2NA GEOG REVISION EXERCISE
ANSWERS
1. a) Most populated: Country C
Least populated: Country D
b) 3 factors:
• Preference for sons
• Need for farm labour
• Early marriages
c) 3 consequences:
• Higher demand for resources
• Higher demand for housing
• Higher demand for jobs
d) 2 measures:
• Encouraging marriage and childbearing
• Building more childcare centres to look after children when parents are at work
2. a) Rate of natural increase refers to how fast a population grows.
b) Country A: 7.7-5.3= 2.2
Country C: 9-9=0
3. People tend to live in places where the climate is not too hot or cold [1] and suitable for human beings to settle in [1].

Population
a. 3 reasons for low population growth:
• Later marriages
• Fewer marriages where people prefer to remain single
• Preference for smaller families
d. 4 possible consequences:
• Higher taxes to be paid by working people
• Ageing population
• Smaller talent pool
• Weaker defence force as there is lack of young men to defend the country
e. 3 solutions:
• Encourage marriage and childbearing
• Meeting the needs of the elderly
• Helping the elderly keep healthy
Water Resources
a. Water is essential for lives [1] and there is increasing demand for water by industries and growing population [1].
b. 2 measures:
• Water from local catchment areas [refer to p.g.132 in textbook for elaboration]
• Imported Water [p.g.133]
c. 3 ways to save water:
• Taking shorter showers instead of baths
• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth
• Use water for washing rice to water the plants
Agriculture
a. Wet rice cultivation
b. It is traditionally a form of subsistence farming to provide food for own family consumption. [1]
d. Purpose: Wet rice cultivation is more of a subsistence farming [1] whereas high-tech farming is a form of commercial farming [1].
Land: Both wet rice cultivation and high-tech farming use small piece of land for farming [2].
Labour: Wet rice cultivation requires much labour [1] whereas high-tech farming requires few labour and is highly mechanised [1].
Capital: Low capital is required in wet rice cultivation [1] and huge capital is needed in high-tech farming [1].
d. Singapore has a small land area and high-tech farming requires small piece of land [1].
Reduces its food imports from other countries [1].
Reduces the need for human labour as they are highly mechanised [1].
It maximises output from a given plot of land [1].
Pollution
a. Air pollution [1].
b. Burning of fossil fuels by industries [1]
c. 2 effects:
• Dust and smoke can cause difficulty in breathing as well as irritate people’s eyes and throats. [1]
• People can develop respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. [1]
d. Air pollution reduces visibility which is a traffic hazard [1]. It makes it difficult for us to see distant objects [1]. Airports may have to stop all flights [1]. Reduced visibility also threatens safety of drivers on the road. [1]
e. 2 causes of water pollution:
• Improper disposal of sewage
• Oil spills
f. Poison accumulated in bodies of fish may pass on to us when we consume the fish. [1] People may suffer from cholera and typhoid when they drink contaminated water. [1]
g. Singapore works with Indonesia and Malaysia to help prevent pollution in the Malacca and Singapore straits. [1] All ships passing through have to report any defect or damage they may have to prevent water pollution. [1]

Sec 2NA Geography Revision on Structured Questions

Answer all questions on foolscap paper.

Question 1

1) Fig. 1 shows the population pyramid of Germany in 2005.



Fig. 1

a) Using evidence from Fig 1, describe the main characteristics of the population of Germany. [4m]

• The narrow base of the population pyramid indicates a low birth rate and a low fertility rate. [1] This suggests that the population is likely to be educated and able to engage in family planning. [1]
• The working population makes up the majority of the population suggesting that the population is likely to be skilled. [1] This also indicates that they are able to support the dependents in their country. [1]
• The number of old dependents reflects a long life expectancy and a relatively low death rate.




b) (i) What population problem is Germany facing? [1m]

Ageing population

(ii) Explain 2 factors which have led to the population problem faced by Germany. [4m]

• The education of women makes them more aware of choices they have as well as birth control methods. They tend to spend more time building up their careers before getting married hence decreasing their child-bearing years.
• People value the freedom of being single and a carefree life therefore they marry later and this decreases child-bearing years.
• As the standard of living increases, the cost of raising children also increases therefore couples tend to have fewer children as a large family is deemed costly and seen as a burden.

c) (i) State the consequences of such a population problem. [2m]
• Burden on the working population as they have to bear more taxes to support the elderly.
• Much of the country’s resources are channelled towards needs of the elderly and competes with other important needs.
• A reduction of workforce especially in industry and defence sectors.
• A reduction of workforce which slows down the economy of a country.

