Question Simulator

IGCSE Pakistan Studies (0448)

Transport and communications Banker

5 questions · about 5% of the marks we indexed · examined in 4 of 5 sessions.

Questions by year

2026

  • 2026 May/June · Paper 21 · Q1 (b)2.4 marksRoads and motorways

2025

  • 2025 May/June · Paper 21 · Q4 (a(i), a(ii), a(iii), a(iv), b(i), b(ii), b(iii), c(i), c(ii), d)15 marksAir transport and airports · Railways · Roads and motorways · Seaports and dry ports

2024

  • 2024 May/June · Paper 21 · Q5 (a(i), a(ii), a(iii), a(iv))5.4 marksOfficial paper ↗Railways

2022

  • 2022 May/June · Paper 21 · Q1 (a(i), a(ii), a(iii), a(iv), d)9 marksAir transport and airports · Transport and economic development
  • 2022 May/June · Paper 21 · Q2 (b)2.4 marksRoads and motorways

References only, not question text. Open Official paper ↗ where Cambridge publishes the paper, or see the official Cambridge past-papers page; for other papers, ask your school. “Paper 42” means Paper 4, variant 2.

Practice questions

Original questions written by HomiLabs in the style of the exam, with answers and mark schemes. They are not Cambridge past paper questions and have not been reviewed by Cambridge. Try each one before opening the answer.

Q1Air transport and airports · Core · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Name the airport that handles the largest number of passengers in Pakistan and the city in which it is located. [2]
  2. (b) State two advantages of air transport over road transport for travel between Karachi and Islamabad. [2]
  3. (c) Give two reasons why air transport is not used to carry most of Pakistan's freight. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Jinnah International Airport, Karachi.
    1 mark airport name; 1 mark Karachi.
  2. (b) Much faster over the long distance (under 2 hours compared with a day or more by road); avoids traffic congestion and road accidents / more comfortable for business travellers.
    1 mark each for any two: faster over long distance; saves time for business people; safer/fewer accidents; comfortable; not affected by road congestion or blockages.
  3. (c) It is very expensive per tonne carried; aircraft can carry only small loads compared with trucks, trains or ships.
    1 mark each for any two: high cost/fuel cost; small carrying capacity; bulky goods (coal, cement, grain) unsuitable; needs airports at both ends, so goods still need road transport.
Q2Air transport and airports · Core · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Explain why air transport is important for reaching places such as Gilgit and Skardu. [4]
  2. (b) State two reasons why flights to these northern airports are often cancelled. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) These towns are in high mountains where roads such as the Karakoram Highway are long, winding and often blocked by landslides or snow, so a road journey from Islamabad can take a day or more. A flight takes about an hour, so air links bring in tourists, officials and urgent supplies, and help in emergencies such as medical evacuation.
    1 mark per point + 1 mark per development, two points max 4: mountainous terrain/long winding roads → road journeys slow; landslides/snow block roads → air may be only link; tourism → quick access brings visitors and income; emergencies/medical evacuation/relief supplies.
  2. (b) Bad weather such as low cloud, rain or snow reduces visibility; narrow valleys surrounded by high mountains make landing dangerous unless the weather is clear.
    1 mark each for any two: cloud/fog/poor visibility; snow/storms in winter; mountains/narrow valleys require visual approach; short runways limit aircraft size.
Q3Air transport and airports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 9 marks

Illustrative comparison of three ways of travelling from Karachi to Islamabad:Air: flight time 1 h 55 min; travel to and from the airports and check-in 2 h 30 min; fare Rs 32,000Express train: journey time 23 h; fare Rs 6,500Luxury coach: journey time 17 h; fare Rs 8,000

  1. (a) Calculate the total time a passenger needs for the journey by air, including travel to and from the airports. Give your answer in hours and minutes. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate how many times more expensive the air fare is than the train fare. Give your answer to one decimal place. [1]
  3. (c) Calculate how much longer the journey takes by coach than by air (including airport time). [1]
  4. (d) Suggest two reasons why a business manager might choose to fly. [2]
  5. (e) Explain two reasons why most people in Pakistan travel between cities by road rather than by air. You should develop your answer. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) 4 hours 25 minutes
    1 h 55 min + 2 h 30 min = 4 h 25 min.
  2. (b) 4.9 times
    32,000 ÷ 6,500 = 4.92… ≈ 4.9.
  3. (c) 12 hours 35 minutes
    17 h − 4 h 25 min = 12 h 35 min.
  4. (d) Saves a whole working day or more, so time is worth more than the fare; can travel and return on the same day / arrive rested for meetings.
    1 mark each for any two: much shorter journey time; same-day return possible; time is valuable to a business; more comfortable / less tiring; company pays the fare.
  5. (e) Air fares are far higher than bus or train fares, and most families have low incomes, so flying is unaffordable for them; only a few cities have airports with regular flights, so people in smaller towns would still need road transport to reach an airport, and buses go directly from town to town.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Reasons: cost / low incomes; few airports and limited flights; buses and coaches run door-to-door between many towns; luggage and family travel cheaper by road; flights cancelled in bad weather.
Q4Air transport and airports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks

