OCR A-Level Geography Geographical debates (03), June 2025: Question 15

Question Answer Mark Guidance

Assess the extent to which socio-economic factors 33 Indicative content AO1 – 9 marks

influence the use of the ocean. AO1 x9

AO2 x24 Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of factors

AO1 influencing the use of the ocean could potentially include:

Level 4 (7–9 marks)

• Use of ocean includes biological resources, energy +

Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding mineral resources and oceans as spaces across which

of factors influencing the use of the ocean. people, goods and information flow.

• Socio-economic factors include oceans as means of wealth

Level 3 (5–6 marks) creation, as means of cultural identity or as routes away

Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of from and or toward persecution/insecurity freedom/

factors influencing the use of the ocean. security respectively

• Political factors include management of resources and the

Level 2 (3–4 marks) use of oceans as spaces where countries challenge each

Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding of other.

factors influencing the use of the ocean. • Sustainability of the ‘use’ an important aspect

Level 1 (1–2 marks)

Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of factors

influencing the use of the ocean.

0 marks AO2 – 24 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit. Application of knowledge and understanding to analyse and

evaluate the extent to which socio-economic factors influence the

AO2 use of the ocean could potentially include:

Level 4 (19–24 marks)

Demonstrates comprehensive application of knowledge and Socio-economic

understanding to provide a clear, developed and convincing • Use and management of ocean resources including the

analysis that is fully accurate of the extent to which socio- values, attitudes + socio-economic status of stake holders

economic factors influence the use of the ocean could especially in the context of biological resources e.g. krill,

potentially. whales, fish. Culture + heritage can be significant elements

in the use of some resources.

Demonstrates comprehensive application of knowledge and • Globalisation – oceans played a pivotal part in the process.

understanding to provide a detailed and substantiated Economic trading patterns over the centuries and

evaluation that offers secure judgements leading to rational especially 19th century through to today reliant on use of

conclusions that are evidence based as to the extent to which oceans. Also, as routes for submarine cables that carry

socio-economic factors influence the use of the ocean could most digital and voice traffic around the globe.

potentially Mark Scheme June 2025

Relevant concepts are authoritatively discussed. Political

Level 3 (13–18 marks) • Political factors become increasingly influential at a variety

Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and of scales.

understanding to provide a clear and developed analysis that • Trans-national – UNCLOS and establishment of EEZs and

shows accuracy of the extent to which socio-economic factors other zones extending out from a coastline

influence the use of the ocean could potentially. • Regional bodies such as Arctic Council and in the Antarctic

CCAMLR

Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and • Organisations with a focus on specific species e.g.

understanding to provide a detailed evaluation that offers International Whaling Commission

generally secure judgements, with some link between rational • Roles of organisations such as Greenpeace, WWF in

conclusions as to the extent to which socio-economic factors debates about ocean use

influence the use of the ocean could potentially. • Use of fish stocks a very significant matter of individual

nations

Relevant concepts are discussed but this may lack some • Challenges and conflicts between nations using ocean

authority. spaces e.g. South China Sea, Baltic

• Oceans as escape roues for refugees e.g. English Channel

Level 2 (7–12 marks)

+ Mediterranean – overlaps with economic factors

Demonstrates reasonable application of knowledge and

• Piracy in some locations

understanding to provide a sound analysis that shows some

accuracy of the extent to which socio-economic factors

Sustainability

influence the use of the ocean could potentially.

• Overlaps socioeconomic and political. Growth in

Demonstrates reasonable application of knowledge and awareness of and concern for conservation of oceans and

understanding to provide a sound evaluation that offers their resources from grassroots and governments.

generalised judgements and conclusions, with limited use of • Establishment of marine reserves, no catch zones,

evidence as to the extent to which socio-economic factors restrictions on exploitation of seabed minerals and drilling

influence the use of the ocean could potentially. for oil + gas involve multiple factors.

Concepts are discussed but their use lacks precision.

Level 1 (1–6 marks)

Demonstrates basic application of knowledge and

understanding to provide a simple analysis that shows limited

accuracy of the extent to which socio-economic factors

influence the use of the ocean could potentially.

Demonstrates basic application of knowledge and

understanding to provide an un-supported evaluation that offersMark Scheme June 2025

simple conclusions as to the extent to which socio-economic

factors influence the use of the ocean could potentially.

Concepts are not discussed or are so inaccurately.

0 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit.

Quality of extended response Level 4

There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and

logically structured. The information presented is relevant and

substantiated.

Level 3

There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The

information presented is in the most-part relevant and

supported by some evidence.

Level 2

The information has some relevance and is presented with

limited structure. The information is supported by limited

evidence.

Level 1

The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured

way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the

relationship to the evidence may not be clear