AS & A Level Geography 9696 · Topic 6

Settlement dynamics: past paper questions

292 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Describe, Suggest, Evaluate, Compare

Real questions on settlement dynamics

The newest 20 of 292 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[4]
Using Fig. 3.1, suggest the challenges of building the railway.
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Suggest two environmental advantages of the railway shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
Explain how the use of land in urban areas is affected by competition for space (spatial competition). Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Population
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[7]
Describe the main characteristics of the central business district (CBD) of urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain the factors causing change in central business districts (CBDs) of urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[15]
With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which the operation of the housing market is the main cause of residential segregation.
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[3]
Using Fig. 3.1, suggest three advantages for the inhabitants of Addis Ababa of the railway shown.
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[3]
Suggest three challenges of the railway for the city shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
Explain how the competition for space (spatial competition) influences the pattern of urban land values. Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Population
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain the pull factors of urban areas in LICs/MICs.
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[15]
With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which rural to urban migration in LICs/MICs causes problems in rural areas. Settlement dynamics
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[7]
Describe the changes in location of retailing in urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain the role of planning in the location of manufacturing industries in urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[4]
Describe the pattern shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Suggest two problems for residents in shanty towns (squatter settlements).
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
Explain two challenges for governments of managing shanty towns (squatter settlements). Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Population
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[15]
With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which rural to urban migration in LICs/MICs causes problems in urban areas. Settlement dynamics
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q6a[7]
Describe how competition for space (spatial competition) leads to functional zonation in urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/23 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
With the aid of examples, explain the role of planning in the location of activities in urban areas.
See it on the paper →
9696/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[4]
Explain why most international migrants settle in the major cities of receiving/destination countries. Population/Migration/Settlement dynamics
See it on the paper →

What examiners said

Most responses identified features correctly, such as the size and variety of houses, many with gardens, and the recreational facilities that could be seen.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/21 Q3(a) (Cambridge)

Answers generally included one or two problems, often with simple statements such as ‘there might be more pollution’. Some missed the focus on the environment and instead gave problems such as the effect on house prices and employment.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/21 Q3(b) (Cambridge)

This question was not answered well by many candidates, as few seemed to understand the term counterurbanisation clearly. Others overlooked the requirement to discuss its impact on urban areas and instead gave consequences for rural areas. Population
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/21 Q3(c) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise these questions

In the syllabus

6.1 Changes in rural settlements

Contemporary issues in rural settlements in LICs, MICs and HICs, (e.g. depopulation, service provision) including the impacts of internal migration and the consequences of urban growth.
Case study: candidates must study a rural settlement (village or hamlet) or a rural area showing some of the issues of its development and growth (or decline) and evaluating the responses to these issues.

6.2 Urban trends and issues of urbanisation

Urban growth. The process of urbanisation and its causes and consequences in LICs, MICs and HICs, including counterurbanisation and re-urbanisation, competition for land and urban renewal.
The concept of a world city: causes of the growth of world cities and the development of a hierarchy of world cities.

6.3 The changing structure of urban settlements

Factors (social, economic, environmental and political) affecting the location of activities within urban areas (including planning) and how urban locations change over time for retailing, services and manufacturing.
The changing central business district (CBD).
Competition for space (spatial competition) in urban areas, the concept of bid rent, and functional zonation.
Residential segregation: causes (income and race/ethnicity) and processes (e.g. operation of the housing market, influence of family and friends, culture and planning).

6.4 The management of urban settlements

Case study: candidates must study urban settlements showing the challenges of, and evaluating the attempted solutions in, each of the following: a shanty town (squatter settlement) in an LIC or MIC;
providing infrastructure (either power or transport) for a city.

Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.