GEOGRAPHY GCSE

Revision
EDEXCEL B
Paper 1: Global Geographical
Issues

Name: ……………………………………………………
Hazardous Earth

You should know R A G

Enquiry question: How does the world’s climate system
function, why does it change and how can this be hazardous
for people?
The global atmospheric circulation and how circulation cell and ocean
currents transfer and redistribute heat energy around the Earth.
How global atmospheric circulation determines the location of arid
(high pressure) and high rainfall (low pressure) areas.
The natural causes of climate change and how they explain past
climate change events: asteroid collisions, orbital changes, volcanic
activity, variations in solar output.
Evidence for natural climate change (ice cores, tree rings, historical
sources) and how it is used to reconstruct glacial and interglacial
climate during the Quaternary and UK climate since Roman times to
the present day.
How human activities (industry, transport, energy, farming) produce
greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) that cause the enhanced
greenhouse effect leading to global warming
Evidence for how human activity is causing climate change (sea level
rise and warming oceans, global temperature rise, declining Arctic ice,
increased extreme weather events) and the possible consequences on
people.
The range of projections for global temperature change and sea level
rise in the future, including physical process and human reasons for
uncertainty about those projections.
Enquiry question: How are extreme weather events
increasingly hazardous for people?
Characteristics (pressure, rotation, structure) and seasonal global
distribution of tropical cyclones (hurricanes and typhoons) including
source areas and tracks and how these change over time
How the global circulation of the atmosphere leads to tropical cyclones
in source areas, reasons why some tropical cyclones intensify and their
dissipation
Physical hazards of tropical cyclones (high winds, intense rainfall,
storm surges, coastal flooding, landslides) and their impact on people
and environments.
Why some countries are more vulnerable (physically, socially and
economically) than others to the impacts of tropical cyclones
How countries can prepare for, and respond to, tropical cyclones:
weather forecasting, satellite technology, warning and evacuation
strategies, storm-surge defences.
The effectiveness of these methods of preparation and response in one
developed country and in one developing or emerging country
Enquiry question: Why do the causes and impacts of tectonic
activity and management of tectonic hazards vary with
location?
Earth’s layered structure (including the asthenosphere), with different
composition and physical properties (temperature, density,
composition, physical state)
How the core’s internal heat source (through radioactive decay)
generates convection, the key foundation for plate motion.
Distribution and characteristics of the three plate boundary types
(conservative, convergent and divergent) and hotspots
Causes of contrasting volcanic (volcano type, magma type/lava
flows and explosivity) and earthquake hazards, including tsunami
(shallow/deep, magnitude).
Primary and secondary impacts of earthquakes or volcanoes on
property and people in a developed and emerging or developing
country
Management of volcanic or earthquake hazards, in a developed and
emerging or developing country including short-term relief (shelter and
supplies) and long-term planning (trained and funded emergency
services), preparation (warning and evacuation; building design) and
prediction
 GLOBAL GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUES - HAZARDOUS EARTH

In the exam there will be a range of one mark questions (related to AO1) which will
be based on defining/naming key terms.

