CGS 2024 S4 GY (2279) Prelim Paper 2 - Mark Scheme

This document consists of 14 printed pages and 1 blank page. [Turn over CRESCENT GIRLS’ SCHOOL SECONDARY FOUR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024 GEOGRAPHY Paper 2 Candidates answer on the Question Paper. Additional Materials: Insert 2279/02 27 August 2024 1 hour 45 minutes MARK SCHEME

2 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) Fig. 1 (Insert) is an infographic of the Housing Development Board (HDB) Green Towns Programme. Using Fig. 1 , describe how an urban neigbouhood can be environmentally sustainable. [3] Award 1 mark per point provided, up to 3 marks. Award 1 mark per category. Cap at 2 marks if answer provided made no reference to Fig. 1. • Ample protection for nature o Greenery Intensification: This beautifies our estates and brings the community together as they protect the nature to continue to enjoy the space and what it has to offer. • Having facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling o Reducing Waste: E-waste Recycling Bins fosters e -waste recycling habits in the community. o Dual Bicycle Racks: Encourages cycling as a green transport option. o Electric Vehicle Chargers: Gearing up for an EV-ready future, reducing reliance on conventional use of cars and other vehicles that relies on fuels. • Energy and water - efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes o Recycling Rainwater: Urban Water Harvesting System conserves precious water through recycling rainwater for washing of common areas like corridors and void decks. o Cool Coatings: Creates a cooler and more comfortable living environment without over utilising energy. o Solar Panels: Harness solar energy to power our HDB estates , reducing conventional energy sources. o Smart LED Lighting: sensing and illuminating your path through smart technology, reducing conventional energy sources. o Light Emitting Surfaces and Block Signages: illuminated block signages through energy-efficient technology. o Elevator Energy Regeneration System: recovering energy during lift operation, reducing conventional energy sources. (b) Explain how rooftop gardens may provide ecosystem services for a neighbourhood. [3] Award 1 mark per point explained, up to a maximum of 2 marks per category.

3 [Turn over • Rooftop gardens provides a regulating ecosystem service where the benefits obtained helps to ensure that the ecosystem functions and that life is sustained – functional, clean, sustainable, and resilient to changes. • The surrounding air is purified though photosynthesis where plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and gives out oxygen. It also regulates the air quality by removing pollutants from the atmosphere. • The variety of plants on rooftop gardens facilitate pollination, enhancing the neighbourhood’s biodiversity. • Rooftop gardens also provide provisioning ecosystem service as it provides food for a neighbourhood as some space in these gardens is often allocated for farming. • The food harvested by the community farmers could be shared with others in the neighbourhood. • The rooftop garden also provides cultural ecosystem services through the provision of aesthetic experiences, educational opportunities, and recreational activities. • These aesthetic appreciation and stress relieving activities can improve people’s physical and mental health and foster social belonging and group identity, thus strengthening the sense of place. Fig. 2 shows a Countdown to New Year celebration held in a local Community Hub in the eastern part of Singapore. Countdown to New Year Celebration at a Community Hub Fig. 2 (c) With reference to Fig. 2, explain how people acquire a sense of place in their neighbourhood. [3] Award 1 mark per point provided, up to a maximum of 2 marks per point explained.

4 No cap on marks should no supporting data reference be made from Fig. 2. • We may acquire and strengthen our sense of place due to our repeated encounters with objects and people along familiar paths during our daily travels – the community centre is a common location that residents frequent. • This helps us to recall the features of places that we come across and associate meanings and memories with them. • We may also acquire our sense of place from significant or memorable events that took place at local landmarks and gathering places. • Landmarks are highly visible, easy for most of us to remember and associate with experiences that develop our sense of place. Some landmarks may serve symbolic or historical purposes. (d) Assess the benefits and disadvantages that the relationship between people and nature bring to each other. [6] Reserve 1 mark for evaluation statement provided. Award 1 mark for explanation of benefit/disadvantages provided, up to a maximum of 3 marks per category. Cap at 3 marks if answer is one sided – provided only benefit or limitation. Benefits • Nature areas lower temperatures, remove pollutants and provide recreation space. o The presence of vegetation lowers air temperature by providing shade and reducing the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the ground. Vegetation also cools the surrounding air through evapotranspiration as the water that plants absorb through their roots is released into the air as water vapour. This process uses heat from the surrounding, thus cooling it. o Vegetation is also essential in removing pollutants from the environment on a large scale. The presence of pollutants may lead to harmful effects on people’s health, like respiratory problems. Pollutants may also damage buildings by corroding or discolouring them. Hence, it is important that pollutants in the air are reduced to improve the health of people and the environment. o Nature areas also provide recreational spaces offering numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking, camping, canoeing, hiking and rock climbing. Direct and frequent interactions with nature can bring about a range of health benefits and improve people’s well-being. These interactions can reduce the severity and occurrence of chronic health conditions. • Community activities promote the importance of environmental protection. o Local communities can contribute to the protection of Singapore’s nature areas by collectively raising awareness about the value of nature areas and encourage positive behaviour that does not damage nature. This will in turn will allow them to appreciate the importance of flora and fauna in the environment, leading to greater protection of the species. o Local communities can also organise or participate in conservation efforts that will help to restore the natural habitats,

5 [Turn over providing a healthy environment for species to thrive in the community. Disadvantages • Visitors may cause soil erosion, damage vegetation, worsen pollution and disturb wildlife. o Nature areas may be designed with designated hiking trails that bring people close to nature. However, hiking along non - designated trails in nature areas may result in trampling , causing soil erosion and damaging vegetation, affecting their growth. In addition, the forest floor may be damaged through excessive trampling of the topsoil which leads to soil compaction. o One of the disadvantages brought about by humans to nature is littering. Littering of metal cans, plastic bags and bottles by visitors will result in worsening pollut