Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies: Trade, Transport and Telecommunications — Practice Questions (0448)

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — Cambridge International holds copyright in its own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Trade, Transport and Telecommunications study guide and revision notes

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What do these questions practise? Sections 6 (Trade) and 7 (Transport and telecommunications) of Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 Paper 2: exports, imports, GNP and GDP, trading partners and barriers, internal and international transport, dry ports and telecommunications. Each answer shows the points a mark scheme would credit.

Section A: recall

1. Name two of Pakistan’s main exports and two of its main imports. [4]

2. What is meant by a trade deficit? [1]

3. State the difference between GNP and GDP. [2]

4. Name the pass used by the Karakoram Highway to cross into China. [1]

5. Name three seaports of Pakistan. [3]

6. Name one trading bloc or trade agreement that includes Pakistan. [1]

Section B: explanation

7. Explain why Pakistan’s import bill rises when world oil prices rise. [3]

8. Explain why Pakistan finds it difficult to increase its share of world trade. [5]

9. Describe and explain the pattern of the road and rail network in Pakistan. [5]

10. Compare road and rail transport for moving cotton bales from Multan to Karachi. [4]

11. What is a dry port? Explain two benefits of dry ports. [5]

12. Explain the problems of providing telecommunications in the mountainous north of Pakistan. [4]

Section C: evaluation

13. Evaluate the benefits and problems of building motorways in Pakistan. [6]

14. “Telecommunications are more important than roads for Pakistan’s development.” How far do you agree? [6]

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Answers

1. Exports, any two: cotton yarn, cloth, garments, rice, leather, sports goods, surgical instruments [2]. Imports, any two: crude oil or petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, palm oil, iron and steel, tea [2].

2. When the value of imports is greater than the value of exports [1].

3. GDP is the value of goods and services produced within Pakistan [1]; GNP adds net income earned from abroad, such as remittances from overseas workers [1].

4. Khunjerab Pass [1].

5. Keamari (Karachi Port) [1], Port Qasim [1], Gwadar [1].

6. SAARC, ECO, or the EU’s GSP+ scheme [1].

7. Pakistan imports most of its oil because domestic production is small [1]. Oil is needed for transport, industry and thermal power stations, so demand cannot be cut quickly [1]. When the price per barrel rises, the same quantity costs more foreign exchange, widening the trade deficit [1].

8. Any five: exports depend heavily on textiles [1], so a fall in world demand or prices cuts earnings [1]; competition from other low-cost countries [1]; tariffs and quotas in richer markets [1]; strict quality and safety standards [1]; energy shortages raise production costs [1]; weak infrastructure delays shipments [1]; changing exchange rates [1].

9. Pattern: dense network across the Indus Plain of Punjab and Sindh [1], main routes running north-east to south-west from Peshawar through Lahore to Karachi [1], sparse network in Balochistan and the north [1]. Explanation: flat land and many people and industries make building cheap and use high on the plain [1]; mountains, deserts and sparse population raise cost and lower demand elsewhere [1]. Maximum 5.

10. Rail: cheaper per tonne for heavy, bulky loads over long distance [1]; links directly to the port [1]. Road: more flexible, door-to-door from ginning factory to dock [1]; often faster because rail services are slow and unreliable [1]. Credit a conclusion with a reason. Maximum 4.

11. A dry port is an inland terminal where goods are cleared through customs and packed into sealed containers for transport to or from a seaport [1–2]. Benefits, any two developed: exporters inland save time because customs checks are done near their factories [1–2]; reduced congestion at Karachi’s ports [1–2]; lower transport costs because containers move by rail [1–2]. Maximum 5.

12. Steep, rugged relief makes laying cables and building masts difficult and costly [1]; landslides, snow and earthquakes damage equipment [1]; population is small and scattered, so few customers pay for the investment [1]; unreliable electricity supply for masts and equipment [1].

13. Benefits: faster, safer travel between cities such as Lahore and Islamabad [1]; lower costs for moving goods [1]; attract industry along routes [1]; jobs in building and services [1]. Problems: very high construction cost and foreign loans [1]; farmland lost and people displaced [1]; tolls are too high for some users [1]; little benefit to remote areas [1]. Judgement needed. Maximum 6.

14. Telecoms, for: support e-commerce, banking, call centres and distance learning [1]; cheaper than roads to extend to remote places [1]; give farmers market prices [1]. Roads, for: goods, raw materials and people still need physical transport [1]; roads open markets for farm produce and allow access to schools and hospitals [1]; tourism and industry depend on them [1]. A supported judgement, for example that the two are complementary, earns the top mark. Maximum 6.

Frequently asked questions

How do I earn marks on pattern questions? First describe the pattern with directions and named places, then explain it with physical and human factors.

Should I learn trade figures? The syllabus asks about changes in types, amounts and value, so learn a few current figures from your course statistics and quote the year.

Based on the Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 syllabus for examination in 2026, Paper 2 Sections 6 and 7.