GCSE Geography
Year 11 mock exam
Your syllabus is AQA Geography A (9030):
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-a-9030
You have two exams:
 Physical Geography (90301F/H)
 Human Geography (90302 F/H)
Tuesday 25 November 2014 (1:00pm)
Thursday 4 December 2014 (1:00pm)
Both exams are 1 hour in duration.
The Physical Geography exam is testing:
 Restless Earth
 Water on the Land
The Human Geography exam is testing:
 Population change
 Tourism
A note on case studies: On the following tables the case studies you need to learn are in the final column.
If they are written in italics they are not identified as a case study in the syllabus, but you need to know
them!
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
The Restless Earth
Key idea
The Earth’s crust is unstable,
especially at plate margins.
Unique landforms occur at plate
margins.
People use these landforms as a
resource and adapt to the conditions
within them.
Volcanoes are hazards resulting from
tectonic activity. Their primary and
secondary effects are positive as well
as negative. Responses change in the
aftermath of an eruption.
Supervolcanoes are on a much bigger
scale than other volcanoes and an
eruption would have global
consequences.
Earthquakes occur at constructive,
destructive and conservative plate
margins.
The effects of earthquakes and
responses to them differ due to
contrasts in levels of wealth.
Tsunamis are a specific secondary
effect and can have devastating
effects in coastal areas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Specific content
Distribution of plates; contrasts between
continental and oceanic plates.
Destructive, constructive and conservative plate
margins.
Location and formation of fold mountains, ocean
trenches, composite volcanoes and shield
volcanoes.
A case study of one range of fold mountains. The
ways in which they are used – farming,
hydroelectric power, mining, tourism and how
people adapt to limited communications, steep
relief, poor soils.
Characteristics of different types of volcanoes.
A case study of a volcanic eruption – its cause;
primary and secondary effects; positive and
negative impacts; immediate and long term
responses. Monitoring and predicting volcanic
eruptions.
The characteristics of a supervolcano and the likely
effects of an eruption.
Location and cause of earthquakes. Features of
earthquakes – epicentre, focus, shock waves and
the measurement of earthquakes using the Richter
and Mercalli Scales.
A case study of an earthquake in a rich part of the
world and one from a poorer area – their specific
causes; primary and secondary effects; immediate
and long-term responses – the need to predict,
protect and prepare. Contrasts in effects and
responses will be clear.
A case study of a tsunami – its cause, effects and
responses.
Case studies
The Alps
Montserrat
MEDC –
Northridge
LEDC - Sichuan
Indian Ocean
tsunami
Outline the difference between continental crust and oceanic crust. (2)
Draw an annotated diagram of a convergent plate boundary. (4)
What are fold mountains and where are they found? (4)
Describe and explain the difference between composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes. (4)
Describe how humans use fold mountains. Refer to an example you have studied. (8)
Describe the effects of the eruption of Montserrat. (8)
How is a supervolcano different to a normal one? (4)
What is the difference between the Richter Scale and the Mercalli Scale? (2)
How do the impacts of and responses to earthquakes vary between LEDCs and MEDCs? Support your
answer with evidence. (8)
10. Explain what causes tsunamis? (4)
Water on the Land
Key idea
The shape of river valleys changes as
rivers flow downstream due to the
dominance of different processes.
Distinctive landforms result from
different processes as rivers flow
downstream.
The amount of water in a river
fluctuates due to a number of
reasons.
Rivers flood due to a number of
physical and human causes. Flooding
appears to be an increasingly
frequent event.
The effects of and responses to
floods vary between areas of
contrasting levels of wealth.
There is discussion about the costs
and benefits of hard and soft
engineering and debate about which
is the better option.
Rivers are managed to provide a
water supply. There are a variety of
issues resulting from this.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Specific content
Processes of erosion – hydraulic action, abrasion,
attrition, solution; vertical and lateral erosion.
Processes of transportation – traction, saltation,
suspension and solution. Deposition and reasons
for it. Long profile and changing cross profile.
Landforms resulting from erosion – waterfalls
and gorges; landforms resulting from erosion
and deposition – meanders and ox-bow lakes;
landforms resulting from deposition – levees and
flood plains.
Factors affecting discharge – amount and type of
rainfall, temperature, previous weather
conditions, relief, rock type (impermeable,
permeable, porous and pervious) and land use.
The causes of flooding: physical – prolonged rain,
heavy rain, snowmelt, relief; and human –
deforestation, building construction.
The frequency and location of flood events – in
the UK in the last 20 years.
A case study of flooding in a rich part of the
world and one from a poorer area – the different
effects of and responses to flooding.
Hard engineering strategies – dams and
reservoirs, straightening.
Soft engineering – flood warnings, preparation,
flood plain zoning, ‘do nothing’.
The costs and benefits of these.
The UK – increasing demand for water; areas of
deficit and areas of surplus; the need for
transfer. A case study of a dam/reservoir to
consider resulting economic, social and
environmental issues and the need for
sustainable supplies.
Case studies
River Tees
Boscastle
&
Bangladesh
Grafham Water
How do rivers erode? (4)
How and why do river channels change downstream? (4)
Draw a diagram of an ox-bow lake and annotate it to explain its formation. (4)
Explain how gorges are formed. (4)
Why do some rivers flood more often than others? (4)
Referring to an example of a flood in an MEDC, describe the impacts and outline the responses. (8)
Why is Bangladesh prone to flooding? (4)
How can rivers be managed? (Think about hard and soft engineering.) (8)
What is meant by water transfer?
