AQA GCSE Geography Paper 1, June 2025: Question 2

Section B

Total

Qu Pt Marking guidance

marks

02 1 Using Figure 5, name the second largest area of tropical rainforest. 1

Congo

Accept Central Africa

AO4 – 1 mark

02 2 Using Figure 5, what percentage of the total area of tropical rainforest 1

was found in the Amazon in 2020? Give your answer to one decimal

place.

54.3 (%)

AO4 – 1 mark

02 3 Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, outline two ways that plants in 2

the tropical rainforest are adapted to their environment.

The trees have buttress/long/thick/surface roots (which help to keep the trees

stable) (1).

Roots grow only for short distances below the ground/shallow (to tap nutrients

from the thin topsoil) (1).

The trees grow tall (to reach the sunlight) (1).

The trees have large/broad leaves (to maximise photosynthesis)

Lianas or vines wind around the trunks of trees (to reach the forest canopy) (1).

Trees usually have thin and smooth bark (as there is no need to conserve

moisture) (1).

Leaves usually have pointed drip tips (to allow excess rainwater to run-

off/prevent fungal growth) (1).

Many rainforest plants have thick, waxy coatings (to reduce water loss/ repel

excessive moisture) (1).

Epiphytes grow on larger trees rather than in the soil (so they access sunlight

and absorb moisture from the air) (1)

Credit other valid answers.

Note that answers may use the photograph and/or own knowledge.

Simply stating the unbracketed adaptation is sufficient.

1 mark for each correct answer. – – 8035/1 –

AO3 – 2 marks

02 4 Give one way rainforest vegetation can support large numbers of 1

animals.

The wide range of plant species supports many different animals, birds and

insects (1).

The canopy offers many sources of food, (shelter, and hiding places) (1).

There are habitats found in the different layers of the forest (1)

There is a vast amount of fruit, seeds, leaves, and nectar (1)

Predators (like jaguars, snakes, and birds of prey) thrive due to the large

18 number of prey species.(1)

Thick/dense vegetation provides (camouflage and) protection from

predators.(1)

Trees release moisture, helping to maintain humidity and water availability (for

amphibians and insects).(1)

Do not accept vague points eg ‘vegetation provides food’. ‘vegetation provides

a habitat’, ‘vegetation provides protection’

There should be an (inferred) link to rainforest vegetation eg large leaves

providing shelter

Credit other valid answers.

AO2 – 1 mark

02 5 Give one way climate affects the soils in tropical rainforests. 1

(Heavy) rain causes leaching/washing out of nutrients (1).

(Heavy) rain leads to infertile soils (1)

Heat of the sun causes laterite layer/hard pan to form (1).

High temperatures and moisture allow bacteria to quickly decompose leaf litter

(1).

(Heavy) rain means that rainforest soils tend to be (permanently) moist or

saturated (1).

Chemical weathering of rock in the equatorial forests is rapid, producing deep

soils (1).

(Heavy) rain (on exposed soils) causes soil erosion (1).

Credit other valid answers.

No credit for simply stating that the soil is infertile/eroded, unless linked directly

or indirectly to climate. – – 8035/1 –

AO1 – 1 mark

02 6 ‘Tropical rainforests are of value to people and the environment.’ 6

Discuss this statement.

Use Figure 7 and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 5–6 AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding

(Detailed) of the value of tropical rainforests to people and the

environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates thorough application of

knowledge and understanding in assessing the

importance of tropical rainforests to people and the 19

environment.

2 3–4 AO2 – Shows reasonable geographical

(Clear) understanding of the value of tropical rainforests to

people and/or the environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable application of

knowledge and understanding in assessing the

importance of tropical rainforests to people and/or

the environment.

1 1–2 AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of

(Basic) the value of tropical rainforests to people and/or the

environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates limited application of

knowledge and understanding in assessing the

importance of tropical rainforests to people and/or

the environment.

0 No relevant content

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will be developed with accurate use of

geographical terms. Reasoned discussion of the importance of tropical

rainforests to both people and the environment, although coverage may not

be balanced. Makes effective use of Figure 7.

• Level 2 (clear) responses will have linked or elaborated statements and

some accurate use of geographical terms. Likely to outline the value of

tropical rainforests to people and/or the environment. Makes some use of

Figure 7.

• Level 1 (basic) responses are likely to consist of simple statements, with

limited use of subject vocabulary. Might be limited to generic statements

and basic ideas about the value of rainforests. May depend largely on

Figure 7 with limited development.

• Max marks can be awarded for discussion of one environmental and one

people based element

Indicative content

• Students are likely to consider a range of reasons why rainforests are of

value to people and the environment.

