DP Geography Questionbank

(i) Describe the changes in flood frequency shown on the graph.

(ii) Estimate how many more floods occurred in the 1990s than in the 1930s.

Suggest one physical reason and one human reason why the risk of a river flooding can change over time.

Explain two processes of weathering commonly found in hot, arid environments.

“Human activity within periglacial environments is unsustainable.” Discuss this statement.

Describe the distribution and tracks of hurricanes (tropical cyclones, typhoons) affecting mainland Asia.

Using one or more recent examples, discuss the relative importance of short-term and long-term responses to hazard events and/or disasters.

Using map evidence, identify and locate two secondary tourist resources.

“Prevention should always be prioritized over treatment.” Discuss this statement, with reference to specific diseases and communities.

(i) Define the term food miles.

(ii) State the fruit or vegetable that ranks sixth in terms of the highest number of food miles.

(iii) Estimate the average (mean) food miles for the fruit and vegetables shown in the graph above.

Examine the characteristics of urban deprivation in one or more cities you have studied.

To what extent are floodplain landforms the result of river deposition?

(i) State one natural cause and one human cause of sand dune degradation.

(ii) Identify two ways in which people are attempting to restore the sand dunes shown in the photograph.

Explain the characteristics and formation in periglacial environments of:

(i) patterned ground;

(ii) thermokarst.

Explain three reasons why communities may underestimate the probability of a major hazard event occurring in the area in which they live.

To what extent are food availability, malnutrition and diseases of poverty connected with one another?

(i) Define the term wetland area.

(ii) Describe the pattern of wetland areas shown on the map.

Using examples, evaluate the use of tourism as a development strategy in some low-income countries.

Explain two possible disadvantages of food aid for a community that is currently experiencing food shortages.

(i) State one component of agricultural run-off that contributes to the eutrophication of lakes and wetlands.

(ii) Suggest two impacts of eutrophication that can have adverse effects for people.

Examine the possible impacts of changes in the ocean carbon store.

Describe two characteristics of the leisure hierarchy.

(i) State the direction in which the camera was pointing when photograph A was taken.

(ii) Referring to photograph A, suggest the evidence that the perceptual carrying capacity of Sainte-Enimie may already have been exceeded.

Suggest one advantage and two disadvantages of using food miles as an indicator of the environmental impacts associated with food production.

Using one or more examples, evaluate the strategies designed to manage tourism in rural areas.

Describe how one characteristic of the valley of the River Tarn limits its environmental carrying capacity.

Suggest three reasons why different ethnic groups are often concentrated in different parts of cities.

Examine the environmental and economic impacts of the pollution of oceans by oil.

Briefly explain the characteristics and formation of two ocean floor landforms found at a constructive plate boundary.

Explain three geographic factors that might influence decision-makers in choosing a host city for an international sports event.

Describe the trends in food aid between 2000 and 2011.

“The drainage basin is an open system with inputs, outputs, transfers and stores.” Discuss how this knowledge helps people to prevent flooding.

(i) Identify two of the landforms shown in the diagram.

(ii) Outline how wave action could lead to the collapse of the cliff.

Explain three factors favouring the growth of coral reefs.

(i) Estimate the latitude at which the percentage of land is highest in the Northern Hemisphere.

(ii) State one reason why extreme cold environments can even be found at latitude A.

(iii) Briefly outline the seasonal variations in temperature likely to be found at latitude B.

Outline two physical causes of aridity in hot, arid environments.

Referring to one or more named cities, explain two ways in which a circular city system operates.

(i) Identify the region with the highest proportion of people living in urban areas in 2014.

(ii) Identify the region with the lowest rate of urbanization between 1950 and 2050.

(iii) Describe the change in the proportion of people living in urban areas in Latin America and the Caribbean between 1950 and 2050.

Referring to examples, evaluate the varied economic opportunities in hot, arid environments.

Briefly explain two geographical consequences of a recent human-induced (technological) hazard.

(i) Describe the change in the total number of reported disasters between 1971 and 2010.

(ii) State the type of natural hazard that has not increased in frequency since 1981.

(iii) Estimate the total economic losses due to storms and floods between 1971 and 2010.

(i) Describe the general relationship between population density and air pollution from transport.

(ii) State why Mexico City could be considered an anomaly.

Evaluate the success of one management strategy to tackle pollution in one named urban area.

