2025 JPJC Prelim P1 Answer Scheme

H2 Geography Paper 1 Suggested Answers Section A Cluster 1: Development, Economy and Environment 1 Resource 1 shows a cartoon depicting inequality at World Trade Organization (WTO) Talks. Resource 2 shows World Bank lending by region in 2021. Resource 3 shows the WTO membership and global trade share (1995 – 2020). (a) Suggest reasons for the growing interdependence between places in the global economy. [4] Award 1 mark for each explanation for the growing interdependence between places in the global economy, to a maximum of 4 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. 1. The liberalisation of trade policies and reduction of trade barriers (e.g. tariffs, quotas) through multilateral agreements (e.g. WTO) have enabled countries to exchange goods and services more freely, leading to increased reliance on imports and exports across regions. 2. TNCs have developed global production networks (GPNs) where production processes are distributed across multiple countries (e.g. raw materials sourced from one country, manufacturing in another, and consumption elsewhere), creating interdependence among countries involved in different production stages. 3. Global financial markets have become more integrated, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and portfolio investments flowing across borders. Developing economies, in particular, rely on capital inflows from developed countries and multilateral institutions to finance infrastructure and growth. 4. Labour mobility across borders has led to a flow of skilled and unskilled workers between countries. Remittances sent back home by migrant workers contribute significantly to the GDP of many developing nations, creating economic ties between sending and receiving countries. (b) Describe the criticisms shown in Resource 1 on the role of WTO in the global economy. [4] Award 1 mark for each description of criticisms on the role of WTO, to a maximum of 4 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each description, where applicable. • The cartoon suggests that the WTO, while intended as a multilateral platform, is heavily influenced by the governments of rich nations and large multinational corporations. This creates a power imbalance in shaping global trade rules. • The ants symbolise developing countries that are sidelined in WTO talks, highlighting the criticism that poorer nations often have little say in trade negotiations that directly affect their economies. • The caption, “When elephants mate, many ants get crushed,” reflects how WTO-led liberalisation, such as reductions in subsidies or tariff barriers, may benefit stronger economies but place smaller, less competitive economies at risk of harm. • The cartoon questions the WTO’s role as a supposedly neutral regulator of trade. In practice, its processes often amplify the voices of powerful economies, undermining fairness and inclusiveness in global economic governance. (c) Using Resource 2, describe the pattern of World Bank lending in 2021. [5] Award 1 mark for each description of the pattern of World Bank lending, to a maximum of 5 marks.

2 Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each description, where applicable. • The spatial distribution shows a clear development-oriented pattern, with greater assistance to less developed or economically vulnerable regions. • Sub-Saharan Africa (US$29.4 billion) and South Asia (US$21.8 billion) received the highest amounts of lending. • Europe & Central Asia (US$11.9 billion) and Middle East & North Africa (US$7.6 billion) received the lowest amounts. • The lending to Sub-Saharan Africa (US$29.4 billion) exceeds that of the next highest region, South Asia, by a notable margin of US$7.6 billion. • Sub-Saharan Africa received nearly four times more than the Middle East & North Africa, highlighting its distinct position in lending patterns. (d) With reference to Resource 3, explain why WTO membership and its global trade share have changed from 1995 to 2020. [6] Award 1 mark for each explanation on why WTO membership and its global trade share have changed from 1885 to 2020, to a maximum of 6 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. 1. Membership increased from 128 in 1995 to 164 in 2020 because the WTO offers reduced tariffs, removal of quotas, and elimination of discriminatory trade practices. This made it attractive for countries seeking greater access to global markets, leading to a broader membership base and more trade conducted within the WTO framework. 2. Countries joined to benefit from the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism and its platform for multilateral negotiations, which provide stability, predictability, and fairness in market access. This boosted trade among members as businesses could operate with more certainty about trade regulations and enforcement. 3. Beyond traditional North–South trade, developing countries began trading more with each other due to lower barriers under WTO agreements. This increased the volume of trade within the WTO membership, raising the members’ share of global trade from 90% in 1995 to 97% in 2020. (e) Using Resources 2 and 3, explain how multilateral institutions can promote economic development. [5] Award 1 mark for each explanation on how multilateral institutions can promote economic development, to a maximum of 5 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. 1. Resource 2 shows that Sub-Saharan Africa received the highest World Bank lending (US$29.4 billion), followed by South Asia (US$21.8 billion), reflecting the World Bank’s role in directing capital towards regions with greater development needs, such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. 2. As shown in Resource 3, WTO membership expanded from 128 in 1995 to 164 in 2020, allowing more countries—especially developing and transition economies—to integrate into global trade, which supports export-led growth and industrialisation . 3. The increase in global trade share of WTO members (from 90% in 1995 to 97% in 2020) shown in Resource 3 suggests greater participation of developing countries in the global economy, leading to expanded trade opportunities, job creation, and income growth.

3 (f) Explain why multilateral institutions may be more influential than other actors in shaping the global economy. [6] Award 1 mark for each explanation on why multilateral institutions may be more influential than other actors in shaping the global economy, to a maximum of 6 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. 1. Institutions like the WTO establish legal frameworks for trade, such as the Most- Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle and dispute resolution systems, which shape how member states and corporations operate within the global economy. 2. As seen in Resource 3, WTO membership expanded from 128 in 1995 to 164 in 2020, with developing countries accounting for a growing share of global trade (from 90% to 97%). This demonstrates their role in integrating more economies into the global system . 3. Resource 2 shows how the World Bank channels significant development lending to less developed regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa (US$29.4 billion) and South Asia (US$21.8 billion), funding essential infrastructure, healthcare, and education, which individual firms or labour actors cannot provide. Section B Cluster 2: Tropical Environments 2 Resource 4 shows the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and wind prevailing wind directions in January and July. Resource 5 shows a climate graph of Kolkata, India. Resou