Cambridge O-Level Environmental Management: Human Population — Practice Questions (5014, 2027-2029)

These questions cover every learning outcome in Topic 7, Human population, of the 2027-2029 Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus. They use two contrasting regions, a pyramid described in a table, a growing megacity and a government choosing a population policy.

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 — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Human population study guide (2027-2029) | Human population revision notes

---

Section A

1. Define population distribution. [1]

2. State the age range usually used for the working population. [1]

3. State what is meant by a pro-natalist policy. [1]

4. What do the letters LIC stand for? [1]

Section B

5. The table shows data for two regions of the same country.

Region	Population	Area (km²)
Coastal plain	5 400 000	18 000
Mountain plateau	450 000	45 000

(a) Calculate the population density of each region. [2] (b) Suggest two reasons for the difference. [2]

6. A population pyramid for Country R shows: 0-14 years, 18% of the population; 15-64 years, 60%; 65 and over, 22%. There are noticeably more women than men aged over 75. (a) Calculate the percentage of the population that is dependent. [1] (b) Describe the population structure of Country R. [3] (c) Suggest whether Country R is an LIC or an HIC. Explain your answer. [2]

7. Compare the population structure of a typical LIC with that of a typical HIC. [4]

8. Explain how improved access to healthcare can first increase and later reduce the rate of population growth. [3]

9. Describe two push factors and two pull factors that lead to rural-urban migration. [4]

10. A city’s population has grown from 6 million to 12 million in 25 years. (a) State the term for a city with more than 10 million people. [1] (b) Describe four environmental impacts of this growth. [4] (c) Explain why traffic congestion increases as the city grows. [2]

11. Describe how access to education can reduce birth rates. [3]

Section C

12. A country with a fast-growing population is considering an anti-natalist policy. Discuss the benefits and limitations of this policy compared with improving access to contraception. [6]

13. An HIC with an ageing population and a falling birth rate is considering a pro-natalist policy or encouraging immigration. Discuss which strategy would be more effective. [6]

---

Answers

1. How people are spread over an area. [1]

2. 15-64 years. [1]

3. A policy that encourages people to have more children. [1]

4. Low-income country. [1]

5. (a) Coastal plain: 5 400 000 / 18 000 = 300 per km² [1]; mountain plateau: 450 000 / 45 000 = 10 per km² [1]. (b) Any two: flat land on the coast is easier to build on and farm [1]; coasts have ports, trade and jobs [1]; mountains are colder with poor soils and difficult access [1]. [max 2]

6. (a) 18 + 22 = 40%. [1] (b) A relatively small young population (18%) showing a low birth rate [1]; a large working population (60%) [1]; a large elderly population (22%) with more elderly women than men, showing high life expectancy and longer female life expectancy [1]. (c) HIC [1]: low proportion of young people and high proportion of elderly people indicate low birth rates and long life expectancy [1].

7. LIC: wide base, showing a high proportion of children and a high birth rate [1]; narrow top, showing lower life expectancy [1]. HIC: narrower base, showing a low birth rate [1]; wider top, showing more elderly people and higher life expectancy [1].

8. Healthcare reduces death rates, especially of infants, while birth rates stay high [1], so population grows faster at first [1]; later, as parents see that more children survive, they choose smaller families and birth rates fall, slowing growth [1].

9. Push, any two: lack of jobs; low farm incomes; drought or crop failure; poor schools or healthcare [2]. Pull, any two: jobs in factories and services; higher wages; better schools and hospitals; entertainment [2].

10. (a) Megacity. [1] (b) Any four: air pollution from vehicles and industry [1]; water pollution from untreated sewage [1]; more waste than can be managed [1]; noise and light pollution [1]; loss of farmland and habitats as the city expands [1]; higher energy usage [1]. [max 4] (c) More people need to travel to work and services [1], and road and public transport infrastructure cannot expand as fast as the population [1].

11. Girls who stay in education marry and have children later [1]; they are more likely to work, so the opportunity cost of children rises [1]; they are more aware of contraception and family planning [1].

12. [6] Anti-natalist policy benefits: can reduce the birth rate quickly through limits or incentives; eases pressure on schools, jobs and resources. Limitations: creates an ageing population and possible gender imbalance, as seen after China’s one-child policy (1980-2015); may be unpopular or breach rights; needs strong enforcement. Contraception benefits: voluntary, cheaper and improves women’s health. Limitations: slower; depends on supply, cost and cultural acceptance. Conclusion: improving contraception and education is generally more acceptable and sustainable, though slower.

13. [6] Pro-natalist policy: child benefits, tax breaks or paid parental leave can raise the birth rate and provide future workers; but they are costly, effects are often small, and new children do not join the workforce for about 15-20 years. Immigration: provides working-age people immediately and fills labour shortages; but can cause political tension and pressure on housing and services, and the immigrants themselves will age. Conclusion: immigration is faster, while pro-natalist policy addresses the long-term birth rate; many HICs combine the two.

Where marks are usually lost

• Calculating density without units (people per km²).
• Describing a pyramid with no figures.
• In “discuss” questions, failing to compare the two strategies the question names.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a pyramid is from an LIC or an HIC? Look at the base and the top. A wide base and narrow top suggest an LIC; a narrow base and wide top suggest an HIC.

Why might healthcare increase population at first? Death rates fall before birth rates do, so for a time many more people are born than die.

What counts as an impact of population growth in 5014? Twelve are listed, including informal settlements, megacities, energy usage, sanitation, water supply, waste, land, infrastructure, pollution, traffic congestion and changing employment.

Official syllabus

Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029 - official syllabus PDF.