GCSE

Geography
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

Materials
For this paper you must have:
• a pencil
• a ruler.

Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Answer all questions in Section A and Section B.
• Answer two questions from Section C.
• Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.

Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The total number of marks available for this paper is 88.
• Spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology will be assessed in Question 01.10.

Advice
• For the multiple-choice questions, completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate answer(s).

CORRECT METHOD WRONG METHODS 

• If you want to change your answer, you must cross out your original answer as shown.
• If you wish to return to an answer previously crossed out, ring the answer you now wish to select
as shown.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________
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 Section A: The challenge of natural hazards

Answer all questions in this section.

Question 1 The challenge of natural hazards

Figure 1 shows some of the world's tectonic plates and their direction of movement. Two countries which
experienced earthquakes in 2018, the UK and Japan, are indicated.

Figure 1

Eurasian Plate

Eurasian Plate
UK

North American Plate

Japan
Arabian
Philippine Caribbean Plate
Plate Plate African
Cocos Plate
Pacific Plate Plate
Indian-
Australian
Nazca South American Plate Plate
Plate
Indian-Australian
Plate

Antarctic Antarctic
Plate Plate

0 1 · 1 Using Figure 1, which one of the following statements is true?

Shade one circle only.

A There is a constructive plate margin between the Pacific Plate

and the Philippine Plate.

B There is a constructive plate margin between the Pacific Plate

and the North American Plate.

C There is a constructive plate margin between the Eurasian

Plate and the North American Plate.

D There is a constructive plate margin between the Arabian Plate

and the Eurasian Plate.
[1 mark]

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 0 1 · 2 With the help of Figure 1, explain why Japan experiences more earthquakes than the UK.

[2 marks]

Read the information in Figure 2 about earthquakes that took place in 2018 in Japan and the UK.

Figure 2

Three people have died, and more than 200 others were injured, after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the Japanese
coastal city of Osaka and nearby areas at 8am on Monday. It caused violent shaking due to its shallow depth of 13 km.

Parts of Britain have been struck by the country’s biggest earthquake for 10 years. The British Geological Survey said the
tremor had a 4.4 magnitude, with a depth of 7.4 km, and the epicentre was about 20 km north of Swansea.

The quake happened just after 2.30pm on Saturday, the effects being felt as far afield as Devon and Birmingham.

0 1 · 3 Outline one reason why the depth of an earthquake can be important in explaining its impact.

[1 mark]

Study Figure 3a, a photograph showing the aftermath of an earthquake in Kent, UK, in April 2007, and
Figure 3b, a photograph showing the aftermath of an earthquake in Osaka, Japan, in June 2018.

Figure 3a Figure 3b

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 0 1 · 4 The impact of earthquakes on people and the environment is usually greater in low income
countries than in high income countries. Both Japan and the UK are high income countries.
Using the information in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, and your own knowledge, explain why there can
be great variations in the impact of earthquakes, even in high income countries.

[6 marks]

Study Figure 4, a map showing global air circulation and surface winds.
Figure 4

Equator
Polar Easterlies Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn

Westerlies

Trade Winds

Westerlies

Polar Easterlies

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 0 1 · 5 With the help of Figure 4, show which two of the following statements are true.

Shade two circles only.

A Air moves from high to low pressure.

B There is high pressure at the Equator.

C There is descending air in areas of low pressure.

D There is low pressure at the North Pole.

E Air rises at an area of high pressure.

F There is high pressure at 30˚ North and South.

[2 marks]

0 1 · 6 Suggest one feature that can affect the behaviour of air masses.

[1 mark]

0 1 · 7 Figure 4 shows the Hadley Cells and trade winds meeting at the Equator (convergence). This
leads to heavy rainstorms as experienced in tropical rainforests.

Explain how this rain is formed.

[4 marks]

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 0 1 · 8 Look at the information below about two climate types.

Hot Desert Climate:

• High temperatures all year (over 30˚C)
• Very dry (250 mm or less of rainfall per year)
Tropical Rainforest Climate:
• High temperatures all year (25–27˚C)
• Rainfall in every month (1800–2000 mm per year)

Explain why temperatures in tropical rainforest areas are lower than those in hot deserts.