(ii) With reference to a specific example, explain 2 measures the government can take to deal with this population problem. [4m]
• The government can provide cash incentives for families. In Singapore, couples which children get income tax relief, subsidies for healthcare and cash gifts known as a ‘Baby Bonuses’. This lessens the financial burden on families and they will be willing to have more children.
• The government can provide welfare at the workplace. In Singapore, employers are encouraged to allow flexible working hours or part-time employment in order to allow employees to spend time with their children. With less pressure from their workplace, couples will be willing to have more children.
• The government can come up with special housing schemes. In Singapore, housing schemes allow young couples to buy bigger flats if they live near their parents. This enables young couples to look after their parents easily and also keeps the elderly busy when they look after their grandchildren.


d) Describe TWO problems of a low population growth in Singapore.
• A smaller workforce and an ageing workforce: Affects economic development because productivity is reduced
• Less revenue for the Government – a smaller labour force means less tax collected and thus less money for the government to spend on infrastructure, facilities, amenities and other development programmes for the country.
• A smaller defence force as there would be a smaller number of young men to protect Singapore.
• Increase in the needs of the elderly such as health care and housing with a larger group of elderly.

e) List FOUR ways Singapore government can cope with Singapore’s population problem.
• Encouraging parents to have more babies
• Increasing the population through immigration
• Encouraging the population to keep fit
• Helping people plan for old age
• Encouraging families to look after their elderly

Question 2

2a) Describe the characteristics of high-tech farming. [3m]
• Commercial in nature. Crops grown include vegetables, flowers and fruits which are sold locally and exported overseas.
• High capital inputs like shelters and greenhouses, technologies like computers and automation devices that can add up to a few million dollars.
• Requires constant research and development in order to meet market demands.
• Less human labour required as farms are highly mechanised.
• Output per unit area is high.

b) Describe the characteristics of shifting cultivation. [3m]
• Subsistence in nature. Crops grown include maize and tapioca which are for farmer’s family consumption.
• Low capital and technology used as tools are man-made.
• Small plot of land is cultivated.
• Depend on family labour in the farming process.
• Output per unit area is low.

Comparison between shifting cultivation and high-tech farming
Shifting Cultivation High-tech
Labour
• Family labour is used
• much work is required in the initial stages of clearing the land and sowing of seeds.
• Unskilled labour Labour
• The need for human labour is reduced as high-tech farms are highly mechanised.
• Skilled labour/ professionals
Capital
• Little or no capital is required
• use simple farming tools and seeds from previous harvests
Capital
• Huge investments are required
• Due to the use of the latest technology, farm chemicals and cost of research and development.

c) Fig. 2 shows a comment made by a student


Fig. 2

i) With reference to Fig. 2, explain why high-tech farming in Singapore has become increasingly popular in recent years. [4m]
• Land is scarce in Singapore therefore people are unable to continue with traditional methods of farming.
• High-tech farming takes up less space and able to provide a controlled and optimum environment for products to be grown
• High-tech methods allow farmers to produce high-quality products at prices that are reasonable to benefit consumers.
• High-tech farming allows Singapore to produce its own vegetables therefore reducing dependence on imports.

ii) State 1 challenge of high-tech farming in Singapore and describe how farmers have responded to it. [2m]
• Competition from imported fruits and vegetables has discouraged farmers from expanding operations.
• Farmers ventured into agribusiness by offering educational programmes, opening restaurants that use the farm’s produce and providing farm-stays to students and the public.

d) Explain why high-tech farming is considered environmentally friendly. [3m]
• Nutrient solution is sprayed directly into the roots and does not tamper with the soil quality.
• Pesticides are seldom used as the crops are protected by netting or in greenhouses. As such, pesticides do not seep into the soil and damage it.
• They are also not carried away by rain into water bodies and do not harm the aquatic life.
• As high-tech farms are generally located near markets, less fuel for transportation purpose is used. Therefore, less exhaust fumes are discharged into the air.


