Geography 9230 | Paper 2 Mock 01 | Written Paper 2
Question 1 Report
A coastal fishing village in the Philippines is taking part in a study of plastic consumption. Fig. 1 shows rubbish collected from a beach after the monsoon. The largest items are discarded drinks bottles, food wrappers, fishing line and broken foam packaging. A river enters the sea nearby, carrying waste from an urban market upstream. Village leaders want refill stations for drinking water, bins at the harbour and a ban on thin plastic bags. Fishers are concerned because tangled plastic can damage nets and reduce the value of their catch.
(a) Identify one item in Fig. 1 that could come from fishing activity. [1]
(b) Describe one way plastic waste can affect marine animals. [1]
(c) Explain three reasons why reducing single-use plastic could support the village economy. [3]
(a) An item linked to fishing activity is fishing line or net material. [1]
(b) Marine animals may swallow plastic or become entangled in it, causing injury or death. [1]
(c) Reducing single-use plastic can support the economy because there is less plastic to tangle and damage fishing nets. Cleaner beaches can attract visitors, and healthier fish stocks or better fish quality can make catches easier to sell and more valuable. It can also reduce spending on clean-up. Any three valid economic links gain credit. [3]
Answer Details
(a) An item linked to fishing activity is fishing line or net material. [1]
(b) Marine animals may swallow plastic or become entangled in it, causing injury or death. [1]
(c) Reducing single-use plastic can support the economy because there is less plastic to tangle and damage fishing nets. Cleaner beaches can attract visitors, and healthier fish stocks or better fish quality can make catches easier to sell and more valuable. It can also reduce spending on clean-up. Any three valid economic links gain credit. [3]
Question 2 Report
A development charity is studying a rural district in Kenya where a new borehole, shown in Fig. 1, supplies water to a school, homes and small vegetable plots. Before the borehole was drilled, many households collected water from a seasonal river. The charity wants to decide whether the scheme has reduced inequalities between villages and whether it is sustainable during a long dry season.
Identify the source of water used before the borehole scheme. [1]
Identify two ways a reliable water supply can improve quality of life. [2]
Identify one group shown in Fig. 1 that may benefit directly from the vegetable plots. [1]
Identify two measures that could help the community maintain the borehole in the future. [2]
Labelled answer diagram:
(a) Before the scheme, households collected water from the seasonal river. [1]
(b) A reliable supply can improve quality of life because:
- people spend less time collecting water, leaving more time for school, work or caring responsibilities;
- cleaner, more dependable water can reduce the risk of water-borne disease and improve hygiene.
Irrigation increasing food or income, and more regular school attendance, are also valid. [2]
(c) Local farmers or households growing vegetables benefit directly from the vegetable plots, through food production or sales. [1]
(d) Sustainable maintenance could include:
- training local repair workers, so faults can be fixed without waiting for outside support;
- collecting small maintenance payments to fund repairs and replacement parts.
Protecting the pump, monitoring groundwater use and keeping spare parts locally are also acceptable. [2]
Answer Details
Labelled answer diagram:
(a) Before the scheme, households collected water from the seasonal river. [1]
(b) A reliable supply can improve quality of life because:
- people spend less time collecting water, leaving more time for school, work or caring responsibilities;
- cleaner, more dependable water can reduce the risk of water-borne disease and improve hygiene.
Irrigation increasing food or income, and more regular school attendance, are also valid. [2]
(c) Local farmers or households growing vegetables benefit directly from the vegetable plots, through food production or sales. [1]
(d) Sustainable maintenance could include:
- training local repair workers, so faults can be fixed without waiting for outside support;
- collecting small maintenance payments to fund repairs and replacement parts.
Protecting the pump, monitoring groundwater use and keeping spare parts locally are also acceptable. [2]
Question 3 Report
Fig. 1 is a simplified extract from a 1:25 000 topographic map used by a hiking group planning a water-quality study. Grid lines are 1 km apart. The group will walk from the car park at A to the river sampling point at B. Contours show height in metres, and the woodland is shown by tree symbols. The group wants to avoid steep slopes and keep equipment away from possible river flooding. The map skills used in this study are also useful when planning routes to renewable energy sites in rural areas.
