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