Exam-style questions by topic — Edexcel GCSE Geography A
One verified question for each of 66 topics. These are written for this specification and checked by MasteryMind. They are not past-paper questions, and they are not from Pearson Edexcel.
There are geological variations within the UK
Ancient plate collisions deformed rocks that now form high ground in parts of the UK, while nearby lowlands are underlain by sedimentary rock. Which sequence best explains how the upland relief developed?
Practise There are geological variations within the UKDistinctive river landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processes
The lower River Cuckmere in East Sussex flows across a very flat valley floor close to the sea, and has developed large meanders and a wide floodplain. Which explanation best accounts for how this lowland landscape has formed?
Practise Distinctive river landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processesA variety of physical processes interact to shape glaciated upland landscapes
The valleys of the Lake District contain many landforms made by glaciers, but no glaciers are present there today. Which explanation best links the present-day UK climate to this absence of glaciers?
Practise A variety of physical processes interact to shape glaciated upland landscapesGlacial erosion and deposition create distinctive landforms within glaciated upland landscapes
A drumlin is an elongated, streamlined mound of material found in a glaciated lowland area. Which combination of processes best explains how its streamlined shape develops?
Practise Glacial erosion and deposition create distinctive landforms within glaciated upland landscapesHuman activities can lead to changes in glaciated upland landscapes
A plantation of evergreen conifers has replaced open grass on a glaciated upland slope, and the lower valley floor has been drained to build a new village. Which option best describes how these two activities have altered physical processes?
Practise Human activities can lead to changes in glaciated upland landscapesDistinctive glaciated upland landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processes
The Yorkshire Dales in northern England is a glaciated karst limestone upland. Which statement best explains how its location and rock type combined to produce limestone pavements with clints and grykes?
Practise Distinctive glaciated upland landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processesA number of physical and human processes work together to create distinct UK landscapes
After the ice sheets melted, steep valley sides were left bare of vegetation and covered in loose debris. Which explanation best accounts for why these slopes became vulnerable to rapid mass movement?
Practise A number of physical and human processes work together to create distinct UK landscapesA variety of physical processes interact to shape coastal landscapes
A coastline is made of concordant layers that dip gently out to sea. The hard rock layer lies on top of a softer clay layer below. Which process is most likely to undercut the hard layer and cause its collapse?
Practise A variety of physical processes interact to shape coastal landscapesCoastal erosion and deposition create distinctive landforms within the coastal landscape
A ridge of sand and shingle has built up across the mouth of a bay. It is joined to a headland at each end and now encloses a body of water behind it. What is the ridge called?
Practise Coastal erosion and deposition create distinctive landforms within the coastal landscapeHuman activities can lead to changes in coastal landscapes which affect people and the environment
A council builds a concrete sea wall along a town's seafront to stop waves damaging the promenade. Which statement best describes the main purpose of this type of hard engineering?
Practise Human activities can lead to changes in coastal landscapes which affect people and the environmentDistinctive coastal landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processes
On the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, the discordant coastline has resistant chalk at Ballard Point and limestone at Durlston Head, with softer clays and sands between them. Which factor has been most influential in forming Swanage Bay between these headlands?
Practise Distinctive coastal landscapes are the outcome of the interaction between physical and human processesA variety of physical processes interact to shape river landscapes
What happens to the size and shape of river sediment as it is transported from the upper course to the lower course of a river?
Practise A variety of physical processes interact to shape river landscapesErosion and deposition interacting with geology create distinctive landforms in river landscapes
Which process is mainly responsible for creating a river cliff on the outside of a meander bend?
Practise Erosion and deposition interacting with geology create distinctive landforms in river landscapesHuman activities can lead to changes in river landscapes which affect people and the environment
A river is channelised by straightening and deepening its channel through a town. Which change to the river landscape does this hard engineering scheme cause?
Practise Human activities can lead to changes in river landscapes which affect people and the environmentThe atmosphere operates as a global system transferring heat and energy
The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico towards north-west Europe. Explain how this ocean current affects the climate of north-west Europe compared with places at similar latitude in eastern Canada.
Practise The atmosphere operates as a global system transferring heat and energyThe global climate was different in the past and continues to change due to natural causes
Which term describes a relatively warm period of the Quaternary period, during which global ice sheets retreated and sea levels rose?
Practise The global climate was different in the past and continues to change due to natural causesGlobal climate is now changing as a result of human activity
Which of the following is a direct physical consequence of global warming on glaciers?
