A-level GENERAL STUDIES (SPECIFICATION A)

Transcription

1 A-level GENERAL STUDIES (SPECIFICATION A) Unit 4 A2 Science and Society GENA4 Wednesday 15 June 2016 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours [Turn over]

2 2 MATERIALS For this paper you must have: a copy of the Pre-release Case Study Source Material (enclosed) an AQA 12-page answer book. INSTRUCTIONS Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The PAPER REFERENCE is GENA4. Answer ALL questions in Section A and ONE question from Section B. Use your own words, rather than simply repeating those used in the sources, to show your understanding of the points being made. Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.

3 3 INFORMATION The maximum mark for this paper is 70 (45 for Section A and 25 for Section B). This paper consists of two sections. SECTION A contains four compulsory questions based on the pre-release Case Study Source Material provided earlier and the new source provided in this examination paper (a clean copy of the pre-release material is provided as an insert to this question paper). SECTION B contains four alternative essay questions based on Science and Society. Write your answers in continuous prose as if you are addressing the intelligent general reader. You will be marked on your ability to: use good English organise information clearly use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. ADVICE Where appropriate, use examples to illustrate your answer. You are advised to spend about 1 hour 15 minutes on Section A and 45 minutes on Section B. DO NOT TURN OVER UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO I

4 4 SECTION A Answer Questions 01 to 04 using pre-release Sources A to E and new Source F provided below. There is a total of 45 marks for this section. SOURCE F: Zoos? Last Chance for Animals a pressure group actively campaigning for animal rights. Animals in zoos are forced to live in artificial, stressful, and downright boring conditions. Removed from their natural habitats and social structures, they are confined to small, restrictive environments that deprive them of mental and physical stimulation. While zoos claim to provide conservation, education, and entertainment, their primary goal is to sustain public support in order to increase profits. Conservation Zoos profess to practise conservation, in other words, the preservation of various species, claiming that without their efforts, certain species would become extinct. However, if they were truly concerned with the preservation of species, they would instead work to preserve animals natural habitat.

5 5 Moreover, while zoos generally claim to take in only the neediest of animals, most of the animals in zoos are not endangered, orphaned, or injured at all. A great many are captured from the wild. Those that are in breeding programmes seemed destined for a life in captivity, for they are accustomed to an artificial environment where food, shelter, and protection from predators are provided for them. Natural conditions such as climate, habitat, and feeding cannot be properly recreated, and zoos lack sufficient space to reproduce a natural environment, provide a normal social equilibrium of the species, or maintain a healthy gene pool ordered by natural selection. Zoos thus compromise captive animals chances of successful reintroduction into the wild. Education While a number of zoos make an effort to provide some sort of education, they mostly teach people how animals react in captive situations. Patrons are unable to witness how multifaceted the lives of animals truly are. Instead, zoo-goers observe animals reactions to boredom, depression and stress. Even if there were an abundance of signs, descriptions and educational displays beside the animals cages, very little of this information, if any, will be remembered. Facilities that teach most effectively do so by presenting videos, wildlife documentaries, slides, interactive modules, graphic displays, and computer simulations. [Turn over] I

6 6 Research There are simply very few zoos that practise relevant and reliable research. Those that do, mainly examine the physiological structure of a captive animal, as well as the illnesses he or she has acquired. These results however, are obviously skewed towards animals living in captivity. They therefore generate little information about how best to conserve species in the wild. Living in captivity causes animals to lose their natural disposition to the extent that they become unrepresentative of their species. After the Zoo Zoos seek out baby animals, knowing that they are most appealing to the public. When they grow older, and therefore less attractive to patrons, the animals will often be sold or killed. Moreover, whereas sanctuaries generally house animals in need of care with other members of their species, zoos frequently remove animals from the wild and force them into a life of captivity, one that all too often involves isolation from other members of their species. Unlike animal sanctuaries, the zoos focus is not on what s best for the animals. Source: Last Chance for Animals

7 7 0 1 Using the data and information in Source A (Figures 1 5) only, assess the extent to which animal species are affected by the rising human population. [12 marks] 0 2 Using the evidence in Source B and Source C only, consider the conflicting human attitudes towards animals and our control over their life and existence. [11 marks] 0 3 Using the information from Source D and your own knowledge, consider whether genetic cloning and other techniques are a realistic and desirable solution to species management. [11 marks] 0 4 Using the information from Source E and Source F only, discuss whether zoos are essential for conservation or simply exploit animals for human entertainment. [11 marks] [Turn over] I

8 8 SECTION B Answer ONE question from this section. There are 25 marks for each question. Where appropriate, use examples to illustrate your answer. EITHER 0 5 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently condemned the international manufacture of foods and drinks containing excess fat, sugar and salt, suggesting that it is creating a health crisis of obesity, diabetes and other illnesses. Consider the health risks of a diet consisting of excess fat, sugar and salt. Discuss whether governments are doing enough to control the manufacture and sale of these products, or whether the solution lies in improved health education.

9 9 OR 0 6 The 3D printer is awesome and without doubt the most significant invention of the last 30 years. Its capability to reproduce any product means that it has endless uses in every aspect of our lives. OR Consider the potential uses and abuses of 3D printing and the extent to which it could transform our lives. Identify another significant scientific/technological innovation for personal and/or commercial use made during the last 30 years. Explain the reasons for your choice. 0 7 Water is an abundant, valuable resource, found over most of the Earth s surface and used in all human activities. However, its distribution and demand remains a problem with significant consequences for public health and even life. Consider the conflicting demands for water in the modern world. How can we ensure a better supply and distribution of usable water for the world s population, and what might be preventing this from happening already? [Turn over] I

10 10 OR 0 8 Personal debt in the UK including student loans, credit cards and mortgages now stands at 1.43 trillion. This is an average of per UK household and has been described as a ticking time bomb. Consider the benefits and dangers of high levels of personal debt. How can we improve financial self-management and encourage people to adopt more responsible borrowing in the future? END OF QUESTIONS Copyright 2016 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. IB/M/Jun16/CD/E2