[2 marks]

Study Figure 5, which compares weather data for June and part of July 2018 with the average for the same
time of year.
Figure 5

Weather data 1st June — 16th July 2018 compared to averages

Actual Mean ˚C Above Actual Total

Region % of Average
Temperature (˚C) Average Rainfall (mm)
Northern England 21.1 2.3˚C 40.6 17.9
Southern England 23.2 2.4˚C 10.8 6.1
Northern Scotland 17.3 1.9˚C 90.5 28.8
Eastern Scotland 18.9 2.1˚C 71.8 28.7
Western Scotland 19.4 2.6˚C 114.6 32.6

(Selected data taken from the Met Office)

0 1 · 9 Using the data in Figure 5, answer the following questions.

Which region experienced the biggest temperature variation from the average?

Which region is usually the driest on average?

[2 marks]

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 Study Figure 6, two photographs taken in the UK in July 2018.

Figure 6

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 0 1 · 10 Describe some of the social, environmental and economic impacts of an unusually warm and
dry summer, such as experienced in 2018.

[9 marks]
[+ 3 SPaG marks]

End of Section A

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 Extended Response Questions • Threshold performance – 1 mark
o spelling and punctuation is reasonably
When your exam papers are marked, the total mark you accurate
are given for each extended response question (usually o reasonable use of grammar (overall,
worth 4, 6 or 9 marks) will depend on the overall quality any errors do not significantly hinder
of your answer, including: understanding of the answer)
• the level of knowledge and understanding you o a limited range of specialist terms are used
demonstrate appropriately
• the level of accuracy, including correct use of • No marks awarded – 0 marks
specialist terms o no answer has been given
• how well you use evidence/data/examples to o the answer does not relate to the question
support your ideas o spelling, punctuation and grammar does not
• how well-developed your answer is: reach the threshold level (errors mean that
o Is it a balanced discussion / does it consider the answer cannot be properly understood)
a range of viewpoints?
o Is the meaning clear and easy to
Paper 1
understand?
o Is it structured in a logical way that is easy to
Section A
follow with a clear conclusion?
01.1 C [1]
Don’t be misled into thinking that spelling, grammar 01.2 Your answer must:
and punctuation is only important in the questions • refer to both places to show the contrast.
marked with [+ 3 SPaG]. Good grammar is essential in Example:
all written answers to ensure that your meaning is clear The UK is in the interior/middle of a tectonic plate/
and your answer is not misunderstood. A good answer the Eurasian Plate, so shock waves have further to
will always consist of well-developed sentences that use travel / will be absorbed before affecting the UK
connectives. [1] but three tectonic plates (may be named) meet
For the purpose of this book, to help you mark your own at Japan [1].
answers, the key points that should be addressed in 01.3 Shock waves travel from the focus/source/
each extended response answer have been identified. hypercentre of the earthquake to the epicentre at
However, it is important to remember that you will only the surface. The further they have to travel, the
be awarded full marks in the exam if these points are more their effect could be lessened. [1]
communicated in a clear, accurate and well-developed 01.4 Your answer must:
way (as outlined above). An example marks table that • pose a range of possible ideas
illustrates this has been included for Paper 1 Question • include some explanation, not just a list
01.10. A similar scale will be applied to all 4, 6 and 9 • demonstrate knowledge of general earthquake
mark questions in the exam. vulnerability, not economically-based
• include answers of 5–6 sentences for full marks.
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) Example points:
The cover sheet of each exam paper identifies which How prepared a country is, e.g. Japan has
questions will be used to specifically assess the monitoring, drills, etc. so is less likely to be ‘taken
accuracy of your spelling, punctuation and grammar. by surprise’ and building regulations / aseismic
This is also shown by the marks in brackets alongside design can reduce damage; strength of the
the relevant questions. For each of these questions, earthquake: references to case studies or scales;
three marks are allocated for SPaG as follows: specific location of the focus/epicentre relative
• High performance – 3 marks to centres of population; time of earthquake:
o spelling and punctuation is consistently night time means fewer people on the streets but
accurate conversely people in bed would not be dressed/
o well-written with excellent use of grammar, be more likely to be confused, etc; time of year/
Answers

so meaning is always clear weather: cold/rain/snowy conditions would present

o a wide range of specialist terms are used different challenges than fair/dry weather. [6]
appropriately 01.5 A [1]; F [1]
• Intermediate performance – 2 marks 01.6 Any one from: river basins; coastlines; mountains [1]
o spelling and punctuation is considerably 01.7 Warm air from the trade winds rises [1]. As it
accurate rises, it cools / cools to same temperature as the
o good use of grammar, so meaning is surroundings [1]. Cooler air cannot hold moisture
generally clear as much moisture / and dew point is reached [1].
o a good range of specialist terms are used Condensation [1] clouds / Cumulonimbus clouds
appropriately form [1], which release heavy/strong bursts of rainfall.
[Up to 4 marks]
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Answers 63