There will be a range of two, three and four mark questions (linked to AO2 and
AO3). The following are examples questions you might see in the paper
Describe one method that can be used to predict when a volcano is likely to erupt (2)
Explain one difference between oceanic and continental crust (3)
Other than the mantle, explain the properties of two of Earth’s internal layers (4)
Explain the location of divergent plate boundaries (4)
State two ways in which a volcanic eruption can endanger human life (2)
Describe one action that can be taken to reduce the impact of earthquakes (2)
State two facts about the distribution of volcanoes (2)
Describe one way a region affected by earthquakes can prepare for this hazard (2)
Using an example(s), describe the effects of earthquakes on people and property (4)
For a named earthquake or volcanic eruption, describe its economic impacts (4)
For either an earthquake or a volcanic eruption you have studied, describe the immediate responses in
managing its impact. (4)
Explain how volcanoes are formed on either constructive or destructive plate boundaries. You may
draw a diagram to help you. (4)
Describe how people can prepare for earthquakes. (4)
For a named earthquake or volcanic eruption, describe the immediate response and relief efforts. (4)
Describe how convection currents cause plate movements (4)
Explain how ocean currents can influence climates (4)
Suggest two ways that global circulation patterns affect rainfall distribution in West Africa (4)
Explain how global circulation influences the location of the world’s deserts (4)
Explain how one type of evidence can help reconstruct past climates (3)
Describe one way in which human activity is contributing to climate change (2)
Describe one possible economic impact of future climate change in the UK (2)
Describe how orbital changes and varying solar output can lead to climate change (4)
Describe how climate change in the past, such as the Little Ice Age, affected people and ecosystems.
(4)
Explain how an increase in greenhouse gases can result in climate change. (4)
For a named developing country, explain why climate change is likely to have a large impact on its
people. (4)
Describe two possible economic impacts of future climate change (4)
Explain why the UK’s climate might change in the future. (4)
Explain two reasons why the predictions of future climate change are uncertain (4)
Explain one hazard brought by tropical cyclones (2)
Explain two causes of tropical cyclones (4)
Explain one reason why people in Bangladesh are especially vulnerable to flooding (2)
Explain one reason why climate change might affect the price of food (2)

There will also be a range of 8 mark questions (linked to AO3 and AO4). The
following are examples of questions which have been asked in the old (legacy)
specification
Explain how hazard resistant design can reduce the impact of earthquakes (8)
Assess the impacts of volcanic eruptions on both developed and developing countries (8)
Assess the primary and secondary impacts of earthquakes on both developed and developing countries
(8)
Assess the importance of volcanic eruptions and changes to solar output to climate change (8)
‘Most global warming is caused by carbon dioxide emissions from a few rich, developed countries’.
Assess this statement (8)
Assess the social and economic impacts of tropical cyclones on developing countries (8)
Assess the success of different methods of cyclone prediction and warning systems in a named
developing country (8)
Assess the success of different methods of cyclone prediction and warning systems in a named
developed country
Using named countries, evaluate whether the impacts of tectonic hazards on emerging or developing
countries are greater than those in developed countries (8)
Development Dynamics

You should know Note Senec 

s a
Enquiry question: What is the scale of global inequality and how
can it be reduced?
Contrasting ways of defining development (economic criteria and broader
social and political measure) and measuring development (Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) per capita, the Human Development Index (HDI), measures
of inequality and indices of political corruption).
How countries at different levels of development (developing, emerging
and developed) have differences in their demographic data (fertility rates,
death rates, population structures, maternal and infant mortality rates).
The causes and consequences of global inequalities; social (education,
health), historical (colonialism, neo-colonialism), environmental (climate,
topography), economic and political (systems of governance, international
relations)
How Rostow’s modernisation theory and Frank’s dependency theory can be
used to explain how and why countries develop over time.
Characteristics of top-down and bottom-up strategies in terms of their
scale, aims, funding and technology. The processes and players
(transnational corporations (TNCs), governments) contributing to
globalisation and why some countries have benefitted more than others
Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to development:
Non-governmental organisation-led (NGO-led) intermediate technology,
Inter-governmental organisation (IGO)-funded large infrastructure and
investment by TNCs.
Enquiry question: How is ONE of the world’s emerging countries
managing to
develop?
The site, situation and connectivity of the megacity and its significance, in
a national (environmental and cultural), regional and global context
Broad political, social, cultural and environmental context of the chosen
country in its region and globally
The key economic trends (GDP, per capita GNI, changing importance of
economic sectors, imports and exports and type and origin of foreign direct
investment) since 1990.
The role of globalisation (advances in communications and transport
technology, TNCs and outsourcing) and government policy (receipt of tied
or multi-lateral aid, education and infrastructure investment, pro-FDI
policy) in the development of the chosen country
How rapid economic change has contributed to demographic change
(fertility and death rates), caused urbanisation (ruralurban migration, city
growth) and created different regions with different socio-economic
characteristics
Positive and negative impacts of economic development and globalisation
on different age and gender groups
Impacts of economic development and globalisation on the environment
(air, water and land pollution, greenhouse gases) at a variety of scales
(human health and global climate change).
How rapid economic development has changed the geopolitical influence
(regional influence, role in international organisations) and relationships
with the EU and USA.
Conflicting views of the costs and benefits of changing international
relations and the role of foreign investment (TNCs) in the economic
development.

