(a)(i) The functions of rural settlements include:
(i) Agricultural activities as the main occupation of the people, i.e growing of food and cash crops
(ii) Pastoral farming as an occupation provided there is plenty of grasses for the livestock
(iii) Fishing function provided there are rivers
(iv) Small scale shopping
(v) Lumbering function provided there are forest trees
(ii) Functions of urban settlements:
(i) Industrial (production) function - presence of industries
(ii) Commercial function which involves heavy trading
(iii) Administrative functions as urban areas are usually the sites of administration
(iv) Socio-cultural function as urban areas are places where schools, universities, foreign embassy offices are found
(v) Other primary occupations like mining or fishing can also be engaged in urban centres
(vi) Residential function as majority of people live in urban areas.
(b) Three areas of interdependence between rural and urban settlements are
(i) Rural settlements are sources of food for the urban settlements
(ii) Urban settlements are usually the sources of manufactured goods or food for the rural settlements
(iii) Urban settlements may also serve as administrative headquarters of the rural settlements.