The table shows passenger numbers at five airports in Pakistan in one year (illustrative figures, million passengers):Karachi 7.2Lahore 5.4Islamabad 4.8Peshawar 1.5Multan 0.9

  1. (a) Calculate the total number of passengers handled by the five airports. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate the percentage of the total handled by Karachi. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2]
  3. (c) How many times more passengers did Lahore handle than Multan? [1]
  4. (d) Suggest two reasons why Karachi airport handles more passengers than the other airports. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) 19.8 million
    7.2 + 5.4 + 4.8 + 1.5 + 0.9 = 19.8 million.
  2. (b) 36.4%
    M1 7.2 ÷ 19.8 × 100; A1 36.4%.
  3. (c) 6 times
    5.4 ÷ 0.9 = 6.
  4. (d) Karachi is Pakistan's largest city and main commercial and industrial centre, so many business travellers fly in and out; it is also a major gateway for international flights, including to the Gulf where many Pakistanis work.
    1 mark each for any two: largest population; main business/financial/industrial centre; port city with trade links; many international routes, e.g. to the Gulf; long-established airport with large terminal capacity.
Q5Air transport and airports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) State two features of a site that is suitable for building a large international airport. [2]
  2. (b) Explain two reasons why the new Islamabad International Airport was built some distance outside the city instead of expanding the old airport in Rawalpindi. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) Large area of flat, open land; away from the city centre but with good road links to it.
    1 mark each for any two: flat land; large area/room to expand; cheap land; away from tall buildings and dense housing (noise, safety); good road/rail access to city; good weather/visibility; well-drained ground.
  2. (b) The old airport was surrounded by dense housing and the city, so there was no room to lengthen runways or build larger terminals. A site outside the city has more space for long runways for large wide-bodied aircraft and future expansion, and aircraft noise and safety risks affect fewer people.
    Two developed points, 2 marks each: lack of space at old site → could not expand runways/terminals; new site has large flat area → longer runways/bigger aircraft/room to grow; noise and safety → fewer people affected; congestion around old airport → new site linked by motorway/Srinagar Highway access.
Q6Air transport and airports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 7 marks
  1. (a) Describe the role of the national airline and private airlines in providing air services in Pakistan. [3]
  2. (b) Explain two problems that have affected the national airline in recent years. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) The national carrier, PIA, operates domestic routes including less profitable ones to remote areas, plus international routes. Private airlines such as Airblue and AirSial mainly fly busy routes between large cities and to the Gulf, which increases competition and choice.
    1 mark per point, max 3: PIA national carrier; serves domestic and international routes; flies to remote northern areas; private airlines (named example) on busy trunk routes; competition lowers fares/improves service; private airlines fly to Gulf/Middle East.
  2. (b) Heavy financial losses and debt, partly from an ageing fleet with high fuel and maintenance costs, meant the government repeatedly had to support it. Safety concerns led to some foreign countries banning its flights for a period, so it lost profitable international routes and passengers.
    1 + 1 development for each of two problems: financial losses/debt; too many employees/high costs; old aircraft → high maintenance/fuel cost; safety concerns/foreign flight bans → lost routes; competition from Gulf airlines; poor punctuality → loss of customers.
Q7Air transport and airports · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 8 marks

An exporter in Multan wants to send 12,000 kg of fresh mangoes to a buyer in Europe (illustrative figures).By air: cost Rs 520 per kg; arrives in 1 day; spoilage negligible.By sea in refrigerated containers: cost Rs 95 per kg; arrives in 18 days; 15% of the fruit spoils.The mangoes are worth Rs 400 per kg.

