2025 CJC Prelim P2 MARK SCHEME

Catholic Junior College JC2 Preliminary Examinations Higher 2 GEOGRAPHY 9173/02 Paper 2 16 September 2025 3 hours Additional Materials: Insert READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An Answer Booklet will be provided with this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper, ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Write your Centre number, index number and name on the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE ON ANY BARCODES. Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer Question 2 in Section B. Answer one question in Section C. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page.

2 Answer Questions 1 and 2 and EITHER Question 3 OR Question 4 Section A Cluster 4 Fieldwork 1 A group of four students conducted fieldwork to understand fluvial flood risk in Kuantan Town, Malaysia. They wanted to examine whether certain areas along the river experience different levels of flooding during the monsoon season. The students selected two sites along public esplanades - Site A at Esplanade Kuantan and Site B at Esplanade Tanjung Api. Their investigation focused on testing the hypothesis: ‘The Esplanade Kuantan area (Site A) has a higher flood risk than Esplanade Tanjung Api (Site B) due to differences in urban development along the river.’ For each site, they created a grid of twenty -five 20m x 20m squares covering an area extending 100m from the river's edge. Using Google Earth imagery, they classified each grid square as either: • Built-up: Areas covered by buildings, roads, and paved surfaces • Recreational space: Parks, sports facilities, and landscaped areas • Natural surface: Undeveloped areas with trees, shrubs, or grass During their field survey, the students used the public walkways at both sites to collect data. Using measuring tapes, they recorded the distance between the river's edge and the nearest buildings. They also noted the riverbank characteristics and measured the width of public walkways. All measurements were taken between 9am and 11am on a weekday to ensure consistency. Resource 1 is a location map showing Sites A and B along the Kuantan River. Resource 2 shows photographs of Sites A and B. Resource 3 shows a sample grid classification. Resource 4 shows the data collected by the students at both sites. (a) With reference to Resource s 2 and 3 , explain the risks the students might face when collecting data at these sites. Award 1 mark for each explanation of the risks the students might face, to a maximum of 5 marks. Award 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Possible responses include: • Working near the river is still risky despite safety barriers as Site B shows only poles with chains which could be insufficient protection [1] particularly when students need to lean over to observe or measure river characteristics in these grid squares [ 1 additional mark]. • Risk of slipping on the walkway as the photographs show paved surfaces that could be slippery when wet [1] especially problematic [5]

3 when students need to move between multiple grid squares while carrying equipment and recording data [1 additional mark]. • Working in open areas creates risk of heat exhaustion as the photographs show limited shade coverage [1] and the grid indicates large areas of recreational and natural spaces where students need to spend time collecting data [1 additional mark]. • Students handling multiple pieces of equipment (measuring tapes, clipboards, data sheets) near the water's edge risk dropping these items into the river, potentially losing data and equipment [1] particularly when leaning over barriers to measure river characteristics in the grid squares adjacent to the water [1 additional mark]. • Risk of tripping on uneven surfaces as the photographs show different surface materials and levels [1] particularly when moving between different land use types shown in the grid to collect data [ 1 additional mark]. AO1 (b) With reference to Resource s 2 and 3 , suggest how the students could minimise their impact at these public spaces during data collection. Award 1 mark for each suggestion on how the students could minimise their impact, to a maximum of 5 marks. Award 1 additional mark for further development of each suggestion, where applicable. Possible responses include: • Students should split into smaller groups along the walkway rather than working as one large group, which reduces congestion and allows public users to pass through easily [1] . T his is particularly important given the narrow walkways visible in the photographs and the need to cover multiple grid squares shown in Resource 3 [1 additional mark]. • Setting up temporary data collection points at wider sections of the walkway minimis es disruption as it avoids students constantly moving around and blocking paths [1]. This allows efficient coverage of adjacent grid squares while keeping most of the walkway clear for public use [1 additional mark]. • Conducting fieldwork during early morning hours when there are fewer users reduces interference with recreational activities and normal public use of the space [1]. This is especially important given the photographs show public facilities and the grid shows large areas of recreational space [1 additional mark]. AO1 [5] (c) Explain how the timing of data collection could affect the results of this investigation. Award 1 mark for each explanation of how the timing of data collection [5]

4 could affect the results, to a maximum of 5 marks. Award 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Possible responses include: • Taking measurements when water levels are high would affect the visibility of riverbank characteristics, resulting in incomplete assessment of the bank conditions and materials [1]. Lower water levels would allow better observation of the full riverbank structure [1 additional mark]. • Poor lighting conditions early or late in the day would make it harder to accurately distinguish and classify different land use types in each grid square, leading to potential errors in the land use percentages [1]. This is especially significant when trying to differentiate between recreational and natural surfaces where boundaries may be less distinct [1 additional mark]. • Collecting measurements during heavy rain would make it difficult to use measuring tapes accurately for distances from river edge to buildings and walkway widths [1]. • Collecting data during bright midday sun could create strong shadows from buildings and trees, making it challenging to clearly identify boundaries between different land use types [1]. AO1 (d) With reference to Resource 3, explain two problems the students might face when using this method to classify different types of land use. Award 1 mark for each explanation of the problems the students might face when using this method to classify different types of land use , to a maximum of 4 marks. Award 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Possible responses include: • The grid squares might contain multiple land use types, making it difficult to decide which single category to assign to that square [1]. For example, a square might contain both a paved walkway (built - up) a