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Using an example of a flood in a MEDC, describe its effects on the land and people (4 marks)

In 1993 the River Mississippi (USA) flooded after 50 days of very heavy rain. Both farmers and their land were affected since 6 million acres of farmland were flooded, ruining maize crops. Millions of tonnes of silt were deposited by the floodwater covering a huge area of land which then needed to be cleared afterwards. More than 36,000 people lost their homes, many thousands more needed to be evacuated and 28 people were killed.

geogeordie writes: "This answer would have got full marks. It gets the example (bold type) out of the way in the first few words - the examiner is left in no doubt that you're on the ball! It then clearly describes a number of effects (bold type) on the land AND the people - a failure to deal with both of these would have lost you marks."


LEDCs often have youthful populations, whereas MEDCs' populations are often ageing. Describe the problems which may result from this (6 marks)

In LEDCs there is a larger proportion of young people compared with old people. This puts pressure on basic health care and education services - local authorities having to find the money for medicines, medical staff, schools, teachers and so on. Often, children in MEDCs cannot extend their education beyond primary school because of a lack of funding. Time and money also needs to be put into the establishment of clean water supplies since, without them, further disease will result in even greater pressure on the basic health care services.

In MEDCs the proportion of older people is growing creating a significant financial burden. This is a problem because once retired, these people are receiving money (via pensions) but not putting any back (via tax on their earnings). An ageing population is also a problem because old people tend to require either more complex or more regular health care as well as suitable accommodation (e.g. sheltered housing). This all costs money - money that comes from an increasingly smaller work force (economically active population) who end up trying to support an increasingly larger dependant population of elderly people.

geogeordie writes: "This answer is certainly a Level 3 answer. There is balance in the answer since there is reference to both MEDC and LEDC issues. Key terms (underlined) show the examiner that you know what you are talking about. Examples are also given (e.g. sheltered accommodation) not simply implied. Perhaps the style could be altered to make it even better - rather than two paragraphs, comparative points (linkages) could be made."


There are several different types of subsistence farming (e.g. intensive rice cultivation, shifting cultivation). For one or more types of subsistence farming, describe and explain the problems faced by farmers and any recent changes which have occurred (8 marks)

On the flood plain of the River Ganges (India) subsistence rice farming takes place. Usually, the flooding of the River Ganges is useful (providing water and fertile silt). However, if the floodwater rises too high, catastrophic floods can create a real problem, destroying the rice crop entirely and leaving the farmers with no food for their families. In turn, this could lead to problems of malnourishment and/or starvation. Too little rain is as much of a problem as too much rain - when the monsoon rains "fail", there is not enough water for the rice to grow properly and the crop is lost.

Rapid population growth is also a major problem with too few fields trying to support too many mouths. Furthermore, there are many landless peasants who do not have the potential to grow their own food since the land is owned by large landowners. Even when land is owned by a family, further problems are faced by the farmers - traditionally when the father dies, the land is subdivided and passed on to his sons. This results in the creation of plots that are simply too small to support a family.

Recent changes have taken place in India with respect to the people and the farming practices. Frustrated, landless peasants have decided to "try their luck" in major urban areas resulting in a loss of young people from rural rice farming areas. A major change was the introduction of the Green Revolution in the !960s. High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of rice were introduced which not only increased yields but also allowed a second crop to be grown (double cropping). Irrigation schemes were introduced (to ensure a more regular water supply), tractors were used instead of water buffalo (for power in the fields) and grants were made available for the purchase of new seeds and equipment.

geogeordie writes: "An answer worthy of the full eight marks. Both problems and changes covered in detail. The example is used to good effect and shows a detailed understanding - it is not simply "tagged" on. Note also how the answer keeps referring back to the question - a good strategy to help you and the examiner keep on track."