1.5: Settlements and Service Provision (Paper 2)

Question 1

Explain the different types/patterns of settlement: (3)

Answer 1

• Dispersed Settlement: When farms or houses are set among their fields or spread along roads. (1)
• Nucleated Settlement: Houses and buildings that are tightly clustered around a central feature. (1)
• Linear Pattern: Settlements are found along a geographical feature such as a river valley or a major transport route. (1)

Question 2

Explain the physical factors influencing sites of settlements: (3)

Answer 2

• Availability of water: Necessary for drinking, cooking, washing as a source of food supply and transport. (1)
• Relief: High enough not to flood and level sights to build on. (1)
• Fertile Soils: Often located close to rivers. (1)

Question 3

Explain other factors influencing the sites of settlements: (2)

Answer 3

• Good accessibility: Increases the potential for trade and commerce. (1)
• Resources: Access to resources such as minerals. (1)

Question 4

Explain the factors affecting the growth of settlements: (4)

Answer 4

• Climate: too extreme and settlements remain small. (1)

Raw materials: multiplier effect, more investment means more opportunities, which attracts people to the area, therefore, there is growth within the settlement. (1)

Fertile land allows for excess to be sold and non-farming services can be supported, allowing for the natural growth of a settlement. (1)

Location - central to other places, access for trade etc. (1)

Question 5

Explain the factors affecting the function of settlements: (4)

Answer 5

• Growth of settlements (1)
• Tourism (1)
• Agriculture (1)
• Trade (1)

Question 6

Explain the reasons of the hierarchy of settlements and services: (3)

Answer 6

• Population size (1)
• Number of services provided (1)
• Number of settlements (1)

Question 7

Define the following terms: (2)

• Site (1)
• Situation (1)

Answer 7

• Site: The actual land on which a settlement is built. (1)
• Situation: The relationship between a settlement and its surrounding area. (1)

Question 8

Define the following terms: (2)

• Low-order functions (1)
• High-order functions (1)

Answer 8

• Low-order functions: Basic functions found in smaller settlements. (1)
• High-order functions: More specialised functions and services found in larger settlements. (1)

Question 9

Define the term range of a good: (1)

Answer 9

The maximum distance a person is prepared to travel to buy a good. (1)

Question 10

Define the term threshold population: (1)

Answer 10

The minimum number of people needed to support a good or service. (1)

Question 11

Define the term sphere of influence: (1)

Answer 11

The area that a settlement serves. (1)