Question
Answer the following question.
The simplified logarithmic graph shows the energy inputs and outputs for different farm products in gigajoules per hectare per year.
(a) (i) Identify the farm product that has the lowest energy output. [1]
(ii) Identify the farm product that has the highest energy efficiency. [1]
(b) Outline one way in which energy input changes as a result of mechanization. [2]
(c) Explain how food insecurity could be reduced by the use of:
(i) in vitro meat; [3]
(ii) vertical farming. [3]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
(a) (i) Lettuce
(ii) Cassava
( b) Award [1] for a valid way that energy input changes, and [1] for further explanation, development/developed exemplification.
For example: Mechanization requires increased fossil fuel usage [1] as machinery requires diesel [1]. Other possibilities include:
• less human energy
(c) (i) in vitro meat; [3]
Award [1] for showing understanding of what in vitro meat is, [1] for development/explanation and [1] for a link to reducing food insecurity
For example: Synthetic/lab-grown meat [1] is produced in a shorter time period than traditional meat [1] so more meat is produced and more food is therefore available [1]
(ii) vertical farming. [3]
Award [1] for showing understanding of what vertical farming is, [1] for development/explanation and [1] for a link to reducing food insecurity
For example: Growing crops in buildings/greenhouses one above the other [1]
therefore using less land [1] making food more accessible to urban populations [1].
Question
The map shows part of the global pattern of low calorie intake (undernourishment).
Describe the difference between malnutrition and low calorie intake.[2]
Describe the pattern of undernourishment shown on the map.[4]
Explain two economic causes of food deficiency.[2+2]
With reference to any one vector-borne, water-borne or sexually transmitted disease, compare its geographic impacts at the local and international scales.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Malnutrition means an inadequate/unbalanced supply of energy, vitamins or other food-based nutrients (malnutrition includes both under- and over-nutrition) [1 mark]. Low calorie intake is a subset of malnutrition and is therefore a condition where people receive insufficient calories to maintain a healthy weight [1 mark].
The highest rate/prevalence of undernourishment (over 50%) is in central Africa [1 mark], especially the DRC [1 mark]. South/south-east Asia is generally lower than Africa but higher than Europe/Russia/Australia [1 mark].
Other important features that may be awarded [1 mark] include: low levels in north Africa and south Africa; lower levels in the Middle East; higher value (may describe as anomaly) in Mongolia/central Asia.
For the award of full marks some quantification is necessary.
N.B. country names are not essential for the award of the full [4 marks].
The economic causes of food deficiency include: price increases in staple food items (regardless of why or how they arise, whether from local changes or changes in other regions or countries); transition from food-based agriculture to non-food commercial or export agriculture; inadequate transport infrastructure for food (including food aid) to be supplied and/or distributed efficiently; failure to invest in irrigation projects meaning that the area is unable to cope in times of low rainfall or drought. Credit other valid causes.
Award [1 mark] for each valid cause, with a further [1 mark] for its development.
The response will depend on the disease selected. The relative importance of local and international scales will differ depending on the disease selected.
Some diseases, such as river blindness, have a serious local impact (and some national impacts) but relatively few or no international impacts). Other diseases, such as SARS and A-H1N1 influenza have the potential to impact all scales. Knowledge of the biology/pathology of the chosen disease is not expected, except in so far as it determines specific impacts of geographic importance.
Responses accessing band D and above should refer to both scales, though the amount of depth for each scale need not be equal. Credit should only be awarded for a single disease. In the case of responses which consider more than one disease, the disease scoring most marks should be credited.
Responses reaching bands E/F are expected to show accurate knowledge of a disease, and to consider a range of impacts before concluding whether or not the impacts are similar at the two scales.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
Most responses correct.
A few were very generalized, for example, Africa, or used descriptive terms, for example, top, left.
Many candidates found it difficult to remain focused on economic causes – political, environmental and physical causes were included, demonstrating only a very limited understanding of food deficiency.
A very open-ended question with a number of diseases that could be chosen. The most common were malaria and AIDS/HIV. Many just discussed the disease and its causes and spread rather than examining its impacts. Although there were some good local scale impacts most had difficulty relating it to the international scale and therefore comparing it.
Question
(i) Outline what is meant by the term “diseases of affluence”.
(ii) Briefly describe the global distribution of diseases of affluence.[4]
Referring to one named water-borne or vector-borne disease, distinguish between policies relating to its prevention and policies relating to its treatment.[6]
Examine the effects of transnational corporations (TNCs) and fair trade on the level of sustainability of agriculture.[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
(i)
Award [1] for each valid point from the following:
- mainly affect wealthier people
- due to longevity/sedentary lifestyle/diet/lifestyle choices
- or an example, eg cancer.
(ii)
Primarily economically wealthy countries [1], but also in some socio-economic groups within less wealthy countries [1].
Award maximum [3] if no specific disease named, or disease is not either water-borne or vector-borne, eg HIV/AIDS, Ebola.
Award maximum [4] if policies only relate to either prevention or treatment.
For example:
Malaria is a vector-borne disease, carried by mosquitoes [1].
Policies related to malaria prevention include: Award [1] each.
- removing/covering open bodies of still water (ponds, buckets, puddles)
- eradicating mosquitoes (spraying)
- encouraging use of bednets, preferably pre-sprayed with mosquito pesticide
- encouraging use of anti-malarial tablets.
Policies related to malaria treatment include: Award [1] each.