(a) Identify the six-figure grid reference of B. [2]
(b) Identify the compass direction of B from A. [1]
(c) Identify the straight-line distance from A to B, in km. Show your working. [3]
(d) Identify the difference in height between the 80 m and 140 m contours. [2]
(e) Identify two map-based reasons why the group should not place a fieldwork base beside B, and identify one advantage of using A instead. [4]
(f) Identify one limitation of using this map figure without visiting the site. [2]
(a) B is at 135235. Read the easting first, then the northing: it is halfway between 13 and 14, giving 13.5, and halfway between 23 and 24, giving 23.5. [2: 13.5 easting [1], 23.5 northing [1]]
(b) B is north-east (NE) of A: it is both to the right (east) and above (north) of A. [1]
(c) The grid squares are 1 km. A to B is approximately 2 km east and 2 km north. Using Pythagoras:
\[\text{distance}=\sqrt{2^2+2^2}=\sqrt{8}=2.83\text{ km}\]
So the straight-line distance is approximately 2.8 km. [3: correct Pythagoras method [1]; approximately 2.8 km [2]]
(d) \(140\text{ m}-80\text{ m}=60\text{ m}\). The height difference is 60 m. [2]
(e) B is unsuitable for a base because it is close to the river, so flooding is a risk, and the approach is near closely spaced contours, indicating a steep slope. A possible further reason is exposed location or limited mapped access. A is preferable because the car park gives established vehicle access for people and equipment. [4]
(f) A map alone may be out of date and cannot show current water level, ground conditions, access restrictions or temporary hazards. Site observation is needed to check these conditions. [2]
Answer Details
(a) B is at 135235. Read the easting first, then the northing: it is halfway between 13 and 14, giving 13.5, and halfway between 23 and 24, giving 23.5. [2: 13.5 easting [1], 23.5 northing [1]]
(b) B is north-east (NE) of A: it is both to the right (east) and above (north) of A. [1]
(c) The grid squares are 1 km. A to B is approximately 2 km east and 2 km north. Using Pythagoras:
\[\text{distance}=\sqrt{2^2+2^2}=\sqrt{8}=2.83\text{ km}\]
So the straight-line distance is approximately 2.8 km. [3: correct Pythagoras method [1]; approximately 2.8 km [2]]
(d) \(140\text{ m}-80\text{ m}=60\text{ m}\). The height difference is 60 m. [2]
(e) B is unsuitable for a base because it is close to the river, so flooding is a risk, and the approach is near closely spaced contours, indicating a steep slope. A possible further reason is exposed location or limited mapped access. A is preferable because the car park gives established vehicle access for people and equipment. [4]
(f) A map alone may be out of date and cannot show current water level, ground conditions, access restrictions or temporary hazards. Site observation is needed to check these conditions. [2]
Question 4 Report
After intense rain, a neighbourhood in Jakarta was surveyed by a disaster-risk team. Fig. 1 shows houses built beside a canal, a raised road and a drain blocked by plastic waste. The city has expanded rapidly onto low-lying land. Some families have few housing choices, while others value the site because it is close to employment. The team needs to distinguish between physical causes of flooding and human actions that increase the risk before proposing a response.
