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SINGAPORE-CAMBRIDGE GCE O-LEVEL

PURE GEOGRAPHY OUTLINE

SYLLABUS 2236

UPDATED 2013

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1 Compiled by Lim Ting Jie

Overview

Themes Topics Chapters Count

Physical Geography 1. Coasts 1-3 3

2. Living with Tectonic Hazards 4-6 3

3. Variable Weather and Changing Climate 7-9 3

Human Geography 4. Global Tourism 10-12 3

5. Food Resources 13-15 3

6. Health and Diseases 16-18 3

Coasts

1. How and why are coastal environments different and dynamic? ................................................. 7

2. Why are coastal areas valuable? ................................................................................................ 8

3. How can we manage coastal areas in a sustainable manner? .................................................... 9

Living with Tectonic Hazards

4. Why are some areas more prone to tectonic hazards? ............................................................. 11

5. What landforms and associated tectonic phenomena are found at plate boundaries? .............. 12

6. How do people prepare for and respond to earthquakes? ......................................................... 13

Variable Weather and Changing Climate

7. Why do different places experience different weather and climate? .......................................... 15

8. What is happening to the Earth’s climate? ................................................................................ 16

9. Is the weather becoming more extreme? .................................................................................. 17

Global Tourism

10. How does the nature of tourism vary from place to place? ...................................................... 19

11. Why has tourism become a global phenomenon? ................................................................... 20

12. Developing tourism at what cost? ............................................................................................ 21

Food Resources

13. How and why has food consumption patterns changed since 1960s? ..................................... 23

14. What are the trends and challenges in production of food crops? ........................................... 24

15. How can the problem of food shortage be addressed? ........................................................... 25

Health and Diseases

16. What are the global patterns of health and diseases? ............................................................. 27

17. What influences the spread and impact of infectious diseases? .............................................. 28

18. How can we manage the current and future spread of infectious diseases? ........................... 29

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Contents

1. How and why are coastal environments different and dynamic? .......................................... 7

(a) explain the dynamic nature of coastal environments .............................................................. 7

(b) explain how waves are generated and the factors influencing them ....................................... 7

(c) explain wave refraction and the processes which occur when waves break ........................... 7

(d) distinguish between the different types of waves and their associated coastal environments . 7

(e) explain the different coastal processes ................................................................................... 7

(f) describe and explain the formation of cliffs, headlands, caves, arches, stacks and shore

platforms ..................................................................................................................................... 7

(g) describe and explain the formation of bays, beaches, spits and tombolos .............................. 7

2. Why are coastal areas valuable? ............................................................................................. 8

(a) describe four key ecosystem services obtainable from coastal ecosystems ........................... 8

(b) explain how the distinctive characteristics of coastal areas support a variety of human

activities ...................................................................................................................................... 8

(c) describe the global distribution and characteristics of coral reef ecosystem ........................... 8

(d) explain the value of coral reef ecosystem in the coastal environment .................................... 8

(e) discuss the issues surrounding the destruction of coral reef ecosystem ................................. 8

(f) describe the global distribution and characteristics of coral reef ecosystem ............................ 8

(g) explain the value of coral reef ecosystem in the coastal environment .................................... 8

(h) discuss the issues surrounding the destruction of coral reef ecosystem ................................. 8

(i) identify and explain the threats to coastal areas ...................................................................... 8

3. How can we manage coastal areas in a sustainable manner? .............................................. 9

(a) explain how coastal areas can be managed in a sustainable manner .................................... 9

(b) evaluate the effectiveness of coastal protection measures ..................................................... 9

4. Why are some areas more prone to tectonic hazards? ........................................................ 11

(a) compare the different types of natural hazards ..................................................................... 11

(b) describe the internal structure of the Earth (core, mantle, crust) and tectonic plates ............ 11

(c) explain the movement of plates ............................................................................................ 11

(d) describe the global distribution of tectonic plates and types of plate boundaries .................. 11

