Briefly describe any two distinct patterns shown by the data on the graph.

Explain the reasons for the occurrence and severity of a specific drought event that you have studied.

Referring to examples, examine why the geographic impacts of disasters vary in space and time.

For each pattern, award 2 marks for its brief description, including quantification.

The graph reveals several patterns. The number of people exposed to drought in an average year tends to be higher in more populous countries such as India, Indonesia and China. The countries where the highest percentages of national population are exposed to drought in any given year tend to be relatively small in both population and in area, though Indonesia is a clear exception. Any two distinct valid patterns should be credited.

Award 1 mark for the identification of when and where a specific drought event occurred and a further 1 mark for a description of its severity. The remaining 4 marks should be reserved for the explanation of why the event occurred and for its severity. For 4 marks both must be explained, though it is not necessary for both to be explained in equal detail.

Responses that do not focus on a specific drought event may not be awarded more than 3 marks.

There are many factors explaining why the impacts of disasters vary in space and time, and candidates are expected to include a variety of ideas in their answers.

The impacts of disasters depend on the type of hazard event leading to the disaster. For example, a drought has very different impacts, in both time and space, to a volcanic eruption. The impacts of disasters are not only determined by the characteristics of the hazard event, but also by the characteristics of the population and economic activity in the area concerned. The vulnerability of the population varies spatially, and with time. Impacts will be reduced if well-rehearsed response plans work effectively. Conversely, impacts may be increased if the first signs of an upcoming disaster are ignored. For a disaster of any given magnitude, it is often argued that more lives may be lost, but that the value of property damage will be less, in economically less developed nations than in more developed nations.

Other valid ideas should also be credited.

It is not necessary for variations in space and time to be treated equally. Answers examining both aspects of the question in some detail are likely to be credited at bands E/F. Examples are a specific requirement of the question and are required to access band D and above.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.