HSC Geography · People, Patterns and Processes · 7.4 · Student worksheet
Patterns of Economic Activity — Agriculture — Activities
Print or work on screen · pairs with the 7.4 study page
Activity 1 — Classify the agriculture types
Syllabus link: 7.4.1 · types of agriculture
For each system, tick whether it is subsistence or commercial, and whether it is generally extensive or intensive. Add one place where it is found.
| System | Subsistence / Commercial | Extensive / Intensive | One place found |
|---|
| Shifting cultivation | | | |
| Pastoral nomadism | | | |
| Extensive commercial grain | | | |
| Market gardening / horticulture | | | |
| Mediterranean | | | |
| Plantation | | | |
Activity 2 — Subsistence vs commercial
Syllabus link: 7.4.1 & 7.4.3 · compare the two families
Complete the comparison table using the study page.
| Subsistence agriculture | Commercial agriculture |
|---|
| Main purpose | | |
| Scale & inputs | | |
| Technology used | | |
| Where it dominates | | |
| An example region | | |
Activity 3 — Describe & explain the spatial pattern
Syllabus link: 7.4.2 · spatial distribution
Using Figure 7.4.1 on the study page, describe the global spatial pattern of extensive commercial farming and plantation agriculture, then explain the pattern using climate and human factors.
Activity 4 — Evaluate the environmental impacts
Syllabus link: 7.4.7 · environmental & climate impacts
Write 4–6 sentences. Use at least one figure with its source (e.g. "about a third of food is lost or wasted — FAO").
Prompt: "Modern agriculture does more environmental harm than good." Evaluate this statement, referring to soil, water, biodiversity and greenhouse-gas emissions.
Activity 5 — Key concepts
Syllabus link: geographical concepts
For each concept, write one sentence linking it to this topic.
- Environment (climate shaping farming systems):
- Space (the distribution of agricultural systems):
- Interconnection (plantations & world trade):
- Change (Neolithic → Green Revolution):
- Sustainability (agriculture & the climate):
Take it further — resources
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