5. What landforms and associated tectonic phenomena are found at plate boundaries? ..... 12

(a) discuss how plate movements influence the general distribution of landforms and associated

phenomena ............................................................................................................................... 12

(b) describe the characteristics of landforms and phenomena associated with plate movements

.................................................................................................................................................. 12

(c) explain the causes of landforms and phenomena associated with plate movements ............ 12

(d) describe the structure of volcanoes ...................................................................................... 12

(e) explain the shape and size of volcanoes .............................................................................. 12

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(f) describe the benefits and risks of living in volcanic areas ...................................................... 12

(g) discuss the impact of earthquakes on peopleliving in areas prone to this natural hazard ..... 12

6. How do people prepare for and respond to earthquakes? .................................................. 13

(a) discuss the responses of people to earthquakes and tsunamis ............................................ 13

(b) assess the effectiveness of strategies in mitigating and responding to the effects of

earthquakes and tsunamis ........................................................................................................ 13

7. Why do different places experience different weather and climate? .................................. 15

(a) differentiate between weather and climate ........................................................................... 15

(b) explain the daily and seasonal variations in temperature at a particular location .................. 15

(c) compare and explain the variations in temperature between different locationsExplain the

differences in relative humidity in different locations .................................................................. 15

(d) explain the formation of convectional rain and relief rain ...................................................... 15

(e) explain how coastal temperatures are moderated by land and sea breezes ......................... 15

(f) explain the formation of monsoon winds ............................................................................... 15

(g) describe and explain the distribution and characteristics of equatorial, monsoon and cool

temperate climates .................................................................................................................... 15

(h) describe and explain the weather and climate of Singapore with reference to rainfall, relative

humidity and temperature .......................................................................................................... 15

8. What is happening to the Earth’s climate? ........................................................................... 16

(a) discuss climate change in the last 150 years ........................................................................ 16

(b) explain the greenhouse effect .............................................................................................. 16

(c) discuss the natural causes of recent climate change ............................................................ 16

(d) explain how human activities such as deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, rice cultivation and

cattle farming increase greenhouse gases and lead to enhanced greenhouse effectExplain the

impact of climate change such as sea level rise, extreme weather events and human health ... 16

(e) describe the responses to climate change ........................................................................... 16

9. Is the weather becoming more extreme? .............................................................................. 17

(a) describe the location and characteristics of tropical cyclones ............................................... 17

(b) discuss the impact of tropical cyclones on human lives and the environment ....................... 17

(c) evaluate the effectiveness of measures adopted to mitigate and respond to the effects of

tropical cyclones ........................................................................................................................ 17

10. How does the nature of tourism vary from place to place? ............................................... 19

(a) describe and give examples of different types of tourism ..................................................... 19

(b) explain why tourist activities are different at different places ................................................ 19

(c) discuss the roles of different groups in promoting tourism .................................................... 19

11. Why has tourism become a global phenomenon? ............................................................. 20

(a) describe the trends of both domestic tourism and international tourism ................................ 20

(b) describe the changing nature of global tourism .................................................................... 20

(c) explain the growth of global tourismExplain why tourism is subject to regional fluctuations .. 20

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12. Developing tourism at what cost? ....................................................................................... 21

(a) assess the impact of tourism on a country ........................................................................... 21

(b) explain how tourism can be made sustainable ..................................................................... 21

(c) compare the roles of various groups in taking care of the tourist areas ................................ 21

13. How and why has food consumption patterns changed since 1960s? ............................. 23

(a) describe variations in global food consumption patterns between DCs and LDCs over time 23

(b) describe the changing food preferences in DCs and LDCs .................................................. 23

(c) explain why variations exist and persist in food consumption between DCs and LDCs ........ 23

(d) discuss the impact of variations in food consumption on individuals within DCs and LDCs .. 23

14. What are the trends and challenges in production of food crops? ................................... 24

(a) describe and explain the trends in production of food crops since 1960s ............................. 24

(b) discuss the factors affecting the intensity of food production and supplyDiscuss the effects of

intensification of food production activities on water and soil quality .......................................... 24

(c) discuss why the production of genetically modified food crop varies between countries ....... 24

