Referring to the graph, describe the relationship between household income and participation in sport in Canada.

Using examples, explain how levels of participation in international sport are affected by:

(i) one economic factor; 

(ii) one political factor.

“Land value is the most important factor influencing the location of recreation and sports facilities in urban areas.” Discuss this statement with reference to specific urban areas.

Award [1] for each valid point, up to a maximum of [3], with an additional [1] for some quantification.

Possibilities could include:

• households with less than C$20 000 show the least participation in sport
• households with C$50 000 or more show the greatest participation in sport
• participation in sport has decreased in all income groups between 1992 and 2005
• there is less participation in sport in 2005 than in 1992 for all income groups
• the decrease in participation has been greatest in income groups C$20 000 to C$49 999
• the decrease has been least in income group C$50 000 or more
• there is a positive relationship between increases in household income and participation in sport.

(i) Economic factors could include:

• income levels in a country
• funding for sports facilities
• recession means that fewer people can afford to participate in sports.

Award [1] for the identification of a factor and an additional [2] for the development of the factor.

If only a generic response is given, and no sports event or sport is named, award up to a maximum of [2].

For example: Many low income countries cannot invest in building and maintaining expensive sporting facilities [1] consequently participation in international sports like swimming that require Olympic-sized pools [1] will be limited as nationals will have nowhere to train [1].

(ii) Political factors could include:

• political initiatives to promote sport
• government investment in sport
• hosting of a major international sporting event, such as the Olympics or football World Cup
• international prestige
• in some Islamic countries, religion, with political backing, may require female athletes to remain fully clothed, inhibiting them from competing.

Award [1] for the identification of a factor and an additional [2] for the development of the factor.

If only a generic response is given, and no sports event or sport is named, award up to a maximum of [2].

For example: In the UK, the government won the hosting of the London Olympics [1], and this resulted in an increase in sport participation in the UK, due to people wanting to emulate the success of athletes [1], and also increased media coverage of sport [1].

Reference should be made to the location of recreation and sports facilities in specific urban areas. The choice of examples may affect the validity of the statement.

While it could be argued that land value is an important factor, other factors such as accessibility, physical factors, and the socio-economic characteristics of different urban zones are also important.

For example, in some countries golf courses are often located on the rural–urban fringe because of the need for large areas of open space and low land values, but also because the wealthier people tend to live in the outer suburbs and have easier access. Also, football stadia are often located close to the central areas of cities, where land values are higher, because of historical factors and ease of access to large numbers of supporters due to good transport facilities. Gymnasia and swimming pools require relatively little land and can locate closer to the centre, and have easier access to a large population. Sometimes, physical factors are important, such as floodplains near a city centre, which can be the location of football pitches, cricket grounds and playing fields.

Good answers may discuss how land values may be of greater importance for understanding the location of some activities than they are for others (recreational spaces such as public parks may have a long and complex history which explains where they are found/protected; whereas the location of sports facilities may be more easily explained using land values). Another approach might be to discuss how the statement may be truer for some places than it is for others.

At band D, expect responses that describe how land values or other factor(s) have influenced where facilities are in a recognizable urban area.

At band E, expect either more detailed explanation of how land values and other factors have influenced facilities, or some critical discussion of the statement.

At band F, expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.