Examine why opportunities for agriculture vary from place to place in hot, arid environments.

Evaluate the main opportunities and challenges for indigenous groups in extreme environments.

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

Hot, arid areas are characterized by high temperatures and low, variable annual rainfall. There is some possibility for farming, especially where water conservation and irrigation methods are used. Opportunities for agriculture will vary spatially due to factors such as access to water supply, for example by water transfer schemes, the exploitation of aquifers, access to land, capital and economic development, and different irrigation technologies. Challenges include low soil fertility, access to surface and groundwater supplies, salinization and desertification; economic and social inequalities.

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

• Hot, arid areas are characterised by low, variable rainfall, limited surface water supplies, low soil moisture content, lack of vegetation and infertile soils.
• Opportunities will vary partly due to differences in economic development between different places.
• Opportunities are created by traditional farming, including pastoral nomadism. Traditional irrigation systems allow intensive farming along rivers and oases.
• In recent years, large-scale irrigation systems, advanced irrigation technologies, utilization of aquifers, and desalinization plants have expanded commercial farming in different places.
• Large-scale water transfers have also allowed expansion of commercial farming in different places.
• Commercialization of agriculture, specialization in certain crops and access to capital and external markets have also occurred.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines the way in which opportunities vary between different types of place and at different scales. These might reflect different agricultural systems, access to water supply and irrigation, access to capital and external markets, and the large-scale commercialization of agriculture. Another approach might be to examine the varying power of different stakeholders in the possibility of agricultural development.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly evidenced outlining of some agricultural opportunities in hot, arid environments.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of why agricultural opportunities may vary in hot, arid environments
• 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).

Candidates may refer to hot, arid or cold extreme environments, or to both. The main challenges and opportunities for indigenous groups include adaptation to global climatic change, management of desertification, increasing competition for access to resources (e.g. oil, minerals, fish), and access to new technologies. There may be conflicts between different stakeholders, including indigenous people, national governments and transnational corporations (TNCs). It is not expected that candidates will consider all of these traits, but the focus should be on opportunities and challenges facing indigenous groups.

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

• Adaptation to climate change – e.g. melting of ice sheets and permafrost; changes in rainfall patterns – e.g. droughts; and change to natural ecosystems, wildlife and migration patterns of animals.
• Economic development may be facilitated, leading to improvements in transport and communications, reduction in isolation, and increased wealth and job opportunities.
• Increased competition for access to resources – e.g. minerals, fossil fuels and fish).
• Challenges include threats to traditional ways of life, and conflicts between different stakeholders – indigenous groups, national governments and TNCs.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that examines the way in which opportunities and challenges vary between different places, and how these might vary over time. The relative power of different stakeholders might be considered in relation to the impact on indigenous groups. Another approach might be to examine contrasting places and the varying prospects for sustainable development (economy, society, environment) for indigenous groups.

For 5–6 marks, expect weakly evidenced outlining of some opportunities and/or challenges for indigenous groups in extreme environments.

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

• either an evidenced explanation of the opportunities and challenges facing indigenous groups in extreme environments
• or a discursive conclusion (or ongoing evaluation) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

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

Neither essay was particularly well done as in both cases responses were descriptive with the main key word opportunities (and challenges) often omitted as the focus.

Neither essay was particularly well done as in both cases responses were descriptive with the main key word opportunities (and challenges) often omitted as the focus.