Discuss the view that human vulnerability to natural hazards (excluding river flooding) is greater in urban areas than in rural areas.

Identify three ways in which the load of a river is transported and briefly describe one of these ways

Referring to the map and graphs, explain how the construction of the Danjiangkou Dam affected sediment loads along the Han River.

Examine the influences of physical factors and human activity on a specific river flood.

Describe the trend in water shortage between 1990 and 2015 shown on the graph.

Analyse two competing demands for water in a named river basin.

Referring to the map, identify the type of plate boundary shown on the map at:

(i) A

(ii) B.

State the age of the oceanic crust at C shown on the map.

Describe the pattern of threat to coral reefs shown on the map of South-East Asia.

Referring to the graph, describe the changes in the terminus of the Santa Rosa glacier from 1970–2000.

Explain the processes involved in the advance and retreat of glaciers.

Using the two maps, describe the population density in hot, arid areas.

Explain how and why the following factors may influence population density in hot, arid areas:

• human discomfort,
• inaccessibility.

Explain how two of the other factors (other than factor A) shown on the diagram affect vulnerability to hazards.

Analyse why communities may underestimate the probability of a hazard event occurring.

For one or more hazards of your choice, examine how estimates are made for the probability and likely impact of a major hazard event.

Explain three reasons why it is important for city planners to ensure that there are sufficient open spaces for urban residents.

Describe the trend in international tourist arrivals in the East Asia/Pacific region shown on the graph.

Suggest three possible reasons for a decline in the total number of international arrivals in the world.

Referring to one or more named examples, examine why some countries have invested in tourism in order to promote development.

Define the health measure HALE and explain how it differs from life expectancy.

Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of two other indices (other than HALE) used to measure the health of populations.

Outline two changes in calorie consumption in poor countries from 1970 to 2000.

Outline two differences between calorie consumption in rich countries and poor countries in 2000.

Define the term suburbanization.

Referring to map evidence, suggest three reasons why an area of manufacturing has developed at point A (054113) on the 2003 map.

Examine the pattern of urban deprivation in a city of your choice.

Explain two conflicts that may arise as a result of aquaculture.

“The opportunities for mineral extraction outweigh the challenges in hot, arid areas.” Discuss this statement.

Explain one strength and one weakness of ecotourism for local communities.

Outline three possible economic reasons for the location of neighbourhoods with low incomes and high population density in the urban area shown on the map.

Outline what is meant by the term “ecotourism”.

With reference to the map, describe the distribution of neighbourhoods with low incomes and high population density.

Briefly outline the oceanic circulation in the Pacific Ocean during an El Niño event.

Describe how the characteristics of permafrost vary with latitude.

Examine the effects of the movement of economic activity to derelict land such as brownfield sites.

Outline two types of carrying capacity that apply to rural areas.

Compare the effectiveness of alternative stream management strategies, other than dams.

“Poorer communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of hazard events than richer communities.” Discuss this statement.

Define the concept of “maximum sustainable yield” of freshwater.

With reference to one named river basin, explain two strategies that have been adopted to meet competing demands for water.

Explain three factors that may produce a short time lag on a storm hydrograph.

To what extent has one named housing management strategy been successful in creating a more sustainable city?

Analyse the contribution of natural change to population density patterns in urban areas.

“The disposal of waste in the oceans is causing serious harm to people and places.” Discuss this statement.

Outline two ways in which people have adapted their outdoor activities to extremes of weather in hot, arid environments.

Explain two reasons why many glaciers are retreating.

Explain two ways in which the active layer creates challenges for settlement and/or communications in a permafrost area.

Outline two environmental problems that may occur downstream from multi-purpose dams.

Describe the pattern of life expectancy shown on the map.

Explain how land values and accessibility can affect the distribution of sports facilities within urban areas.

Explain three indicators, other than life expectancy, which can be used to measure the health of the population in a country.

“Food miles are an excellent indicator of the environmental impact of agriculture.” Discuss this statement.

Explain two strengths and one weakness of one named city’s attempt to reduce urban pollution.

Describe two characteristics of oceanic crust.

Explain the wind and pressure systems in an El Niño event.

Examine the spatial and temporal consequences of overfishing.

Distinguish between the terms “accumulation” and “ablation” in the glacial environment.