  1. (a) Calculate the transport cost of sending the mangoes by air. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate the transport cost of sending the mangoes by sea. [1]
  3. (c) Calculate the value of the mangoes that would be lost through spoilage on the sea route. [2]
  4. (d) Using your answers, explain why some exporters of fresh fruit still choose to send it by air. You should develop your answer. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) Rs 6,240,000
    12,000 × 520 = Rs 6,240,000.
  2. (b) Rs 1,140,000
    12,000 × 95 = Rs 1,140,000.
  3. (c) Rs 720,000
    15% of 12,000 kg = 1,800 kg (M1); 1,800 × 400 = Rs 720,000 (A1).
  4. (d) Even with spoilage the sea route is cheaper (Rs 1,860,000 against Rs 6,240,000), so exporters choose air because fruit that arrives within a day is fresher and sells for a much higher price in shops abroad, which can cover the extra cost; the 18-day sea journey is too long for very perishable fruit or for markets that want small, regular deliveries, so exporters who have contracts with supermarkets fly fruit to keep their customers.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Answers should use figures (sea total including spoilage Rs 1,860,000 is still lower). Reasons: freshness and quality earn higher prices; speed (1 day against 18); premium markets / regular orders; less handling; short ripening period of fruit.
Q8Air transport and airports · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 8 marks
  1. (a) State what is meant by a 'cargo terminal' at an airport. [1]
  2. (b) Suggest three types of Pakistani export that are suitable for sending by air, and explain why. [3]
  3. (c) Read the two views:View A: Pakistan should spend more on expanding its airports.View B: Pakistan should spend more on railways and roads instead of airports.Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer, referring to both views. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) A part of the airport with warehouses and handling equipment where freight is loaded, unloaded, stored and cleared through customs.
    1 mark for idea of facilities for handling/storing freight (not passengers).
  2. (b) Fresh mangoes or kinnow, fresh fish/seafood, and high-value goods such as surgical instruments or cut flowers. They are perishable or of high value and low weight, so the higher cost of air freight is worth the speed.
    1 mark each for two suitable examples (perishable fruit, fresh fish, surgical instruments, garments for urgent orders, flowers); 1 mark for reason: perishable/high value-to-weight/urgent delivery.
  3. (c) Balanced answer, e.g. A: airports support tourism, business and exports of perishable goods and connect remote areas; B: most people cannot afford flights, while roads and railways carry most passengers and freight cheaply, so spending there benefits more people and industry. Judgement supported by reasons.
    Levels: L1 (1) simple point for one view; L2 (2–3) developed points for one view or simple for both; L3 (4) developed points for both views with a supported conclusion. Credit: airport expansion → tourism, foreign investment, exports of perishables, remote access; roads/rail → affordable to majority, bulk freight, links farms to markets, wider employment.
Q9Air transport and airports · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 7 marks

The table shows passengers (million) using Pakistan's airports in three years (illustrative figures).Year 1: international 7.4, domestic 5.0Year 2: international 7.9, domestic 5.6Year 3: international 8.6, domestic 6.0

  1. (a) Calculate the change in the number of international passengers between Year 1 and Year 3. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate the percentage increase in domestic passengers from Year 1 to Year 3. Give your answer to the nearest whole number. [2]
  3. (c) Calculate the percentage of all passengers in Year 3 who were international. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2]
  4. (d) Suggest two reasons why many international flights from Pakistan go to cities in the Gulf. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) An increase of 1.2 million
    8.6 − 7.4 = 1.2 million.
  2. (b) 20%
    M1 (6.0 − 5.0) ÷ 5.0 × 100; A1 20%.
  3. (c) 58.9%
    M1 8.6 ÷ (8.6 + 6.0) × 100 = 8.6 ÷ 14.6 × 100; A1 58.9%.
  4. (d) Large numbers of Pakistani workers live and work in Gulf countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia; many people travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah.
    1 mark each for any two: migrant workers in Gulf; pilgrimage (Hajj/Umrah); Gulf hubs (Dubai, Doha) for connecting flights to Europe/America; trade/business links; short flying distance.
Q10Railways · Core · Paper 2 style · 8 marks
  1. (a) State two difficulties of building and running railways in the mountains of Balochistan. [2]
  2. (b) State two reasons why the railway network is densest in Punjab. [2]
  3. (c) Explain two ways in which carrying more freight by rail could reduce problems on Pakistan's roads. You should develop your answer. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) Steep slopes and narrow passes need tunnels and bridges, which are expensive; landslides, flash floods and earthquakes damage the track.
    1 mark each for any two: steep gradients; tunnels and bridges needed; high construction cost; landslides / rockfalls; flash floods wash away track; earthquakes; thin population so little traffic; extreme temperatures.
  2. (b) Punjab is flat plain land, which is easy and cheap to build on; it has many large cities and a high population, so there is plenty of traffic.
    1 mark each for any two: flat land; dense population / many cities; much agriculture and industry to carry; historical development by the British (links to the north-west frontier); more trade.
  3. (c) One goods train can replace dozens of lorries, so there would be less congestion on highways such as the N-5, which would shorten journey times for other traffic; fewer heavy, overloaded trucks would mean less damage to road surfaces, which would reduce the money spent on repairs; it would also mean fewer accidents and less air pollution.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Ways: less congestion; less road damage / lower maintenance cost; fewer accidents; less fuel use and air pollution.
Q11Railways · Core · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Name the two cities at the ends of Pakistan's main railway line, ML-1. [2]
  2. (b) State two advantages of rail transport for carrying freight over long distances. [2]
  3. (c) State two reasons why many passengers now prefer road transport to rail. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Karachi and Peshawar
    1 mark each.
  2. (b) It can carry heavy, bulky goods such as coal, cement and wheat in large quantities; it is cheaper per tonne-km over long distances and uses less fuel than many trucks.
    1 mark each for any two: bulk/heavy loads; cheaper over long distance; less fuel/pollution per tonne; reduces road congestion and damage; safer for hazardous goods such as oil.
  3. (c) Buses and cars offer door-to-door travel and frequent departures; trains are often slow and late, with old coaches.
    1 mark each for any two: flexibility/door-to-door; frequent services; faster on motorways; trains delayed/slow; poor facilities on trains; stations far from homes.
Q12Railways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 8 marks

