Mock+Exam+Feedback+January+2010

=Results Breakdown=

= = =Paper 1 Case Study Questions (7 Mark) = ** These are examples of answers which would have scored full marks. If you need some guidance as to what you should write for the case study questions, use these as a guide. If you scored poorly on a case study question, see below to find out what you were missing.

Tips: Remember to structure your answer, use key terms & place specific detail. If relevant a labeled / annotated diagram could also be included.

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** 1. For a named area which you have studied, explain why it has a low population density. [7]

** While China is the most populous country on the planet, the Western half of China, especially the large provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang, are largely unpopulated, especially compared to the China’s Eastern seaboard. As a result, these provinces have a very low population density (number of persons per square kilometer).

There are several factors due to which few people are willing to live in these areas. One reason that these provinces are not densely populated is their harsh climate. These areas have a large annual temperature range (very hot summers and very cold winters) and receive very little rainfall, as they are a great distance from any ocean. Tibet also sits in the rain shadow of the Himalaya Mountains. Additionally, there are few natural resources to draw people to the area. Due to the climate the land is unsuitable for cultivation, and there are few trees for fuel or construction materials. It is also poor in mineral or other resources, such as copper or gold. Several coalmines exist in Xinjiang, but they are insufficient to provide large-scale opportunities. A final factor has been out-migration from these areas. China’s development plans have focused on its large cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, and other cities in the East. As a result, many residents of China’s rural areas have migrated to the East in search of the economic opportunities lacking in their neglected home provinces.

** 2. **** In many urban areas there are problems of traffic congestion. Name an urban area which you have studied where there is traffic congestion. ** Shanghai is a city that suffers from severe traffic congestion. There are several causes for this. Shanghai has a massive population (some estimates as high as 20 million) spread out over a large area (several hundred square km) which necessitates large amounts of transportation. Shanghai is also the most developed city in China, and its rapidly rising level of wealth has led to a substantial proportion of its very large population being able to afford private vehicles. Furthermore, Chinese culture values car ownership as a status symbol, further encouraging Shanghai residents to purchase their own vehicles instead of using public transit or other alternatives. Finally, as much of Shanghai's streets (especially in the core) were laid out over a hundred years ago, they are not designed to accommodate the masses of cars which flood Shanghai's streets. The Shanghai government has implemented several strategies in order to deal with this issue. Firstly, it has built a substantial network of elevated highways which allow commuters to bypass gridlocked city streets. This diversion of traffic also helps to relieve congestion on the surface streets. Secondly, the municipal government has tried to discourage car ownership by levying substantial charges on anybody registering a private vehicle in Shanghai. Anyone not paying this hefty fee for a Shanghai license plate is not allowed to use the elevated roads or bridges. Finally, Shanghai has built (and continues to expand) a massive metro network. The system has expanded form its initial 2 lines to the current 11. More lines are planned, up to 22 by the year 2020. These lines are also stretching increasingly in to Shanghai's outskirts, making the metro a viable alternative for all residents of the city, and not just those living in the CBD and inner suburbs. ** __An alternate example__: In many urban areas there are problems of housing shortages. Name an urban area which you have studied where there is a shortage of houses. ** Sao Paulo in Brazil has a shortage of housing which is indicated by the large shanty towns built on the periphery of the city. The housing shortages are due to high rates of rural to urban migration and consequently high natural increase. Drought in the NE of Brazil & deforestation have encouraged migration to Sao Paulo and industrial growth in the periphery has led to a focus of the shanty towns (favelas) in close proximity. The Brazilian government has attempted to resolve the housing shortages by encouraging the population to redistribute such as moving the capital city from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in the 1960s. In addition land redistribution in the Brazilian rainforest to discourage people from moving to urban areas. Finally the government attempted to make the Favelas housing more habitable & organised through self help schemes this way making them more permanent and additional government funded housing would not need to be built.
 * Describe: **
 * • the causes of this problem **
 * • attempts which have been made to solve the problem [7] **
 * Describe: **
 * • the causes of this problem **
 * • attempts which have been made to solve the problem [7] **

 Corals are a group of small, tropical marine animals that attach themselves to the seabed and form extensive reefs, commonly in shallow, warm-water seas. Coral reefs lie in a zone of water 30°N to 30°S of the equator. Reef-forming coral animals flourish only in water under 100 feet (30 meters) deep and warmer than 72°F (22°C). These reefs are made up of the calcium-carbonate (limestone) skeletons of dead coral animals. Reefs grow upward as generations of corals produce limestone skeletons, die, and become the base for a new generation.
 * 3. Name an area which you have studied where a coral reef has formed. Describe the conditions which have led to its formation. (7) **