(a) Identify the water channel shown in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Identify two human actions visible in Fig. 1 that could increase flood risk. [2]
(c) Identify three strategies the city could use to reduce flood damage in this neighbourhood. [3]
(a) The water channel is a canal or drainage channel. [1]
(b) Human actions increasing flood risk include building homes close to or on flood-prone land and dumping waste that blocks drains. Extensive hard surfaces reducing infiltration are also valid. [2]
(c) The city could clear and maintain drains, improve waste collection, and create retention ponds or wetlands to store water. Raising defences, restricting building on high-risk land, and providing warnings and evacuation plans are further valid strategies. Any three gain credit. [3]
Answer Details
(a) The water channel is a canal or drainage channel. [1]
(b) Human actions increasing flood risk include building homes close to or on flood-prone land and dumping waste that blocks drains. Extensive hard surfaces reducing infiltration are also valid. [2]
(c) The city could clear and maintain drains, improve waste collection, and create retention ponds or wetlands to store water. Raising defences, restricting building on high-risk land, and providing warnings and evacuation plans are further valid strategies. Any three gain credit. [3]
Question 5 Report
Fig. 1 shows an oil export terminal in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Pipelines carry crude oil from wells through mangrove wetlands to tankers. The national government receives export income, but a fishing settlement beside the pipeline reports declining catches after several leaks. This case study shows how a valuable global resource can bring both national wealth and local costs.
Identify the transport method used to move crude oil across the wetlands. [1]
Identify two ways oil exports can increase national development. [2]
Identify one likely impact of an oil leak on the fishing settlement. [1]
Identify two reasons why conflict may develop between an oil company and local residents. [2]
Labelled answer diagram:
(a) Crude oil is moved across the wetlands by pipeline. [1]
(b) Oil exports can increase national development by:
- providing tax or royalty revenue to government;
- earning foreign currency, which can help pay for imports or national investment.
The revenue may fund infrastructure, health or education; jobs and related investment are also valid. [2]
(c) An oil leak can reduce fish stocks and fishing income, because oil pollutes wetland and river habitats. Polluted water affecting health is also acceptable. [1]
(d) Conflict may arise because:
- pollution damages local livelihoods, especially fishing;
- residents may feel they receive too little compensation or too little of the oil wealth.
Restricted land access and poor communication or trust are further valid reasons. [2]
Answer Details
Labelled answer diagram:
(a) Crude oil is moved across the wetlands by pipeline. [1]
(b) Oil exports can increase national development by:
- providing tax or royalty revenue to government;
- earning foreign currency, which can help pay for imports or national investment.
The revenue may fund infrastructure, health or education; jobs and related investment are also valid. [2]
(c) An oil leak can reduce fish stocks and fishing income, because oil pollutes wetland and river habitats. Polluted water affecting health is also acceptable. [1]
(d) Conflict may arise because:
- pollution damages local livelihoods, especially fishing;
- residents may feel they receive too little compensation or too little of the oil wealth.
Restricted land access and poor communication or trust are further valid reasons. [2]
Question 6 Report
The diagram shows a community-managed forest reserve in Borneo. The reserve includes an area of primary forest, a zone where rattan may be harvested, a village, and a road leading to an oil-palm processing mill outside the boundary. An international company has offered to buy more land for palm oil production. The village council is comparing this offer with income from guided wildlife visits and the sale of certified forest products. Fig. 1 is used in a meeting about balancing conservation, employment and development.
(a) Identify the land use outside the reserve that is linked to palm oil. [1]
(b) Describe one role of primary forest in the global carbon cycle. [1]
(c) Explain two reasons why a zoned reserve may be more sustainable than clearing all the forest. [2]
(d) Explain one possible conflict between wildlife tourism and village residents. [2]
(a) The land use linked to palm oil outside the reserve is an oil-palm processing mill. An oil-palm plantation would also be acceptable. [1]
(b) Primary-forest trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and store the carbon in their biomass. This makes the forest a carbon store. [1]
(c) A zoned reserve is more sustainable because the core area protects habitat and therefore reduces biodiversity loss. At the same time, controlled harvesting of rattan can provide income without clearing the whole forest, allowing resources to regenerate. [2]
(d) Wildlife tourism can bring visitors into places where residents live and work, so tourists may disturb residents or wildlife. It can also create conflict if tourism income is shared unevenly, or if residents lose access to land because it is reserved for visitors or conservation. [2]
Exam focus: Sustainable management combines conservation with carefully controlled economic use, rather than treating development and protection as completely separate choices.
