Explain how two new technologies can be used to manage risks created by global flows of data and/or people.

“Physical factors are the main reason why cultural diversity varies from place to place.” Discuss this statement.

Marks should be allocated according to the paper 3 part A markbands. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

A new technology is most likely a digital technology developed in the last few decades, ideally in the student’s own lifetime. Steam trains should not be regarded as new in the context of this question. The Subject Guide requires study of drones, 3D printing, crowd-sourcing technology, cybersecurity measures and e-passports. Global flows of people and data generate risks; new technologies can help mitigate these risks.

Possible uses of new technologies:

• Cybersecurity measures are increasingly used to monitor data flows for signs of terrorist activity, etc.
• E-passports help establish the identity of migrants as record numbers of people move.
• GIS / satellite technology helps identify illegal activities (movements of people, people trafficking etc).
• Drones can help find people moving away from disaster zones, etc.
• Credit any technology that can be linked in a valid way to relevant global flows.
• Credit any valid attempt to link a new technology with the management of a pandemic caused by movements of people.

Good answers may apply (AO2) a wider range of knowledge and understanding (AO1) in a well-structured way (AO4). One approach might be to provide a structured, systematic analysis of how each technology helps mitigate/manage risk. Another approach might be to analyse the nature of the risks that are associated with these global flows in different located contexts.

For 4–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of the way one or two technologies can help manage people/data/risks.

For 7–9 marks, expect a structured, evidenced analysis of:

• either the way two technologies can be used to manage people and/or data
• or the way risks are mitigated/managed by the two technologies.

For 10–12 marks, expect both of these traits.

Credit all content in line with the markbands. Marks should be allocated according to the paper 3 part B markbands. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials. Credit unexpected approaches wherever relevant.

Possible applied themes (AO2) include knowledge and understanding (AO1) of:

• what is meant by cultural diversity and cultural traits
• the role of migration and diasporas in giving rise to diversity
• the geography of physically isolated areas (island states, remote and hard-to-reach rural areas)
• political factors affecting cultural diversity and cultural isolation (eg, migration rules)
• historical factors responsible for cultural diversity/homogeneity eg, colonialism
• shrinking world / spread of global culture and the lessening of diversity in some places eg, loss of languages.

Good answers may synthesize (AO3a) three of more of the above (or other) themes in a well-structured (AO4) way.

Good answers may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3b) of the statement, which discusses its veracity at different scales or for different contexts (local, rural, urban, national). Another approach might be to critically discuss different perspectives on what cultural diversity means, eg dimensions of language/religion/ethnicity, and the extent to which physical factors/isolation could affect each of these dimensions. A good discussion may conclude with a substantiated final judgement on the relative importance or significance of physical factors.

For 5–8 marks, expect weakly evidenced and/or imbalanced outlining of two or three relevant themes.

For 9–12 marks, expect:

• either a structured synthesis that links together several well-evidenced themes from the Guide, including one physical factor.
• or a critical conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) informed by geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 13–16 marks, expect both of these traits.

This was the least popular question and it was not always effectively answered. Too many candidates seemed to have stopped reading the question at the word "used". They proceeded to explain how drones or other forms of surveillance can be used by governments to manage their own citizens and businesses without making any connections with the global dimension of the question.

Candidates who engaged fully with the question applied their knowledge in a far more satisfactory way. They correctly viewed technologies such as e-passports and firewalls as ways of managing global data and population flows. They were also explicit in their analysis of the global risks attached to these flows such as the spread of global terror cells or harmful computer viruses.

A minority of excellent answers linked the chosen technologies with the management of the global spread of Covid-19. Examiners credited a wide range of new technologies if they were satisfactorily linked with the concept of global risk management. It was, however, clear that a significant number of candidates attempting this question were unfamiliar with the portion of the course which this question examines. Instead, they were relying on everyday knowledge of computers, emails and firewalls.

Very few good answers to this question were produced. Typically, two weaknesses were apparent in the responses of candidates. Firstly, many wrote very little about physical factors. In some cases, candidates began by saying: "Physical factors are unimportant because globalization is the main reason". Any response that wilfully ignores the main focus of the question is always unlikely to reach the upper mark bands. Secondly, candidates confused the idea of cultural diversity in places with the idea of cultural difference between places. Thus, they explained how isolation, or an extreme environment might be linked with the development of a distinctive indigenous local culture. This is not evidence of cultural diversity, though.

The candidates who performed well in this question were usually able to discuss the extent to which geographic isolation or the presence of natural resources has encouraged or discouraged past or present migration flows and thus increased diversity.