• They regulate the composition of the atmosphere, taking in carbon dioxide––8035/1–

through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen, regulating levels of carbon

dioxide in the atmosphere.

20 • The tree roots increase infiltration, allowing increased amounts of water to

percolate to groundwater stores and develop aquifers.

• They minimise soil erosion. The roots anchor the soil while the dense

canopy protects the soil from heavy rains.

• They provide ideal habitats for animals.

• They have very high biodiversity levels. Tropical forests cover just 6% of the

planet’s land surface but contain about 50% of the world’s terrestrial plant

and animal species.

• Tropical rainforests provide many goods and services such as:

o Food – rainforests can produce food, such as nuts, which forms part of the

diet of local people in the Amazon. Rainforests also produce cash crops.

o Raw materials – eg Palm oil is used in cosmetics, confectionary,

detergents and many other products.

• Application of understanding to Figure 7. Rainforests have been used to

search for medicines. For example, the rosy periwinkle can help treat

childhood leukaemia.

• Ecotourism aims to give jobs to local people whilst protecting the

environment. Ecotourists travel in small groups and often visit reserves

where the scenery and wildlife is protected and managed.

• Rainforests are home to many groups of people. Unfortunately,

deforestation has often affected their existence. Amerindians are left without

homes and many have been killed, either deliberately or by diseases

introduced by people coming to the rainforest.

• Rainforests sequester around twice as much carbon dioxide as they emit,

making them an important carbon sink, although this is under threat.

• They influence the hydrological cycle, acting as a water store by intercepting

rainfall. They release water into the atmosphere by evapotranspiration. This

then falls again as precipitation and so gives the people living in areas such

as the Amazon a constant supply of water.

• Rainforests can be logged to produce timber such as hardwoods for garden

furniture exports.

• There may be discussion of how the value of rainforests to people may be in

conflict with the protection of the environment. However, value to people

usually coincides with protection of the environment, eg without rainforests

continually recycling huge quantities of water, feeding the rivers, lakes and

irrigation systems, droughts would become more common, potentially

leading to widespread famine and disease.

• Credit reference to case studies, although these are not necessary to reach

Level 3.

– – 8035/1 –

AO2 – 3 marks

AO3 – 3 marks

02 7 Using Figure 8b, which month has the highest precipitation in Aklavik? 1

August

AO4 – 1 mark

02 8 Using Figures 8a and 8b, which one of the following statements is 1

correct?

D Total precipitation is higher in Aklavik than in Cairo.

AO4 – 1 mark

02 9 Suggest one reason for the difference in temperature between Cairo and 2

Aklavik.

1×2

Difference or comparison is required.

Aklavik receives less direct sunlight than Cairo (1).

Cairo has more solar radiation/insolation/intense heating/sunlight (1)

Cairo is closer to the Equator (1) so the sun’s rays are more concentrated

(d)(1).

Cairo is near the tropics, (whereas) Aklavik is near Polar/Arctic areas (1)

Aklavik is closer to the north pole (1) so sunlight is more dispersed (d)(1).

Ice and snow reflect more sunlight (rather than absorbing it in Aklavik (1),

which keeps temperatures lower (d) (1).

Cold polar winds reduce temperatures in Aklavik (1) compared to warm

(subtropical) air masses in Cairo (d)(1).

Aklavik has very few/no hours of daylight in winter (1) whereas Cairo has

similar amounts all year round (d)(1)

Cairo is 30 degrees N of the Equator, (whereas) Aklavik is 68 degrees N of the

Equator(1)

Do not credit idea that Akjlavik is further from the sun.

Do not credit ‘more’ sunshine or ‘more’ heat or ‘more’ daylight at Cairo.

Only credit one reason – – 8035/1 –

AO2 – 2 marks

02 10 Either (hot deserts) 9

To what extent does human activity contribute to desertification in areas

on the fringes of hot deserts?

Use Figure 9 and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 7–9 AO1 – Demonstrates detailed knowledge of threats

(Detailed) from human activities in environments on the fringe

of hot deserts.

AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding

of the interrelationships between places,

environments and processes in the context of

environments on the fringe of hot deserts.

AO3 – Demonstrates application of knowledge and

understanding in a coherent and reasoned way in

evaluating the extent to which human activity poses

a risk to environments on the fringe of hot deserts.

2 4–6 AO1 – Demonstrates clear knowledge of threats

(Clear) from human activities in environments on the fringe

of hot deserts.

AO2 – Shows reasonable geographical

understanding of the interrelationships between

places, environments and processes in the context

of environments on the fringe of hot deserts.

AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable application of

knowledge and understanding in evaluating the

extent to which human activity poses a risk to

environments on the fringe of hot deserts.

