Population change

Population change

This Question and Answer examines an AQA Unit 1 compulsory AS question on population change. The question contains datastimulus material, including a text extract from a newspaper article that has to be used as the starting point for answering one of the sub-questions. Although this is an AQA question, the data-stimulus format and mark allocation are similar to those from other exam boards. Population and migration issues are covered in Edexcel AS Unit 1 and WJEC Unit G2. The parts of the question are printed in bold type and the students’ answers are in tint areas. The examiner’s comments are the responsibility of GEOGRAPHY REVIEW and have neither been provided nor approved by the examination board. The question is reproduced by permission of AQA. Cameron Dunn writes here in a personal capacity

Figure 1 Information for four different areas of settlement in four wards of Leeds Metropolitan District in 2008/09

This question begins with a table of data, Figure 1. Tables like this are often interpreted poorly in exams. They can look dull, as well as containing a large volume of numbers. What at first look like random columns, rows and numbers often contain a pattern. In the case of Figure 1, the column headings move from inner city on the left, though suburbs and the rural–urban fringe, to the countryside on the right. In other words, there is a logical structure to the table. On looking again, all of the data values get smaller to the right. The keys to successful use of tables are:

■ Read the introduction to the question and the figure heading carefully. (In this case, it alone tells the reader the data are from the Leeds district, UK.) The mark scheme is given in Table 1.