Cambridge O Level

GEOGRAPHY 2230/01
Paper 1 Geographical Themes October/November 2023

2 hours

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INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer three questions in total, each from a different theme.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 75.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● The insert contains additional resources referred to in the questions.

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (LK/CT) 314197/4
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Theme 1: Population and settlement

Answer one question from this theme.

EITHER

1 (a) (i) Study Fig. 1.1, which shows the top five producers and consumers of rice in 2019.

Top five producers and consumers of rice, 2019

China

India

country Indonesia

Bangladesh

Vietnam

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150

rice production and consumption (million tonnes)
Key
rice production
rice consumption

Fig. 1.1

State the countries which consume more rice than they produce. [2]

(ii) Suggest two reasons why some countries consume more rice than they produce. [2]

(iii) Methods of rice farming in Southeast Asia can be either small-scale subsistence rice
farming or large-scale commercial rice farming. Describe these two types of rice farming.
[5]

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(b) (i) Study Fig. 1.2, which shows five countries and their fish production in 2018.

Fish production, 2018

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
million tonnes

Key
China
Indonesia
India
Vietnam
Peru

Fig. 1.2

State the difference in fish production between China and Vietnam. [1]

(ii) Suggest one reason to explain why China produces so much fish. [1]

(iii) Study Fig. 1.3 (Insert), a photograph which shows fishing in Brunei.

Describe the method used to catch fish shown in Fig. 1.3. [2]

(iv) Explain the challenges that are facing the fishing industry in Brunei. [5]

(c) Describe the strategies used to increase agricultural production in Brunei. Evaluate how
effective these strategies have been in increasing agricultural production in Brunei. Give
examples to support your answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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OR

2 (a) (i) State two pieces of information that are shown on a population pyramid. [2]

(ii) Sketch a constrictive population pyramid. Label the key population features on the
pyramid. [4]

(b) Study Fig. 2.1, which shows how the world’s birth rate has changed between 1960 and 2019.

The world’s birth rate, 1960–2019

38

36

34

32

30

28
birth rate
(per thousand 26
people)
24

22

20

18

16

0
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2019
year

Fig. 2.1

Describe how the world’s birth rate changed between 1960 and 2019. [3]

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(c) (i) Study Fig. 2.2, which shows the projected life expectancy in Mexico from 1950 to 2050.

Life expectancy for people living in Mexico increased from 48 years to

74 years between 1950 and 2000. It is projected to continue to increase,
with life expectancy in 2050 expected to be 80 years.

Fig. 2.2

Define the term life expectancy. [1]

(ii) State the projected change in life expectancy over the 100-year period from 1950 to
2050 in Mexico as shown in Fig. 2.2. [1]

(iii) Explain why the death rate in many countries is falling. [5]

(d) (i) Study Fig. 2.3, which shows how the number and percentage of people aged 60+ in the
world is projected to change between 2015 and 2050.

Number 60+

2 092 million

21.5%
Number 60+

1 402 million

16.5%
Number 60+

901 million of world

12.3%of world
of world
population
population

2050
population
2030
2015

Fig. 2.3

Describe how the percentage of people aged 60+ is expected to change between 2015,
2030 and 2050, as shown in Fig. 2.3. [2]

(ii) ‘The benefits for a country that has a large youthful population will outweigh any
disadvantages that may occur.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give
examples to support your answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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Theme 2: The natural environment

Answer one question from this theme.

EITHER

3 (a) (i) Sketch a diagram of a divergent/constructive plate boundary and explain how volcanoes
are formed at this type of boundary. [5]

(ii) Study Table 3.1, which contains characteristics of different types of volcanoes.

Table 3.1

tall volcano alternating layers of gentle slopes

ash and cinder and
acid lava
violent eruption basic lava broad volcano
steep slopes acid lava quiet eruption

Identify three characteristics from Table 3.1 which are used to describe shield volcanoes.
[3]

(b) Study Fig. 3.1, which shows the number of deaths from major volcanic eruptions.