1 1–3 AO1 – Demonstrates limited knowledge of threats

(Basic) from human activities in environments on the fringe

of hot deserts.

AO2 – Shows basic geographical understanding of

the interrelationships between places, environments

and processes in the context of environments on the

fringe of hot deserts.

AO3 – Demonstrates limited application of

knowledge and understanding in evaluating the

extent to which human activity poses a risk to

environments on the fringe of hot deserts.

0 No relevant content.

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will be well developed. Reasoned––8035/1 –

examination of a range of causes of desertification with some evaluation of

extent to which human activity is responsible. May acknowledge natural

causes (e.g., climate change, drought) alongside human factors. Makes 23

thorough use of Figure 9 as well as own understanding.

• Level 2 (clear) responses will have linked or elaborated statements and

some accurate use of geographical terms. May outline several causes of

desertification. May start to make an evaluation of the extent to which

human activity is responsible. Uses Figure 9 and/or own understanding.

• Level 1 (basic) responses are likely to consist of simple statements, with

limited use of subject vocabulary. Might be limited to generic statements, or

a list of risks to the environment without development. May be limited to a

single cause of desertification. May make a limited evaluation. Answer may

be largely reliant on Figure 9.

Max Level 2 for no (direct or inferred) reference to Figure 9

Indicative content

• The command ‘to what extent’ means that responses may state the degree

to which human activity causes desertification, with some support for the

view expressed. Eg the statement may be completely untrue, true to some

extent (partly but not completely true), to a great extent, or completely true.

• Knowledge of areas affected by the process. 20% of the world’s population,

in over 60 countries, have to cope with the threat of desertification. For

instance, the Sahara has advanced over 250 km southwards in the past 100

years.

• Understanding of how desertification occurs – the process of fertile land

changing into desert typically as a result of deforestation, drought, or

improper/inappropriate agriculture.

Causes which link to human activity include:

• Population growth – more people needing more food which puts pressure on

the land.

• Migration – leads to greater population pressure. Drought and desertification

in one region will displace people to another fragile environment.

• Overcultivation – growing too much without allowing the soil to recover

means it becomes exhausted.

• Deforestation – trees are cut down for fuel and building. The loss of roots

makes the soils more fragile. They are exposed to wind and the rain,

leading to gully erosion.

• War – many sub-Saharan countries have suffered for years from civil war,

where crops and animals have been destroyed, leading to famine. Millions

of people have been forced to move into desert fringe areas by armed

conflicts. Some become refugees. The resources in and around the cities

and camps where these people settle come under severe pressure.

• Enhanced greenhouse effect, partially caused by human activity globally,

may contribute to increased risks of drought and higher temperatures in

areas on fringe of hot deserts.

• Mining operations often involve clearing large areas of vegetation, disturbing

the soil, and generating waste, which can lead to habitat loss and soil

degradation

• Other threats include extraction of fossil fuels and high impact tourism in––8035/1–

vulnerable areas such as the edge of the Thar desert and in East Africa.

• Application of understanding to Figure 9.

• Figure 9a shows a dry parched surface with little or no grazing land.

24 Overgrazing – too many goats, sheep, cattle can destroy the vegetation.

Nomadic groups are now restricted in movement and this places more

pressure on land resources. The soil may turn to dust and become infertile.

• Figure 9b shows the effects of gully erosion, where the soils are stripped of

vegetation and are washed away in occasional heavy storms. The land is

left infertile. This may be caused by deforestation or over-cultivation.

• Figure 9c illustrates the problem of removing vegetation for use as firewood.

As the population in desert areas increases, there is a greater need for fuel

wood. When the land is cleared of trees, the roots of the trees no longer

hold the soil together so it is more vulnerable to soil erosion.

• Understanding of natural factors leading to desertification. Less rainfall,

higher temperatures which lead to increased evaporation/drought, or rainfall

becoming more irregular, which means that vegetation dies and soils dry out

and are removed by soil erosion. Climate is changing; this is part of a

natural cycle of climate change as ocean currents and patterns of winds

change. Human and physical factors may be linked.

• Credit idea that human activity may have positive impacts on/reduce rates of

desertification eg through replanting and other management schemes.

Human intervention can take place in careful ways that do not contribute to

desertification

• Credit examples of desertification, eg in Kenya, nomadic Masai farmers have

been forced onto marginal land. Traditional migration patterns have been

affected and they have been forced to use smaller areas of land for their

cattle. Overgrazing has resulted from this, leading to soil erosion by wind

and water.

