Question 1 - Sample Answer

Q1 (a) Describe the distribution of the Indian population within Greater London shown in Figure 1. (5 marks)

Figure 1 shows that the highest distribution of the Indian population within Great London is on the north-west side where Harrow, Brent and Ealing all have 20%-50% of their population Indian. Other areas with this density are dispersed throughout Greater London; Croydon in the south and Redbridge and Newham in the north. For a 35km stretch from Hounslow to Barnet the Indian population is consistently above 10.1% and throughout the east, south and north of London the Indian population is predominantly below 5% with many places such as Bromley in the south-east with below 2.5%.

The Exam Board Mark Scheme wants the geographical setting of these boroughs, either their names, inner London or the suburbs or north/south/east/west.

How your marks are awarded

1 mark for each valid point, or a point can generate 2 marks if very well described.

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Q1 (b) Explain some of the causes of changes in the gender structure of countries. (10 marks)

Each child has a 51% chance of being male and a 49% chance of being female so the gender structure of a country should be fairly balance. However, in places like China there are considerably more males than females, this is due to males being preferred over females and because of the One Child Policy has lead to female infanticide. The preference for males can be due to the economic asset they bring as they can work in the land or in factories and bring in an income for the family – whereas females only contribute to the income of their husband’s family. Also males tend to carry the family name thus giving another reason why they are favoured in China. In China, the sex ratio in 1990 was 100 females to 106.6 males – in 2008 it has altered to 100 females to 111 males which is an imbalance in the gender structure.

Migration can also cause a change to the gender structure. Host regions receive a higher number of males than females as the males are often bread winners, resulting in an imbalanced gender structure for the host region, but also the donor region where there will be a lack of males and predominantly more females as less females migrate. - this answer needs more on war and disease to get a Level 3 score.

The Exam Board Mark Scheme was to read about multiple causes such as war, migration, government policies and disease.

How your marks are awarded

Level 3 response: 8-10 marks

Wide ranging explanations based on good descriptions with reference to real example(s) using, perhaps, statistics and illustrations of population pyramids and/or the DTM.

Level 2 response: 4-7 marks

Explanations are adequate, but fairly descriptive with limited reality inclusions.

Level 1 response: 0-3 marks

Describes changes in general terms with little explanatory depth or illustration.

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Q1 (c) Outline the issues created by an ageing society. (10 marks) 

An ageing population is where the proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing. East Devon in England is an area with an ageing population as it is a popular retirement destination. This has several implications economically. There is less tax revenue from the area as less people are of working age and an higher proportion are claiming pensions meaning there might be a budget deficit for the East Devon region. However, the so called ‘grey pound’ is a major spender in the economy thus many businesses do well if aimed at the older generation. There is a social issue with an elderly population in that different services must be offered. Generally, in East Devon High Streets, such as those found in Salcombe, Brixham and Slapton, there are a number a considerable number of travel agents, coffee shops, bingo halls and charity shops because that is what elderly people spend their money on.

The housing requirements are as different for elderly people and in East Devon there is an high number of retirement flats and homes with features aimed at making life easier for the elderly such as plugs at hip height and CCTV to allow them to feel secure.

Health is the final social issue with an ageing population as the health requirements are different for the elderly. There is an increase in hospital visits as humans get older and thus hospital in the area are often busy and specialised in surgery such as hip replacements and cataracts. The services aimed at the elderly force out the younger generation, thus having demographic impacts. The death rate is higher in East Devon and the birth rate is lower. Also the migration rates into the area of the elderly are high and the migration out of the area of the young, often in search of employment is also high.

The Exam Board Mark Scheme wants to see both the positive and negative issues.