(d) discuss the causes of food shortage .................................................................................... 24

15. How can the problem of food shortage be addressed? ..................................................... 25

(a) discuss strategies adopted to alleviate the problem of food shortage ................................... 25

(b) evaluate the effectiveness of technology to solve the problem of food shortage ................... 25

16. What are the global patterns of health and diseases? ....................................................... 27

(a) describe how the health of people varies between DCs and LDCs ....................................... 27

(b) explain the variations in the health of people between DCs and LDCs ................................. 27

(c) describe the variations in types of diseases between DCs and LDCs ................................... 27

(d) explain the main causes of death in DCs and LDCs ............................................................. 27

17. What influences the spread and impact of infectious diseases? ...................................... 28

(a) compare and give examples of epidemic and pandemic outbreaks at different times in the

past ........................................................................................................................................... 28

(b) describe and explain the transmission of malaria ................................................................. 28

(c) describe the spread of malaria in the world .......................................................................... 28

(d) describe and explain the extent of spread of malaria in a selected country in Asia ............... 28

(e) discuss the impact of malaria in a selected countryDescribe and explain the transmission of

HIV/AIDS ................................................................................................................................... 28

(f) describe the spread of HIV/AIDS in the world ........................................................................ 28

(g) describe and explain the factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS in a selected country

.................................................................................................................................................. 28

(h) discuss the impact of HIV/AIDS in a selected country .......................................................... 28

18. How can we manage the current and future spread of infectious diseases? ................... 29

(a) discuss the challenges faced in managing the spread of infectious diseases ....................... 29

(b) explain the re-emergence of malaria in several countries in the world .................................. 29

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(c) discuss measures that individuals, governments and organisations can take to manage the

spread of infectious diseases .................................................................................................... 29

(d) assess the effectiveness of measures taken by a country to contain the spread of the disease

.................................................................................................................................................. 29

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TOPIC 1: COASTS

Should coastal environments matter? One third of the world’s population live in coastal areas, approximately 4% of Earth’s total land area. The study of coastal environments is especially crucial at a time when there is greater threat to coastal areas due to the rise in sea levels. Through the study of physical processes occurring in coastal areas and the resulting landform features, students will understand how dynamic and fragile coastal environments are. They will examine why coastal environments are highly valuable in supporting a variety of human activities. They will also study the challenges involved in making decisions pertaining to the management of issues that arise from increasing human interferences in coastal environments.

Extracted from GEOGRAPHY GCE ORDINARY LEVEL (2014) Syllabus Document

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1. How and why are coastal environments different and dynamic?

Learning Outcomes:

Candidates should be able to:

(a) explain the dynamic nature of coastal environments

(b) explain how waves are generated and the factors influencing them

(c) explain wave refraction and the processes which occur when waves break

(d) distinguish between the different types of waves and their associated coastal

environments

(e) explain the different coastal processes

(f) describe and explain the formation of cliffs, headlands, caves, arches, stacks and shore

platforms

(g) describe and explain the formation of bays, beaches, spits and tombolos

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2. Why are coastal areas valuable?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe four key ecosystem services obtainable from coastal ecosystems

(b) explain how the distinctive characteristics of coastal areas support a variety of human

activities

(c) describe the global distribution and characteristics of coral reef ecosystem

(d) explain the value of coral reef ecosystem in the coastal environment

(e) discuss the issues surrounding the destruction of coral reef ecosystem

(f) describe the global distribution and characteristics of coral reef ecosystem

(g) explain the value of coral reef ecosystem in the coastal environment

(h) discuss the issues surrounding the destruction of coral reef ecosystem

(i) identify and explain the threats to coastal areas

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3. How can we manage coastal areas in a sustainable manner?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) explain how coastal areas can be managed in a sustainable manner

(b) evaluate the effectiveness of coastal protection measures

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TOPIC 2: LIVING WITH TECTONIC HAZARDS

Risk or opportunity?

