The document describes three levels of analysis for comparing two population pyramids (A and B). Level 1 involves basic descriptive points about the pyramids' shapes. Level 2 explains differences in life expectancy and development status between the populations based on pyramid shape. Level 3 provides the most detailed analysis by linking sentences, using comparative words, and directly contrasting pyramids A and B.

1. Study the two population pyramids A and B below. Describe and explain
the differences between the structure of the two pyramids.
Level 1 (1-4 marks)
Low marks in this range for only making descriptive points and if not
referring to A and B.
Higher marks in this range if referring to aspects of A and B, and just
starting to explain e.g.
- a fairly wide top to the pyramid
- a very narrow top to the pyramid
- ‘A’ has a fairly wide top to the pyramid
- ‘B’ has a narrow top to the pyramid
- ‘A’ has a fairly wide top to the pyramid due to high life expectancy
- ‘B’ has a narrow top to the pyramid due to low life expectancy
Level 2 (5-6 marks)
Describing and explaining using developed sentences but not connecting
‘A’ and ‘B’ e.g.
- ‘A’ has a fairly wide top to the pyramid due to a high life
expectancy and low death rate so it is likely to be a More
Economically Developed Country like the U.S.A.
- ‘B’ has a narrow top to the pyramid due to a low life expectancy
and high death rate so it is likely to be a Less Economically
Developed Country like Nigeria.
Level 3 (7-8 marks)
Describing and explaining using well developed, linked sentences and
connectives / comparative words to point out the differences between
‘A’and ‘B’ e.g.
- ‘A’ has a fairly wide top to the pyramid due to a high life
expectancy and low death rate so it is likely to be a More
Economically Developed Country like the U.S.A. however, ‘B’
has a narrower top to its pyramid due to a lower life expectancy
and higher death rate so it is likely to be a Less Economically
Developed Country like Nigeria. The width of the tops of the
pyramids is also due to people in ‘A’ having better diet, living
conditions and health care than people in ‘B’.
THERE IS OTHER ASPECTS OF THE STRUCTURE OF ‘A’ AND
‘B’ WHICH YOU COULD WRITE ABOUT e.g.
- the width of the base of the pyramids
- the differences between the number of males and females,
especially the elderly
- reasons for bulges in some age groups
- reasons for indents in some age groups
- the rate at which the bars get narrower with increase in age