Geography

1. 1.

   Explain how urbanisation can shorten lag time and increase peak discharge on a storm hydrograph.

   [4 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Follow water from the rainfall input to its arrival in the river. Link surface changes to the speed and volume of runoff.
   2. Impermeable surfaces reduce infiltration.
   3. More water becomes surface runoff.
   4. Drains and channels can move water to the river more quickly, shortening lag time.
   5. More rapid runoff reaching the river together can increase peak discharge.

   Marking points

   • Impermeable surfaces reduce infiltration.
   • More water becomes surface runoff.
   • Drains and channels can move water to the river more quickly, shortening lag time.
   • More rapid runoff reaching the river together can increase peak discharge.

   Examiner tip: Lag time and peak discharge describe different features of a hydrograph; explain both.

2. 2.

   Explain why earthquakes of similar magnitude can produce very different death tolls in two places.

   [4 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Compare hazard characteristics with vulnerability and exposure rather than using magnitude as the only explanation.
   2. Building quality and enforcement of construction standards affect collapse risk.
   3. Population density, time of day or depth and location affect exposure.
   4. Preparedness and emergency-response capacity affect survival.
   5. Magnitude alone does not capture vulnerability and exposure.

   Marking points

   • Building quality and enforcement of construction standards affect collapse risk.
   • Population density, time of day or depth and location affect exposure.
   • Preparedness and emergency-response capacity affect survival.
   • Magnitude alone does not capture vulnerability and exposure.

   Examiner tip: Link factors to the mechanism of harm or survival rather than assuming richer places always have fewer deaths.

3. 3.

   Evaluate using GDP per capita as the only measure of development.

   [4 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Assess what the indicator measures, what it misses and what complementary evidence changes the judgement.
   2. It provides an average measure of economic output per person.
   3. It conceals inequality and does not directly measure health or education.
   4. International comparison needs attention to purchasing power and data quality.
   5. A justified conclusion combines it with indicators such as life expectancy and schooling.

   Marking points

   • It provides an average measure of economic output per person.
   • It conceals inequality and does not directly measure health or education.
   • International comparison needs attention to purchasing power and data quality.
   • A justified conclusion combines it with indicators such as life expectancy and schooling.

   Examiner tip: An average can conceal distribution. Justify a multi-indicator conclusion.

Original, unofficial practice questions from SubjectScout — not official past-paper questions.