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Date May 2015 Marks available 2 Reference code 15M.1.bp.2
Level SL and HL Paper 1 Time zone
Command term Describe Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph shows the relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI) and enrollment in education (the number of students enrolled in education as a percentage of the population of school-going age).

Describe the relationship shown on the graph.

[2]
a.

State the three components that make up the Human Development Index (HDI).

[2]
b.

Suggest two reasons why composite indices (such as the HDI) are used to measure global or regional disparities.

[4]
c.

Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using debt relief to reduce global disparities.

[4]
d.

Markscheme

a.

Do not accept income alone. Must have all three for [2], two correct [1]. [0] for only one correct.

b.

Award [1+1] for each valid and distinct reason, provided that it is developed by means of explanation, exemplification and/or detail.

Credit responses based on other valid composite indices.

For example: HDI is better than a single indicator like GDP per capita [1]; gives a broader measure of social development [1].

Possibilities include:

c.

Award [1+1] for each distinct valid reason, provided that it is developed by means of explanation, exemplification and/or detail.

For example: Reduces the amount of funds leaving a nation as debt repayments [1]; allows nations to redirect funds toward development projects [1].

Possibilities include:

Advantages

Disadvantages

d.

Examiners report

Most candidates were able to see the positive relationship but were less good at using the data to provide evidence of this or to show anomalies.

a.

On the whole this was well answered although some struggled to accurately identify the third component or they gave rather vague conceptual ideas of what is measured as opposed to the component. 

b.

There were some strong responses with most candidates using the HDI although it was possible to use any composite index in this answer. Occasionally another index, for example, the happy planet index or the gender empowerment index were used. Unfortunately it was clear that some candidates did not know what composite meant and their answers were self-limiting. Also some responses struggled to make their second reason distinct from the first.

c.

One of the weak areas of the paper. If candidates knew what debt relief was they had no problem getting full marks but in many responses there was much confusion with aid/loans going to the nations as opposed to being relieved of debt through the HIPC initiative. There were still a number of candidates referring to personal debt as opposed to national debt. The answers focusing on advantages tended to be stronger than those focusing on disadvantages. Most comments on dependency or corruption were not accurately explained/developed in relation to debt relief.

d.

Syllabus sections

Core » Disparities in wealth and development » Measurements of regional and global disparities

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