The main railway line from Karachi to Peshawar is taken as 1,700 km long in this question. At present the average speed of a passenger train on this route is about 65 km/h. After an upgrade, the average speed might rise to 110 km/h (illustrative figures).

  1. (a) Calculate the journey time at an average speed of 65 km/h. Give your answer to one decimal place. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate the journey time at an average speed of 110 km/h. Give your answer to one decimal place. [1]
  3. (c) Calculate the time that would be saved. Give your answer to one decimal place. [1]
  4. (d) Explain two ways in which faster freight trains on the main line would help exporters in Pakistan. You should develop your answer. [4]
  5. (e) State one reason why upgrading the main line is very expensive. [1]
Show answer
  1. (a) 26.2 hours
    1,700 ÷ 65 = 26.15… ≈ 26.2 h.
  2. (b) 15.5 hours
    1,700 ÷ 110 = 15.45… ≈ 15.5 h.
  3. (c) 10.7 hours
    26.15 − 15.45 = 10.7 h (using unrounded values).
  4. (d) Goods would reach Karachi Port more quickly and reliably, so exporters could meet shipping dates and keep foreign buyers; rail freight is cheaper than road over long distances, so exporters' costs would fall and their goods would be more competitive in world markets.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Ways: faster, reliable delivery to ports; lower transport costs; larger loads / containers carried at once; less damage to goods; links with dry ports (e.g. Lahore, Faisalabad) for customs clearance.
  5. (e) The whole track must be replaced and level crossings, bridges and signalling rebuilt.
    1 mark for any one: new track along a very long route; many old bridges to rebuild; new signalling; fencing / removing level crossings; land to buy.
Q13Railways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 7 marks
  1. (a) Explain two reasons why Pakistan Railways has made financial losses. [4]
  2. (b) Describe how the planned upgrade of ML-1 is expected to improve rail transport. [3]
Show answer
  1. (a) Many locomotives and coaches are old and break down, so services are delayed and passengers and freight move to road transport, reducing income. The railway also has high costs from a large workforce and pensions, while fares are kept low.
    Two developed points: old/poorly maintained rolling stock → delays; loss of freight to trucks → falling revenue; mainly single track → slow, limited capacity; high staff/pension costs; fuel costs; encroachment and theft; mismanagement/corruption; accidents reduce confidence.
  2. (b) Track will be doubled and rebuilt so trains can run faster (up to about 160 km/h for passenger trains) and more often; signalling will be modernised, improving safety; capacity for freight will increase, reducing truck traffic.
    1 mark per point, max 3: dual track; higher speeds/shorter journeys; modern signalling/safety; more freight capacity; level crossings/bridges improved; part of CPEC.
Q14Railways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks

A cement company in the Potwar region compares transport costs (illustrative figures).Rail: Rs 4 per tonne per kmRoad: Rs 6 per tonne per km

  1. (a) Calculate the cost of moving 500 tonnes of cement 1,200 km by rail. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate the cost of moving the same load the same distance by road. [1]
  3. (c) Calculate the saving by rail as a percentage of the road cost. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2]
  4. (d) Suggest two reasons why the cement company might still choose road transport. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Rs 2,400,000
    500 × 1,200 × 4 = Rs 2,400,000.
  2. (b) Rs 3,600,000
    500 × 1,200 × 6 = Rs 3,600,000.
  3. (c) 33.3%
    M1 (3,600,000 − 2,400,000) ÷ 3,600,000 × 100; A1 33.3%.
  4. (d) Trucks can deliver directly to building sites without loading and unloading at stations; road transport is faster and more reliable, as freight trains may be delayed.
    1 mark each for any two: door-to-door; avoids double handling/transfer costs; quicker/more reliable; railway may not reach destination; flexible timing; small orders.
Q15Railways · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 12 marks

An urban metro railway line in Lahore is about 27 km long and has 26 stations (approximate figures).

