NJC 2026 H2 Geography Prelim P1 Ans

SH2 Preliminary Examination 2026 9173 H2 Geography Paper 1 Suggested Marking Guide Disclaimer: The Suggested Marking Guide should be treated with confidentiality, and should be used with discretion.

Page 2 of 15 Notes on Marking: Marking Approaches a. Point marking is used for marking all sub-parts of the structured questions, except for the 10-mark fieldwork evaluative sub-part. For point marking, the general rule is that each creditworthy response is awarded one mark. More detailed guidance is provided in the marking guide for each question. b. Generic level descriptors are used for marking: • 20-mark essays. Possible approaches are provided for questions marked using generic level descriptors. They provide guidance on how the questions could be approached. The possible approaches provided are neither exhaustive nor should they be treated as model approach to questions.

Page 3 of 15 Generic Level Descriptors Note: Assessment using generic level descriptors involves qualitative rather than quantitative evaluation. Judgements on the level to be awarded to an answer will be based on the principle of ‘best fit’ determined by the descriptors within each level. As a general guideline, responses deemed to have fulfilled all the descriptors within a level may be awarded the top mark in that level.

Page 4 of 15 Section A Cluster 1: Development, Economy and Environment Question Answer Marks 1 Boeing is an aerospace transnational corporation (TNC) based in the USA. It is involved in the design, manufacture and servicing of commercial aircraft. Its operations depend on specialised component suppliers, service locations and access to raw materials such as titanium. Ilmenite is the main ore from which titanium is obtained. Resource 1 shows selected global suppliers of major Boeing aircraft components. Resource 2 shows the locations of selected Boeing operations. Resource 3 shows ilmenite production and reserves in selected countries in 2006. Resource 4 shows the location where 1 million cubic metres of wastewater from ilmenite mining was released from the Rio Tinto QMM mine in southeastern Madagascar on 5 March 2022. 1(a) Using Resources 1 and 2, describe Boeing’s global production network. 5 Award 1 mark for each valid description of Boeing’s global production network up to a maximum of 5 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each description. Possible responses include: • Boeing’s gl obal production network is extensive across several world regions. Resource 1 shows that aircraft component suppliers are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, while Resource 2 shows that Boeing’s service operations are found in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. • The net work of component suppliers is unevenly distributed and concentrated in CHLDs . The home countries of firms shown in Resource 1 are based in the US A, Japan, Canada, Australia and Western European countries such as the UK, France, Italy and Sweden. • The hom e country, United States remains a major node in the network. Resource 1 shows that Boeing’s corporate headquarters is in Virginia, USA. Inventory and repair functions and firms producing several major aircraft components are also found in the USA. o US-based firms such as Spirit, Vought, GE and Goodrich produce components such as the forward fuselage, tail fin, aft fuselage; as well as fixed and moveable leading edge. • Boeing’s service functions are regionally dispersed and functionally speciali sed across three world regions . Regional headquarters are located in Paris, France in Europe, Bangalore, India in South Asia as well as Singapore in South- east Asia. AO2

Page 5 of 15 Question Answer Marks 1 (b) With reference to Resources 1 and 2, suggest reasons for Boeing’s global production network. 5 Award 1 mark for each valid suggested reason, up to a maximum of 5 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each suggestion where applicable. Possible responses include: • Boeing’s aircraft c omponent production is concentrated in CHLDs because commercial aircraft production requires highly skilled labour and specialised aerospace expertise. This helps explain the concentration of suppliers in the USA, Japan and Western Europe where established aerospace clusters and engineering workforces are found. • High-value aircraft components require capital -intensive and technology-intensive production facilities . Parts such as engines, landing gear and wings require precision manufacturing, advanced materials expertise which are more likely to be found in CHLDs and advanced industrial economies. o This accounts for the concentration of US-based firms such as GE, Spirit and Vought, as well as European firms such as Rolls-Royce, Messier-Dowty, Alenia and Saab in high-value added aerospace engineering. • Long-standing research and development capabilities and established supplier relationships influence Boeing’s sourcing. Countries such as the USA, the UK, France, Italy, Sweden and Japan have mature aerospace industries and firms with specialised intellectual property. • International pa rtnerships can provide market access and strengthen commercial relationships. Using suppliers in Japan, South Korea and China may help Boeing build links with major and growing aviation markets in East Asia. AO2 1 (c) Compare ilmenite production and reserves for the countries shown in Resource 3. 5 Award 1 mark for each valid comparison between the distribution of ilmenite reserves and production, up to a maximum of 5 marks. Award a maximum of 3 marks if only similarities or differences are addressed in the comparison. Possible responses include: Similarities: • Both reserves and production are concentrated in Australia and China, having very high reserves of ~130,000 kilotonnes and ~200,000 kilotonnes as well as very high production of ~1,200 kilotonnes per year and ~450 kilotonnes per year respectively. • Both reserves and production are present across a mix of CHLDs and CLLDs. Developed countries such as Australia and

Page 6 of 15 Question Answer Marks Canada as well as developing countries such as India, China and South Africa feature in both metrics. • Both reserves and production are comparatively lower in Vietnam and Brazil with about 5,000 kilotonnes and 10,000 kilotonnes of reserves as well as ~50 kilotonnes per year and <150 kilotonnes per year for production respectively. Differences • China dominates reserves far more than it does production. China holds the largest reserves of ~200,000 kilotonnes, yet its production of ~450 kilotonnes per year is much lower than Australia’s ~1,200 kilotonnes. • Australia is the leading producer but not the leading holder of reserves. Australia produces the most ilmenite at roughly ~1,200 kilotonnes per year, yet its reserves are significantly smaller than China’s at ~130,000 kilotonnes. AO2 1 (d) Explain the socio-economic impacts of TNCs’ decisions on labour in host countries. 6 Award 1 mark for each explanation, up to a maximum of 6 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Possible responses include: Positive Impacts • TNCs establish factories, offices and service centres in host countries which generate jobs for the local s. This reduces unemployment rates and provides income for households, improving living standards. o For example, manufacturing TNCs in Vietnam such as Samsung have employed hundreds of thousands of workers in their production facilities. • TNCs enable the transfer of skills as they often train local workers in technical, managerial, an