“Global climate change will create more opportunities than challenges for indigenous populations.” Discuss this statement, with reference to one or more extreme environments.

Outline how the seasonal changes taking place in the active layer differ between 50°N and 60°N.

Describe the global distribution of either volcanoes or earthquakes.

Suggest three factors that might affect an individual’s perception of the risk posed by tectonic hazards.

Explain three conditions necessary for the formation of tropical hurricanes.

Describe the global pattern of the most visited cities.

State the median value of visitor numbers in 2013.

For one named national sports league, examine the relationship between the location of its teams and the places where their supporters live.

Discuss the positive and negative hydrological impacts of dam and reservoir construction.

Identify and briefly describe two landforms in box X.

Outline why the rising limb on this hydrograph is steeper than the falling limb.

State two causes of a negative change in sea level.

Using map evidence, explain one reason, other than climate, why mining in this extreme environment is challenging.

Briefly outline two processes of river erosion.

Explain how irrigation can lead to salinization.

Explain two consequences of salinization for farmers.

State the lag time for the storm event shown on the hydrograph.

State how many hours the discharge was over 40 cumecs.

Explain the formation of two landforms on a river floodplain.

Discuss the environmental consequences of eutrophication and the pollution of aquifers.

Using examples, explain two positive economic impacts that El Niño events can bring.

“Geopolitical conflict is the inevitable outcome of human use of oceans.” Discuss this statement.

Briefly describe one landform associated with an advancing coast.

Using examples, explain two effects of the oceanic conveyor belt on different places.

“The loss of coral reefs has more serious effects than the loss of mangrove swamps.” Discuss this statement.

Identify one landform of glacial erosion in square 3415.

State the name of one U-shaped valley/trough shown on the map.

Estimate the length in kilometres of the walking track between the start of the walking track (footpath) at Highpark Wood (3116) to the summit of Helvellyn (3415).

Explain the formation of one feature or landform of glacial deposition.

Suggest reasons for the changes you identified in (a) for number of deaths.

Suggest two reasons why individuals and communities may underestimate the probability of a severe drought occurring in the region in which they live.

Estimate the volume of ice lost between 1850 and 1950.

State the year when the glacier began a continuous decline lasting to 2010.

Distinguish between aridity and infertility in hot, arid areas.

With reference to the diagram, describe the changes in number of deaths

Examine the factors that affect the choice of adjustments before, and responses after, tectonic (earthquake/volcanic) hazard events.

Discuss the reasons why some low-income countries may be more vulnerable than others to the effects of hazard events.

Examine how the benefits of hosting one or more major international sporting events have been unevenly distributed.

Describe the general relationship shown by the diagram.

Suggest one reason why settlement A does not fit the general relationship.

Examine the contribution that ecotourism can make to a country’s tourist industry.

State two diseases of poverty.

Describe the distribution of diseases of poverty.

Explain two types of diffusion in relation to the spread of disease.

Suggest two reasons for the occurrence of low-cost housing areas within cities.

Evaluate the success of one or more strategies to control rapid city growth resulting from in-migration

Describe the pattern of temperatures shown south of the River Liffey.

Estimate the temperature range north of the River Liffey.

Suggest why a short-term increase in glacial ice (positive balance) begins around 1950.

Examine the causes and consequences of the melting of permafrost.

With reference to the diagram, describe the changes in economic losses.

Suggest reasons for the changes you identified in (a) for economic losses.

Outline what is meant by the term “drought”.

Briefly describe one physical cause of a located severe drought.

Using a located example, outline two ways in which sustainable tourism supports the culture of local people.

Explain two impacts of tourism on the natural environment of rural areas.

Suggest three possible reasons why the sphere of influence of supporters of a sports team could change over time.

Describe the changes in Sub-Saharan Africa between 1990 and 2015.

Identify the region with the greatest relative change in mortality rate between 1990 and 2015.

Outline why HALE is a better indicator of a nation’s health than child mortality.

Explain how the application of two named barriers to limit the spread of disease has reduced child mortality rates.

Using examples, explain two reasons for the growth of suburbs.

Outline two ways in which sediment is transported by a river.

Using one named example of an international conflict related to freshwater, briefly explain one cause of the conflict.

Using one named example of an international conflict related to freshwater, briefly explain two consequences of the conflict.

Examine how human activity influenced the severity of one named river flood event.