What are the environmental issues associated with dam/reservoir construction? (4)
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Population change
Key idea
Over time the global
population increases and the
population structures of
different countries change.
A range of strategies has been
tried by countries
experiencing rapid population
growth.
An ageing population impacts
on the future development of
a country.
Population movements impact
on both the source regions of
migrants and the receiving
countries.
1.
2.
Specific content
The exponential rate of world population growth.
Countries pass through different stages of population
growth as shown in the five stages of the Demographic
Transition Model (birth rate, death rate and natural
population changes).
Changing population structure.
The impact of increasing urbanisation, agricultural change,
education and the emancipation of women on the rate of
population growth.
The social, economic and political implication of population
change and the need to achieve sustainable development.
The effectiveness of population policies adopted in
different countries since the 1990s to include birth control
programmes and other strategies adopted.
A case study of China’s policy since the 1990s and one of a
non-birth control population policy.
The relationship between the population structure and
population decline and the impact on the future economic
development.
The problems associated with an ageing dependent
population.
Government strategies to cope with an ageing population
and the incentives suggested for encouraging an increase
in a country’s birth rate.
A case study of the problems and strategies in one EU
country with an ageing population.
Migration is a result of decision-making push and pull
factors which can have positive and negative impacts.
Economic movements within the EU, refugee movements
to the EU and the impacts of such movements.
Case studies
China (birth
control)
Kerala (nonbirth control)
France
Polish to UK
Afghans to EU
Draw the Demographic Transition Model, labelling its key features. (4)
How does each of the following affect population growth: urbanisation, agricultural change,
education and the emancipation of women? (4 for each one)
3. What are the impacts of rapid population growth? (8)
4. What were the successes and failures of China’s one-child policy? (4)
5. How did the Indian state of Kerala approach population growth? (4)
6. Which of the two approaches was the most sustainable? Justify your answer.
7. Give an example of a country trying to encourage its population to have more children. Highlight the
main characteristics of the policy. (4)
8. What are the positive and negative impacts of an ageing population? (4)
9. What are the causes of migration? (4)
10. Describe the impacts of migration in the EU. Consider positive and negative and on the host and the
donor. (8)
Tourism
Key idea
The global growth of tourism
has seen the exploitation of a
range of different
environments for
holidaymakers.
Effective management
strategies are the key to the
continuing prosperity of
tourist areas in the UK.
Mass tourism has advantages
for an area but strategies need
to be in place to reduce the
likelihood of long-term
damage.
Extreme environments are
susceptible to environmental
damage from the
development of tourism.
Sustainability requires the
development of ecotourism.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Specific content
Reasons for the global increase in tourism.
The potential of cities, mountains and coastal areas for the
development of tourism.
The economic importance of tourism to countries in
contrasting parts of the world.
Contribution of tourism to the UK economy.
Impact of external factors on visitor numbers to the UK.
Tourist area/resort life cycle model.
A case study of either a UK National Park or a UK coastal
resort. The reasons for its growth as a tourist destination.
The effectiveness of strategies to cope with the impact of
large numbers of tourists. Plans to ensure the continuing
success of the tourism industry in the area.
The meaning of mass tourism.
A case study of an established tropical tourist area which
attracts large numbers of visitors.
The positive and negative effects of mass tourism on the
economy and environment.
Strategies for maintaining the importance of tourism in
the area and reducing its negative effects.
The attractions of extreme environments to tourists. The
increased demand for adventure holidays. The impact of
tourism on an extreme environment.
A case study of one extreme area and the extent to which
it can cope with the development of a tourist industry.
The need for stewardship and conservation.
A case study of the ways that ecotourism can benefit the
environment, the local economy and the lives of the
people.
A consideration that this form of tourism can contribute to
sustainable development.
Explain why tourism is growing. (6)
What attracts people to visit cities, mountains and coastal areas? (3 for each)
How do tourist resorts benefit from money? (Think: multiplier effect) (4)
Draw an annotated diagram of Butler’s Model. (6)
Where is Blackpool on the resort cycle model? Give reasons for your answer. (6)
Why does Kenya attract mass tourism? (4)
What are the specific impacts of mass tourism on Kenya? (8)
How is tourism managed in Antarctica? (6)
How can ecotourism benefit an area (economy, people and the environment)? (6)
How does tourism link to sustainable development? (6)
Case studies
Blackpool
Kenya
Antarctica
Ecuador & the
Galapagos
Islands
REVISION ADVICE
Do:





Make sure revision sessions are short, but frequent
Tick off the topics on these sheets as you learn them
Challenge yourself in every revision session
Make revision cards so others can help you
Have a designated place to revise where you are not disturbed.
Don’t:




Spend hours copying notes out from your exercise or text book
Simply read through your notes; revision sessions need challenge.
Revise in front of the television.
Pretend you’re revising when you’re on Twitter/Facebook/etc…..
Help with revision:
Hinchingbrooke School Geography page
http://www.hinchingbrookeschool.co.uk/geography/Year10GCSEGeography.html
BBC Bitesize
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/
S-Cool
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/geography
You can get a revision guide book written specifically for our course. We can ‘hire’ them out to you for
£5. If you return it in good condition you can have your money back.