Answer Details
(a) The land use linked to palm oil outside the reserve is an oil-palm processing mill. An oil-palm plantation would also be acceptable. [1]
(b) Primary-forest trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and store the carbon in their biomass. This makes the forest a carbon store. [1]
(c) A zoned reserve is more sustainable because the core area protects habitat and therefore reduces biodiversity loss. At the same time, controlled harvesting of rattan can provide income without clearing the whole forest, allowing resources to regenerate. [2]
(d) Wildlife tourism can bring visitors into places where residents live and work, so tourists may disturb residents or wildlife. It can also create conflict if tourism income is shared unevenly, or if residents lose access to land because it is reserved for visitors or conservation. [2]
Exam focus: Sustainable management combines conservation with carefully controlled economic use, rather than treating development and protection as completely separate choices.
Question 7 Report
In the city of Lagos, a health team mapped access to clinics in two contrasting wards. Fig. 1 shows that Ward A has paved streets and a formal clinic, whereas Ward B has narrow tracks and a small mobile health point. The investigation is about urban inequality rather than simply total city population. Residents in Ward B report that journeys become difficult during the wet season, when standing water covers paths. City authorities have limited funds and must decide how to improve access fairly.
(a) Identify the ward with the formal clinic in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Identify two barriers to health care access for residents of Ward B. [2]
(c) Identify three actions that could reduce health inequality between the wards. [3]
(a) The formal clinic is in Ward A. [1]
(b) Ward B has only a mobile health point rather than a formal clinic. Its narrow tracks restrict travel, and standing water can block paths in the wet season. Any two barriers gain credit. [2]
(c) Health inequality could be reduced by building or expanding a permanent clinic in Ward B, improving drainage, and paving or upgrading access routes. Subsidised transport, additional mobile clinics, and more staff and medicine supplies are further valid actions. Any three gain credit. [3]
Answer Details
(a) The formal clinic is in Ward A. [1]
(b) Ward B has only a mobile health point rather than a formal clinic. Its narrow tracks restrict travel, and standing water can block paths in the wet season. Any two barriers gain credit. [2]
(c) Health inequality could be reduced by building or expanding a permanent clinic in Ward B, improving drainage, and paving or upgrading access routes. Subsidised transport, additional mobile clinics, and more staff and medicine supplies are further valid actions. Any three gain credit. [3]
Question 8 Report
Residents of a coastal district in Manila produced Fig. 1 during a community mapping exercise. It shows an informal settlement beside a railway and drainage channel. Many households have moved to the city from rural islands because employment, education and health care are concentrated in the urban area. The city government wants to reduce risk without removing people from their jobs. A proposed upgrading programme includes secure water points, surfaced paths and legal occupancy agreements.
(a) Identify the transport route shown beside the settlement in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Identify two reasons why land beside the drainage channel is a hazardous place to build homes. [2]
(c) Identify two benefits of an in-situ upgrading programme compared with moving all residents to a distant estate. [2]
Fig. 1 shows a planning team's sketch of rapid outward growth at the edge of Nairobi. The team is studying how a city can grow when its population increases through natural change and migration. The shaded area is former farmland that has been replaced by housing, workshops and roads. Table 1 gives estimates from the same urban study. The planners are concerned that development may occur faster than water pipes, schools and waste collection can be extended.
| Year | Population of Nairobi, million | Built-up area, km² |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2.1 | 250 |
| 2010 | 3.1 | 380 |
| 2020 | 4.4 | 570 |
(a) Identify the type of land use shown being replaced by new housing in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Identify one feature in Table 1 that shows rapid urban growth between 2000 and 2020. [1]
(c) Identify two challenges this growth could create for the city authorities. [2]
Informal settlement in Manila
(a) The transport route beside the settlement is a railway (rail line). [1]
(b) Land beside a drainage channel is hazardous because:
- The channel may flood, putting homes and residents at risk. [1]
- Contaminated water can spread disease. [1]
Unstable or eroding banks that may collapse, and homes blocking drainage and increasing flood depth, are also acceptable. Any two hazards gain the marks. [2]
(c) In-situ upgrading means improving conditions where residents already live, rather than relocating everyone. Two benefits are:
- Residents remain close to their existing jobs, so their access to income is less disrupted. [1]
- Existing social networks are retained, including support from neighbours, family and community groups. [1]
It is also valid that schooling and livelihoods are less disrupted, or that improving services may cost less than complete relocation. These benefits matter because distant relocation can separate people from employment and support networks. [2]
Urban growth in Nairobi
(a) The land use being replaced by housing is agricultural land (farmland). [1]
(b) One clear piece of evidence of rapid urban growth is that Nairobi's population rose from 2.1 million in 2000 to 4.4 million in 2020. [1]
The increase in built-up area from 250 km2 to 570 km2 is an equally valid feature. A high-mark response should quote the dates and figures rather than merely saying that the population increased.
