Urban settlements: past paper questions
Real questions on urban settlements
The newest 17 of 17 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 2217/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[7]
For a named urban area you have studied, describe the impacts of urban growth on the surrounding rural area. Name of urban area Section B Answer one question from this section.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(i)[3]
Explain how a public transport system, such as the Kuala Lumpur Metro, reduces traffic congestion.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2023 · Q2b(ii)[5]
Describe other strategies which can be used to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2021 · Q2c[7]
For a named urban area you have studied, describe and explain the characteristics of the Central Business District (CBD). Name of urban area Section B Answer one question from this section.
See it on the paper → - 2217/12 · October/November 2019 · Q2c[7]
For a named urban area, describe the causes of a problem faced by the residents and explain how the authorities in that urban area are attempting to solve it. Name of urban area Section B Answer one question from this section.
See it on the paper → - 2217/13 · October/November 2019 · Q2a(i)[1]
What is an urban area?
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7a[1]
What does CBD stand for? C B D The students decided to test the following hypotheses. Hypothesis 1: Different methods of delimiting the CBD produce the same result. Hypothesis 2: The shopping environment in and around the CBD varies.
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(i)[3]
The students did pedestrian counts at 30 sites around the town centre. In the space below, draw a recording sheet the students could have used at each site.
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(ii)[4]
Describe an appropriate method to ensure the students obtained reliable results from the pedestrian count. The results of the pedestrian count are shown in Fig. 7.1 below. Isolines have been drawn on the map to show the variation in the number of pedestrians.
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7b(iii)[2]
On Fig. 7.1, complete the isoline that shows 200 pedestrians. Results of pedestrian count 40 112 63 10 0 217 268 321 368 300 200 118 42 N 91 423 255 148 61 418 400 290 336 174 0 30 6 92 31 70 270 2 18 209 106 156 51 115 86 108 100 Key recording point 70 number of pedestrians isoline 100 0 m Fig. 7.1 100 50
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7c[2]
To collect data about the height of buildings the students selected five buildings at each of the pedestrian count sites. They then counted the number of storeys of each building and calculated an average. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of this method of working out the height of buildings. Advantage Disadvant...
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7d[3]
The students marked on a map of the town two examples of traffic restrictions (controls) which they saw. These were a pedestrianised area and an area where there was restricted vehicle access. Give three other examples of traffic restrictions they could have recorded.
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · October/November 2019 · Q7e[2]
Having completed their data collection for Hypothesis 1 the students decided to use the following criteria to delimit the area of the CBD: • • • more than 300 pedestrians buildings which are 3 or more storeys high any traffic restrictions Using these criteria, the students located possible boundaries of the CBD. These...
See it on the paper → - 2217/23 · October/November 2019 · Q8e(ii)[4]
Describe how the students could carry out fieldwork to investigate the impact of traffic congestion in Mauritius.
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · May/June 2019 · Q3a(i)[1]
What was the maximum distance from west to east across urban area A in 1971?
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · May/June 2019 · Q3a(ii)[1]
How many separate urban areas were there in 1971?
See it on the paper → - 2217/22 · May/June 2019 · Q3b(i)[1]
How many new urban areas were added by 1981?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates correctly explained that if people used the Metro, it would reduce the number of cars on the road. The more discerning candidates expanded their responses to consider the greater carrying capacity of the Metro as well as the use of an independent track. Common incorrect responses tended to describe advantages to users of the Metro rather than focussing as required on why it reduces...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 2217/12 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)
The question discriminated well with better answers describing a range of strategies, some of which were developed. The most popular ones suggested were to widen roads, build flyovers/underpasses/bridges, make specified improvements to public transport and install features such as traffic lights or roundabouts. Some more sophisticated answers also referred to park and ride systems, congestion char...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 2217/12 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
This was a relatively straightforward case study however many candidates made poor choices, including their local village, town or city but rarely focused on the CBD as the question required. Even those who referred to the CBD of London, New York, Johannesburg or similar large cities typically briefly listed high rise buildings, heavy traffic, offices and specific services, without any attempt to...
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 2217/12 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
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