SNGS 2025 GEOG PRELIM P2 MS

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION ORDINARY LEVEL ANSWER KEY GEOGRAPHY 2279/02 Paper 2  AO1 (Content)- 30% (15 marks)  AO2(Skill) - 40% (20 marks)  AO3 (Judgment/Decision making) - 30% (15 marks) Qns AO1 AO2 AO3 GEL (15 marks) 1a 3 b 4 c 3 d(i) 3 d(ii) 2 Total 7 8 0 Tectoni cs (15 marks) 2a 3 b 3 c 9 Total 3 3 9 Singapore (20 marks) 3a 2 b 4 c 4 d 4 e 6 Total 4 10 6 14 21 15 For markers to note: For questions which do not require examples - marks can be awarded for good use of relevant examples to illustrate a point.

2 Answer all questions. 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) Study Fig. 1.1 (Insert), which shows people gathering near a temple to celebrate Diwali festival in Ayodhya, India. With reference to Fig. 1.1, describe how a sense of place is acquired. [3] Award 1m per point - Memorable events that happen, such as the Diwali festival, give residents a sense of belonging as they participate in a shared activity [1] - Landmarks such as the temple in the background are highly visible and makes it easy for people to remember [1] - Doing a meaningful activity that has cultural / religious significance can help people associate the place positively [1] - Community events like this where many people gather to celebrate a festival allow them to bond and interact with each other [1] Accept other plausible answers. (b) Explain the benefits that supporting ecosystem services provide for the urban neighbourhoods. [4] Award 1m per point and 1 additional mark for further elaboration - Soil formation: Organic matter in the environment is broken down and decomposed to smaller particles and form soi l providing a habitat for plants to grow on and small organisms to live in, contributing to biodiversity [1] - Pollination: Animals in the environment like wild bees can help to pollinate crops in turn this ensures the reproduction of crops and that they can provide food [1] - Photosynthesis: Plants in the environment absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen during photosynthesis this maintains the oxygen content of the earth’s atmosphere so animals can live. [1] Accept other plausible answers. (c) Study Fig. 1.2, which shows the number and causes of traffic accidents in Singapore in 2022 and 2023. Fig. 1.2 [3]

3 Using Fig. 1.2, describe the occurrences of traffic accidents in 2022 and 2023. Award 1m per description. Students are not required to compare across years. Failure to give data will result in marks being capped at 2m. General: [compulsory] Traffic accidents have decreased Data there are fewer accidents in 2023 compared to 2022, from 1450 in 2022 to 916 in 2023. (1m) Any other data observation: - The biggest cause of traffic accidents is speeding, with 1138/79% in 2022 and 624/68% in 2023. [1] - Speeding incidents have shown the largest decrease from 1138 to 624 – almost half [1] - The smallest/least significant cause of traffic accidents is running red light, which has also shown a slight decrease, from 137 in 2022 to 112 in 2023. [1] - However, drink driving incidents have slightly increased, from 175 in 2022 to 180 in 2023 [1] Accept other plausible answers (d) Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), which shows a community park in an urban area in the USA. (i) Sketch the community park shown in Fig. 1.3. Annotate the sketch by identifying two pairs of spatial associations in the area. [3] Award 1m for sketch with accurate perspective. Award 1m for each annotation showing spatial associations. - The rock-climbing wall and children’s play area are close to each other so children can play within the same area [1] - The residential building and ramp are close to each other so people with mobility challenges can easily get home/get around the park [1] - The bridge and sheltered pavilion are next to each other for accessibility so if it rains, people can find shelter easily [1] - The benches are near the water fountains so people can sit down, relax and watch the fountains [1] Accept any plausible answers – as long as reasons are given that can enhance everyday living

4 (ii) With reference to Fig. 1.3, explain how people using the community park may bring problems to nature. Award 1m per point - People may disturb wildlife by disturbing their habitats, or feed them, thus they may have to seek shelter elsewhere or may have health issues [1] - People may litter and pollute the environment, which may give off unpleasant smells or cause an eyesore [1] - People may trample on vegetation when the walk on the grass, this causes soil compaction and erosion [1] Accept other plausible answers. [2] [Total: 15]

5 2 Cluster 4: Tectonics (a) Study Fig. 2.1, which shows a mid-ocean ridge. Fig. 2.1 With reference to Fig. 2.1, account for the change in the age of oceanic rocks with increasing distance from the mid-ocean ridge. [3] Award 1m for correct identification of seafloor spreading and rocks are younger closer to the centre of the ridge. Award 1m each for explanation of the process of seafloor spreading - Seafloor spreading results in rocks closer to the centre of the mid ocean ridge to be younger / rocks are older the further away from the ridge. [1] - At divergent plate boundaries when two plates move away from each other, magma from deep within the earth’s crust rises to the surface through the mid ocean ridge [1] - Lava cools, solidifies and forms new oceanic crust. As divergence continues, the new crusts formed continue to spread out laterally from the mid-ocean ridge [1] (b) Study Fig. 2.2 (Insert), which shows Mount St Helens before and after an eruption in 1982. With reference to Fig. 2.2, explain how volcanic eruptions may cause damage to natural ecosystems. [3] Award 1m for each response, the hazards associated with volcanic eruptions (lahars, pyroclastic flows etc) must be written, otherwise award a maximum of 2m. - Lahars: mudflows of volcanic ash and water cover forests with thick mud and destroy them, pollute rivers, killing aquatic life [1] - Pyroclastic flows: Cloud of hot gases and ash travels down the slope of the volcano at high speeds, burning forests and cause biodiversity loss [1] - Ash/tephra: Ash is dispersed many kilometres away from the site of eruption, which causes air pollution and suffocate wildlife [1] - Volcanic gases: contain acidic sulfur dioxide that causes acid rain, damage vegetation and crops and kill wildlife [1] Accept other plausible answers.

6 (c) Study Figs. 2.3 and 2.4 (Insert), which show some information about earthquakes that happened in different places. [9] “The disaster risk caused by an earthquake at a place is most affected by its distance from the earthquake epicentre.” With reference to Figs. 2.3 and 2.4, to what extent do you consider the above statement to be true? Support your answer with relevant examples. Level 1 (1 – 3 marks)  Brief description of the factors that may not necessarily be accurate  No evaluation / limitations given  No location-specific examples provided Level 2 (4 – 6 marks)  Clearly state/identify at least two factors  Describes factors but description may lack details / describes one factor in detail but description for the other method may be vague or lacking in details  Attempted at evaluating the extent of disaster risk  General examples provided  Evidence of incoherent answer or misconception Level 3 (7 – 8 marks)  Clearly identify at least three factors  Balanced response: describes a mix of nature of nature of hazard, vulnerable conditions and exposure  Evaluate