AQA GCSE Geography Paper 3, June 2025: Question 3

03 The social and economic benefits of the Morecambe Bay and Duddon 9

Estuary tidal gateway project are greater than the environmental costs. + 3

SPaG

To what extent do you agree?

Use evidence from the resources booklet and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 7–9 AO3 – Demonstrates thorough application of

(Detailed) knowledge and understanding in relation to the

question and offers carefully considered evaluative

observations which are supported by evidence from

the resources.

AO3 – Identifies and develops a wide range of points

from the resources which shows a sound

understanding of the complexity of the question.

AO4 – Communicates ideas with clarity and good

use of geographical terminology

2 4–6 AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and

(Clear) understanding in consideration of the question and

offers some evaluative judgement.

AO3 – Uses a range of evidence from the resources

with a clear attempt to develop or link evidenced

points.

AO4 – Communicates ideas effectively with some

use of geographical terminology

1 1–3 AO3 – Basic application of knowledge and

(Basic) understanding in considering the question and

limited attempt to offer evaluative judgement.

AO3 – A narrow range of evidence from the

resources which is largely copied.

AO4 – Communicates ideas using basic language

with limited geographical terminology

0 No relevant content.

• Level 3 (detailed) – Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and

understanding in relation to the question and offers carefully considered

evaluative observations which are supported by evidence from the

resources. Identifies and develops a wide range of points from the

resources which consider both social and economic benefits and

environmental costs and shows a sound understanding of the complexity of

the question. Communicates ideas with clarity and good use of geographical

terminology.

• Level 2 (clear) – Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding in

consideration of the question and offers some evaluative judgement. Uses a

range of evidence from the resources which consider both social and––/or–

economic benefits and environmental costs and clearly attempts to develop

or link evidenced points. Communicates ideas effectively with some use of

geographical terminology. Answers need not be balanced, but there should

be some reference to both environmental and social/economic elements.

• Level 1 (basic) – Basic application of knowledge and understanding in

considering the question and limited attempt to offer evaluative judgement.

Identifies a narrow range of points from the resources which are largely

copied with little or no development. Communicates ideas using basic

language with limited geographical terminology.

Indicative content

• The development is expensive (estimate £8 plus billion).

• As an energy development it would be seen as potentially economically

unviable.

• As a multi-use project it is more economically viable.

• It will produce sustainable energy and add to the UK’s energy security.

• It will provide the opportunity for the development of high-tech training and

employment opportunities.

• The area around Barrow-in-Furness is a deprived area and the development

may help to regenerate the area.

• It may encourage movement away from Barrow-in-Furness which will create

a negative multiplier effect.

• It will create a positive multiplier effect with the opening of new business

opportunities.

• It will ease traffic congestion issues, especially during the summer months.

• The barrier will protect against rising sea levels.

• It might attract increasing numbers of visitors, causing congestion and

impacting local residents.

• The scale of the project is too large for the area.

• There is an argument that suggests that it may be a “National good” but a

“Local cost”.

• The environment is seen as especially valuable (rare salt marsh and mud

flats).

• There are a number of nature reserves in the area that might be affected.

• The tidal regime behind the barrage will be changed.

• Sediment movement patterns may change, affecting marine life.

• The development will disturb the marine environment.

• The development might affect migrating birds.

• The area has special environmental significance and has environmentally

protected areas.

• It is an area which attracts a lot of visitors, the tourist industry might be

negatively affected.

• There will be significant social and economic disturbance during the building

phase.

• It will take a long time to complete.

• It may be seen as an example which could be used elsewhere.

– – –

AO3 – 6 marks

AO4 – 3 marks

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

Responses with SPaG marks that gain a mark of 0 for the content/skills of

the question can still be awarded SPaG marks if the response is judged

to be a genuine attempt to answer the question.

14 High performance 3

• Learners spell and punctuate with consistent accuracy.

• Learners use rules of grammar with effective control of meaning overall.

• Learners use a wide range of specialist terms as appropriate.

Intermediate performance 2

• Learners spell and punctuate with considerable accuracy.

• Learners use rules of grammar with general control of meaning overall.

• Learners use a good range of specialist terms as appropriate.

Threshold performance 1

• Learners spell and punctuate with reasonable accuracy.

• Learners use rules of grammar with some control of meaning and any errors

do not significantly hinder meaning overall.

• Learners use a limited range of specialist terms as appropriate.

No marks awarded 0

• The learner writes nothing.

• The learner’s response does not relate to the question.

• The learner’s achievement in SPaG does not reach the threshold

performance level, for example errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar

severely hinder meaning.