• Evaluation of extent to which human activities pose a risk. Eg although

climate change, as part of a natural cycle, may contribute to desertification,

there is little doubt that human misuse of the land poses a major threat.

Desertification is a huge environmental problem affecting many countries on

the edge of hot deserts, which to a great extent is driven by human factors.

Credit the counter-argument that human activity doesn’t contribute to

desertification because of good management and irrigation, and may help to

reverse/limit the process through strategies such as the Green Wall.

AO1 – 3 marks

AO2 – 3 marks – – 8035/1 –

AO3 – 3 marks

Or (cold environments)

To what extent does the physical environment create challenges for

development in cold environments?

Use Figure 10 and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 7–9 AO1 – Demonstrates detailed knowledge of

(Detailed) challenges to development in a cold environment.

AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding 25

of the challenges of a cold environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates thorough application of

knowledge and understanding in discussing the

challenges to development in a cold environment,

using source.

2 4–6 AO1 – Demonstrates clear knowledge of challenges

(Clear) to development in a cold environment.

AO2 – Shows reasonable geographical

understanding of the challenges of a cold

environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable application of

knowledge and understanding in discussing the

challenges to development in a cold environment,

using source.

1 1–3 AO1 – Demonstrates limited knowledge of

(Basic) challenges to development in a cold environment.

AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of

the challenges of a cold environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates basic application of knowledge

and understanding in discussing the challenges to

development in a cold environment, using source.

0 No relevant content

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will be well developed with accurate use of

geographical terms. Reasoned discussion of how far development is

challenged by the physical environment, or whether challenges can be

managed with evidence from Figure 10.

• Level 2 (clear) responses will have linked or elaborated statements and

some use of geographical terms. May outline some challenges to

development in a cold environment. Uses Figure 10 and/or own

understanding.

• Level 1 (basic) responses are likely to consist of simple statements, with

limited use of subject vocabulary. Might be limited to generic statements.

May be limited to a single challenge in a cold environment. Answer may be––8035/1–

largely reliant on Figure 10.

An answer that lacks (direct or inferred) reference to Figure 10 is limited to

26 Level 2.

Indicative content

• The command ‘to what extent’ means that responses may state the degree

to which developed is affected by a range of challenges, with some support

for the view expressed. Eg the statement may be completely untrue, true to

some extent (partly but not completely true), to a great extent, or completely

true.

• The question requires discussion of ways in which a cold environment poses

challenges for development.

• Answers may focus on specific challenges, scale of development and control

over the inhospitable conditions.

• Challenges include environmental constraints, costs/remoteness, and

conflicts with indigenous populations, extreme low temperatures, low

precipitation, variable daylight hours, permafrost/active layer, fragile

ecosystems, and relief barriers.

• Construction disrupts and melts the permafrost, creating unstable ground.

Exposure to extreme cold can injure and kill, and healthcare may be many

miles away. Restricted employment opportunities are a real problem for

people living in remote areas, and there is a lack of services due to low

population density. Climate change may lead to widespread and rapid

changes which are difficult to adapt to.

• Application of knowledge and understanding to Figure 10. Photograph 10a

shows a snow-covered mountainous environment. The area appears to be

remote and inaccessible, with no sign of communications.

• Photograph 10b shows the use of a pipeline to transport oil. It is elevated to

prevent the pipes cracking in the ground. Building roads, railways and

pipelines for water and electricity supplies is very difficult on frozen ground

that is liable to melting. Despite the challenges of a cold environment, the

large-scale drilling for oil may be worthwhile as it produces a good financial

return.

• Photograph 10c shows a road that has been affected by ice heave or

subsidence due to melting of frozen ground. Melting of permafrost, moving

soil layer can make buildings sink and subside, roads crack and even make

trees topple and fall. Roads are constructed of gravel, and houses are often

built on stilts to reduce the risk of subsidence.

• Credit answers that focus on Arctic or Antarctic regions. Allow reference to

tundra as well as polar areas.

• Support for answers may be based on Northern Canada and/or Alaska,

although a case study is not essential. Challenges to development include

getting access to resources, finding a workforce to exploit them, and

providing protection from the extreme weather. Providing buildings and

infrastructure that can cope with the ground and weather conditions is

difficult and expensive. The value of some resources means that people find

ways to overcome the challenges, eg some parts of the Trans-Alaska oil

pipeline are raised on stilts, to prevent it melting the permafrost, which would

make the ground unstable.

• Discussion may consider relationships between the nature of the challenges

and the desire/ability to overcome them in order for development to take

place. This might reflect, for example, the value of resources and the––8035/1 –

technological advances enabling their exploitation.

AO1 – 3 marks 27

AO2 – 3 marks

AO3 – 3 marks