- ensuring rapid diagnosis (provision of laboratories, training of medical staff, including doctors) ensuring easy access to medical attention and medicines needed to treat malaria (healthcare systems, education, purchase of stockpiles of malarial medicines)
- establishing a national database of malarial patients so that they might be treated more effectively and appropriately.
The relationship between TNCs and sustainability is complex. While some TNCs probably increase agricultural sustainability, others probably decrease it. Equally, the actions of some TNCs probably have no effect on sustainability whatsoever.
An example of how sustainability might be increased is when TNCs introduce/adopt more efficient irrigation techniques (such as drip feed instead of flood irrigation) to grow crops. However, sustainability is only increased if the pumping of water for the new irrigation system does not involve using large amounts of additional energy coming from non-renewable sources.
On the other hand, TNCs that introduce GM herbicide-resistant crops may decrease sustainability. For example, some TNCs have patented or otherwise protected their rights to certain types of seed, meaning that farmers have to purchase new seed every year and are no longer allowed to use seed from a previous crop, as is normally done in conventional farming. This may be economically unsustainable, especially over the long term. In other cases, for example where the seed of some hybrid crops will not germinate and grow new crops, the changes brought by TNCs may be ecologically unsustainable.
The adoption of fair trade is designed to increase sustainability, especially the social and economic aspects of sustainability. The discussion of fair trade might extend into considering the sustainability of marketing and supply chains. This should not be penalized but is likely to be self-limiting given the wording of the question.
TNCs and fair trade are not always mutually exclusive. One example of an overlap between TNCs and fair trade is Starbucks coffee. The firm is a TNC, but it advertises and commercializes fair trade products.
Candidates are expected to show some awareness that the concept of sustainability has several strands, including economic, environmental and social. It is also likely that many candidates will refer to ways in which sustainability can be measured/assessed. The strongest responses are likely to include references to food miles and/or energy efficiency as measures of sustainability.
It is not necessary for TNCs and fair trade to be discussed in equal depth for the award of full marks. A strong, evidenced discussion of TNCs may well offset a weaker discussion of fair trade, or vice versa.
Responses at band D are likely to describe some ways in which TNCs and/or fair trade affect sustainability of agriculture.
At band E, expect either greater explanation of how TNCs and fair trade affect sustainability of agriculture or some explicit examination of what is meant by sustainable agriculture.
At band F, expect both.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
(i/ii) There were few problems with this. Relatively few candidates recognized that diseases of affluence can occur in less wealthy countries.
This was generally well answered. The question specifically required one named water-borne or vector-borne disease*; Ebola is neither, although some credit was given. Policies of prevention were often answered better than treatment. Unfortunately, some candidates wrote (erroneously) that there is a vaccination for malaria.
* The geography guide requires case studies of two diseases, chosen from two of the following three: vector-borne, water-borne, or sexually transmitted.
This question required an understanding of TNCs, fair trade and sustainability of agriculture. There were some very good, detailed responses, using examples. Others had an imperfect understanding of fair trade, confusing it with free trade. Many focused on environmental impacts and sustainability, with less consideration of social and economic aspects. Some recognized that TNCs and fair trade are not mutually exclusive.
Question
State two diseases of poverty.[1]
Describe the distribution of diseases of poverty.[3]
Explain two types of diffusion in relation to the spread of disease.[6]
To what extent have recent changes in agriculture increased the production and availability of food in low-income countries?[10]
▶️Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Diseases of poverty include communicable/infectious diseases, such as malaria, ebola, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS [1].
Accept other possible answers.
Diseases of poverty are primarily concentrated in low-income countries [1] often in tropical regions, but are also found in low-income groups in more affluent countries [1].
Do not accept reasons for poverty unless they are specifically linked to developing the location/distribution/example.
Award [1] for additional detail such as a located example.
The two types named in the syllabus are relocation and expansion diffusion.
Accept other valid types of diffusion, such as contagious and hierarchical.
In each case, award [1] for identification of the type of diffusion, [1] for explaining the concept, and [1] for further development or exemplification.
For example: Influenza is primarily spread by expansion diffusion [1], which means it spreads outwards by contact with an infected individual [1] into a population that has not previously been exposed to the disease [1].
A distinction should be made between increases in food production and increases in food availability.
Recent changes in agricultural production have included increases in crop and animal yields due to scientific innovation, breeding and development of higher yielding varieties. There has also been an increase in areas under irrigation, and in the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which have increased crop yields. There has also been an increase in the area under cultivation.
The growth of agribusiness, improvements in transport and communications, the development of marketing, and improved storage facilities have also increased food availability.
However, there has been unequal development and changes have not occurred in all regions. Wealthier, more fertile regions have increased agricultural yields, while more marginal, less fertile and poorer regions have not experienced large increases. Political factors, income levels, high food prices and poor infrastructure often limit increases in productivity and availability. In other areas, especially those farmed by agribusinesses, changes may focus on the production of non-food crops for export, decreasing local food availability.
Good answers may evaluate the extent to which there have been increases in both food production and availability. They might consider changes in agricultural systems in low-income countries that have resulted in increases in productivity. They could evaluate the extent to which changes in productivity have occurred in different regions, and that food availability may vary due to economic, political and demographic factors.
For band D, expect answers that describe some changes in food production and availability in some countries.
At band E, expect either a more detailed explanation of changes in agriculture, food production and availability in particular regions, or some structured evaluation of the extent to which the statement is true.
At band F, expect both of these elements.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.