CGS 2025 GEOG(E) MS Prelim

1 This document consists of 10 printed pages. [Turn over CRESCENT GIRLS’ SCHOOL SECONDARY FOUR PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 HUMANITIES Paper 2 Geography Candidates answer on the Question Paper. Additional Materials: Insert 2260/02 26 August 2025 1 hour 45 minutes Suggested Marking Guide

2 Section A Answer Question 1 and Question 2. 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) Fig. 1.1 (Insert) shows an incident in Singapore. (i) Identify the hazard shown in Fig. 1.1. [1] Possible answer: • Fire Hazard. (ii) With reference to Fig. 1.1, explain how the hazard impacts the people living in the community. [2] Possible answer: • Health impact – inhalation of smoke. • [Additional desciption] Excessive smoke inhalation by neighbours could lead to injury and possibly even death. • Economic impact – heat damage to the posessions in home. • [Additional desciption] Neighbouring flats are exposed to the extreme heat from the fire and posessions may be damaged leading to replacement costs. (b) Study Fig. 1.2 ( Insert), which shows a nature space in Upper Thomson, Singapore. (i) Describe one potential negative impact of living in the vicinity of this nature space. [1] Possible answer: • Increase interaction with wild animals which may lead to attacks on the residents who may not know how to deal with them. • Limiting the space for development as the nature space is protected.

3 [Turn over (ii) With reference to Fig. 1.2, explain how residents in the vicinity of the area benefit from being near this nature space. [4] Possible answers: • [Benefit] Lowering air temperature. • [Explanation] Vegetation provides shade and cools the environment through evapotranspiration. • [Benefit] Removal of pollutants. • [Explanation] During photosynthesis, vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide and other pollutants and releases oxygen. OR • [Explanation] Small particles are intercepted by leaves and washed to the ground when it rains. OR • [Explanation] Wetland plants can trap suspended materials and absorb excess nutrients in the water, thus improving water quality. • [Benefit] Provision of recreation space. • [Explanation] Nature areas offer opportunities for outdoor activities / interactions with positive health and well-being benefits.

4 (c) Fig. 1.3 (Insert) shows an amenity found in a new HDB precinct in Tengah, Singapore. A group of students from Crescent Girls’ School wanted to investigate the popularity of the said amenity among the children living in the area. They decided to conduct some data collection to obtain primary data for analysis. They counted the number of children present at the amenity on one weekend in June, starting from 8am to 8pm, for a duration of 5 minutes every hour. The data is shown in Fig. 1.4 (Insert). Evaluate the reliability of their investigation. [6] Possible Answers: • The investigation is not reliable. • Accepted criteria (1m per identified criteria) o Unreliable - Number of days of data collection o [Explanation] One weekend in June is insufficient as there will be bias due to the effect of crowd difference during weekdays and weekends. o Unreliable - Dates selected for data collection o [Explanation] Selection of a date in June could have an inflated effect and bias due to the larger number of children available due to the impact of a school holiday. o Reliable - Duration of data collection o [Explanation] sufficient time frame that includes peak and non peak periods where the amenity will be accessed by people. o [Explanation] Off peak periods between 0800-0900hrs and 1300- 1400hrs as seen in Fig. 1.4. o [Explanation] Accounts for the key period of time where the amenity will be used and avoids the large period of time that amenity is unused. [14 m]

5 [Turn over 2 Cluster 2: Tourism (a) Study Fig. 2.1 (Insert), which shows a Facebook advertisement for a tourist destination from the Facebook page of ASA travel. (i) Using Fig. 2.1, identify the type of tourist ASA travel aims to target with this advertisement. [1] Possible answer: • Dependable type tourists. (ii) Account for your choice in part (i) above. [3] Possible answers: • [Reason] Convenience – Direct flight from Singapore. • [Explanation] Dependable tourists prefer convenience in their choice of tours. • [Reason] Comfort - 5-star hotels / attached toilets. • [Explanation] Dependable tourists will pay for additional comfort in their travel experience. • [Reason] Variety in experience – Experience a variety of cuisines. • [Explanation] Dependable tourists prefer a variety of popular experiences.

6 (b) Study Fig. 2.2 (Insert), which shows the tourist arrivals to Thailand from 2007 to 2024. (i) Using Fig. 2.2, describe the trends of tourist arrivals from 2007 to 2024 in Thailand. [3] Possible answers: • [overall trend] Tourist arrivals has increased from 2007 to 2024 by 21.09 million people. • There was a significant increase from 2007 to 2019 by 25.46 million people. • The arrivals dropped drastically from 2019 to 2021 by 39.49 million people. • The arrivals rebounded / rose rapidly from 2021 to 2024 by 35.12 million people. (ii) Account for the variation in arrivals between 2019 to 2021 as shown in Fig. 2.2. [2] Possible answers: • [Cause] Onset of Covid 19 and border closures. • In 2019, Thailand implemented a policy where borders were closed and entry restricted. This led to the massive fall in arrivals between 2019 and 2021.

7 [Turn over (c) “The government is the most effective stakeholder in promoting the growth of sustainable tourism.” Do you agree with the statement? Explain your answer. Stakeholders in growing sustainable tourism • Tourists • Government • International Organisations • Businesses Government Establishing policies and creating plans. • Governments can set up policies or plans • Ensure minimal damage to the environment. • Focus on maximising benefits to locals. • E.g. Sentosa, Singapore. Gvt working with stakeholders to develop a series of plans to enable the island to become more sustainable. Enforcing regulations • Key player in enforcing regulations to ensure sustainable tourism development. • Enforce regulations on the types of tourism activity and the number of tourists who can enter. • Enforcing regulations is critical to ensure that the policies and plans are adhered to. • E.g. Bhutan, tourists can only enter the country through licenced tour operators. Operators are tasked to ensure tourists adhere to the laws and regulations. International Organisations International organisations consist of IGOs and INGOs. They have the knowledge, financial and technical expertise to provide assistance and can influence sustainable tourism development through: • Offering consultancy • Providing financial assistance • Raising public awareness E.g. Handicraft villages in Ha Tay province, Vietnam. UNWTO provided consultancy and technical assistance and financial assistance. E.g. UNESCO’s People Protecting Places programme which provides information for travellers on how to protect UNESCO world heritage sites. Wadi Al -Hitan, Egypt with the help of UNESCO reduced the threat to the fossil remains through traveller information.

8 Businesses Business have an incentive to pursue sustainable tourism as it can keep them profitable. They often have the financial resources to influence sustainable tourism development. Businesses can influence sustainable tourism development by seeking advice from other stakeholders and participating in decision-making for sustainable tourism development. E.g. Quicksilver Cruises in Australia works with the