SCGS 2025 GEOG PRELIM P2 MS

1 [Turn over SINGAPORE CHINESE GIRLS’ SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 SECONDARY FOUR O-LEVEL PROGRAMME PAPER 2 (ANSWER KEY) Answer all questions. 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) A survey was conducted in different countries regarding people’s views on the importance of environmental protection as compared to economic growth and job creation. Study Fig. 1.1 (Insert) which shows the results of the survey. Using Fig. 1.1, describe the trend of the survey results. [3] Award 1 mark for each description, to a maximum of 3 marks. • For all countries, majority of citizens / more than 50% agree that environmental protection is more important than economic growth and job creation. • Sweden has the highest percentage of citizens agreeing with environmental protection with 87.9%. • While Japan has the lowest percentage of citizens agreeing with 50.7% . (b) Study Fig. 1.2 (Insert), which shows a mural in Penang, Malaysia. With reference to Fig. 1.2, explain how the mural can enhance the sense of place for locals in Penang. [4] . Award 1 mark for each explanation of how the mural can enhance the sense of place for locals in Penang, to a maximum of 4 marks. • The mural is a landmark which is highly visible and easy for people to remember . • It may be culturally significant to the people of Penang as it shows a man eating, which may represent the strong food culture in Penang. • Many people may take photos there and create memories . • The people may walk past the mural daily and the repeated encounters helps them recall the features and character of the place. (c) Explain how social sustainability can be promoted in urban neighbourhoods. [4] Award 1 mark for each explanation of how social sustainability can be promoted in urban neighbourhoods, to a maximum of 4 marks. • Neighbourhoods can be sustained socially by ensuring residents feel included and have a sense of shared identity. • This can be fostered by having shared community spaces to promote regular social interactions. • If the population in the urban neighbourhood is kept small, it can facilitate regular interactions amongst the residents o Residents may come together to discuss issues affecting the neighbourhood and find solutions to various challenges. o This builds resilience and positive relationships between residents as this helps to maintain a culture of open communication, mutual respect and understanding, thus reducing misunderstandings and conflicts. • A majority of the problems faced by local residents are day-to-day, mundane issues which can mostly be resolved locally with an adequate neighbourhood structure.

2 [Turn over (d) Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), which shows students learning how to recycle in school. With reference to Fig. 1.3, explain how environmental stewardship can build sustainable urban neighbourhoods. [4] Award 1 mark for each explanation of how environmental stewardship can build sustainable urban neighbourhoods, to a maximum of 4 marks. Award a maximum of 2 marks if there is no reference to Fig. 1.3. • There can be a partnership between different stakeholders to come together to ensure an efficient and sustainable waste recycling process. • Different stakeholders may have different perspectives, resources and expertise to enhance the environmental stewardship efforts. • As seen in the figure, public agencies can enhance awareness and education by educating students in schools on the right ways to recycle. • While private stakeholders can provide recycling facilities such as recycling bins/logistics to collect recyclables for processing. • Volunteerism can also be promoted among neighbourhood residents to share knowledge with others about the importance of healthy ecosystems. • This helps residents become more aware of what they can and should do to responsibly use and protect the natural environment.

3 [Turn over 2 Cluster 4: Tectonics (a) Study Fig. 2.1, which shows the formation of a tsunami. Annotate Fig. 2.1 to explain how a tsunami is formed The formation of a tsunami Fig. 2.1 Source: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/it-comes-in-waves.aspx [3] Award 1m for the description of each stage. • A large volume of water is lifted, forming waves of great wavelength and low wave height of less than 1m. • The waves travel towards land at high speed of around 800 km/h. • On approaching the coast, greater friction with the shallower seabed slows the waves down. Undersea earthquake causes seabed to be displaced. Waves get closer and higher and crash onto the coast.

4 [Turn over (b) Study Fig. 2.2 which shows volcanic areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Volcanic areas along Pacific Ring of Fire Key Volcano Direction of plate movement Ring of Fire Plate boundaries Fig. 2.2 Source: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/ring-of-fire.htm With reference to Fig. 2.2, compare the occurrence of the volcanoes at A and B. [3] Award 1m for each clear comparison. • Volcanoes at both A and B are formed by the convergence of tectonic plates. • The volcanoes at A are formed when two oceanic plates converge while the volcanoes in South America are formed when one oceanic plate and one continental plate converge. • Volcanoes at A occur in the sea while those at B occur on land. A B

5 [Turn over (c) ‘Timely evacuation is more effective than other disaster management strategies after a tectonic hazard occurs.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [9] Relevant Content: • Response to disasters o Search and rescue o Timely evacuation o Provision of basic social and psychological services • Recovery from disasters o Restoration and improvement of facilities and living conditions of affected communities A possible approach: • The answer could first highlight that the effectiveness of strategies for disaster risk management depends heavily on the context or place characteristics, thus the same strategies are likely to be more effective in some locations and not others. • With reference to selected strategies, the answer could then outline the ideal conditions for / challenges in implementing these strategies before referring to relevant examples to illustrate the argument. • Some challenges include the lack of domestic resources (technological and financial), and the inability of stakeholders to collaborate and integrate disaster management into their practices. • The answer could also consider the alternative view of strategies being universally effective by explaining why this might be the case, before arriving at a conclusion of whether some strategies are more effective than others. Level 0 • No credit worthy response. Level 1 (1 – 3 marks) • Arguments are unclear with limited descriptions or may be listed. • No examples provided or examples are generic, demonstrating a basic understanding of the issue or phenomenon. • Evaluation is simple, missing or unclear. Level 2 (4 – 6 marks) • Content has some details on strategies for response and recovery in disaster risk management. • Develops arguments that support one side of the discussion well, using one or two points with some elaboration on effectiveness of strategies for disaster risk management. • At least one example used demonstrate a good understanding of the issue or phenomenon like ‘In the Philippines, only 10 to 20% of buildings are insured against earthquakes due to high insurance cost.’ • Evaluation is well supported by arguments with some attempt to justify the stand. Level 3 (7 – 9 marks) • Content has good details on strategies for response