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AQA GCSE·🌍 Geography

AQA GCSE Geography — Paper 1 (Living with the physical environment)

⏱ 90 minutes📊 88 marks📄 Paper 1 (Living with the physical environment)
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ℹ️ About this paper: This is an exam-board-aligned practice paper written in the style of AQA GCSE — not an official past paper. Use it for timed practice, then check against the mark scheme included below. For official past papers, see the exam board's website.
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AQA GCSE Geography — Paper 1 (Living with the physical environment)

Total marks: 88 · Duration: 90 minutes

Instructions to candidates

• Answer ALL questions in Section A and Section B. • Write your answers in the spaces provided in this question paper. • Use a black ball-point pen. You may use an HB pencil for graphs and diagrams. • Diagrams are not accurately drawn unless otherwise stated. • You may use a calculator. • The marks for questions are shown in brackets. The maximum mark for this paper is 88. • Section A is worth 53 marks and Section B is worth 35 marks.

Paper

Section A — Structured Questions (53 marks)

Question 1 — The Challenge of Natural Hazards

Study Figure 1, a map showing the distribution of tropical storms across the globe.

[Figure 1 shows a world map with shaded bands between approximately 5° and 30° north and south of the equator, with arrows indicating typical storm tracks moving westward then curving poleward. Areas marked include the Caribbean, Bay of Bengal, Western Pacific, and Northern Australia. A key indicates: "Area where tropical storms form" (shaded) and "Typical storm track" (arrows).]

(a) Using Figure 1, which one of the following statements is correct? Shade one oval only. (1 mark)

A Tropical storms form along the equator
B Tropical storms form between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator
C Tropical storms only occur in the Northern Hemisphere
D Tropical storms move from east to west then continue in a straight line

(b) State two primary effects of tropical storms. (2 marks)

(c) Explain how rising air contributes to the formation of a tropical storm. (4 marks)

(d) Using a named example of a tropical storm, assess the effectiveness of immediate responses to the hazard. (9 marks)

Question 2 — Hot Deserts

Study Figure 2, a climate graph for In Salah, Algeria, located in the Sahara Desert.

[Figure 2 shows a climate graph with temperature line graph peaking at 38°C in July and dropping to 14°C in January. Bar chart shows precipitation with maximum 8mm in March and several months with 0mm. Annual precipitation total: 16mm. Annual temperature range: 24°C.]

(a) Using Figure 2, state the month with the highest temperature. (1 mark)

(b) Calculate the annual temperature range shown in Figure 2. Show your working. (2 marks)

(c) Suggest how plants adapt to survive in hot desert environments. (4 marks)

Question 3 — Ecosystems

Study Figure 3, which shows a food web in a small-scale UK ecosystem.

[Figure 3 shows a food web diagram with the following connections:

  • Oak tree → Caterpillar → Blue tit → Sparrowhawk
  • Oak tree → Aphid → Ladybird → Blue tit
  • Grass → Rabbit → Fox
  • Grass → Grasshopper → Shrew → Fox
  • Decomposers connected to all organisms]

(a) Using Figure 3, identify one producer. (1 mark)

(b) Using Figure 3, what would be the likely impact on the fox population if a disease killed most of the rabbits? Explain your answer. (3 marks)

(c) Explain the role of decomposers in nutrient cycling. (4 marks)

Question 4 — Physical Landscapes in the UK — Rivers

Study Figure 4, a diagram showing a river meander.

[Figure 4 shows a bird's-eye view of a meander bend with labels indicating: "River cliff" on the outer bend, "Point bar (slip-off slope)" on the inner bend, "Fastest flow" marked with arrow on outer bend, "Slowest flow" marked with arrow on inner bend, "Direction of flow" arrow, and cross-section lines marked X-Y.]

(a) Which one of the following processes is most active on the outer bend of a meander? Shade one oval only. (1 mark)

A Deposition
B Erosion
C Transportation
D Evaporation

(b) Using Figure 4, describe the differences in river flow between the inner and outer bend of the meander. (2 marks)

(c) Explain the formation of a meander. You may use a diagram in your answer. (6 marks)

(d) Using a named example, explain how a river landform has been managed to reduce flood risk. (6 marks)

Question 5 — Physical Landscapes in the UK — Coasts

Study Figure 5, a photograph showing a stack and stump on the Dorset coastline.

[Figure 5 shows Old Harry Rocks: a tall, isolated pillar of white chalk rock (stack) standing in the sea, approximately 30m high, with a smaller remnant (stump) visible in the foreground just above wave level. Vertical joints are visible in the rock. Waves are breaking at the base.]

(a) Define the term 'stack'. (1 mark)

(b) Outline the sequence of coastal landforms that form before a stack develops. (3 marks)

(c) Explain how wave-cut platforms are formed. (4 marks)

Section B — Extended Response (35 marks)

Question 6

Study Figure 6, information about the economic development of countries affected by tectonic hazards.

[Figure 6: Table showing earthquake responses

Country GNI per capita (US$) Earthquake magnitude Deaths Year
Nepal 730 7.8 8,841 2015
Japan 38,550 9.0 15,894 2011
Haiti 760 7.0 220,000 2010
Chile 13,610 8.8 525 2010

'The effects of tectonic hazards are always worse in lower income countries (LICs) than in higher income countries (HICs).'

Using Figure 6 and your own understanding, to what extent do you agree with this statement? (9 marks)

You should consider: • immediate and long-term effects of tectonic hazards • factors affecting vulnerability and responses • named examples of tectonic hazards in contrasting countries.

Question 7

Study Figure 7, a proposal for a river flood management scheme.

[Figure 7: Extract from consultation document

River Calder Flood Management Scheme — Proposed Options

Option A: Hard Engineering • Construct 3.5m high concrete flood walls through town centre • Dredge river channel to increase capacity by 40% • Install automated flood gates at key points • Estimated cost: £45 million • Completion time: 3 years • Protects 1,200 properties

Option B: Soft Engineering • Plant woodland on 80 hectares of upstream land • Restore 4km of natural river meanders • Create wetland storage areas on floodplain • Estimated cost: £12 million • Completion time: 5 years (full effectiveness after 10-15 years) • Protects approximately 800 properties

Recent floods (2015): 600 homes flooded, £150 million damage, 2 deaths]

'Soft engineering approaches to river management are always more sustainable than hard engineering approaches.'

Using Figure 7 and your own understanding, evaluate this statement. (9 marks)

You should consider: • environmental, economic and social impacts • short-term and long-term effectiveness • named examples of river management schemes.

Question 8

'Climate change poses the greatest threat to tropical rainforests.'

To what extent do you agree with this statement? (9 marks)

In your answer you should: • discuss different threats facing tropical rainforests • evaluate the relative importance of these threats • refer to examples from named locations.

Question 9

Using a case study of a recent extreme weather event in the UK, assess the social and economic impacts of the event. (8 marks)

Your answer should include: • description of the extreme weather event • social impacts • economic impacts • reference to specific locations, dates and statistics.

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