Population density and distribution: past paper questions
Real questions on population density and distribution
The newest 20 of 81 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0460/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[2]
Name one over-populated country and one under-populated country. over-populated
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(i)[3]
Put the islands of Japan in rank order according to their population, area and population density. population highest lowest area highest lowest population density highest
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1b(ii)[5]
Explain why some areas with high population density may not be over-populated.
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[7]
For an area or country you have studied, explain why it has a low population density. Name of area or country
See it on the paper → - 0460/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
How is the information in Fig. 2.1 shown? Tick (3) one box in the table. method tick (3) choropleth map flow diagram isoline map pictogram
See it on the paper → - 0460/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(ii)[3]
Describe the distribution of areas with a population density of less than 1 per square kilometre and with 100–more than 100 per square kilometre. less than 1 per sq km 100–more than 100 per sq km
See it on the paper → - 0460/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2b[1]
One region in the South Island of New Zealand has a population of 55 760 and a land area of 12 555 square kilometres. Calculate its population density. per sq km
See it on the paper → - 0460/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2c[2]
Fig. 2.2 (Insert) is a simplified relief map of the South Island of New Zealand. Describe the relationship between population density in Fig. 2.1 and relief in Fig. 2.2.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
Using Fig. 1.1, identify which one of the following countries is most sparsely populated. Underline your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(ii)[2]
Calculate the population density of Turkey. You should include your calculations in the box provided.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(iii)[3]
Study Fig. 1.2 (Insert), a photograph of a mountainous area. Explain why mountainous areas, like the one shown in Fig. 1.2, have an uneven population distribution.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(i)[3]
Study Fig. 1.4 (Insert), a photograph of a coastal settlement in Spain (an MEDC in Europe). Suggest reasons why many coastal lowland areas, like the one shown in Fig. 1.4, have a high population density.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(ii)[5]
Describe the problems experienced by people living in areas with a high population density.
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(i)[3]
Identify which photograph, Fig. 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4, shows the area with the highest population density. Give reasons for your choice. photograph chosen reasons for choice
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(ii)[5]
Describe the impacts of high population density on the provision of services in cities such as Lagos.
See it on the paper → - 0460/13 · October/November 2024 · Q1c[7]
For a named country or area you have studied, explain why it is sparsely populated. Country or area
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
What is meant by sparsely populated?
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2024 · Q1a(ii)[2]
Using evidence from Fig. 1.1 only, identify two resources which would have been useful for the people who first settled in the area.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2024 · Q1a(iii)[3]
Suggest three different reasons why the area shown in Fig. 1.1 is sparsely populated.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2024 · Q1a(iv)[4]
Explain two different reasons why there may be small areas of high population density within large areas that are sparsely populated.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates gained two marks by identifying a country with a large area and untapped resources with a relatively small population such as Australia, Russia or Canada and a country with a smaller area with a relatively high population, often in Africa or Asia, such as Nigeria, India and China.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/13 Q1(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates gained three marks by ranking the population and area figures already in the table and accurately calculating the population density by dividing the population by the area of each island. Other candidates made a significant number of errors in their answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/13 Q1(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates understood to some extent that the question required them to explain the population-resource balance in terms of why some areas of high density may not be overpopulated. Many candidates, however, began their response with an irrelevant explanation about how populations were not evenly spread across countries and that areas with low and high population densities would balance each o...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/13 Q1(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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