Past GCSE Answers

Using one or more examples describe how water supply is being improved in LEDC’s (6 marks)

 In Kenya, water pumps have been built. These are based on windmills which allow water to be pumped from underground. Multi purpose schemes like the Aswan dam provide irrigation water so that crops can be grown all the year round. In Ethipoia Water Aid have provided money and technology for hand-dug wells and spot spring development where springs are simply tapped and protected at their source. In Benishangul Gumuz, as well as hand-dug wells, WaterAid is testing simpler and cheaper rope pumps.

Fair trade aims to give LEDCs a chance to gain more benefits from trade. Describe how fair trade may benefit LEDCs. (4 marks)

There are fewer people involved so more money goes to the producers in the LEDC's and less is taken by traders in MEDC's. Fair trade companies (like Cafe Direct) often provide safer working conditions means that producers are less likely to make employees work in poor conditions to save money and make bigger profits. Fair trade encourages producers to invest their profits in their local community projects such as environmental and appropriate technology schemes. The money spent providing things like schools and hospitals means that everybody benefits, not just the people directly involved in the trade. Factories and processing plants are established in LEDC’s which means they gain more profit from manufacturing their own produce.

What is the meaning of the term appropriate technology? (2 marks)

It is small scale and appropriate for the needs of the people concerned. It uses a level of technology that local people can maintain themselves.

How may the development of a country be affected by earthquakes or any other environmental hazard that you have studied? (4 marks)

Countries such as the Philippines suffer from many natural hazards which can hamper development due to the money that has to be spent on recovering from disasters. The Pinatubo eruption of 1991 cost the government billions in repair costs and GDP dropped by 3% in 1990-1991. In Sub-Saharan Africa the threat of water borne diseases such as malaria, guinea worm and cholera divert funds away from economic development towards medical development. If people are ill they will be unable to earn money and contribute thorough taxes to the government.