Population density and distribution: past paper questions
Real questions on population density and distribution
The newest 18 of 18 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 2217/12 · 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 → - 2217/12 · October/November 2021 · Q1a(i)[1]
What is meant by population density?
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2021 · Q1a(ii)[2]
State two reasons why the climate of the area shown in Fig. 1.1 may result in a low population density.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2021 · Q1b(i)[3]
Using Fig. 1.3 only, describe the distribution of population in Kenya. ETHIOPIA Lake Turkana SOMALI SOMALIA REPUBLIC KENYA Equator Lake Victoria Nairobi Indian Ocean TANZANIA 0 Key 100 200 300 N 400 km land over 1000 m above sea level areas likely to receive more than 750 mm rainfall in four years out of five railway m...
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2021 · Q1b(ii)[5]
Using information from Figs. 1.3 and 1.4 only, suggest reasons for the distribution of population in Kenya.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2020 · Q1c[7]
For a country or area you have studied which is sparsely populated, explain why there is a low population density. Name of country or area
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2020 · Q2a(i)[1]
Which word in the list below is used to describe the increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas? Circle one of the following: depopulation emigration immigration urbanisation
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2020 · Q2a(ii)[2]
Identify the continent where the percentage of population living in urban areas: - was the largest in 2007 - is estimated to increase the most between 2007 and 2030.
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(ii)[1]
To measure the amount of vegetation cover the students used the piece of equipment shown in Fig. 7.2 (Insert). What is this piece of equipment called? Tick (✓) your answer below. Tick (✓) barometer callipers clinometer quadrat ruler
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(iii)[1]
To measure humidity the students did a simple test which a student described in his fieldwork notebook, Fig. 7.3 (Insert). Suggest one weakness of this test.
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(iv)[4]
The students also measured the time it took for water to infiltrate (soak into) the ground. Describe a fieldwork method to measure infiltration. Refer to equipment which could be used.
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7c(i)[1]
Which site has the highest amount of vegetation cover? Circle your answer. site A site B site C
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7c(ii)[1]
One set of measurement results is shown below. Percentage of vegetation cover = 68 Percentage of bare ground = 32 Humidity measurement = 90 seconds Infiltration time = 28 seconds At which site and for which measurement (1–5) were these results recorded? Site Measurement number
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7c(iii)[2]
Use the results in Table 7.1 to calculate the average infiltration time at site B. Show your calculation below. Answer = seconds
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7d(i)[3]
Use the information in Table 7.1 to plot the following on Fig. 7.4: • the percentage of vegetation cover and the percentage of bare ground in measurement 3 at site C • how long the cobalt chloride paper took to turn pink (humidity measurement) in measurement 5 at site B • the infiltration time in measurement 5 at site...
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7d(ii)[4]
Before they made a conclusion to Hypothesis 1 the teacher reminded the students that the less time the paper took to turn pink the greater the humidity of the air. What conclusion would the students make about Hypothesis 1: Humidity is greater where there is more vegetation cover? Support your decision with evidence fr...
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7d(iii)[3]
The students decided that Hypothesis 2: Infiltration is quicker where there is more vegetation cover was correct. What evidence from Fig. 7.4 and Table 7.1 supports their conclusion?
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7e[3]
Suggest why infiltration times are different at sites A and C. Look again at Fig. 7.1 (Insert) to help you to answer.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The question was asking what population density meant and not how it is calculated. This was generally answered well with many candidates knowing that it was the number of people in a square kilometre/in a certain area. The most common errors were either to write the formula by which it is calculated or to write ‘number of people in an area’ with no reference to the size of the area.
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 2217/12 Q1(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates identified the lack of rainfall as a reason for the low population density. Fewer referred to the temperature being too high to survive in. Whilst many stated that it is hot, this was insufficient as hot temperatures alone are insufficient to prevent settlement. ‘Hot’ needed to be qualified with a word like ‘very’, extremely’ or ‘unbearably’. Another common error was reference to s...
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 2217/12 Q1(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates used the resource well and scored three marks. They usually referenced Lake Victoria, the Indian Ocean and Nairobi. Less referred to direction in their answer though some candidates did describe the contrast between the high concentration of people in the south and low concentration in the north.
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 2217/12 Q1(b)(i) (Cambridge)
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