“It is impossible to eliminate disparities in wealth and development.” Discuss this statement.

This question may be considered from any scale: global, regional or national. It is possible to gain full marks looking at a single scale (it is also possible to score highly with a mainly social rather than spatial analysis).

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the three key terms – disparities, wealth and development – in their answers, though they may choose to take as wide a view as they like of such concepts by including, for example, non-economic wealth, or social rather than economic development.

It is expected that answers will include a variety of different strategies designed to help reduce disparities, both in favour of, and against, the statement and will offer substantiation by means of detail or examples for the ideas presented.

Responses that arrive at a clear conclusion either agreeing or disagreeing with the statement, after a sound discussion including both sides of the issues, are likely to be awarded band E or above.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

At the top end the answers were very good indeed with the best candidates demonstrating a thorough knowledge and understanding of disparities in wealth and development. Case studies at various scales were used well. There were wide and varied discussions which included analysis and evaluation of different strategies (micro finance, debt relief, Aid and Trade) designed to help reduce disparities. The question was open, which is good, but it was evident a number could not decide where to go.