Date | November 2018 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 18N.2.bp.5 |
Level | SL and HL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | |
Command term | Explain | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The photograph shows part of the Himalaya in the Everest region of Nepal in summer.
Referring to the photograph, identify landform A and landform B.
Briefly outline how the landform at C was formed.
Explain two possible challenges posed by the environment to the economic activities of people living in areas like area D shown in the photograph.
Examine the opportunities for agriculture in hot, arid areas.
Markscheme
Award [1] for both of the following correct:
A: pyramidal peak / horn / mountain peak
B: arête / ridge
Award [1] for each valid point.
For example: Landform C (corrie/cwm/cirque) formed at the head of a glacier [1] by the processes of plucking and abrasion [1] leading to deepening/recession [1].
Full credit can be awarded for an annotated diagram.
Award [1] for each challenge and [2] for explanation.
Challenges include: extreme cold in winter, lack of sunshine, surrounding steep slopes, threat of avalanches, stony and thin soils, remoteness, inaccessibility in winter, meltwater run-off in spring and summer.
For example: The area has severe cold weather [1] so a short growing season [1], which limits the value of the crops that can be produced [1].
Hot, arid areas are characterized by high temperatures and low/variable annual rainfall. Annual rainfall varies between 250 mm and 500 mm, so there is some possibility for farming, especially where water conservation methods are used.
Opportunities are created by:
- nomadism (the traditional way of dealing with insufficient amounts of rainfall and pasture)
- maximizing water availability (eg irrigation in areas close to rivers or oases/aquifers; creation of bunds, stone lines, etc to trap water; use of desalinization plants for water in high income countries
- improving agricultural practices (eg increased use of drought-tolerant species; land enclosure to reduce wind erosion; limiting the numbers of grazing animals; careful choice of crops, cultivation techniques and continuous monitoring; use of fertilizers; irrigating with silt-laden river water to restore soil in badly eroded areas.
Good answers will present a structured response which will explain a wide range of opportunities for hot, arid areas, or some critical discussion of whether one or more opportunities have actually been realized by different groups/stakeholders/perspectives in different places (with varying wealth, technology, etc). There may be some discussion on whether opportunities have increased or lessened over time.
At band D, expect a description of some opportunities for agriculture in hot, arid areas.
At band E, expect either a detailed explanation of some opportunities for agriculture in hot arid areas or a structured examination of different agricultural opportunities in varying contexts.
At band F, expect both.
Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 2 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).