Secondary 2 Geography Practice Paper: Map Reading And Field Study, Land Use And Farming Systems, Industrial Location, Urban Development And Renewal, Population And Migration, Weather And Climate (100 Marks)

Secondary 2 Geography Practice Paper: map reading and field study, land use and farming systems, industrial location, urban development and renewal, population and migration, weather and climate (100 marks)

2026-11-14

Geography – S2

S2 Geography practice paper: 24 questions with answers on map skills, farming systems, industry location, urban renewal, population and weather.

Paper details　S2 Geography practice paper with 24 questions and full answers: scale and contour calculation, farming systems, industrial location, urban renewal, population density and migration, and weather and climate interpretation.

Section A – Map reading and field study skills (17 marks)

Study the map and field data, then answer all questions.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
1	A map has a scale of 1 : 20000. The straight-line distance between points A and B on the map is 6.5 cm. Find the real distance in kilometres.	Real distance = 20000 x 6.5 = 130000 cm = 1300 m = 1.3 km. (3 marks for scale; 2 marks for unit conversion)
2	A trail climbs from 100 m to 220 m above sea level. The horizontal distance is 500 m and the contour interval is 20 m. Calculate the average slope.	Drop = 220 – 100 = 120 m; slope = 120 / 500 x 100% = 24.0%. (2 marks for the drop; 2 marks for slope as a percentage)
3	A compass bearing from the lighthouse to the pier reads 130 degrees, and the local magnetic declination is 3 degrees west. Find the true bearing.	True bearing = magnetic bearing + declination = 130 + 3 = 133 degrees. (2 marks for the formula; 2 marks for the answer)
4	Students measure river velocity with a float: it travels 10 m in 8 s, and three repeats give 1.25, 1.30 and 1.20 m/s. Find the mean velocity.	Mean = (1.25 + 1.30 + 1.20) / 3 = 1.25 m/s; a single run gives 10 / 8 = 1.25 m/s, which cross-checks the result. (2 marks for the working; 1 mark for the mean; 1 mark for the check)

Section B – Land use and farming systems (17 marks)

The diagram shows the inputs and outputs of a farming system.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
5	State the three types of input in a farming system and give one example of each.	Physical inputs (rainfall, sunshine, soil nutrients), human and technical inputs (labour, machinery, irrigation), and economic inputs (capital, fertiliser, seeds). 1 mark per type plus 1 mark for examples, 5 marks in total.
6	Compare intensive and extensive farming in terms of inputs per hectare, yield per hectare, and typical location.	Intensive: high inputs per hectare, high yield per hectare, near densely populated cities with little farmland. Extensive: low inputs, low yield, in dry or sparsely populated regions. 1 mark per comparison plus 1 for the conclusion.
7	Farmland in a region fell from 7000 hectares to 4500 hectares. Calculate the percentage decrease (1 d.p.) and state two causes.	Decrease = 7000 – 4500 = 2500 ha; percentage = 2500 / 7000 x 100% = 35.7%. Causes: urban expansion taking farmland, and an ageing, shrinking farm labour force. 2 marks for the calculation, 1 mark per cause.
8	Suggest two measures that make a farm more sustainable and explain how each reduces environmental impact.	Measure one: crop rotation and fallow periods, which reduce nutrient depletion and pests. Measure two: drip irrigation with rainwater harvesting, which cuts water use and nutrient runoff. 2 marks per measure with explanation.

Section C – Industrial location and manufacturing (17 marks)