(c) Two challenges for city authorities are:
- A shortage of affordable housing if homes are not built fast enough for the growing population. [1]
- Greater pressure on water supply or sanitation because more people need clean water and sewage services. [1]
Other acceptable challenges are more waste requiring collection, overcrowded schools or health services, and traffic congestion. The underlying issue is that population growth and outward expansion can happen faster than infrastructure and public services can be extended. [2]
Answer Details
Informal settlement in Manila
(a) The transport route beside the settlement is a railway (rail line). [1]
(b) Land beside a drainage channel is hazardous because:
- The channel may flood, putting homes and residents at risk. [1]
- Contaminated water can spread disease. [1]
Unstable or eroding banks that may collapse, and homes blocking drainage and increasing flood depth, are also acceptable. Any two hazards gain the marks. [2]
(c) In-situ upgrading means improving conditions where residents already live, rather than relocating everyone. Two benefits are:
- Residents remain close to their existing jobs, so their access to income is less disrupted. [1]
- Existing social networks are retained, including support from neighbours, family and community groups. [1]
It is also valid that schooling and livelihoods are less disrupted, or that improving services may cost less than complete relocation. These benefits matter because distant relocation can separate people from employment and support networks. [2]
Urban growth in Nairobi
(a) The land use being replaced by housing is agricultural land (farmland). [1]
(b) One clear piece of evidence of rapid urban growth is that Nairobi's population rose from 2.1 million in 2000 to 4.4 million in 2020. [1]
The increase in built-up area from 250 km2 to 570 km2 is an equally valid feature. A high-mark response should quote the dates and figures rather than merely saying that the population increased.
(c) Two challenges for city authorities are:
- A shortage of affordable housing if homes are not built fast enough for the growing population. [1]
- Greater pressure on water supply or sanitation because more people need clean water and sewage services. [1]
Other acceptable challenges are more waste requiring collection, overcrowded schools or health services, and traffic congestion. The underlying issue is that population growth and outward expansion can happen faster than infrastructure and public services can be extended. [2]
Question 9 Report
Fig. 1 shows a simple choropleth map produced by a local council using geographic information system software. The map shows the percentage of homes within four urban wards that are more than a 10-minute walk from a public green space. The council is considering where to spend a development budget. The map is useful because it displays spatial variation, but percentages do not reveal the total population in each ward. A planner should therefore combine this figure with field observation and population data before making a final decision.
(a) Identify the ward with the highest percentage shown. [1]
(b) Identify the difference, in percentage points, between West and North wards. [2]
(c) Identify one conclusion about the spatial pattern shown in Fig. 1. [2]
(d) Identify two limitations of using this choropleth map alone to choose a location for a new park. [3]
(a) West has the highest percentage, at 61%. [1]
(b) The difference is:
\[61\%-12\%=49\text{ percentage points}\]
[2]
(c) Access to green space is poorest in the west. More generally, the percentages increase from north towards the south and west, from 12% in North to 61% in West. This identifies a spatial pattern, not simply the highest value. [2]
(d) The map alone is limited because:
- it gives percentages but not ward population totals, so it does not show the number of households affected;
- it does not show whether there is available land for a park;
- it does not show the quality or safety of existing green space.
