Investigation (Edexcel A Level Geography)

Table 1 below shows the area of the northern hemisphere covered by either snow or ice in January and July for selected years between 1970 and 2020.

Table 1

Complete Table 1 by calculating the value of d² for the year 2005 and then calculating the value of Σd²

(2)

Using the formula below, now calculate R_s.

R_s = 1 − 

Give your answer to two decimal places. You must show your working.

(2)

R_s = .....................................

Explain why the data used in Table 1 might not be a reliable guide to the impact of global warming on snow and ice coverage.

(4)

Study Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 in Section A of the Resource Booklet. Analyse the evidence that Arctic and Antarctic temperature changes are extreme.

(8)

Study Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 in Section A of the Resource Booklet. Analyse the global implications of climate change in these polar regions.

(4)

Study the resources in Section B of the Resource Booklet. Evaluate the view that the exploitation of resources in the Arctic and Antarctica will create more costs than benefits.

(18)

Evaluate the view that the Arctic is more likely to be a focus of both short-term and long-term political conflict than Antarctica.

(24)

Explain the differences between colonial and neo-colonial mechanisms of maintaining power.

(4)

Table 1 below shows data for the level of development of the 38 members of the United Nations that are landlocked countries. A Chi-squared test was used to establish if there is an association between being landlocked and the level of development. Two hypotheses were set up: There is no significant association between the level of development and being landlocked. Alternative hypothesis: There is a significant association between the level of development and being landlocked.

i)

Using the formula and the data in Table 1 below calculate the value of χ²

(2)

χ² =

Show your working.

χ²......................... 

Table 1

ii)

To test the significance of this value for χ² the table below was used to determine which hypothesis should be accepted.

State the result of this test of significance.

State the result of this test of significance.

(2)

Explain why the result you have reached for the χ² test in 2 (a)(ii) may not be a reliable guide to the relationship between a country being landlocked and its level of development.

(4)

Study Figures 1, 2, 3a and 3b in Section A of the Resource Booklet.

Analyse the evidence that the trade profile of Latin America might hinder its development.

(8)

Study Figure 4 and Figure 5 in Section A of the Resource Booklet. Analyse the relationship between inequalities and the level of social and economic development.

(8)

Study the resources in Section B of the Resource Booklet.

Evaluate the view that economic development based on natural resources inevitably leads to environmental degradation (destruction).

(18)

Evaluate the view that Latin American countries cannot develop whilst the USA

remains the dominant global superpower.

(24)

Explain how one theory of development can help an understanding of global patterns of power.

(4)

The table on the next page shows data for the 12 richest countries (measured using GDP per capita). The formula for Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is given below.

R = 1 −

Complete the table below and calculate the value of R to two decimal places where n=12.

(4)

Table 1

Military spending as a % of GDP for the 12 richest countries, as measured by their GDP per capita

Show your working. Give your answer to two decimal places.

Explain why this sample of 12 countries may be an unreliable measure of the relationship between GDP per capita and military spending as a percentage of GDP.

(4)

Study Figure 1 and Figure 2 in Section A of the Resource Booklet. Analyse the pattern of earthquakes in Japan and its surrounding region.

(8)

Study Figure 3 and Figure 4 in Section A of the Resource Booklet. Analyse the relationship between earthquake risk and population density in the Japanese archipelago.

(8)

Study Section B in the Resource Booklet. Evaluate the view that international trade is the main factor in the success of the Japanese economy.

(18)

Evaluate the view that Japan’s status as a significant global power is unsustainable.

(24)

Explain one reason why many national governments have been keen to join free trade blocs.

(4)

a)

Table 1 below shows data for the 10 countries of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in 2013. Complete the table below and calculate the GDP per capita (per person) for the ASEAN free trade bloc. Show your working in the space provided below the table.

(4)

                                                       Table 1

         Economic and population data for the 10 ASEAN countries

Explain why the GDP per capita for the ASEAN free trade bloc may be a misleading statistic.

(4)

Study Table 1 on Page 4 of the Question Paper and Figure 2 in Section A of the Resource Booklet, both of which show data for the 10 ASEAN countries.

Analyse the differences in their social, economic and political development.

(8)

Study Figure 3 in Section A of the Resource Booklet.

Analyse the varied level of interconnectedness within the ASEAN free trade bloc.

(8)

Study Section B and Section C of the Resource Booklet.

Evaluate the role of superpowers in the development of the Southeast Asian region.

(18)

You should have read the whole of the Resource Booklet, including Section D, before attempting this question.

Evaluate the view that climate change and natural hazards pose the most serious threat to the economic, social and political stability of Southeast Asia.

(24)

Explain why tropical rainforests are a globally important physical system.

(4)

The table below shows data on income per capita and tropical rainforest forest cover loss for 10 countries. The formula for Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient value R is given below.

Complete the table below and calculate the value of R for the data given. Show your working.

R = .............................

(4)

Explain why the value for R you have calculated, for the relationship between income per capita and forest cover loss, may be unreliable.

(4)

Study Figure 3 in Section B of the Resource Booklet, which shows data for three countries.

Analyse the differences in level of development for the three countries shown.

(8)

Study Figure 9 in Section C of the Resource Booklet, which shows data on natural resources exports versus income per person.

Analyse the relationship between income per capita and natural resource exports.

(8)

Study the resources in Section C of the Resource Booklet.

Evaluate the economic strengths and weaknesses of Angola, Congo and DRC.

(18)

You are advised to read Section D of the Resource Booklet before attempting this question.

Evaluate the view that the natural resources found in the three countries shown are more of a ‘curse’ than a ‘blessing’ for their people and environment. 

(24)