MGS 2025 GEOG(E) MS Prelim

METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL Founded in 1887 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 Secondary 4 HUMANITIES (Geography) Wednesday 2260/02 27 August 2025 1 hour 45 minutes ANSWER SCHEME

2 Section A Answer Question 1 and Question 2. 1 Cluster 1: Geography in Everyday Life (a) Study Fig. 1.1 (Insert), which shows a photograph of a trail being used by visitors in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. With reference to Fig 1.1, state how local communities and nearby nature areas are dependent upon each other. [1] ● Local communities go into nearby nature areas to acquire knowledge about the natural world, and natural areas can thrive better through human intervention and protection like in a reserve. AO1 Both sides must be presented. (b) Study Fig. 1.2 below, which is a news report on a hornet attack on visitors to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in July 2024. Hornet Attack at Sungei Buloh Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is Singapore's first and only wetland reserve, and is a haven for migratory birds and a wide variety of flora and fauna. It's a popular spot for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil escape from the city, offering unique experiences like exploring mangrove forests and spotting wildlife. An area inside the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has been cordoned off from the public, following a hornet attack on July 14 that led to five people being taken to hospital. In a post uploaded onto Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu, a passer-by, who said that he often visits the wetland reserve, said he saw four ambulances and a row of people applying ice packs on their heads. Mr Leslie Chong, sales director of System Pest Control Services, told ST that hornets attack when they are provoked or when people are too close to their nest, causing the hornets to feel threatened. Mr Lim said that hornets are large-bodied wasps that live in large colonies that build their nests using plant fibres and, like honey bees, will “readily sting” to defend their hives. In natural environments, hornets may build their hives on trees, within low-lying shrubs, and even on the ground, he added.

3 Using Fig. 1.2, explain why conflicts can occur in spaces where people visit nature. [3] ● Conflicts occur due to human presence in natural habitats, as people may intentionally or unintentionally disturb wildlife or come too close to animal habitats. ● impact of people on nature - visitors may accidentally provoke animals (e.g., hornets) or come too close to nests, causing the animals to feel threatened and attack. ● impact of nature on people - e.g. In Fig. 1.2, people were stung after getting too near a hornet nest in Sungei Buloh, and this happens due to the proximity of hives to visitor trails, and the nature of how hornets behave when hives are threatened. AO2 Award 1 mark for explanation, 1 mark for using Fig. (c) Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), which shows a map of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. (i) With reference to Fig. 1.3, explain how natural areas such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve provides regulating and supporting ecosystem services. [4] ● Regulating Services: From the Fig, the large linear area that is reserved across about 3km, and also along the river system of Sungei Buloh itself. ● would mean that the mangroves would thrive and act as a regulator for coastal water quality. ● Supporting Services: Services such as the tidal ponds to the west side of apf the reserve would provide prey necessary for ● The support of larger migratory birds which explains the bird watching trails and the various lookouts and hideouts. AO2 Accept other possible answers.

4 (ii) A group of students are keen to investigate why visitors to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve choose to visit the reserve, and the main attractions and activities visitors participate in. The students designed a survey to find out the reasons visitors chose to visit the reserve. Using Fig 1.3, choose two locations that the students can administer the survey and explain why these locations are suitable. [4] ● They should choose the two visitor centres: firstly the Visitor centre near the Kranji carparks, and also the Wetland centre near the Neo Tiew carpark. ● This is because the 2 centres are the main staging areas for the 2 main parts of the reserve, and most visitors will walk through them. ● And also because the Visitor Centre will capture visitors who are there for the trail walks, ● While the Wetland Centre will capture visitors who are there for bird watching and the short boardwalk. AO2. Accept other possible locations and explanations. (iii) Suggest two survey questions that the students can include in their survey that can provide meaningful data for their research. ● One question could be asking for the main reason for visiting the Reserve, with options such as birdwatching, walking the trail, etc., from which the respondent chooses from by ticking all relevant options. ● Another question could be the age range of the visitor with options such as 13-19, 20-29 etc. to explore the possibility that age plays a part in determining the main reasons for visiting. AO2 Accept other possible answers. [Total: 14]

5 2 Tourism (a) Study Fig. 2.1 (Insert), which shows a world map of the top 30 international tourism destinations from 2000 to 2016. (i) Using Fig. 2.1, describe the global distribution of the top 30 international tourism destinations in the world in 2016. [3] ● General pattern / overview: Most of the top 30 international tourism destinations are located in the Northern Hemisphere or in Developed Countries. ● Continent: There is a high concentration of top destinations in Europe, including France, Spain, and Italy. European nations take up 5 of the top 10 countries. ● Specific: the top three destinations have significantly more arrivals compared to other destinations. No. 3 Spain has 75.6 million arrivals, which is a gap of 16 million No.4 China with 59.3 million. AO2 Accept other possible answers. (ii) With reference to Fig. 2.1, explain how ability to travel has led to rapidly growing tourist destinations.[3] ● Growth in disposable incomes and increased leisure time due to paid vacation such as potential 4 day work weeks in countries such as Iceland. ● Tourism growth is also facilitated by business innovations which make travel planning more convenient such as internet based booking of accommodations, transport and attraction tickets such as agoda.com ● And lower transportation costs through the development of more fuel efficient airplanes such as the Airbus A350. AO2 Accept other possible answers.

6 (b) Study Fig. 2.2 below, which is a news report on the state of tourism of Ha Long Bay, a famous tourist destination in Vietnam. Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is losing its f