Different ward sizes and barriers on walking routes are further limitations. [3]
Answer Details
(a) West has the highest percentage, at 61%. [1]
(b) The difference is:
\[61\%-12\%=49\text{ percentage points}\]
[2]
(c) Access to green space is poorest in the west. More generally, the percentages increase from north towards the south and west, from 12% in North to 61% in West. This identifies a spatial pattern, not simply the highest value. [2]
(d) The map alone is limited because:
- it gives percentages but not ward population totals, so it does not show the number of households affected;
- it does not show whether there is available land for a park;
- it does not show the quality or safety of existing green space.
Different ward sizes and barriers on walking routes are further limitations. [3]
Question 10 Report
In a study figure, an urban geographer mapped land use along a 7 km route from the centre of Birmingham towards its outer suburbs. Fig. 1 is a simplified transect, not drawn to scale. It records changing building height, retail activity and open space. The route was walked on a weekday morning so that the observer could compare the central business district with older inner-city neighbourhoods and a newer residential development. The local council is considering where to direct future regeneration funding.
(a) Identify the zone at the left-hand end of Fig. 1. [1]
(b) Identify two reasons why the CBD contains tall buildings. [2]
(c) Identify two ways in which regeneration of the inner city could improve quality of life for residents. [2]
(a) The zone at the left-hand end is the central business district (CBD). The figure labels this area with offices and shops, which are typical CBD land uses. [1]
(b) Tall buildings in the CBD result from high land values and the advantages of a central location:
- Land is expensive, so building upwards allows a business to use a small, costly site more efficiently. [1]
- Businesses benefit from an accessible central location, close to transport links and many customers. [1]
Do not state only that there is “not much space”. The examinable explanation is that high land costs make multi-storey development economically efficient.
(c) Regeneration is investment intended to improve an area. Two ways it could improve residents' quality of life are:
- Improving housing quality, giving residents safer or more suitable homes. [1]
- Providing new jobs or training, improving employment opportunities and incomes. [1]
Safer or cleaner public spaces, and better access to services or green space, are also valid. Any two distinct improvements gain the two marks. [2]
Answer Details
(a) The zone at the left-hand end is the central business district (CBD). The figure labels this area with offices and shops, which are typical CBD land uses. [1]
(b) Tall buildings in the CBD result from high land values and the advantages of a central location:
- Land is expensive, so building upwards allows a business to use a small, costly site more efficiently. [1]
- Businesses benefit from an accessible central location, close to transport links and many customers. [1]
Do not state only that there is “not much space”. The examinable explanation is that high land costs make multi-storey development economically efficient.
(c) Regeneration is investment intended to improve an area. Two ways it could improve residents' quality of life are:
- Improving housing quality, giving residents safer or more suitable homes. [1]
- Providing new jobs or training, improving employment opportunities and incomes. [1]
Safer or cleaner public spaces, and better access to services or green space, are also valid. Any two distinct improvements gain the two marks. [2]
Question 11 Report
A geography department investigated whether house prices rise with distance from an urban railway station. Fig. 1 is a scatter graph made from estate-agent listings collected during one week. Each point represents one three-bedroom house. The horizontal axis shows distance from the station in kilometres and the vertical axis shows asking price in thousands of pounds. A line of best fit has been added. The study is useful for exploring a possible relationship, but the researchers know that house condition, school catchment area, size of garden and local environmental quality may also affect price. They need to interpret the figure rather than assume that correlation proves a cause.