  1. (a) Calculate the average distance between neighbouring stations. Give your answer to two decimal places. [1]
  2. (b) On one day the line carries 150,000 passengers. Calculate how many bus journeys would be needed to carry the same number of passengers if each bus carries 60 people. [1]
  3. (c) Explain two benefits of an urban metro railway for a large city such as Lahore. You should develop your answer. [4]
  4. (d) Read the two views.View A: Pakistan should spend more on metro railways in its large cities.View B: Pakistan should spend more on upgrading the main railway lines between cities.Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer, referring to both views. [6]
Show answer
  1. (a) 1.08 km
    26 stations means 25 gaps; 27 ÷ 25 = 1.08 km.
  2. (b) 2,500 bus journeys
    150,000 ÷ 60 = 2,500.
  3. (c) It carries large numbers of people quickly on its own track, so it reduces traffic congestion on the roads and cuts journey times for commuters; it runs on electricity, so it produces less exhaust pollution in the city than the buses and rickshaws it replaces, which helps to reduce smog.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Benefits: reduced congestion; faster, reliable commuting; less air pollution / smog; cheap fares for low-income workers; safer than roads; access to jobs across the city.
  4. (d) View A: rapid urban growth in Karachi and Lahore causes congestion and smog, and metro lines such as Lahore's Orange Line move many people quickly; but they are very costly per kilometre and fares are subsidised. View B: upgrading ML-1 between Karachi and Peshawar would speed up freight and passengers for the whole country, reduce lorry traffic and help exports, benefiting more regions; but it needs huge loans and takes many years. Judgement supported by the points made, e.g. View B because it benefits trade across the whole country.
    Level marking. L1 (1–2): simple points, one side only. L2 (3–4): developed points, mainly on one side, or simple points on both. L3 (5–6): developed points on both sides, at least one named example from Pakistan, and a judgement. Points to credit: View A: congestion, commuting time, smog, safety, jobs; cost, subsidies, serves one city. View B: freight costs, exports, links between provinces, less road damage; very expensive (loans), long construction time, Pakistan Railways' losses.
Q16Railways · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Read the two views:View A: The government should invest heavily in railways.View B: Money is better spent on roads and motorways than on railways.Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer, referring to both views. [6]
Show answer
  1. (a) A: railways move bulk freight cheaply and with less fuel and pollution per tonne, reduce road congestion and damage, and the ML-1 upgrade could link ports with industry and China. B: roads give door-to-door flexibility, reach villages the railway does not, and the railway has a record of losses and slow, unreliable services. Reasoned judgement.
    Levels: L1 (1–2) simple statements; L2 (3–4) developed points for one view; L3 (5–6) developed points on both views with supported conclusion.
Q17Roads and motorways · Core · Paper 2 style · 4 marks
  1. (a) Name the motorway that links Islamabad and Lahore. [1]
  2. (b) Name the national highway that runs from Karachi to Torkham on the border with Afghanistan. [1]
  3. (c) State two differences between a motorway and an ordinary national highway. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) M-2
    1 mark M-2.
  2. (b) N-5 (the Grand Trunk Road along its northern section)
    1 mark N-5 / GT Road.
  3. (c) A motorway has controlled access (entry and exit only at interchanges) and dual carriageways with several lanes each way, so traffic moves faster; a highway may pass through towns and has many junctions, slow vehicles and animal carts.
    1 mark each for any two contrasts: limited/controlled access vs open access; dual carriageway/multi-lane; higher speed limits; bypasses towns; no slow traffic (carts, tractors) allowed; service areas; toll charged.
Q18Roads and motorways · Core · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
  1. (a) State three advantages of road transport for farmers in Punjab. [3]
  2. (b) Explain one disadvantage of the increasing use of trucks to carry goods long distances. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Trucks can collect crops directly from farms and deliver them door to door to markets or factories; roads reach villages that have no railway; road transport is quick and flexible for small loads and perishable crops such as vegetables.
    1 mark each for any three: door-to-door; reaches villages/flexible routes; suitable for small loads; fast for short distances; perishable crops reach markets fresh; tractor trolleys can use roads.
  2. (b) Heavy, overloaded trucks damage road surfaces, so the government must spend large sums on repairs; they also burn diesel, causing air pollution and increasing oil imports.
    1 mark disadvantage + 1 development: road damage → repair costs; air pollution/smog → health problems; fuel use → oil imports; congestion/accidents.
Q19Roads and motorways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks

A bus company compares two routes between Islamabad and Lahore (illustrative figures).Motorway route: 367 km at an average speed of 110 km/h.GT Road route: 380 km at an average speed of 60 km/h.

