Place Variation (Edexcel A Level Geography)

Exam Questions

1 hour5 questions
1a
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9 marks

Study Figure 2 in the Resource Booklet.

fig-2-qp-9geo-02-nov-2021-edexcel-a-level-geo

Figure 2

Information about four urban places compared to the UK average, 2018

i)

Suggest one reason average wages per week differ between urban places.

(3)

ii)

Study Figure 2 in the Resource Booklet. Suggest why urban places in less successful regions may suffer from a spiral of decline.

(6)

1b
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6 marks

You have studied your local place and a contrasting place. Explain the changes in the demographic characteristics of one of these places.

(6)

Location of your chosen place:

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2a
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3 marks

Study Figure 3 in the Resource Booklet.

fig-3-qp-9geo-02-nov-2020-edexcel-a-level-geo

Figure 3

Changes in unemployment rates in Hartlepool (urban area in north-east England) and England between 2004 and 2018

Suggest one reason why the unemployment rates for Hartlepool have varied.

(3)

2b
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6 marks

Suggest possible reasons why Hartlepool’s unemployment rates are likely to remain higher than those of England.

(6)

2c
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6 marks

Explain how international and global influences have shaped the social characteristics of your local place.

(6)

Name of local place: ..................................................................

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3
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20 marks

With reference to Figure 2a and 2b in the Resource Booklet and your own knowledge and understanding:

Economic and Social Data

Flanders region (northern Belgium)

Walloon region (southern Belgium)

Population (million)

5.5

0.67

GDP € per capita per year

€41,000

€25,000

Unemployment (%)

5.2 (33% long term)

11.5 (56% long term)

ICT and finance contribution to GVA (Gross Value Added) (%)

23

5

Main types of employment in 19th/20th century

Agriculture

Coal mining, heavy industry

Main types of employment in 21st century

  • Services

  • Regional headquarters of TNCs

  • Antwerp is the 3rd largest port in Europe

  • Public sector

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Aeropole Science Park opened in 1990s, Now employs 3,600

% speaking English

50

20

% with tertiary education

37.2

33.9

Life expectancy in years (2016)

81.2

79.6

Transport links

  • Brussels Airport has international flights

  • High speed Eurostar train links Brussels to UK and Paris

  • Motorways run through the region

  • Brussels South Charleroi Airport, is used by low cost airlines, with links to other European cities

  • Belgian main line railway runs through the Walloon region

  • Motorways run through the region

Environmental quality

High atmospheric pollutant levels from traffic and limited open space and forests, means that the region frequently exceeds European targets for air quality

Atmospheric pollutant levels are dropping. The region usually meets European targets for air quality. Dense forests and parks cover parts of the region

Figure 2a

Economic and social data for two contrasting regions of Belgium

fig-2b-qp-9geo-02-june-2019-edexcel-a-level-geo

Figure 2b

Map of Flanders and Walloon regions in Belgium in 2016

Evaluate the reasons why some regions are more successful than others.

(20)

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4
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20 marks

For your local place and your contrasting place, evaluate the view that low income is the most important factor leading to deprivation.

(20)

Location of your local place ......................................................................................

Location of your contrasting place .............................................................................

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5
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9 marks

Study Figure 1.

fig1-paper2-spec2016-edexcel-alevel-geography

Figure 1: A map showing vacant land in Detroit (USA)

i)

Suggest one reason for the pattern of vacant land in Detroit.

 (3)

ii)

Suggest reasons for the relationship between proportion of vacant land and distance from the CBD of Detroit. 

 (6)

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