An electronics plant and a steel mill are located in different regions.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
9	List four factors affecting industrial location and explain each in one sentence.	Distance to raw materials and markets (transport cost), labour supply (quantity and skill), land and power (area and price), and government policy with infrastructure (tax incentives, transport). 1 mark per factor plus 1 for the explanation.
10	Compare heavy and light industry in plant size, the weight ratio of raw materials to products, and locational tendency.	Heavy industry: large plants, raw materials lose much weight, sited near materials or ports. Light industry: smaller plants, little weight loss, sited near urban markets or labour. 3 marks plus 1 for the summary.
11	An industrial estate has 300000 square metres of floor space, of which 84000 square metres are vacant. Find the vacancy rate (1 d.p.) and suggest one revitalisation measure.	Vacancy rate = 84000 / 300000 x 100% = 28.0%. Suggestion: convert vacant units into data centres, storage or creative studios, upgrading fire safety and floor loading. 2 marks for the calculation, 2 for the suggestion.
12	Identify two kinds of pollution caused by manufacturing and give one management method for each.	Air pollution (particulates, sulphur dioxide): install filters and desulphurisation with regular monitoring. Water pollution (heavy metals, organics): pre-treat effluent on site to meet discharge standards. 2 marks per item.

Section D – Urban development and urban renewal (17 marks)

The old district has dense buildings, narrow roads and some dilapidated blocks.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
13	Use bid-rent theory to explain the distribution of commercial, residential and industrial land in a city.	Commercial users bid highest and cluster in the core; residential bids are lower and spread outward; industry needs large sites and bids least, so it locates at the fringe near transport routes. 1 mark per zone plus 2 for applying the theory.
14	State three causes of urban decay.	Ageing buildings with owners unable to pay for repairs, out-migration to new towns, and land use that no longer fits modern needs (narrow streets, little open space). 1 mark each, plus 1 for expression.
15	Compare the strengths and limits of full redevelopment, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse in urban renewal.	Redevelopment: thorough improvement but costly and disruptive to community networks. Rehabilitation: cheaper and keeps the community but structural limits remain. Adaptive reuse: preserves heritage but has use restrictions and slower returns. 1 mark each plus 1 for comparison.
16	Suggest two sustainable urban development measures for the old district and explain how each improves residents’ quality of life.	Measure one: pedestrian zones and green open space to improve air quality and walkability. Measure two: mixed-use development with community facilities and public transport links to cut commuting time. 2 marks per measure.

Section E – Population distribution and migration (16 marks)

The table gives population and land area for districts A and B.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
17	District A has a population of 250000 and a land area of 12.5 square kilometres. Calculate its population density in persons per square kilometre.	Density = 250000 / 12.5 = 20000 persons per square kilometre. (2 marks for the working; 2 for the unit)
18	If a district’s population pyramid narrows at the base and widens at the top, describe its population structure and two social effects.	Features: low birth rate and a high share of elderly people, a contracting population. Effects: rising demand for medical and long-term care, and a smaller workforce with a higher dependency ratio. 1 mark for features, 1 per effect, 1 for expression.
19	Explain rural-to-urban migration using push and pull factors, with one example of each.	Push: too little farmland and few jobs in the countryside. Pull: higher urban wages and better education and health care. 2 marks for push, 2 for pull.
20	State two effects of an ageing population on urban land use.	More land is needed for hospitals, care homes and elderly centres; public spaces need barrier-free access and seating. 2 marks per point.

Section F – Weather and climate (16 marks)

The table gives monthly mean temperature and rainfall for a place.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
21	Name the instruments used to measure temperature, rainfall and wind direction.	Thermometer (in a Stevenson screen), rain gauge and wind vane. 1 mark each, plus 1 mark for noting that instruments must be sited in the open and away from direct sunlight.
22	Explain why Hong Kong is wetter in summer and drier in winter.	In summer the south-westerly monsoon brings warm moist maritime air and tropical cyclones; in winter the north-easterly monsoon brings dry cold air from the interior. 2 marks each.
23	From the data, what is the annual total rainfall in millimetres, and how many months record 100 mm or more?	Annual total = 2340 mm; 7 months record 100 mm or more (April to October). (2 marks for the total; 2 marks for the count)
24	The warmest month averages 28.9 C, the coldest 16.5 C, and the annual mean is 23.37 C. Find the annual temperature range and classify the climate as tropical, temperate or polar.	Range = 28.9 – 16.5 = 12.4 C; with a mean of 23.37 C and a small range, the climate is tropical. (2 marks for the range; 2 for the classification with reason)

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