GLOBAL GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUES - DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS

In the exam there will be a range of one mark questions (related to AO1) which will
be based on defining/naming key terms. For example:
Other than income, identify one way of measuring differences in economic development (1)

There will be a range of two, three and four mark questions (linked to AO2 and
AO3). The following are examples questions you might see in the paper.
Describe two indicators which can be used to measure development (4)
Describe two features of the countries which highest HDIs (4)
Describe how a dam like the Akosombo Dam could help Ghana develop (2)
Explain how the dam could have had negative impacts on some people in Ghana (2)
Explain the population structure of one developing country (4)
Explain why HDI (Human Development Index varies between countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
(4)
Explain one physical factor that can prevent development progress in a country (4)
Explain how Rostow’s model can be used to explain the development of a country (4)
Explain one reason why levels of development vary within a country (4)
Explain what is meant by intermediate technology (4)
Explain the benefits of bottom up development projects (4)
State one feature of colonialism (2)
Explain one way in which outsourcing affects economic development in an emerging country.
(3)

There will also be a range of 8 mark questions (linked to AO3 and AO4). The
following are examples of questions which have been asked in the old (legacy)
specification.
Using examples explain what is meant by the global development gap (6)
Explain why coastal regions, such as those in China, are often more economically developed
than inland regions. (6)
For a named developing country, explain the differences between the urban cores and the
rural periphery. (6)
Using examples, compare the benefits of top-down and bottom-up development schemes (6)
Using examples, explain why top-down development schemes are sometimes seen as being
inappropriate. (6)
Using examples, explain how bottom-up schemes have benefited developing countries. (6)
Using examples from sub-Saharan Africa, describe barriers that prevent its progress (6)
Describe Rostow’s modernisation theory (6)
Using examples, describe how levels of development may vary within a country (6)
Using named examples, explain how bottom-up schemes meet the needs of developing
countries, and how successful these have been. (6)
Explain how the economic growth in an emerging country such as India could lead to
demographic change (4)

Please note, that the new style of questions will relate to ‘assess/evaluate’ (linked
to AO3 and AO4), so the questions above could be adapted to meet this new
approach to questioning. The following are examples of those assess/evaluate
questions.

For a named developing country, assess how far patterns of trade have affected its economic
development (8)
For a named developing country, assess how far it has benefitted from globalisation (8)
Assess the economic and social impacts of TNCs on emerging countries (8)
Using examples assess the changes brought by globalisation to one emerging country (8)
For a named top-down development project evaluate the benefits and problems (8)
For a named emerging country, assess how far its development has been influenced by its
location (8)
Challenges of an Urbanising World

