ZIMSEC A Level Geography Population Geography questions

Question 1

When constructing a proportional circle map to represent town or city populations, which quantity should be made directly proportional to population size, and how is this achieved?

Accepted Answer

The circle's area, set proportional to population by making the radius proportional to the square root of the population value.

Question 2

In the dot method of representing rural population, where each dot represents a fixed number of people (for example, 1 dot = 2,000 people), why must this dot value be chosen carefully?

Accepted Answer

So that dots in the most densely populated areas do not merge into a solid mass, while dots in sparsely populated areas remain individually visible.

Question 3

Which population-mapping technique shades administrative units (such as districts or provinces) according to population density, giving a map that is easy to read at a glance but risks masking variation within each unit and creating a false impression of uniform density across it?

Accepted Answer

density shading

Question 4

What demographic term describes the difference between a population's birth rate and death rate, expressed as a rate of population growth that excludes migration?

Accepted Answer

natural increase

Question 5

Which of the following best defines mortality in population geography?

Accepted Answer

The rate of deaths in a population, often measured as deaths per 1000 population per year.

Question 6

In presenting migration survey results, a map that uses arrows to show the origins and directions of people moving into a town is called a:

Accepted Answer

Flow map of migrant origins and directions

Question 7

In the Demographic Transition Model, the stage characterised by high birth and death rates and consequently low natural increase, typical of isolated tribal societies, is Stage ______.

Accepted Answer

1

Question 8

In the Demographic Transition Model, which stage is characterised by a still-high birth rate combined with a falling death rate, producing rapid natural increase?

Accepted Answer

Stage 2

Question 9

In the Demographic Transition Model, which stage is characterised by both birth and death rates being low, resulting in a low rate of natural increase?

Accepted Answer

Stage 4

Question 10

In the Demographic Transition Model, the stage in which the birth rate falls below the death rate, leading to population decline, is Stage ______.

Accepted Answer

5

Question 11

Malthusian theory contrasts how population and food supply grow over time. If food supply grows arithmetically, increasing by a constant amount each period (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), how does Malthus argue population grows if unchecked?

Accepted Answer

Geometrically, increasing by a constant multiple each period, e.g. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16

Question 12

In Malthusian theory, food supply is said to increase only at what type of rate, in contrast to population's geometric growth?

Accepted Answer

arithmetic

Question 13

In cities in developing countries, in-migration is heavily concentrated in the 20 to 34 age group, with far fewer child and elderly migrants than the city's total resident population pyramid shows. Which explanation best accounts for this age pattern among migrants?

Accepted Answer

Migration is dominated by young working-age adults moving to seek employment in the city

Population Geography Questions and Answers

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