Practise Global climate is now changing as a result of human activityThe UK has a distinct climate which has changed over time
Which of the following best describes the general pattern of mean annual temperature across the United Kingdom?
Practise The UK has a distinct climate which has changed over timeTropical cyclones are extreme weather events that develop under specific conditions and in certain locations
Tropical cyclones form over warm tropical oceans. Which sea surface temperature is the usual minimum needed to supply enough heat and moisture for a tropical cyclone to develop?
Practise Tropical cyclones are extreme weather events that develop under specific conditions and in certain locationsThere are various impacts of and responses to natural hazards caused by tropical cyclones depending on a country’s level of development
Which hazard is most directly caused by the very low central pressure and rising sea level pushed inland by a tropical cyclone?
Practise There are various impacts of and responses to natural hazards caused by tropical cyclones depending on a country’s level of developmentThe causes of drought are complex with some locations more vulnerable than others
A reservoir that supplies a city normally holds 800 million litres. After several dry months, its level has dropped to 300 million litres as river inflows have fallen. Which type of drought is this fall in stored water supply most directly showing?
Practise The causes of drought are complex with some locations more vulnerable than othersThe impacts of, and responses to drought vary depending on a country’s level of development
A town depends on a reservoir that is slowly emptying during a long dry period. Explain why this situation is hazardous for the people living in the town.
Practise The impacts of, and responses to drought vary depending on a country’s level of developmentThe biosphere is a vital system
Which one of the following is a source of food provided by the biosphere?
Practise The biosphere is a vital systemThe UK has its own variety of distinctive ecosystems that it relies on
Which resource obtained from UK seas is a direct product of living organisms in marine ecosystems, rather than of rocks beneath the seabed or of wind and waves?
Practise The UK has its own variety of distinctive ecosystems that it relies onTropical rainforests show a range of distinguishing features
A rainforest bird has a long, narrow beak that it uses to reach nectar deep inside tube-shaped flowers. Explain how this beak is an adaptation to the rainforest.
Practise Tropical rainforests show a range of distinguishing featuresTropical rainforest ecosystems provide a range of goods and services, some of which are under threat
In one region of tropical rainforest, landless families are moving in to find farmland while companies are expanding export cash crop plantations. Which statement best explains how these two pressures together increase forest clearance?
Practise Tropical rainforest ecosystems provide a range of goods and services, some of which are under threatDeciduous woodlands show a range of distinguishing features
Which interpretation best explains why nutrient cycling in a temperate deciduous woodland depends on the link between climate, soil and organisms?
Practise Deciduous woodlands show a range of distinguishing featuresDeciduous woodland ecosystems provide a range of goods and services, some of which are under threat
At a busy picnic area in Epping Forest, visitors walk over the ground beneath the trees, compacting the soil around the roots. Which approach would best reduce this damage while keeping the area open to visitors?
Practise Deciduous woodland ecosystems provide a range of goods and services, some of which are under threatUrbanisation is a global process
Which term describes the movement of people from cities to rural areas, which has occurred in some developed countries over the last 50 years?
Practise Urbanisation is a global processThe degree of urbanisation varies across the UK
Which factor most directly explains why parts of the South East of England have urbanised faster than parts of Northern Ireland in recent decades?
Practise The degree of urbanisation varies across the UKThe context of the chosen UK city influences its functions and structure
A port city on a major river estuary receives container ships linked to manufacturing regions in several continents. Which combination of contexts best explains why the city's functions depend on both its regional and global situation?
Practise The context of the chosen UK city influences its functions and structureThe chosen UK city is being changed by movements of people, employment and services
Which of these is an example of international migration affecting a UK city?
Practise The chosen UK city is being changed by movements of people, employment and servicesGlobalisation and economic change create challenges for the chosen UK city that require long-term solutions
A council is choosing between two housing schemes for a city with many low-income families. Scheme A builds well-insulated homes with solar panels within walking distance of a bus route to the city centre. Scheme B builds cheap detached houses on the urban fringe with no public transport link. Which scheme better meets the aim of affordable, energy-efficient and sustainable urban living, and why?
Practise Globalisation and economic change create challenges for the chosen UK city that require long-term solutionsThe context of the chosen developing country or emerging country city influences its functions and structure
Which zone of a city is found at the outer edge, where the built-up area meets open countryside and farmland?
Practise The context of the chosen developing country or emerging country city influences its functions and structureThe character of the chosen developing country or emerging country city is influenced by its fast rate of growth
Over a decade, the birth rate in a city in an emerging country falls from 32 to 18 per 1000 per year, while its death rate falls from 12 to 5 per 1000 per year. Which statement correctly gives the change in the city's rate of natural increase and the reason for it?