The Great Barrier Reef, NE Australia formed initially as a fringing reef generally on sediment or bedrock near an island or coastline, but initially freshwater and river sediment slowed growth of the reef. The reef itself is believed to have started some 10 million years ago when sea levels dropped and coral grew with greater access to sunlight ( Photosynthesis by algae in coral tissues allows the animal to make skeleton about 3 times faster in the light than in the dark). Australia's continental shelf was flooded when the polar ice caps started to melt and corals growing on the edges of the shelves kept growing with the rising sea levels, these areas were more shallow for the coral to grow. It is the largest reef system in the world consisting of 3,000 individual reefs surrounding 900 islands it is 2,600 km long with an area of 344,400 km2. Consists of 400 species of hard and soft corals and supports thousands of other species which have thrived in the shallow tropical waters (up to about 30 meters). Where heavy rain & increased sediment enters the sea during flooding nutrients are increased in the water. The Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (native to Australia) can grow due to these nutrients, this eats coral polyps and once thought to be a predator is now thought to control coral populations. There are a number of different types of reefs within the GBR. At the northern tip for example there is a deltaic reef at a river mouth where exposure to higher amounts of sediment & freshwater has affected the flora and fauna.  **4. In many parts of the world the natural environment presents hazards to people. Choose an example of one of the following:** The Lynmouth flood occurred on the 25th August 1952 and the causes of this flood disaster were largely physical factors. The East & West Lyn Rivers have their confluence in Lynmouth which in a narrow steep sided valley exacerbated the flood risk. Heavy rain (230mm) fell on already saturated soils as well as impermeable rock in the drainage basin significantly increased surface runoff. The drainage basin was small with the East & West Lyn’s sources on Exmoor so lag time was decreased for this flood hazard. The Lynmouth flood impacted on the physical and human environment as the village sustained significant damage. Thirty-four people died, 130 cars were destroyed, 1,000 people were left homeless. This area is used for tourism and this affected hotels as they were destroyed and area needed to be cleaned up so there was a loss of revenue during the peak holiday period. Finally local taxes were increased to help fund the flood management systems such as widening the East Lyn River or widening and increasing the height of the local bridges.
 * • tropical storm - ** Cyclone Nargis (Myanmar)
 * • flooding - ** Lynmouth & Bangladesh
 * • drought - ** The Sahel (Africa)
 * For a named area, explain the causes of the hazard which you have chosen and describe its impacts on people living there. **


 * 5. High technology industries are science-based industries such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, computers, and manufacture of communication equipment and scientific instruments. **
 * For a named country or area which you have studied, explain why high technology industries were located there. [7] **

Cambridge Science Park is located on the periphery of the city in Cambridgeshire, UK. This was a prime location for the science park to develop due to the strong links with Cambridge University. Cambridge Science Park focuses on pharmaceuticals, computers and scientific instruments as there is technical expertise nearby at Cambridge University and Addenbrookes Hospital. The University also provides a large pool of highly qualified graduates who can then work in the industries. The high tech industries also favour this location as it is a large, purpose built site with hi tech buildings and suitable open space and light which are ideal working conditions. The Science park is located on the edge of Cambridge and it is adjacent to the M11 motorway which provides easy access for workers, deliveries and goods to be transported away. The area has considerable wealth with the university and hospital and this brings investment and multi national companies so reputation alone encourages companies to locate in Cambridge as part of Silicon Fen.

** 6. For a names area which you have studied, explain why the tourist industry has developed there. You should refer to the area's physical and human attractions. **** [7] **

Thailand has been an incredibly popular tourist attraction for Western tourists for several decades. The country has several different regions offering a variety of attractions to attract tourists. The South of Thailand lies on the sea and its beaches are renowned as some of the most beautiful in the world. Well developed resort cities like Phuket attract package tourists (it is possible to get direct flights from Europe during the winter months - bypassing Bangkok altogether). Alternatively, more remote areas still exist, such as Krabi, which is only accessible by boat and is a popular backpacking destination. Aside from the relaxed atmosphere and beaches, there are coral reefs for snorkeling, and cliff areas which offer opportunities for rock climbing. The Northern section of Thailand offers a different set of attractions. The tourist industry in Chiang Mai focuses largely on tourists who want to trek out in the jungle areas surrounding the city, often by elephant. An additional human attraction is the opportunity to visit small hill tribe villages in the area, often for overnight or extended stays. Tourists are also drawn to aspects of Thai culture, such as its rich Buddhist heritage. The entire country is dotted with temples (or wats) which are popular attractions for tourists. Some choose to stay for extended periods of time to experience life as a monk. A similar attraction is Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing). Some tourists enjoy watching matches, while others choose to stay and train in the martial art over weeks or months. An additional attraction of Thailand is the country's reputation as a very friendly place (the Land of Smiles). The country's lengthy relations with the West have led to a substantial portion of the population speaking basic English, which makes traveling there much easier for tourists. Finally, Thailand is renowned for its handicrafts, especially jewelry and textiles, which many tourists buy as souvenirs. All of these attractions are unique to the region, not found anywhere in Europe or North America.