Question 3

3a) Fig. 3 shows a sketch of a town.


Fig. 3

(i) With reference to Fig. 3, identify 2 causes of air pollution. [2m]

• Burning of forests
• Emission of harmful gases from factories

(ii) Explain how air pollution would affect the people living in the town. [4m]
• People will suffer from health hazards because air pollutants irritate the throat and nose passage hence resulting in respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis.
• The carbon dioxide content in the air will increase as there are lesser trees to take them in and burning emits them. Rain reacts with carbon dioxide and forms acid rain which destroys crops, forests and lakes.

b) With reference to a country, describe how measures to control air pollution
can be taken at a national level. [4m]
• The government can impose laws and regulations.
• In Europe, factories and power plants are required to install pollution-control devices such as scrubbers to separate solid and liquid pollutants.
• Petrol driven vehicles are fitted with catalytic convertors which convert harmful exhaust gases into carbon dioxide and water vapour.
• Factories and vehicle owners who do not comply to laws are regulations are heavily fined.

c) (i) What is global warming? [2m]
• A phenomenon whereby global temperatures rise
• Due to harmful gases which trap heat in the atmosphere.

(ii) Explain how air pollution might lead to global warming. [3m]
• Air pollutants consist of greenhouse gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide.
• These gases trap heat from the sun and keep them in the atmosphere
• Overtime the heat builds up in the atmosphere and causes an increase in the global temperature, hence leading to global warming.


Question 4
4 a Read the newspaper headline given below.


PM lee opens Singapore’s first desalination plant in Tuas
“A milestone in Singapore’s water supply – our fourth National Tap” 14 September 2005




(i) Name the other three National taps. [3]
• Water from catchment areas
• Imported water
• NEWater
(ii) Why is the opening of the desalination plant an important step towards Singapore’s water supply? Suggest two reasons. [2]
• Building a desalination plant increases our self-sufficiency of water supply when agreements with Malaysia end.
• This plant can produce 30 million gallons a day to meet the growing needs of the people.
(iii) With four National taps, why is there still a need to encourage Singaporeans to conserve water? [4]
• Small land area of 700 square kilometres: Limited places for water catchment areas and reservoirs.
• Presence of small rivers: Only a small volume of water can be attained from such rivers running through the country.
• Dry spells in some months: Dry and hot spells indicate a lack of rainfall in some months hence reducing water supply then.
• Increasing population: There is an increased demand for water for daily use.
• Expansion of industries and business: Increased demand for water for manufacturing industries and commercial sectors like shipping, tourism and food & beverage.

(iv) From an environmentalist’s point of view, state the advantages and disadvantages of desalination as a source of water supply. [6]
Advantages:
o Seawater is easily available for coastal regions.
o Seawater is free.
o Seawater is in abundance and will not be depleted.
o Seawater desalination does not disturb the hydrologic cycle.
Disadvantages:
o High costs of setting up desalination plants
o High operating costs
o Burning of fuels pollute the air, unless an alternative is used
o Drawing of water from a sea depth of 100 m may cause destruction to coral reefs and endanger marine creatures


Question 5
5 The table below shows information about the population in four countries. Study the details and answer the following questions.

COUNTRY POPULATION
(million) BIRTH RATE
(per 1000 people) DEATH RATE
(per 1000 people)
The Philippines 87 25 5
Ethiopia 1000 22 8
India 73 35 10
Australia 20 12 7
Figure 5


(a) (i) Which country has the highest rate of natural increase? [1]
India
(ii) Calculate the natural increase for the country mentioned in a (i).
Show your working.
35-25= 25
[2]
(b) Describe TWO reasons why countries like India and Ethiopia have such high birth rates. [4]
• Need for more hands on farms
• Protection against old age
• Early marriages and frequent pregnancies
• Poor family planning
• Preference for male in the family
• Religions do not allow abortion
(c) Explain TWO of the problems countries with high population growth will face. [4]
• Overcrowding
• Strain on government spending
• Need for increased food supplies
(d) Describe TWO strategies/ methods to solve the problems of a rapid growing population.

• ‘Stop At Two’ population campaign
• Legalisation of sterilization
• Educating people about the benefits of family planning
• Disincentives for having more than two children [4]

Answer keys . Please study them , though its late .GoodLuck all !. MYE ! :D