Number of deaths from major volcanic eruptions

Martinique (1902)

Colombia (1985)

Guatemala (1902)

Indonesia (1909)

major Indonesia (1919)

volcanic
eruption Guatemala (1929)
Papua New
Guinea (1951)

Cameroon (1986)

Indonesia (1963)
St. Vincent and the
Grenadines (1902)
0 5000 10 000 15 000 20 000 25 000 30 000
number of deaths

Fig. 3.1

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(i) State the number of deaths from the most recent major volcanic eruption shown in
Fig. 3.1. [1]

(ii) State the difference in the number of deaths between the major volcanic eruptions in
Martinique (1902) and Colombia (1985) shown in Fig. 3.1. [1]

(c) (i) One advantage of living in a volcanic area is the availability of geothermal energy. Define
the term geothermal energy. [1]

(ii) Study Fig. 3.2 (Insert), which shows the top 10 countries for geothermal power in 2020.

Name the country which produced the largest amount of geothermal power in 2020. [1]

(iii) Suggest how geothermal power is used in countries such as those shown in Fig. 3.2. [2]

(iv) Other than geothermal power, explain two positive impacts from volcanic activity. [4]

(d) ‘The ability to predict volcanic eruptions accurately would result in fewer negative impacts
on local people.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Give examples to support your
answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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OR

4 (a) (i) Explain two processes of coastal erosion. [4]

(ii) Study Fig. 4.1 (Insert), a photograph which shows a sea stack on the coast of Ireland.

Explain how the sea stack shown in Fig. 4.1 was formed. You may use a diagram or
diagrams to support your answer. [5]

(iii) Describe and explain how the sea stack in Fig. 4.1 may change in the future. [3]

(b) (i) Study Fig. 4.2, an extract describing one type of weathering.

The statue has been damaged due to the slightly acidic rainwater,
which is dissolving the rock much faster than in recent years.

Fig. 4.2

Name the type of weathering that is being described in Fig. 4.2. [1]

(ii) Explain how temperature can affect the type and rate of weathering. [4]

(c) (i) Define the term biodiversity. [1]

(ii) ‘Loss of biodiversity and extinction of species are the most devastating effects of
deforestation in the tropical rainforest.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Give
examples to support your answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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Theme 3: Economic development

Answer one question from this theme.

EITHER

5 (a) (i) Define the term fossil fuel and name one example of a fossil fuel. [2]

(ii) Describe the consequences of the use of fossil fuels on each of the following:

A impact on health

B changes to the landscape

C depletion of resources. [6]

(b) (i) Study Fig. 5.1 (Insert), which shows the top 10 energy producer countries and the top 10
energy consumer countries in 2017.

Calculate the difference between energy production and energy consumption for
Canada. [1]

(ii) State the number of countries which appear in the top 10 list for both energy production
and energy consumption. [1]

(iii) Describe the similarities and differences in the rank order of the top five energy producer
countries and the top five energy consumer countries shown in Fig. 5.1. [3]

(iv) Suggest reasons to explain why some countries have a higher energy consumption than
other countries. [3]

(c) (i) Define the term carbon footprint. [2]

(ii) ‘The most effective ways of reducing carbon footprints are to improve public transport
and limit air travel.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give examples to
support your answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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OR

6 (a) Study Fig. 6.1 (Insert), which shows the countries with the highest number of tourist arrivals
in 2018.

Describe the global distribution of the countries with the highest number of tourist arrivals as
shown in Fig. 6.1. [4]

(b) (i) Study Fig. 6.2, which shows the opinions of residents living on an island very popular
with tourists. The opinions were given in the years 2010 and 2020.

What do you think about the number of tourists visiting the island?

2010 2020

100% 100%
0% 0%
90% 10% 90% 10%

80% 20% 80% 20%

70% 30% 70% 30%

60% 40% 60% 40%

50% 50%
Key
too many

acceptable

too few

Fig. 6.2

State how the opinion that there are ‘too many’ tourists has changed between 2010 and
2020. [2]

(ii) Suggest reasons for the change that you identified in (b)(i). [4]

(iii) Explain how the following factors have encouraged the growth of global tourism:

A leisure time

B development of attractions and facilities. [4]

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(c) (i) Name the main natural attractions and cultural attractions for tourists in Brunei. [4]

(ii) ‘The most effective strategies to promote tourism in Brunei are through trade shows and
advertising.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give examples to support
your answer. [7]

[Total: 25]

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