  1. (a) Calculate the time taken for the motorway journey. Give your answer in hours and minutes to the nearest minute. [2]
  2. (b) Calculate the time taken for the GT Road journey, in hours and minutes. [1]
  3. (c) Calculate how much time the motorway saves, to the nearest minute. [1]
  4. (d) Explain why the faster journey brings benefits to businesses. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) 3 hours 20 minutes
    M1 367 ÷ 110 = 3.336… h; A1 3 h 20 min (0.336 × 60 ≈ 20 min).
  2. (b) 6 hours 20 minutes
    380 ÷ 60 = 6.333 h = 6 h 20 min.
  3. (c) 3 hours (2 h 59.8 min ≈ 3 h 0 min)
    6.333 h − 3.336 h = 2.997 h ≈ 3 h (accept 3 h 0 min using the rounded times).
  4. (d) Goods and staff reach markets and factories sooner, so delivery is more reliable and costs such as wages and vehicle hire per trip fall; perishable goods arrive fresh.
    1 mark point + 1 development: time saved → lower transport costs; reliable delivery → better for industry/exporters; perishables fresher; more trips per vehicle per day.
Q20Roads and motorways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 8 marks
  1. (a) Describe the route and importance of the Karakoram Highway. [4]
  2. (b) Explain two problems of building and maintaining roads in the northern mountains. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) It runs north from Hasan Abdal through Abbottabad and Mansehra, along the Indus and Hunza valleys past Gilgit, to the Khunjerab Pass on the border with China. It is Pakistan's only road link with China, carries trade goods, supports tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan and is part of the CPEC route.
    1 mark per point, max 4: starts near Hasan Abdal/Islamabad region; follows Indus/Hunza valleys; through Gilgit/Hunza; reaches Khunjerab Pass/China border; one of highest paved roads; trade with China; CPEC link; tourism; access for remote communities.
  2. (b) Steep slopes and weak rock cause frequent landslides, which block roads and need expensive clearing. Heavy winter snow and glacial floods damage road surfaces and bridges, so roads are closed for months and repair costs are high.
    Two developed points, 2 marks each: steep relief/landslides; snow and ice/winter closure; floods and glacial lake outbursts damaging bridges; earthquakes; high cost/blasting rock; few workers/remote supply.
Q21Roads and motorways · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) State the purpose of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road projects. [2]
  2. (b) Explain two ways in which better roads in Balochistan could benefit people living there. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) To build and upgrade roads and motorways that link Gwadar and other southern ports with northern Pakistan and western China, improving trade routes and economic development.
    1 mark for linking Gwadar/ports with China/Khunjerab; 1 mark for trade/economic development aim.
  2. (b) Better roads would cut travel time to markets, so farmers and fishermen could sell produce in larger towns at better prices. They would also improve access to schools and hospitals and attract investment such as mining and small industries, creating jobs.
    Two developed points: access to markets → better prices; access to services (health, education); investment/industry/mining → jobs; tourism; reduced isolation/security; cheaper goods brought in.
Q22Roads and motorways · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks

A road network in an imaginary province has the following lengths (km):Motorways 2,000National highways 12,000Provincial roads 100,000Rural (district) roads 186,000Total 300,000

