range: 3°C
- Annual rainfall: 2400mm
- Rainfall pattern: Evenly distributed throughout year
(a) State which climate type, hot desert or equatorial, is represented by Location Q. [1]
(b) Describe the characteristics of the vegetation found in Location Q. [3]
(c) Explain how plants in hot desert environments are adapted to survive. [5]
(d) Assess the extent to which climate influences soil formation. [6]
Section B — Extended Response (30 marks)
Question 6
[Figure 5 shows data about tropical storm intensity and damage costs]
| Year | Number of Category 4-5 storms | Economic damage ($ billion) | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 | 12.5 | 342 |
| 2005 | 7 | 159.2 | 2280 |
| 2010 | 5 | 8.9 | 896 |
| 2015 | 4 | 23.1 | 456 |
| 2017 | 6 | 294.8 | 3364 |
| 2020 | 5 | 51.6 | 789 |
Tropical storms are among the most destructive natural hazards affecting coastal areas.
(a) Using Figure 5, describe the trends in tropical storm activity between 2000 and 2020. [4]
(b) Explain the conditions required for tropical storm formation. [6]
(c) "Prediction and preparation are more important than emergency response in reducing the impacts of tropical storms."
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use evidence to support your answer. [10]
Question 7
Coasts are dynamic environments shaped by marine processes.
[Figure 6 shows a sketch of a coastal area with the following features marked: headland with caves and arches, bay with beach, wave-cut platform, and settlement on cliff top]
(a) Using Figure 6, describe the evidence that erosion is taking place along this coastline. [4]
(b) Explain the formation of wave-cut platforms. [6]
(c) "Hard engineering strategies are always more effective than soft engineering in protecting coastlines."
Evaluate this statement. Use examples in your answer. [10]