You should know Note Senec 

s a
Enquiry question: What are the causes and challenges of rapid
urban change?
Past (since 1980) and current global trends in urbanisation, how it
varies between global regions, and future projections of global
urbanisation
The global pattern of megacities (size, location, growth rates) and how
in many countries some urban areas have disproportionate economic
and/or political influence (urban primacy).
How economic change and migration (national and international)
contributes to the growth and/or decline of cities in the developing,
emerging and developed countries
Why urban economies are different in the developing, emerging and
developed countries (formal versus informal employment, relative
importance of economic sectors, working conditions).
How urban population numbers, distribution and spatial growth change
over time (urbanisation, suburbanisation, de-industrialisation, counter-
urbanisation and in some cases, regeneration).
Characteristics of different urban land uses (commercial, industrial,
residential) and the factors that influence land-use type (accessibility,
availability, cost, planning regulations
Enquiry question: Why does quality of life vary so much within
ONE megacity* in adeveloping country* OR emerging country*?
Significance of site, situation and connectivity of the megacity in a
national (environmental and cultural), regional and global context.
The megacity’s structure (Central Business District (CBD), inner city,
suburbs, urban-rural fringe) in terms of its functions and building age
Reasons for past and present trends in population growth (rates of
natural increase, national and international migration, economic
investment and growth) for the megacity
How population growth has affected the pattern of spatial growth and
changing urban functions and land use.
The opportunities for people (access to resources and employment)
living in the megacity.
The challenges for people living in the megacity caused by rapid
population growth (housing shortages, the development of squatter
and slum settlements, inadequate water supply and waste disposal,
poor employment conditions, and limited service provision and traffic
congestion).
The pattern of residential areas of extreme wealth and contrasted with
slums and squatter settlements, and reasons for differences in quality
of life within the megacity and the political and economic challenges of
managing the megacity
Advantages and disadvantages of city-wide government (top-down)
strategies for making the megacity more sustainable (managing water
supply, waste disposal, transport and air quality).
Advantages and disadvantages of community and NGO-led bottom-up
strategies for making the megacity more sustainable (city housing,
health and education services in the megacity).

GLOBAL GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUES - CHALLENGES OF AN URBANISING WORLD

In the exam there will be a range of one mark questions (related to AO1) which will
be based on defining/naming key terms. For example:
Define what is meant by the term urban primacy (1)
Define the term ‘megacity’ (1)

There will be a range of two, three and four mark questions (linked to AO2 and
AO3). The following are examples questions you might see in the paper
Define the term eco-footprint. (2)
Suggest one reason why cities will have varied ecological footprints (2)
Describe how the way people live in cities such as London, leads to high eco-footprints. (2)
Outline two ways in which local governments can help reduce the use of cars in cities. (4)
Give two reasons why urban areas have large ecological footprints (2)
Describe two differences between the formal and informal economy (4)
Explain two reasons why the world is becoming increasingly urbanised (4)
Explain one challenge of rapid population growth for people in megacities. (2)
For a named megacity, explain two opportunities for people living there as a result of its rapid
growth (4)
Explain two ways in which world cities influence decision-making (4)
Explain two reasons why the economies of developed and developing world cities differ (4)
For a named megacity in a developing or emerging country, explain two ways in which its
land use changes across the city (4)
For a named megacity a developing or emerging country explain two reasons for its rapid spatial
growth (4)
Explain the impact on people of two urban environmental problems in developing or emerging
cities (4)

There will also be a range of 8 mark questions (linked to AO3 and AO4). The
following are examples of questions which have been asked in the old (legacy)
specification.
Using examples, explain how economic activities can lead to the population and spatial
growth of megacities (8)
Using examples explain some of the challenges faced by cities in the developed world. (8)
Using examples, describe how consumers can help reduce the eco-footprint of an urban area.
(6)
Using examples, explain how the ecological footprint of a city can be reduced (6)
Using examples, explain how cities are trying to reduce their eco-footprint (6)
Using named examples, explain attempts that have been made to reduce the eco-footprint of
cities and how well you think they are succeeding. (6)
Explain why the eco-footprints of the cities in the developed world are so large. (6)
Using examples from a named city in the developing world, describe the possibilities for
making transport more sustainable (8)

Please note, that the new style of questions will relate to ‘assess/evaluate’ (linked
to AO3 and AO4), so the questions above could be adapted to meet this new
approach to questioning. The following are examples of those assess/evaluate
questions.
Assess whether economic development always leads to urban growth (8)
Using examples assess the effects of suburbanisation upon cities (8)
For a named megacity, assess the social and environmental impacts of its rapid population
growth (8)
For a named megacity, assess the reasons for variations in the quality of life for its people (8)
For a named megacity, assess the success of a top-down development project designed to
improve quality of life (8)
For a named megacity, assess the success of a bottom up development project designed to
improve the lives of ordinary people (8)
For a named emerging country, assess how far its development has been influenced by its
location (8)
Weekly Planner:

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