Certain places in the world like those near plate boundaries are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Such natural hazards pose dangers to people who live there and have significant impact on their quality of life. In examining the spatial patterns of these natural hazards and why such patterns exist, students have to explore the concept of plate tectonics and understand how plate movements resulting from internal earth processes create mountain systems, some large-scale landform features and tectonic hazards around the world. They will examine how and why the impact of these tectonic hazards vary greatly from place to place and consider the decision-making process that leads people to adopt certain responses when deciding to live in hazard-prone areas. Although Singapore is not at the plate boundaries, we do experience tremors and effects associated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occurring in neighbouring countries. Through studying this topic, students will gain an appreciation of the constraints people face and the reasons behind the different choices people make in similar situations.


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4. Why are some areas more prone to tectonic hazards?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) compare the different types of natural hazards

(b) describe the internal structure of the Earth (core, mantle, crust) and tectonic plates

(c) explain the movement of plates

(d) describe the global distribution of tectonic plates and types of plate boundaries

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5. What landforms and associated tectonic phenomena are found at plate boundaries?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) discuss how plate movements influence the general distribution of landforms and

associated phenomena

(b) describe the characteristics of landforms and phenomena associated with plate

movements

(c) explain the causes of landforms and phenomena associated with plate movements

(d) describe the structure of volcanoes

(e) explain the shape and size of volcanoes

(f) describe the benefits and risks of living in volcanic areas

(g) discuss the impact of earthquakes on peopleliving in areas prone to this natural hazard

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6. How do people prepare for and respond to earthquakes?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) discuss the responses of people to earthquakes and tsunamis

(b) assess the effectiveness of strategies in mitigating and responding to the effects of

earthquakes and tsunamis

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TOPIC 3: VARIABLE WEATHER AND CHANGING CLIMATE

A continuing challenge?

Variations in day-to-day weather are occurring all the time; they are an integral part of our lives. The average weather conditions of about 30 years is known as climate. Climate has changed in the past through natural causes on timescales ranging from millions to hundreds of years. However, in this topic, the study of climate change is confined to the changes taking place in the last 150 years. Changes in climate are often discussed as they impact human lives, livelihoods and nature’s life support systems. In recent years, severe weather events such as tropical cyclones appear to have become more intense. In studying this topic, students will examine the fundamental concepts and essential principles involved in the Earth’s weather and climate system. They will gain an understanding of the scientific basis of changing weather and climate and the complex inter-connections among the physical and biological components of the Earth system. Through the study, students will also appreciate that climate change poses challenges as well as opportunities.


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7. Why do different places experience different weather and climate?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) differentiate between weather and climate

(b) explain the daily and seasonal variations in temperature at a particular location

(c) compare and explain the variations in temperature between different locationsExplain

the differences in relative humidity in different locations

(d) explain the formation of convectional rain and relief rain

(e) explain how coastal temperatures are moderated by land and sea breezes

(f) explain the formation of monsoon winds

(g) describe and explain the distribution and characteristics of equatorial, monsoon and

cool temperate climates

(h) describe and explain the weather and climate of Singapore with reference to rainfall,

relative humidity and temperature

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8. What is happening to the Earth’s climate?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) discuss climate change in the last 150 years

(b) explain the greenhouse effect

(c) discuss the natural causes of recent climate change

(d) explain how human activities such as deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, rice

cultivation and cattle farming increase greenhouse gases and lead to enhanced greenhouse

effectExplain the impact of climate change such as sea level rise, extreme weather events

and human health

(e) describe the responses to climate change

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9. Is the weather becoming more extreme?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe the location and characteristics of tropical cyclones

(b) discuss the impact of tropical cyclones on human lives and the environment

(c) evaluate the effectiveness of measures adopted to mitigate and respond to the effects of

tropical cyclones

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TOPIC 4: GLOBAL TOURISM

Is tourism the way to go?

Tourism is an important industry in many countries of the world. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages. The growth in tourism has impact on people and places and requires careful management in order to ensure that it is sustainable. In Singapore, tourism is an important sector of the economy and many students also aspire to work in the industry. Through examining this topic, students will gain a better understanding of the challenges faced in the global competition for the tourist dollar and management of tourist sites.