Practise The character of the chosen developing country or emerging country city is influenced by its fast rate of growthRapid growth, within the chosen developing country or emerging country city, results in a number of challenges that need to be managed
A rapidly growing city in a developing country faces problems such as poor water supply and informal housing. Which option correctly gives one advantage of a top-down approach and one disadvantage of a bottom-up approach to managing these problems?
Practise Rapid growth, within the chosen developing country or emerging country city, results in a number of challenges that need to be managedDefinitions of development vary as do attempts to measure it
A government's critics argue that its high GDP per capita does not reflect development for most citizens. Which evidence would most strongly support this argument?
Practise Definitions of development vary as do attempts to measure itThe level of development varies globally
A country has a hot, dry climate with very unreliable rainfall, so farmers struggle to grow enough food each year. Which type of factor best explains why this country's development is held back?
Practise The level of development varies globallyUneven global development has had a range of consequences
In a poor rural region, many girls leave school at about 12 to collect water and help at home. Which long-term effect on their quality of life is most likely?
Practise Uneven global development has had a range of consequencesA range of strategies has been used to try to address uneven development
Which of the following is an example of an inter-governmental agreement designed to reduce uneven development?
Practise A range of strategies has been used to try to address uneven developmentThe level of development of the chosen developing or emerging country is influenced by its location and context in the world
In a developing or emerging country, which term describes the region that contains the country's largest city, main industries and most advanced transport links, where development is concentrated?
Practise The level of development of the chosen developing or emerging country is influenced by its location and context in the worldThe interactions of economic, social and demographic processes influence the development of the chosen developing or emerging country
Since the 1980s, rapid economic growth in China has widened the gap between incomes in cities and incomes in rural areas. Which one of the following best explains how this growing inequality could slow China's future development?
Practise The interactions of economic, social and demographic processes influence the development of the chosen developing or emerging countryChanging geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging country
A developing country with a limited national budget sharply increases its defence spending to buy new fighter jets. Which is the most likely effect of this decision on the country's development?
Practise Changing geopolitics and technology impact on the chosen developing or emerging countryThere are positive and negative impacts of rapid development for the people and environment of the chosen developing or emerging country
Which one of the following is a social impact of rapid industrial growth in a rapidly developing country?
Practise There are positive and negative impacts of rapid development for the people and environment of the chosen developing or emerging countryA natural resource is any feature or part of the environment that can be used to meet human needs
A logging company removes large areas of tropical forest to sell timber, and the cleared land is then used to grow soya beans. Which statement best describes how this combines deforestation with farming as ways of exploiting the environment for food and resources?
Practise A natural resource is any feature or part of the environment that can be used to meet human needsCountries at different levels of development have water supply problems
In a developing country, many rural households collect drinking water directly from a river that also receives raw sewage. Which water supply problem does this describe?
Practise Countries at different levels of development have water supply problemsMeeting the demands for water resources could involve technology and interventions by different interest groups
Desalination is most useful for supplying fresh water to which type of location?
Practise Meeting the demands for water resources could involve technology and interventions by different interest groupsManagement and sustainable use of water resources are required at a range of spatial scales from local to international
An aquifer is recharged by about 50 million litres of rainwater each year, but a town abstracts 80 million litres from it each year for drinking water. Which statement best explains why this supply needs sustainable management?
Practise Management and sustainable use of water resources are required at a range of spatial scales from local to internationalThe patterns of the distribution and consumption of natural resources varies on a global and a national scale
Which part of the UK has the largest proportion of its land used for arable crop farming?
Practise The patterns of the distribution and consumption of natural resources varies on a global and a national scaleRenewable and non-renewable energy resources can be developed
A reservoir stores water for a hydroelectric scheme. Hydroelectric output depends on the head of water and flow rate. Over several decades, sediment settles in the reservoir, reducing its storage capacity. Which conclusion best applies the renewable and non-renewable classification to this hydroelectric scheme?
Practise Renewable and non-renewable energy resources can be developedTo meet demand, countries use energy resources in different proportions. This is called the energy mix
Country X has a small population, very high average income and large oil reserves. Which explanation best accounts for oil dominating its energy mix?
Practise To meet demand, countries use energy resources in different proportions. This is called the energy mixThere is increasing demand for energy that is being met by renewable and non-renewable resources
A government approves a new offshore oil field off a coastal region whose communities depend heavily on fishing. Which statement best describes the positive and negative impacts of developing this non-renewable resource?
