LIVING WORLD - Past Exam Questions Unit 1: Physical Geography (Section A)

The concept of an ECOSYSTEM, parts of an ecosystem and the BALANCE between the components.

4 (a) (i) What is an ‘ecosystem’? (2 marks - 2011)

4 (a) Study Figure 11 which shows a hedgerow, an example of a small-scale ecosystem.

4 (a) (i) Describe the links between different parts of a small-scale ecosystem, such as a hedgerow.

(3 marks - Specimen)4 (a) (ii) Describe one way in which the balance within the ecosystem may be upset.

(2 marks – Specimen)

4 (a) Study Figure 11 which shows part of a deciduous forest ecosystem.

4 (a) (i) Explain the importance of the tree in the food web.

(3 marks – 2010)

4 (a) (ii) Explain how nutrients in the tree are recycled in the deciduous forest ecosystem.

(4 marks - 2010)

4 (a) (i) What is the difference between a food chain and a food web? (2 marks - 2012)

4 (a) (ii) Study Figure 10 on the insert, which shows a food web. Describe how the food web shows that different parts of the ecosystem are linked to each other. (3 marks - 2012)

4 (a) (iii) Study Figure 10, on the insert, which shows a food web. Outline the likely effects on the ecosystem of a reduction in the number of insects. (2 marks - 2012)

The GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION of three ecosystems:

4 (b) (i) What is a tropical rainforest? (2 marks – 2014)

4 (a) Describe the global distribution of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. (3 marks - 2013)

4 (a) (ii) Study Figure 7 on the insert, which shows the distribution of the hot desert ecosystem. Describe the distribution of the hot desert ecosystem. (3 marks - 2011)

10 (a) (i) Study Figure 16, which shows the global distribution of tropical rainforests andconiferous woodlands. Compare the distribution of coniferous woodlands and tropical rainforests.

(4 marks - 2006)

The characteristics of the VEGETATION, CLIMATE and SOILS for each of the three ecosystems

4 (a) (i) Study Figure 9 on the insert, a photograph of vegetation in Death Valley, part of the Mojave Desert in the USA. Describe the vegetation shown in Figure 9 (3 marks – 2014)

4 (b) (i) Study Figure 8 on the insert, photographs which show vegetation in a hot desert. Describe the characteristics of the vegetation shown in Figure 8. (4 marks - 2011)

4 (b) Study Figure 7 on the insert, a photograph of a tropical rainforest. Describe the characteristics of the vegetation shown in Figure 7. (3 marks - 2013)

10 (a) Figure 10 is a diagram of tropical rainforest. Describe the structure and characteristics of the vegetation of tropical rainforest.

(6 marks - 2007)

4 (b) (i) Describe the structure of the tropical rainforest vegetation.

(4 marks – Specimen)

The ways in which the VEGETATION ADAPTS to the climate and soils in each of the three ecosystems

4 (a) (ii) Explain how vegetation in hot deserts adapts to the climate (4 Marks – 2014)

4 (a) (iii) Outline one way in which vegetation in a hot desert adapts to the soil (2 marks – 2014)

4 (b) (ii) Explain how vegetation adapts to the climate and soils of a hot desert area.(6 marks - 2011)

4 (c) Study Figures 13a and 13b, on the insert, photographs of vegetation in a hot desert area. Describe, and suggest reason(s) for, the changes in vegetation. (4 marks – 2010)

4 (c) Explain how tropical rainforest vegetation adapts to the climate. (4 marks - 2013)

4 (b) (ii) Use Figures 12a and 12b, on the insert, to illustrate how the vegetation of the tropical rainforest has adapted to its environment. (4 marks – Specimen)

4 (b) Explain how vegetation in a temperate deciduous woodland adapts to the climate and soils and is in harmony with them. (8 marks - 2012)

TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS WOODLAND – Uses and Management

4 (b) (i) Study Figure 12, on the insert, a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey map extract of part of Epping Forest, a deciduous forest near London. Measure the distance along the A104 from the roundabout at 427994 to the road junction at 408953 (2 marks – 2010)

4 (b) (ii) Use Figure 12, on the insert, to describe recreation activities in Epping Forest. (3 marks - 2010)

TROPICAL RAINFOREST – Causes and impacts of DEFORESTATION .

10 (b) (i) What is the meaning of the term ‘deforestation’? (1 mark - 2006)

4 (c) (i) Outline one cause of tropical rainforest deforestation. (2 marks -2011)

4 (b) (ii) Explain why deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests (6 marks – 2014)

(b) Explain why large areas of tropical rainforest are being chopped down. (3 marks – 2007)

10 (b) (i) Study Figures 17a and 17b, on the insert, which show an area of tropical rainforest in 1975 and the same area in 1992. How do the colours on the satellite images show the amount of deforestation that has taken place between 1975 and 1992? (3 marks - 2005)

10 (b) Deforestation is the cutting down of trees. Describe the effect of deforestation on soils. (4 marks - 2008)

4 (c) (i) Describe the effects of deforestation on the environment. (4 marks - Specimen)

(b) (ii) Study Figure 17, on the insert, a photograph which shows deforestation in an area oftropical rainforest. Describe the effects of deforestation on the local people in the tropical rainforest.

