Examine ways in which people’s dietary choices are sometimes influenced by different types of transnational corporation (TNC).

Examine the role of diffusion and barriers in the spread of disease. 

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

People’s habits of food consumption and dietary choices have undergone significant changes in recent years in both higher-income and lower-income countries. The food chain, from production to marketing and consumption, is increasingly dominated by large TNCs that influence people’s food choices. There is an increasing uniformity of food production and consumption, and concern that poor diets may lead to a greater incidence of obesity and heart disease. Food consumption habits and dietary choices may be influenced by different types of TNC – eg agribusiness, media, supermarkets and fast-food franchises.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• Agribusinesses form a crucial role in the food chain, from production (supply) to marketing and consumption.
• TNCs ensure a relatively cheap, reliable and consistent supply of food.
• Supermarkets, the media and fast-food chains promote certain types of food, affecting people’s diets.
• Need for uniformity leads to a reduction in variability and lack of choice of different types of foodstuffs.
• Close links between production and retailing of food through outlets such as supermarkets, fast-food outlets, pre-cooked meals and other food supplies.
• A link between advertising in the media and agribusinesses, influencing patterns of consumption.
• Dietary choices may vary over time and space.
• Changing patterns of food consumption in low-income countries – movement away from traditional forms of agriculture and foodstuffs. Reduction in diversity of food production and diets.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that examines the relative power of different categories/types/examples of TNC (eg, media, agribusinesses, supermarkets, fast-food franchises). Different places, eg isolated rural communities, could be less affected than people in urban centres. There is also the possibility that TNC influence is limited by factors like government health campaigns.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of how one or more different types of TNCs have influenced people’s diets.

For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account that includes:

• either an evidenced explanation of how two or more different types of TNCs have influenced people’s dietary choices
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

The spread of infectious diseases may be increased by increasing globalization, and the movement of people between different parts of the world. Some disease outbreaks, such as influenza, may spread rapidly over a wide area. Although physical controls are important in limiting the spread, human factors, such as vaccination, quarantine and education play a crucial role.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• Responses may focus on one or more named diseases.
• Types of diffusion of diseases include expansion and relocation.
• Geographic factors may act as barriers in the spread of disease and the rate of diffusion.
• Barriers may be physical (relief or water features), political (eg, quarantine), economic or social (eg, controls such as vaccination campaigns). The role of international bodies, such as relief workers and the UN, might also be considered.
• Responses should refer to the areal spread of disease, at different scales, and the rates of diffusion.
• The effectiveness of barriers may also vary according to the disease.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that focuses on the spatial interaction between places with respect to the spread of disease, and the power of different stakeholders to erect effective barriers. Another approach is to examine different diffusion processes and the extent to which barriers are effective.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of how diffusion and/or barriers affect the spread of disease(s).

For 7–8 marks, expect a structured account that includes:

• either an evidenced explanation of the role of diffusion and barriers (do not expect balance) in the spread of disease(s)
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.

The requirement to look at different types of transnational corporations was missed by many who only wrote about fast food restaurants and many of the answers did not focus on the changing of diet. Due to the limited choice of TNCs these answers lacked depth and specific details and could not elaborate on the combined influence they have had on the dietary choices. The better responses gave more TNC-specific details and highlighted the interrelationships and nexus of some of the following: media-agribusiness-supermarkets-food processing-fast food franchises. They also looked at the changes happening in the industry as a result of the greater awareness of healthy eating in some societies.

All responses included at least one or more named diseases, the popular ones being malaria, cholera and Covid-19. The best answers were able to look more broadly at the role of diffusion and barriers in many diseases although there was a tendency to write more about the role of barriers than diffusion. A few responses gave a detailed account of all the different types of barriers and diffusion with numerous examples.