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 01.8 Dense/thick cloud cover creates a blanket/shield SPaG marks
[1] to the sun’s rays/heat/light so less reaches the
High • Spelling and punctuation is
surface [1]. Cloud formation absorbs a lot of heat
performance consistently accurate
[1] so less is available to reach the surface [1].
3 marks • Well written with excellent use of
Accept one of the developed points or the first
grammar so meaning is always
part of each statement. [Up to 2 marks]
clear
01.9 Western Scotland [1]
• Wide range of specialist terms is
Southern England [1]
used appropriately
01.10 Social, economic and environmental impacts
should be discussed for full marks. Each Intermediate • Spelling and grammar
needs some explanation or exemplar. performance considerably accurate
Social 2 marks • Good use of grammar, so
Water supply: Lower rainfall and higher evaporation meaning is generally clear
levels means river/reservoir levels drop. Water • Good use of specialist terms used
stress/shortage possible. Restrictions/hosepipe appropriately
bans (Act of Parliament 1991 & 2010). Water Threshold • Spelling and grammar reasonably
quality can be affected (would need explanation). performance accurate
Reservoir levels could drop so low as to need more 1 mark • Reasonable use of grammar so
than average winter rainfall for them to recover. errors do not hinder understanding
Health: Air quality reduced, especially in cities of the answer
as still, warm air traps pollutants; increased • Limited use of specialist terms
respiratory problems. Sunburn/sunstroke.
No marks • No answer given
Difficulties with sleep. People, especially children,
awarded • Answer does not relate to the
might spend more time out of doors, which is said
0 marks question
to be good for health/wellbeing.
• Spelling, punctuation and
Environment
grammar do not reach threshold
Surfaces may become impermeable so that when
level so answer cannot easily be
there is rain, it flows over the surface, increasing the
understood
risk of flood. Woodlands show signs of stress by
shedding leaves earlier than usual. Seeds/fruit fail
to set, reducing number of new plants. Birds and Section B
mammals (e.g. hedgehogs) suffer from lack of water. 02.1 B [1]
Economic 02.2 B [1]
Farming: Soils dry out, leading to reduced plant 02.3 Any one from: latitude; altitude; distance from
growth and possible crop failure/shortage. sea; ocean currents. [1]
Increased sunshine leads to better crops of soft 02.4 Any one from: air; water; underlying rock [1]
fruit in short term. Vines have a good harvest. 02.5 For full marks, your answer must:
Higher demand for some products (e.g. soft • include convincing description characteristics
drinks, ice cream, summer clothing) will benefit • be at any scale.
manufacturers and shops. More people taking Example points: Tropical rainforest laterite/latosol
holidays / visiting tourist places in the UK and soil: easily damaged/washed away; rock minerals
so increasing revenue in those places (specific and nutrients quickly weathered and washed
locations might be quoted). away; organic layer over rock; deep top layer of
Plants under stress are more susceptible to pests rotting plant material.
and disease. UK forest has a brown earth soil/layered soil;
Marks Comments minerals/chemicals/water move up and down;
mixed mineral and organic content; vegetation
Level 3 Detailed geography. Very convincing. decomposes yearly. [2]
Answers

5–9 marks All criteria and probably positive and 02.6 Your answer must:
negatives covered. • begin with plants as they are the only producer
Level 2 Clear balance. Clearly shows how • show that the relationship exists on the
4–6 marks more sun or less rain creates the diagram
situations being described. May be • include arrows pointing in the correct direction.
specific examples. Better geography. Example: Plants → Rabbit → Fox [1]

Level 1 Basic; quite ‘listy’. May refer to

1–3 marks only one criteria. No link to how the
conditions create the situation.
✂
✂

64 Answers

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