(4 marks - 2006)

4 (c) (ii) Using a case study of a tropical rainforest, describe the effects of deforestation. (8 marks - 2011)

TROPICAL RAINFOREST – Sustainable Management

10 (c) Describe one way in which forests can be managed sustainably. (2 marks - 2008)

4 (c) Study Figure 10, extracts from geography textbooks about international co-operation in managing tropical rainforests. Use Figure 10 and your own knowledge to explain how international co-operation can ensure that tropical rainforests are managed sustainably. (8 marks – 2014)

4 (c) Study Figure 11, an extract from a geographical publication about an ecolodge in thetropical rainforest in Costa Rica, a country in Central America. Explain why this lodge is attractive to ecotourists. (4 marks - 2012)

4 (c) (ii) Describe how, and explain why, ecotourism can lead to sustainable development in a tropical rainforest. (8 marks – Specimen)

4 (d) Describe how selective logging and replanting are examples of sustainable management in tropical rainforests. (6 marks - 2012)

(ii) Describe and give your views about possible solutions that may reduce the amount of deforestation in the future. (6 marks - 2005)

(a) Study Figure 15, which shows a plan to protect an area of tropical rainforest in Brazil.

(i) Describe the advantages of the plan shown in Figure 15 for the local people in Brazil. (4 marks - 2004)

(ii) Suggest how this plan may protect the rainforest ecosystem. (3 marks – 2004)

HOT DESERT in a rich part of the world (MEDC): Uses and Sustainable Management

4 (d) (i) Study Figures 8a and 8b on the insert. Figure 8a is a map of Dubai City showing actual and proposed tourism developments. Figure 8b gives information about tourism in Dubai, a hot desert area. What is the straight line distance between A and B on the map? (1 mark - 2013)

4 (d) (ii) Suggest reasons for the location of the tourism areas (actual and proposed) in Dubai shown in Figure 8a on the insert. (4 marks - 2013)

4 (d) (iii) Use Figure 8b, on the insert, to provide evidence of the importance of tourism to Dubai (2 marks - 2013)

4 (d) Use a case study of a hot desert area in a richer part of the world to describe how people try to manage the area in a sustainable way. (9 marks - 2010)

4 (e) Use a case study of a hot desert area in a richer part of the world to discuss whethereconomic development is sustainable. (8 marks - 2013)

HOT DESERT in a poorer area (LEDC): Uses and Sustainable Management

O ld Exam Qs – NOT CURRENTLY RELEVANT

Coniferous Forests

10 (a) Study Figure 19 which shows some of the characteristics of a coniferous tree.10 (a) (i) On Figure 19, mark with an arrow and label three characteristics of a coniferousTree (3 marks – 2008)10 (a) (ii) Explain how coniferous trees are adapted to their climate. (6 marks - 2008)

(ii) Explain how coniferous trees are able to survive in the areas shown in Figure 16. (6 marks - 2006)

10 (a) Study Figure 16, which shows some of the characteristics of the soil and trees found in coniferous forests. (i) Explain how coniferous trees are adapted to the climate. (4 marks - 2005)(ii) Give two characteristics of the soil under coniferous forests.(2 marks - 2005)

(a) Study Figure 1, the Ordnance Survey map extract of Perth.(i) Describe the distribution of coniferous woodland on the Ordnance Survey map extract.(2 marks - 2003)(ii) Explain how and why conifers are adapted to survive thin soils and cold climate. (4 marks - 2003)

Savannah Grassland & Desertification

10 (b) (i) Explain the natural and human causes of desertification. (6 marks - 2009)10 (b) (ii) Describe how the process of desertification might be slowed down. (4 marks - 2009)

(c) (i) Study Figure 11 which shows how an increase in population may affect savannagrassland. Place the following words into the correct boxes in Figure 11. desertification over cultivation soil erosion (2 marks - 2007)(ii) Using one or more examples of areas you have studied, explain how the problems caused by desertification may be reduced. (4 marks - 2007)

10 (a) Study Figure 15a, on the insert, which shows savanna (tropical) grassland vegetation.10 (a) (i) Describe the savanna (tropical) grassland vegetation. (2 marks - 2009)10 (a) (ii) Study Figures 15b and 15c on the insert. Describe how the vegetation has adapted to the climate of the savanna grassland. (3 marks - 2009)

(b) Figure 16 shows an area of savanna (tropical) grassland. (i) Using Figure 16, describe the vegetation of savanna grasslands. (2 marks - 2004) (ii) Explain how the savanna vegetation is adapted to the climate of the area. (6 marks - 2004)

(b) Study Figure 15, a flow chart showing the causes of desertification.(i) What is desertification? (1 mark - 2003)(ii) With the help of Figure 15, suggest how desertification may affect local people. (2 marks - 2003) (iii) Using one or more examples, describe how desertification can be prevented or reduced. (6 marks - 2003)