  1. (a) Calculate the percentage of the total road length that is made up of motorways and national highways together. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2]
  2. (b) Calculate the ratio of rural roads to motorways in its simplest form. [1]
  3. (c) Suggest why, in a country such as Pakistan, national highways and motorways carry most long-distance freight even though they are a small share of the road length. [3]
Show answer
  1. (a) 4.7%
    M1 (2,000 + 12,000) ÷ 300,000 × 100; A1 4.7% (4.666…).
  2. (b) 93 : 1
    186,000 : 2,000 = 93 : 1.
  3. (c) They connect the main cities, ports and industrial areas along the busiest routes (e.g. Karachi–Lahore–Peshawar), so long-distance trucks use them; they are wider and better surfaced, allowing faster heavy vehicles, while rural roads are narrow and mostly carry local traffic.
    1 mark each, max 3: link major cities/ports/industry; long-distance routes; better quality/wider lanes for heavy trucks; faster/cheaper per tonne; rural roads local/poor quality/unpaved.
Q23Roads and motorways · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Read the two views:View A: Building motorways is the best way to develop Pakistan's transport system.View B: Improving existing roads and rural roads is more useful than building new motorways.Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons for your answer, referring to both views. [6]
Show answer
  1. (a) A: motorways give fast, safe links between cities and ports, attract industry and investment along their routes and reduce journey times for exporters. B: motorways are very expensive and charge tolls, many villagers cannot use them, while upgrading rural roads links farms to markets, reduces crop losses and improves access to schools and clinics for the majority. Supported judgement.
    Levels: L1 (1–2) simple statements; L2 (3–4) developed points for one view or simple for both; L3 (5–6) developed points for both views and a reasoned judgement. Credit: speed, safety, trade, industrial zones, CPEC (A); cost, tolls, limited access, rural majority, farm-to-market, maintenance backlog, potholes, overloading (B).
Q24Seaports and dry ports · Core · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Define the term 'dry port'. [2]
  2. (b) Name two cities in Pakistan that have a dry port. [2]
  3. (c) Explain one advantage of dry ports for exporters in Sialkot. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) An inland terminal, away from the coast, where imported and exported goods are cleared by customs and transferred between road/rail and containers.
    1 mark inland location; 1 mark customs clearance/handling of goods for seaports.
  2. (b) Any two of: Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi.
    1 mark each.
  3. (c) Goods such as sports goods and surgical instruments can be cleared by customs and sealed in containers in Sialkot, so they go straight onto ships at Karachi without delay, saving time and cost.
    1 mark advantage + 1 development: customs clearance close to factory; reduces delay/congestion at seaport; lower cost; containers sealed so less damage/theft.
Q25Seaports and dry ports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 8 marks
  1. (a) Describe two natural advantages of the site of Karachi Port. [2]
  2. (b) A container ship waits 3.5 days outside a busy port before it can unload. The ship's owner pays US$18,000 for each day of waiting (illustrative figures). Calculate the cost of the delay. [1]
  3. (c) Explain two problems that slow down the movement of cargo through Karachi Port. You should develop your answer. [4]
  4. (d) Suggest one way in which cargo could be moved more quickly from Karachi to cities inland. [1]
Show answer
  1. (a) It is a natural harbour sheltered from the open sea by Manora island and a spit; the water is deep enough, after dredging, for large ships to enter.
    1 mark each for any two: natural harbour; sheltered by Manora / protected from monsoon waves; fairly deep water; ice-free all year; flat land for docks and warehouses.
  2. (b) US$63,000
    3.5 × 18,000 = US$63,000.
  3. (c) The port lies inside a very large, crowded city, so lorries carrying containers to and from the docks are delayed by traffic congestion, which means ships wait longer to be loaded; the harbour channel silts up and must be dredged regularly, and the port has little space to expand, so berths and storage yards are often full.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Problems: city traffic congestion; limited space to expand; silting and dredging; slow customs procedures / paperwork; shortage of berths and equipment at busy times; labour disputes.
  4. (d) Send more containers by rail to dry ports inland, where customs clearance is done.
    1 mark for any one: more freight trains / rail links to the docks; dry ports inland; dedicated freight corridors or roads to the port; electronic customs clearance; using Port Qasim or Gwadar to spread the traffic.
Q26Seaports and dry ports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 7 marks
  1. (a) Name Pakistan's three main seaports. [3]
  2. (b) Explain two reasons why Port Qasim was built when Karachi Port already existed. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) Karachi Port, Port Qasim (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim), Gwadar Port
    1 mark each.
  2. (b) Karachi Port was congested, causing ships to wait and trade to be delayed, so a second port was needed to share the cargo. Port Qasim had space nearby for bulk cargo and industries such as the steel mill and power plants, and now handles imports like coal, oil and LNG.
    Two developed points: congestion at Karachi; growing trade volumes; space for expansion/industry nearby (Pakistan Steel, power plants); handling bulk cargo (coal, LNG, oil, grain); reduced strategic dependence on one port.
Q27Seaports and dry ports · Standard · Paper 2 style · 7 marks
  1. (a) Describe the advantages of the location of Gwadar Port. [3]
  2. (b) Explain two reasons why Gwadar Port has so far handled much less cargo than Karachi. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) It is a deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea in Balochistan, close to the entrance of the Gulf and major shipping routes from the Gulf; it is the southern end of the CPEC route, giving western China and Central Asian countries a shorter route to the sea.
    1 mark per point, max 3: deep water for large ships; near Strait of Hormuz/Gulf oil routes; CPEC link to China; access for landlocked Afghanistan/Central Asia; reduces pressure on Karachi; space for free zone.
  2. (b) Gwadar is far from Pakistan's main industrial and population centres, and road and rail links to the rest of the country are still limited, so it is cheaper for most traders to use Karachi. There is also a shortage of fresh water and electricity in Gwadar, and security concerns discourage investment and shipping lines.
    Two developed points: distance from markets/industry; incomplete road/rail links; water and power shortages; security problems; few shipping lines call there; Karachi's established facilities and services.
Q28Seaports and dry ports · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks

The table shows cargo handled at three seaports in one year (illustrative figures, million tonnes):Karachi Port 52Port Qasim 46Gwadar Port 2

