Human systems
Marjorie Henry, Contributor

Section C of the geography question paper is based on human systems.

Like section B, three questions are given.

You are required to answer only one. Today, I will focus on the first question in this section, that is, question five.

In reference to the geography syllabus, this question is testing the objectives found in the section 'Population and Settlement'.

The following specific objectives are tested:

3: Define urbanisation;

6: Describe the benefits and problems of urbanisation in the Caribbean...;

7: Describe ways in which urbanisation can be controlled in the Caribbean.

Here is question 5:

Section C (human systems)

Answer ONE question from this section:

5. (a) Study the demographic transition model in figure 5 and then answer the questions below.

(i) Name the stages at which there is little natural population increase.(2 marks)

(ii) Describe the change in the death rate in stage 2. (1 mark)

(iii) From which stage does population start to increase significantly? (1 mark)

b) Define the term 'urbanisation'. (2 marks)

c) Describe THREE problems associated with urbanisation in the Caribbean.
(6 marks)

d) (i) Explain why people move from rural areas to towns. Include THREE reasons in your response. (6 marks)

(ii) Suggest THREE actions that could be taken to reduce rural to urban migration. (6 marks)

Total 24 marks

You may have observed that the key verb for section (a) is STUDY. It is the same for section (a) for all the questions already discussed from this June 2007 paper.

Remember now, you simply study the given graph to find the answers to the questions below it. The answers are as follows:

(i) The stages at which there is little natural population increase are one and four.

(ii) The death rate in stage two falls significantly.

(iii) Population starts to increase significantly at stage two.

(b) Urbanisation is the continuing increase in the proportion of city-dwellers. Of course, this can be expressed in other ways, but most important, you must include the word proportion.

In section (c), you are asked to describe problems associated with urbanisation in the Caribbean. You are to state the problems in urban centres and not where people are coming from. Having stated the problem, you will then say something about it.

Note the key verb, Describe. Refer to the recommended texts for information for this question. These are Geography for CSEC by Jeanette Ottley & Marolyn Gentles, page 161; and The Caribbean Environment for CXC Geography by Mark Wilson, page 118-119. Let me share some of that information with you.

(i) High unemployment - Persons coming into the city often do not have the required skills or education and, therefore, cannot obtain jobs. This can lead to other undesirable situations, namely, the growth of the informal sector, increased number of beggars and idlers on the street, and crime.

(ii) Traffic congestion: There is a large volume of vehicles coming into the city. The size and state of the roads may not be able to accommodate this increased flow. Long hours are spent in the traffic, especially during peak hours.

(iii) Pollution: The large number of vehicles on the road create noise pollution with their horns as well as their movement. The exhaust from vehicles contribute to air pollution. (NB: Pollution is ONE problem. The types of pollution are just a part of the description.)

(iv) Lack of housing: The demand for housing is greater than the supply. For many, the cost for a house is unaffordable.

(v) The development of ghettos and slums: This is an off-shoot of the problem stated above. Inferior materials are often used to build houses on 'capture' land or vacant lots probably owned by the Government or private individuals. The lack of social amenities and basic infrastructure in these settlements can lead to disease.

(vi) Social decay: There is the development and increase in gang warfare in the inner city, as well as the use of drugs and guns.

This list is by no means exhausted. Try to identify other problems associated with urbanisation.

The discussion on this question will continue in the next lesson.

This St. Andrew High School student takes photographs of a number of performers, including DJ Nicholas and Prodigal Son, during Kingston College's Inter-School's Christian Fellowship gospel concert, dubbed: 'Power in the Blood: Freedom Stems from the Root', at their Melbourne campus, Upper Elletson Road, on Friday, January 18. -Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Marjorie Henry is an independent contributor.