MGS 2026 MS

METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL Founded in 1887 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 Secondary 4 HUMANITIES (Geography) Monday 2260/02 17 August 2026 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 part of the Rail Corridor near Bukit Timah. (i) Using Fig. 1.1, identify one supporting ecosystem service provided by the Rail Corridor. [1] • Examples include: • Lianas growing on trunks and branches of larger trees • Habitat for plants and animals • Biodiversity conservation • Nutrient cycling Award 1 mark for one valid supporting ecosystem service. Accept other possible answers AO2 (ii) Explain how green areas the Rail Corridor contributes to residents' sense of place. [2] Content - Green areas may: • provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation • create pleasant surroundings • encourage repeated visits • strengthen emotional attachment • provide memorable experiences • strengthen community interaction • preserve local heritage and identity • improve mental well-being leading to positive association with the place Award 1 mark for each explained point above. Up to 2 points. AO1

3 (b) Study Fig. 1.2 (Insert), which is a signage alerting users of potential hazards along the Rail Corridor, and Fig. 1.3, which is map that includes the map of part of the Rail Corridor with the location of AEDs ((Automated External Defibrillator). Using Figs. 1.2 and 1.3, explain how such maps and signages can help build community resilience in Singapore. [3] Content: • Sustainable communities are built when awareness about potential hazards is raised

4 • Signages and maps improve visitor awareness and increases safety • The signage such as lightning warning help users locate AEDs and shelter quickly Marking guidance • Award 1 mark for explaining how community resilience is increased • Award 1 mark for each valid explanation from the figures • Award up to 2 marks for developed explanations. Examples • Hazard signs warn users about uneven ground.(1) Hazard signs warn users about uneven ground, reducing accidents and making the Rail Corridor safer for all users. (1) AED maps allow visitors to quickly locate emergency equipment, improving survival during cardiac emergencies (1) AO2 Accept other possible answers. c) (i) A group of students wishes to investigate how different groups of visitors use the Rail Corridor throughout the day. They intend to conduct pedestrian counts and questionnaires at several access points.. Using Fig. 1. 3, elaborate on how the students should collect their data for their investigation. [3] Content: Student should • select several access points shown on the map • conduct pedestrian counts and surveys at these points due to how the access point is the main gateway to certain parts of the parks • count users during fixed time intervals at different times of day , and on different days to account for peak and off peak times and days • record different user groups separately (walkers, cyclists, joggers etc.) to show different types of uses of the parks • choose a sampling method which is appropriate Marking guidance • Award 1 mark for each valid step. • Award up to 3 marks for a well-developed methodology. AO2. Accept other possible points such as a consideration of locations and explanations. (ii) Suggest three questionnaire questions that would help students understand why visitors choose to use the Rail Corridor. [3] Indicative answers: Credit any suitable questionnaire questions. • Why are you visiting the Rail Corridor today? • How often do you visit? • How did you travel here? • Which activity are you mainly carrying out? • Why did you choose this location? • Which facilities do you use? Marking guidance • Award 1 mark per suitable question.

5 • Questions must be relevant to the investigation likely to generate useful data AO1 Accept other possible answers. [Total: 14]

6 2 Tourism (a) (i) Study Fig. 2.1 (Insert), which shows the annual number of visitors to Vietnam between 2010 and 2025. Using Fig. 2.1, describe the trends in visitor numbers to Vietnam between 2010 and 2025. [3] Indicative content: Award one mark for each valid description of the trend. • Overall increasing trend from 2010 to 2025. • Gradual increase from approximately 5 million (2010) to about 18 million (2019). • Sharp decline between 2019 and 2021. • Rapid recovery after 2021. • Visitor numbers exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 2025. AO2 All points should include data points. Accept other possible answers. (ii) Explain reasons for the increase in visitor numbers in rapidly growing tourist destinations such as Vietnam. [3] Indicative content • Improved accessibility through expansion of airports and international flight routes. • Government promotion of tourism. • Increased use of social media and digital marketing. • Development of tourist infrastructure. • Greater variety of tourist attractions. • Improved accommodation. • Growth of the middle-income population worldwide. 0 5 10 15 20 25 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Visitors (millions) Year

7 • Easier visa requirements. • Competitive travel costs. Marking guidance • Award 1 mark for each valid reason identified • Award 1 extra mark for detailed explanation of identified reason Example • Countries such as Vietnam built more international airports which lead to increasing accessibility (1) This reduced reducing travel time by encouraging direct routes to cities and results in more overseas tourists to visit. (1) AO1 Accept other possible answers. (b) Study Fig. 2.2 below, which is a news report on tourism management in Komodo National Park. Komodo National Park limits tourist visits to 1,000 per day Komodo National Park has become one of Indonesia's fastest -growing tourist destinations. Visitor numbers have increased rapidly following improvements in transport links and extensive promotion on social media. However, conservationists have expressed concern that overcrowding is damaging coral reefs, disturbing Komodo dragons and increasing litter in protected areas. The high number of tourists visiting the area each year is considered to put excessive pressure on the environment . The latest tourism data has shown that visits reached 429,509 visitors in 2025 with 68 percent of that total consisting of international tourists. This number has exceeded the annual tourism carrying capacity of the entire region according to a 2022 study. The study previously set the carrying capacity for both land and water areas at 378,870 visitors per year. To reduce environmental impacts, the Indonesian government has introduced measures including limiting daily visitor numbers, increasing entrance fees, designating specific walking trails and restricting access to sensitive habitats. Local businesses have expressed concerns that these measures could reduce tourism income, while environmental groups argue that stricter regulations are still needed. Using Fig. 2.2, explain why Komodo National Park may be entering the stagnation stage of the tourism destination cycle. [3] Indicative content • Visitor numbers have exceeded carrying capacity. • Environmental degradation is occurring such as coral reefs being damaged and wildlife being disturbed. • Visitor management measures have been introduced and entrance fees are increasing which are signs of government response to stagnation issues. Marking guidance • Award 1 mark for each identification of one characteristic of the stagnation stage. • Award 1 mark for