AQA GCSE Geography Paper 2, June 2025: Question 5

Total

Qu Pt Marking Guidance

marks

05 1 Complete Figure 14 using the following data. 2

One mark for each country correctly shaded.

AO4 = 2 marks

05 2 Name one country which had medium-high water stress. 1

One mark for any correctly named country.

Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, North Macedonia–– –

AO4 – 1 mark

05 3 How many of the countries shown in Figure 14 had low-medium water 2

stress?

One mark for the correct answer.

A 6 (1 mark)

No credit if two or more statements are shaded.

What percentage of the 32 countries for which data is shown had

low-medium water stress?

Answer to one decimal place.

18.8% (1 mark)

Percentage sign not required. Answer must be to one decimal place.

If the candidate has made a mistake in the first part then allow the

corresponding answer to the second part of the question:

B – 21.9%, C – 25.0% / 25%, D – 28.1%

AO4 – 2 marks

05 4 Outline one or more ways physical factors can affect water availability. 3

Credit any reasonable statement where the factor is qualified or development

of a point, eg

• Lack of rainfall (1) leads to water shortages (1).

• Too much rainfall (1) can contaminate supplies (1).

• Climate change is causing snow and ice in some areas to melt (1).

• Higher temperatures can increase evaporation (1) which means water is lost

into the atmosphere (1) therefore limiting supply (1)

• Permeable rocks (1) allow water to infiltrate (1) which means water can be

stored in aquifers (1).

• Credit relevant example for one mark.

No credit for human factors.

Max 2 marks for list like statements with no development.

1×3, 3x1 or (1+1)+1 – – –

AO2 – 3 marks

05 5 Explain how water conservation and using grey water can lead to 6

increased sustainability of water supply.

Level Marks Description

3 5–6 AO1 – Demonstrates detailed knowledge of the use of

(Detailed) grey water and water conservation.

AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding of

how the use of grey water and water conservation can

32 contribute to sustainability.

2 3–4 AO1 – Demonstrates clear knowledge of the use of

(Clear) grey water and/or water conservation.

AO2 – Shows reasonable geographical understanding

of how the use of grey water and/or water conservation

can contribute to sustainability.

1 1–2 AO1 – Demonstrates limited knowledge of the use of

(Basic) grey water and/or water conservation.

AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of

how the use of grey water and/or water conservation

can contribute to sustainability.

0 No relevant content

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will cover the use of grey water and water

conservation in detail and link these to sustainability.

• Level 2 (clear) responses will cover the use of grey water and/or water

conservation clearly with at least an implicit link to sustainability.

• Level 1 (basic) responses will cover the use of grey water and/or water

conservation in a basic manner and/or merely assert the connection to

sustainability.

• Max Level 2 for addressing only one element of the question.

Indicative content

There is no requirement for a named example although some students may

choose to include one.

The question does not stipulate a HIC/NEE/LIC focus so credit any relevant

points.

Credit references to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The use of grey water

• Grey water can amount to 80% of a household’s waste water therefore it is a

large resource.

• Households can reuse bath water for watering the garden.

• Water butts can be fitted to drainpipes to collect water from roofs.

• Businesses such as shopping centres can collect rainwater and use this to

flush toilets.

• Grey water can be treated by filtering through sand beds or reeds.–– –

• Allow comments on water recycling in industry such as: treated water from

industry is used to irrigate farmland / provide cooling in power stations.

Water conservation

• Having a water meter can encourage people to be careful about how much

they use.

• Saving water in the home with low flush / twin flush toilets.

• More water efficient appliances such as washing machines – only using

them when full or making use of half load settings on dishwashers.

• Having showers rather than baths can save water (shower may use 6-45

litres, baths may use 80 litres).

• Turning off the tap when brushing teeth / washing fruit and vegetables.

• Washing cars / power washing patios less often and growing plants in the

garden that needs less watering.

• Water companies can invest in repairing pipes to reduce the amount of water

lost through leakages.

Sustainability will equally vary according to strategies but is likely to include:

• Less water needing to be used in households or by businesses reduces the

amount needing to be extracted.

• The cost to the water companies of providing water and treating water is

reduced and less energy needs to be used.

• Reusing water can dramatically reduce a household’s water bills, leaving

more money to spend on other essentials.

• Reducing the use of water through methods of water conservation ensures

there is enough water to meet today’s needs without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their needs.

• Drip feed irrigation used by farmers means less water is lost through

evaporation – leaving more water for other things.

• Using grey water does not require a large amount of money to be spent –

some water companies sell cheap water butts or give them away free.

• The filtering of grey water can lead to the creation of ponds or wetland areas,

encouraging biodiversity.

AO1 – 3 marks

AO2 – 3 marks