  1. (a) Calculate the total cargo handled by the three ports. [1]
  2. (b) Calculate how many times more cargo Karachi handled than Gwadar. [1]
  3. (c) If imports were 75% of the cargo at Port Qasim, calculate the tonnage of exports at Port Qasim. [2]
  4. (d) Suggest why imports are a much larger share than exports at Pakistan's ports. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) 100 million tonnes
    52 + 46 + 2 = 100.
  2. (b) 26 times
    52 ÷ 2 = 26.
  3. (c) 11.5 million tonnes
    M1 25% of 46 = 0.25 × 46; A1 11.5 million tonnes.
  4. (d) Imports include very heavy bulk cargoes such as crude oil, petroleum products, LNG and coal, while many exports such as textiles are of high value but low weight.
    1 mark each for any two: bulky fuel imports; trade deficit/imports greater than exports in value; exports are light manufactured goods; imports of machinery, steel, edible oil.
Q29Transport and economic development · Core · Paper 2 style · 5 marks
  1. (a) State three ways in which a good transport network helps industry to develop. [3]
  2. (b) Explain how a new road to a remote village could improve farmers' incomes. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Raw materials can be brought to factories cheaply and on time; finished goods reach markets and ports quickly; workers can travel to factories more easily.
    1 mark each for any three: raw materials supply; access to markets/ports for export; lower transport costs; workers' commuting; attracts investment; industrial estates along motorways.
  2. (b) Farmers can take crops to larger markets quickly, so less produce rots and they get higher prices instead of selling cheaply to middlemen.
    1 mark point + 1 development: market access → better prices/fewer middlemen; less spoilage of perishables; cheaper fertiliser/seed delivered; can grow cash crops.
Q30Transport and economic development · Standard · Paper 2 style · 8 marks

A new metalled road was built to a farming valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (illustrative figures).Before the road: travel time to the nearest market town 4 hours; price received by farmers for tomatoes Rs 30 per kg.After the road: travel time 45 minutes; price received Rs 42 per kg.

  1. (a) Calculate the percentage reduction in travel time to the market. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2]
  2. (b) Calculate the percentage increase in the price farmers receive for tomatoes. [1]
  3. (c) A farmer sells 6,000 kg of tomatoes in a season. Calculate the extra income the farmer earns because of the new road. [1]
  4. (d) Explain two other ways in which the new road could help the economy of the valley. You should develop your answer. [4]
Show answer
  1. (a) 81.3%
    4 h = 240 min; (240 − 45) ÷ 240 × 100 = 81.25% (M1) ≈ 81.3% (A1).
  2. (b) 40%
    (42 − 30) ÷ 30 × 100 = 40%.
  3. (c) Rs 72,000
    6,000 × (42 − 30) = Rs 72,000.
  4. (d) Tourists can reach the valley more easily, so hotels, guides and shops gain income and new jobs are created; villagers can reach schools, hospitals and jobs in the town, which improves skills and health and allows people to earn more.
    1 mark for each of two reasons + 1 mark each for development (a consequence or 'which leads to'). Ways: tourism; access to jobs, education and health care; cheaper inputs such as fertiliser and fuel brought in; less crop wastage; new businesses (transport, shops); easier to reach markets for livestock and handicrafts.
Q31Transport and economic development · Standard · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Explain two ways in which poor transport limits economic development in Pakistan. [4]
  2. (b) Suggest two ways in which transport infrastructure projects themselves create employment. [2]
Show answer
  1. (a) Delays at congested ports and on poor roads increase the cost and time of exporting, making Pakistani goods less competitive abroad. Remote areas such as parts of Balochistan stay isolated, so minerals, fish and farm products cannot easily reach markets and few industries locate there.
    Two developed points: high transport costs → uncompetitive exports; delays/unreliable deliveries; isolation of regions → regional inequality; perishables wasted; investors discouraged; road accidents and congestion costs.
  2. (b) Construction jobs building roads, bridges and railways; later jobs in maintenance, toll plazas, service areas, transport companies and logistics.
    1 mark each for any two: construction; materials industries (cement, steel); maintenance; toll/service stations; trucking/logistics; businesses along new routes.
Q32Transport and economic development · Challenge · Paper 2 style · 6 marks
  1. (a) Evaluate the extent to which improving transport links is the most important factor in developing the less developed regions of Pakistan, such as Balochistan. Give reasons for your answer. [6]
Show answer
  1. (a) Transport is important: it opens access to markets, ports (Gwadar) and services, attracts mining and industry and reduces isolation. Other factors may matter as much or more: reliable water and electricity, education and skills, security and law and order, investment and government policy, local ownership of resources. Judgement weighs transport against these.
    Levels: L1 (1–2) simple points; L2 (3–4) developed points on transport or other factors; L3 (5–6) developed points on both, with an evaluation of 'extent'.

Similar questions

Questions that test the same subtopic in different years, grouped so you can work on one skill at a time.

References only: find each question in its paper (official link where available, otherwise through your school).

Air transport and airports Rare2 questions · 2/5 sessions
Railways Rare2 questions · 2/5 sessions
Roads and motorways 3 questions · 3/5 sessions

Subtopics

Our analysis of how often each subtopic was examined and how many marks it carried, 2022 to May/June 2026.

SubtopicMarks indexedSessions
Air transport and airports Rare10.82/5
Railways Rare7.82/5
Roads and motorways 63/5
Seaports and dry ports Rare61/5
Transport and economic development Rare3.61/5

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