Settlements and service provision: past paper questions
Real questions on settlements and service provision
The newest 20 of 101 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0460/22 · February/March 2026 · Q2a[2]
Table 2.1 shows information on the settlement hierarchy in the North Island of New Zealand, an MEDC. Table 2.1 settlement type number of settlements settlement size (average population) major urban area 5 420400 large urban area 11 55909 medium urban area 12 19825 small urban area 96 3857 rural village 224 450 Describe...
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Using Fig. 2.1 only, describe the hierarchy of settlements in the Extremadura region. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(iv)[4]
Explain why the sphere of influence of settlement Z is likely to be large.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
Which photograph shows a low-order service? Fig.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Put the services shown in Figs. 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 in order of the size of their sphere of influence. Fig. largest sphere of influence Fig.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(iii)[3]
Explain why high-order services need a large threshold population.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(i)[3]
Using Table 2.1, describe the relationship between the population size and service provision in Wiltshire. Refer to different settlements in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(ii)[5]
Suggest reasons why there is a relationship between the population of settlements and the number of services provided as shown in Table 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 0460/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[7]
Explain the reasons for the growth and functions of a named settlement you have studied. Name of settlement Section B Answer one question from this section.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
What is meant by rural settlement?
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Suggest two low-order services which you would expect to find in a rural settlement such as the one shown in Fig. 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(iii)[3]
Explain why rural settlements such as the one shown in Fig. 2.1 only have low-order services.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(iv)[4]
Suggest reasons for the growth of the settlement shown in Fig. 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(i)[3]
Using Fig. 2.2, compare the settlement patterns in areas X and Y.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
What is meant by a rural area?
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Put the four countries named on Fig. 2.1 in rank order of the percentage of their population living in rural areas. highest % living in rural areas
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(iii)[3]
Describe the distribution of countries in Europe where less than 20% of the population live in rural areas.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2a(iv)[4]
Explain why rural depopulation has occurred in many countries.
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2b(i)[3]
On Fig. 2.2, label the following: – a nucleated settlement (label with an ‘N’) – a linear settlement (label with an ‘L’)
See it on the paper → - 0460/12 · February/March 2025 · Q2b(ii)[5]
Explain why nucleated settlements develop in some parts of rural areas but linear settlements develop in other parts.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly described two characteristics of the settlement hierarchy usually referring to changes as one moves up or down Table 2.1. For instance, the rural villages have a small population, but this increases further up the hierarchy. • Some candidates linked one numerical variable to another, pointing out the relationship between the two. Limited respons...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0460/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
Many candidates managed to score at least 1 mark, and a significant proportion scored the full 2 marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/11 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates omitted this question, perhaps not familiar with the term ‘threshold population’. A full range of mark scheme ideas were seen from others, though rarely 3 of them in the same answer. Most candidates who scored typically gained 1 or 2 marks.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0460/11 Q2(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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