(a) Identify the type of relationship shown by the line of best fit. [2]
(b) Identify the estimated asking price of a house 4 km from the station, using the line of best fit. [2]
(c) Identify the approximate decrease in price predicted between 1 km and 5 km from the station. [3]
(d) Identify one anomalous point on the graph and identify why it may need further investigation. [3]
(e) Identify three factors, other than distance from the station, that could influence asking price. [3]
(f) Identify two ways the researchers could improve the representativeness of their data collection. [4]
(g) Identify one justified conclusion and one limitation of using this figure to advise a house buyer. [3]
(a) The line of best fit shows a negative correlation: as distance from the station increases, asking price tends to decrease. [2]
(b) At 4 km, read from the line of best fit to the price axis. The estimate is approximately £245 000 to £250 000. This is an estimate because it comes from a trend line rather than a plotted house. [2]
(c) From the trend line, the predicted price is approximately £350 000 at 1 km and £210 000 at 5 km:
\[£350\,000-£210\,000=£140\,000\]
The predicted decrease is about £140 000. [3]
(d) An anomalous point is approximately 2.7 km and £330 000. It lies well above the overall trend, so it should be investigated for a different house size, condition or location, or for a recording error. [3]
(e) Other factors affecting price include:
- house condition;
- floor area or number of rooms;
- garden size.
School catchment, crime level and local environmental quality are also valid. [3]
(f) Representativeness could be improved by:
- collecting more listings;
- sampling over a longer period;
- using several estate agents or websites;
- including different neighbourhoods while controlling for similar property type.
Random or systematic selection is also valid. [4]
(g) In this sample, houses nearer the station generally have higher asking prices. However, correlation does not prove that distance from the station causes price: other factors may be responsible. The evidence is also limited to one week, one house type and asking prices rather than sale prices. [3]
Answer Details
(a) The line of best fit shows a negative correlation: as distance from the station increases, asking price tends to decrease. [2]
(b) At 4 km, read from the line of best fit to the price axis. The estimate is approximately £245 000 to £250 000. This is an estimate because it comes from a trend line rather than a plotted house. [2]
(c) From the trend line, the predicted price is approximately £350 000 at 1 km and £210 000 at 5 km:
\[£350\,000-£210\,000=£140\,000\]
The predicted decrease is about £140 000. [3]
(d) An anomalous point is approximately 2.7 km and £330 000. It lies well above the overall trend, so it should be investigated for a different house size, condition or location, or for a recording error. [3]
(e) Other factors affecting price include:
- house condition;
- floor area or number of rooms;
- garden size.
School catchment, crime level and local environmental quality are also valid. [3]
(f) Representativeness could be improved by:
- collecting more listings;
- sampling over a longer period;
- using several estate agents or websites;
- including different neighbourhoods while controlling for similar property type.
Random or systematic selection is also valid. [4]
(g) In this sample, houses nearer the station generally have higher asking prices. However, correlation does not prove that distance from the station causes price: other factors may be responsible. The evidence is also limited to one week, one house type and asking prices rather than sale prices. [3]
Question 12 Report
A global city study compares the changing skyline of Shanghai with the older lanes behind it. Fig. 1 shows a new finance district across the river from a traditional residential area. International investment has created offices, hotels and apartments, but the city government must also protect heritage and provide homes for workers on lower incomes. The study asks whether economic development always benefits all residents equally. Use Fig. 1 and your knowledge of urban change.
(a) Identify the city shown in this global city study. [1]
(b) Identify two functions of the new district shown in Fig. 1. [2]
(c) Identify four ways planners could balance economic growth with the needs of existing communities. [4]
(a) The city is Shanghai. [1]
(b) The new district has finance and office functions. Hotels and tourism, high-rise apartments, and international business services are also valid functions. Any two gain credit. [2]
(c) Planners can protect important heritage buildings while providing affordable housing. They can consult local residents before redevelopment and provide compensation or suitable local rehousing where needed. Reserving space for small businesses, improving transport and services in all areas, and requiring developers to contribute to community facilities are further valid measures. Any four gain credit. [4]
Answer Details
(a) The city is Shanghai. [1]
(b) The new district has finance and office functions. Hotels and tourism, high-rise apartments, and international business services are also valid functions. Any two gain credit. [2]
(c) Planners can protect important heritage buildings while providing affordable housing. They can consult local residents before redevelopment and provide compensation or suitable local rehousing where needed. Reserving space for small businesses, improving transport and services in all areas, and requiring developers to contribute to community facilities are further valid measures. Any four gain credit. [4]
