AS & A Level Geography 9696 · Rocks and weathering · 3.4

The human impact: past paper questions

8 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Assess

Real questions on the human impact

The newest 8 of 8 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9696/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[4]
Using evidence from Fig. 1.1, describe how technology is used to intensify food production.
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9696/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[6]
Explain two disadvantages of the intensification of agriculture.
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9696/41 · May/June 2025 · Q2[20]
Assess the extent to which demand and distance from markets affect agricultural land use and practices on farms.
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9696/11 · October/November 2023 · Q6c[15]
‘Human activity is the main factor in reducing the stability of slopes.’ With the aid of one or more examples, how far do you agree with this statement?
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9696/13 · October/November 2022 · Q6b[8]
Explain how human activity may decrease the stability of slopes.
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9696/12 · May/June 2021 · Q6c[15]
With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which mass movement can be reduced.
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9696/41 · May/June 2021 · Q1b[6]
Explain two negative environmental impacts of the intensification of agriculture.
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9696/12 · October/November 2019 · Q6c[15]
With the aid of examples, discuss the view that human activity is the main factor affecting the stability of slopes.
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What examiners said

Relevant human activities were generally identified, but exemplification was limited. Very few candidates made use of a detailed case study. The role of natural factors in reducing slope stability were not discussed in sufficient detail to allow a conclusive assessment to be made.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/11 Q6(c) (Cambridge)

Some very good answers were seen in terms of the various human activities that can create slope instability. More detailed exemplar material would have been beneficial.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 9696/13 Q6(b) (Cambridge)

There were some convincing answers, but some wrote in too much detail about the causes of mass movements. Most were familiar with the various methods of limiting mass movements, but the most convincing answers contained detailed exemplar/case study material, such as Hong Kong. A detailed analysis of attempts to reduce mass movements in Hong Kong supported some excellent answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 9696/12 Q6(c) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

3.4 The human impact

The impact of human activities on the stability of slopes: increasing stability and decreasing stability.
Strategies to modify slopes to reduce mass movements: pinning, netting, grading and afforestation.
Case study: candidates must study the impacts of human activity on slopes showing the effect on the stability of the slope, and evaluate attempts to reduce mass movement.
(LICs), middle income countries (MICs) and high income countries (HICs). For further information on the use of examples and case studies see 2.6.

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