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10. How does the nature of tourism vary from place to place?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe and give examples of different types of tourism

(b) explain why tourist activities are different at different places

(c) discuss the roles of different groups in promoting tourism

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11. Why has tourism become a global phenomenon?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe the trends of both domestic tourism and international tourism

(b) describe the changing nature of global tourism

(c) explain the growth of global tourismExplain why tourism is subject to regional

fluctuations

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12. Developing tourism at what cost?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) assess the impact of tourism on a country

(b) explain how tourism can be made sustainable

(c) compare the roles of various groups in taking care of the tourist areas

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TOPIC 5: FOOD RESOURCES

Is technology a panacea for food shortage?

Food is an important resource issue in contemporary society. This topic focuses on food consumption, production and distribution patterns in societies. It looks at the perplexing problem of why there is hunger in some societies while others enjoy excess food provision that results in obesity and food wastage. Students will examine the role and impact of technology in raising yields to combat the food shortage problem. In the light of growing world population and the challenges of environment sustainability, solutions to the issue of hunger may be in continuing the intensification of farming practices in the midst of global climate change, changing the food supply and distribution chains or population control.


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13. How and why has food consumption patterns changed since 1960s?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe variations in global food consumption patterns between DCs and LDCs over

time

(b) describe the changing food preferences in DCs and LDCs

(c) explain why variations exist and persist in food consumption between DCs and LDCs

(d) discuss the impact of variations in food consumption on individuals within DCs and

LDCs

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14. What are the trends and challenges in production of food crops?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe and explain the trends in production of food crops since 1960s

(b) discuss the factors affecting the intensity of food production and supplyDiscuss the

effects of intensification of food production activities on water and soil quality

(c) discuss why the production of genetically modified food crop varies between countries

(d) discuss the causes of food shortage

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15. How can the problem of food shortage be addressed?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) discuss strategies adopted to alleviate the problem of food shortage

(b) evaluate the effectiveness of technology to solve the problem of food shortage

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TOPIC 6: HEALTH AND DISEASES

Are we more vulnerable than before?

This topic deals with the health of people around the world and the main diseases that affect them. According to the WHO, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. However, in this topic, the focus is only on physical well-being. It examines how people’s interactions with the environment increase their susceptibility to disease and early mortality. It is concerned with the location and spatial spread of selected major diseases, the disease transmission cycles and intervention strategies to reduce disease burden. It examines the causes underlying the spread of diseases, such as poverty, lack of access to medical services, and the physical environment like weather changes that influence the speed and agents of spread. Through the study, students will appreciate that people in different environments have unequal access to resources and face varying risks of succumbing to poor health and diseases. They will also appreciate the need to exercise individual and collective responsibility in responding to infectious diseases.


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16. What are the global patterns of health and diseases?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) describe how the health of people varies between DCs and LDCs

(b) explain the variations in the health of people between DCs and LDCs

(c) describe the variations in types of diseases between DCs and LDCs

(d) explain the main causes of death in DCs and LDCs

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17. What influences the spread and impact of infectious diseases?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) compare and give examples of epidemic and pandemic outbreaks at different times in

the past

(b) describe and explain the transmission of malaria

(c) describe the spread of malaria in the world

(d) describe and explain the extent of spread of malaria in a selected country in Asia

(e) discuss the impact of malaria in a selected countryDescribe and explain the

transmission of HIV/AIDS

(f) describe the spread of HIV/AIDS in the world

(g) describe and explain the factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS in a selected

country

(h) discuss the impact of HIV/AIDS in a selected country

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18. How can we manage the current and future spread of infectious diseases?

Learning Outcomes:


(a) discuss the challenges faced in managing the spread of infectious diseases

(b) explain the re-emergence of malaria in several countries in the world

(c) discuss measures that individuals, governments and organisations can take to manage

the spread of infectious diseases

(d) assess the effectiveness of measures taken by a country to contain the spread of the

disease

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