geography exam questions and structure

AS Geography – preparing for the Geog 1 Exam
GEOG1 Exam Preparation

What the Exam Board says you should study:
Population Change
Population indicators – vital rates (birth rate, death rate, fertility rate, infant mortality rate, life expectancy, migration rate and population density) for countries at different stages of development.
Population change: the demographic transition model (5 stages), its validity and applicability in countries at different stages of development.
Population structures at different stages of the demographic transition. The impact of migration on national population structure. The implications of different structures for the balance between population and resources.
Social, economic and political implications of population change. Attempts to manage population change to achieve sustainable development with reference to two case studies of countries at different stages of development.
The ways natural population change and migration affect the character of rural and urban areas.
Settlement case studies – comparing two (or more) of the following areas – an inner city area, a suburban area, an area of rural/urban fringe and an area of rural settlement. To include reference to characteristics such as: housing, ethnicity, age structure, wealth and employment and the provision of services.
The implications of the above for social welfare.

POPULATION CHANGE EXAM QUESTIONS

All of the past population change exam questions that don’t use resources are listed below.
15marks
Examine how population structure changes at different stages of the demographic transition. 15 marks. Jan 12. FRIDAY 20TH APRIL ‘For better and for worse?’ Discuss how population change can affect the character of rural and urban areas. 15 marks. Jan 11. FRIDAY 4TH MAY
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the demographic transition model. 15 marks. June 11. FRIDAY 11TH MAY

4 marks / 5 marks
• For two areas of settlement that you have studied, describe how the provision of services is different. 5 marks. June 11. FRIDAY 18TH MAY
• Explain why the population density of an area may change over time. 5 marks. Jan 11. FRIDAY 18TH MAY
• Distinguish between birth rate and fertility rate. 4 marks. Jan 10. FRIDAY 27TH APRIL
• Describe how the population structure of a country in stage 2 of the demographic transition model is different from that of a country in stage 4. 5 marks. June 10. FRIDAY 27TH APRIL
Additional questions…..
Outline and comment on the economic and political consequences of population change.15 marks. June 09.
For any two of the following types of area, summarise the contrasts between them and explain the implications of these contrasts for social welfare.

Define infant mortality rate. 2 marks Jan 12
Comment on the impact of different population structures on the balance between population and resources. 15 marks. June 10

AS/A2 COMMAND WORDS
Name/state…
Identify briefly
Distinguish between…
Define and state the differences between. Use connective words in your answer.
Outline…
Describe the main features of.
Examine…
Make clear the main points and details of the particular issue.
Account for…
Give reasons for/explain.
Analyse…
Break down the content of the topic into its constituent parts & give an in depth account.
Comment on…
Refer to the data, and then make a statement arising from the data that is relevant, appropriate & geographical but above all not directly evident. You must ‘think like a geographer’.# Discuss…
Present arguments for and against an issue. You may be asked to come to a conclusion.
To what extent…
How far do you agree with the statement, based on the evidence?
Justify…
Give reasons for your choice. This should include reasons why you didn’t choose the other options.
Evaluate/Assess…
A conclusion must be reached after considering all of the evidence. You must be able to justify your viewpoint.