MGS 2025 GEOG PRELIM P2 MS

METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL Founded in 1887 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 Secondary 4 GEOGRAPHY Paper 2 Friday 2279/02 29 August 2025 1 hour 45 minutes ANSWER SCHEME

2 Section A Answer all questions from this section. 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) Study Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 (Insert), which show recreational areas in Singapore. (i) Using Figs. 1.1 and 1.2, suggest two types of ecosystem services that recreational areas provide. [4] ● Supporting services: Dried leaves that fall from those tall trees in the photo contribute to organic matter that decompose and break down into soil, which is essential for the health of the terrestrial ecosystems, providing a habitat for billions of organisms and contributing to biodiversity. ● Supporting services: The trees in the photo also photosynthesize by taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen, reducing global warming as carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which traps heat. An excessive amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will lead to heat being trapped in the atmosphere, causing global warming. ● Cultural services: Both areas in the photo provide recreational activities like hiking/trekking/walking that improves people’s physical and mental health. ● Regulating services: The trees in the photo provide shade for the users of the park, making the microclimate more suitable for daily activities by lowering temperatures in the immediate area. AO2 Award 4m for any 4 points. At 3 least types of ecosystem services should be covered for full marks. Max 3 marks if only 2 or less types covered. Accept other possible answers. (ii) With reference to Fig. 1.2, explain how a sense place can develop through the use of shared spaces. [3] ● A sense of place is developed when people associate importance, meanings and memories with specific locations in their neighbourhoods through interactions with their natural and built environments, ● And when individuals repeatedly encounter people and objects along familiar paths or roads during regular travel ● Sense of place also develops when individuals experience significant or memorable events at local landmarks and gathering places AO1

3 Accept other possible answers. (b) Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), which shows a comparison of fire hazards in Singapore between the first half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. Using Fig. 1.3, compare number and types of fire hazards in Singapore between the same periods of 2022 and 2023. [4] ● Total fire calls increased slightly from 918 in 2022 to 967 in 2023, a 5% rise. ● Most of this increase was from other fires (e.g., discarded items, vegetation, vehicles) rose significantly from 200 to 281, a 40.5% increase. This number might include the increase in fires involving PMDs. ● Between 2022 and 2023, fires at residential premises rose slightly from 480 to 493, a 2.7% increase. ● The only decrease was for fires at non-residential premises, which dropped significantly from 238 to 193, significant decrease. AO2 Accept other possible answers (c) Study Fig. 1.4 (Insert), which shows how Singapore responded to an oil spill in June 2024.

4 With reference to Fig. 1.4, explain how disaster risk management and community resilience can help in disaster situations such as an oil spill. [4] Disaster Risk Management ● Early containment and cleanup efforts (e.g., oil absorbent booms deployed on June 17 and Current Buster system on June 18) help reduce environmental damage. ● Rapid response to source (e.g., Pasir Panjang Terminal incident on June 14) helps prevent further leakage. ● Beach closures and advisories (e.g., closure of East Coast Park areas, public advised to avoid Changi Beach) help reduce health risks to the public. Community Resilience ● Public cooperation (e.g., heeding swimming advisories and respecting beach closures) ensures safety and allows emergency services to work effectively. ● Preparedness and education of communities (e.g., awareness of environmental protection and oil spill impacts) helps long-term recovery and reduces panic. ● Volunteer or civic participation (implied from cleanup efforts at Labrador Nature Reserve and Sentosa) builds stronger, more self-reliant communities. AO1 2 marks each for disaster risk management and community resilience. Max 2 marks if only one covered. Accept other possible answers. [Total: 15]

5 Section B Answer all questions from this section. 2 Cluster 4: Tectonics (a) Study Fig 2.1 (Insert), which shows a complementary coast, supporting evidence for the plate tectonic theory. (i) With reference to Fig. 2.1, explain how complementary coasts support the plate tectonic theory. [3] ● Matching coastlines – The east coast of South America and the west coast of Africa appear to fit together like puzzle pieces, suggesting they were once joined. ● Supports continental drift – The fit of the coastlines supports Plate tectonic theory that continents were once part of a supercontinent (Pangaea) that broke apart. ● Evidence of plate movement – The separation of these once-connected landmasses implies that tectonic plates have moved over time. (1 mark) AO2 Accept other possible answers. (ii) Elaborate on one other evidence that supports the plate tectonic theory. [3] ● Fossil Evidence Similar fossils (e.g. Mesosaurus) found in both South America and Africa. ● These animals could not have crossed the vast ocean, suggesting the continents were once connected. ● Supports the idea of continental drift and that landmasses have since moved apart due to plate movement. ● Magnetic Stripes on the Ocean Floor. Stripes of rock on either side of mid-ocean ridges show symmetrical patterns of magnetic orientation. ● These patterns record periodic reversals of Earth’s magnetic field. ● Proves seafloor spreading, a key process in plate tectonics.

6 ● Earthquake and Volcano Distribution. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along plate boundaries. ● These are caused by movement and interaction of tectonic plates (e.g. subduction, divergence). ● Supports the theory that plates are in constant motion and interact dynamically. AO1. Any of the above sets. (b) Study Fig. 2.2 (Insert), which shows the design of earthquake proof houses in India. ‘Hazard-resistant building design is the most effective in reducing the vulnerability of earthquake prone communities.’ With reference to Fig 2.2, to what extent to you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. Relevant content Strategies in building community resilience - reducing exposure including land use planning, reducing vulnerability including hazard-resistant building designs, and monitoring and warning systems - increasing preparedness for response and recovery Level Marks Generic Level Descriptors for 9-Mark AO3 Q