Practise There is increasing demand for energy that is being met by renewable and non-renewable resourcesMeeting the demands for energy resources can involve interventions by different interest groups
A company plans to drill for shale gas near a rural village. Residents worry about water contamination, while the company argues that the gas will lower national energy costs. Which statement best explains why the two stakeholders hold different attitudes to this exploitation?
Practise Meeting the demands for energy resources can involve interventions by different interest groupsManagement and sustainable use of energy resources are required at a range of spatial scales from local to international
The UK, a developed country, has built large offshore wind farms in the North Sea. Kenya, a developing country, has built geothermal power stations in the Rift Valley. What do these two schemes have in common as ways of managing energy resources sustainably?
Practise Management and sustainable use of energy resources are required at a range of spatial scales from local to internationalThe supply of fresh water supply varies globally
A river has an average annual flow of 600 million m³ before a dam is built across it. After the dam is built, 180 million m³ is stored each year for irrigation and 70 million m³ is lost to evaporation from the reservoir. Assuming no other changes, what volume of water flows downstream each year after the dam is built?
Practise The supply of fresh water supply varies globallyThere are differences between the water consumption patterns of developing countries and developed countries
Country C is a developing country that withdraws 500 km³ of water per year: 10% industry, 15% domestic and the remainder agriculture. Country D is a developed country that also withdraws 500 km³ per year: 55% industry, 15% domestic and 30% agriculture. How many more km³ per year does Country C use for agriculture than Country D?
Practise There are differences between the water consumption patterns of developing countries and developed countriesTask: Changing city environments – investigating change in central/inner urban area(s)
A central area of a city is built on a steep slope overlooking a river. Planners want to reduce the risk that new building work causes landslides that could affect residents below. Which measure best addresses the physical interaction between the slope and the built environment?
Practise Task: Changing city environments – investigating change in central/inner urban area(s)Task: Changing rural environments – investigating change in rural settlements
A village on a limestone plateau has few surface streams nearby, because rainwater drains quickly through joints and underground channels. Which water source is most reliable for the village's residents?
Practise Task: Changing rural environments – investigating change in rural settlementsTask: Coastal landscapes – investigation of coastal processes through landscape evidence
At a spit that has grown across a river mouth, a student wants an enquiry question that will produce evidence about which way sediment has been moving along the coast. Which question is best suited to this aim?
Practise Task: Coastal landscapes – investigation of coastal processes through landscape evidenceTask: River landscapes – investigation of change in a river channel.
A group can only reach one meander bend on a lowland river. Their task is to investigate change in the river channel. Which question best uses their location and fits the task?
Practise Task: River landscapes – investigation of change in a river channel.Topic 3: 3.1 Large-scale ecosystems
A region has a climate suitable for temperate deciduous forest, but a large area within it has thin, acidic, nutrient-poor soils over hard rock. Explain why the vegetation there differs from the surrounding forest.
Practise Topic 3: 3.1 Large-scale ecosystemsTopic 7: Fieldwork enquiry process stages
A team walks along a shopping street and, at 20 marked points, looks at each building and records whether it is used for shops, offices or housing, or whether it is vacant. Which technique is being used?
Practise Topic 7: Fieldwork enquiry process stagesTopic 8: 8.1 The UK’s resource consumption and environmental sustainability challenge
Over ten years, the population of a rural UK area grows. New houses are built close to a small woodland, and many more people walk dogs through it and along the nearby river bank. What is the most likely effect on the ground-nesting birds in the woodland?
Practise Topic 8: 8.1 The UK’s resource consumption and environmental sustainability challengeTopic 8: 8.2 The UK settlement, population and economic challenges
Explain why creating enterprise zones in weaker UK regions can help reduce the north-south economic divide.
Practise Topic 8: 8.2 The UK settlement, population and economic challengesTopic 8: 8.3 The UK’s landscape challenges
A National Park has a shortage of affordable housing for local young people, and some traditional cottages are being bought as second homes used only in summer. Which approach would best address this challenge while protecting the Park's character?
Practise Topic 8: 8.3 The UK’s landscape challengesTopic 8: 8.4 The UK’s climate change challenges
Two climate models project UK summer rainfall for the 2080s. Model A projects a 20% decrease and Model B projects a 5% increase. A flood-defence planner wants to know why this pair of results makes UK summer rainfall difficult to plan for. Which explanation is most accurate?
Practise Topic 8: 8.4 The UK’s climate change challenges
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