State the four elements of the hydrological cycle labelled A–D.

State two possible methods of artificially recharging the aquifer.

Explain three possible ways people may modify a river channel to increase the flow of water.

To what extent has the management of one major wetland area been successful?

Estimate the percentage of days when the wind blows from the north.

Identify the direction of the most frequent wind.

Explain three physical factors that affect the development of coral reefs.

Evaluate the success of one named conservation policy for sustainable fishing.

Briefly outline the role of oceans as a source of carbon dioxide.

Briefly outline two human factors that are possible causes of desertification in a hot, arid environment.

Briefly outline the role of oceans as a store of carbon dioxide.

Suggest two reasons why the oceanic conveyor belt is important.

Explain what is meant by the term “oceanic conveyor belt”.

State the earliest date on which there is a 50 % probability of snow depth exceeding 1 metre.

Estimate the probability of snow depth exceeding 2 metres on 1 September.

Briefly explain how the graph provides evidence that this ski field is located in the southern hemisphere.

Explain two environmental impacts of tourism in one named extreme environment.

Compare the importance of water and wind in the development of landform features in hot, arid areas.

Briefly outline two physical factors that influence the occurrence of flash floods in hot, arid environments.

Explain three reasons why there are concentrations of people in some parts of hot, arid areas.

Examine the reasons why people continue to live in areas affected by frequent earthquake or volcanic activity.

Explain two possible human impacts that could occur as a result of a long-term drought in the area shown on the map.

Suggest one short-term strategy that the local community could use to help overcome the problem of drought in the area shown on the map.

For one named international sporting event, explain how one physical factor and two human factors influenced the choice of venue(s).

Outline two factors that can influence the vulnerability of a community to the impacts of a tectonic hazard event.

Discuss the view that the economic benefits of tourism in one country you have studied outweigh its negative social and environmental impacts.

Briefly explain the occurrence of either volcanoes or earthquakes at constructive plate margins.

Briefly explain the occurrence of either volcanoes or earthquakes at destructive plate margins.

Examine the effectiveness of short- and long-term responses to one recent disaster caused by a hurricane (tropical cyclone/typhoon).

Define the term tourism.

State two possible reasons why not all international arrivals can be classified as tourists.

Explain two strategies designed to manage the environmental damage caused by tourism in one named large town or city.

With reference to the photograph, identify one primary tourist attraction.

With reference to the photograph, identify one secondary tourist attraction.

Using photographic evidence, suggest why the perceptual carrying capacity of this site might have been reached.

Referring to areas on the map, describe the spread of the Zika virus between 1947 and 2010.

Explain three health improvements that have led to an increase in life expectancy in many low-income countries in recent years.

Examine the strengths and limitations of the energy efficiency ratio as an indicator of sustainable agriculture.

Briefly outline what is meant by the term “food security”.

Outline one way in which the health of a population can be affected by chronic hunger.

Explain three geographic impacts at a national scale of one named water-borne or sexually transmitted disease.

To what extent were physical factors responsible for one recent famine?

Describe what line A represents.

Estimate what percentage of the city’s total wealth belongs to the wealthiest 10 % of households.

Referring to the graph, outline the evidence that many households in this city suffer from poverty.

Evaluate the success of one strategy designed to sustainably manage pollution in one named urban area.

Describe two differences between a circular city system and a linear city system.

Outline how one transport management strategy can contribute to a circular city system.

Examine the consequences of the movements of different socio-economic groups within a city.

Explain why people’s choice of residential location within a city might be influenced by their ethnicity.

Explain why people’s choice of residential location within a city might be influenced by their family status (stage in lifecycle).

Explain two reasons for the location of retail activities in the central business district (CBD) of one city you have studied.

Suggest why a logarithmic graph was used to show these data.

Estimate the flood recurrence interval for a discharge of 10 000 cumecs.

State the direction of flow of the Phungi Khola river at A.

Suggest how changes over time in the amount of water stored as ice in the hydrological cycle could lead to increased river flows.

Using information on the graph describe the changes in the strength of El Niño events from 1950 to 1998.

Examine the relationships between the oceanic sovereignty rights of nations and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

Examine the opportunities for agriculture in hot, arid areas.

Using two different examples, outline what is meant by:

(i) the catchment area of recreation and sports facilities;

(ii) the range of recreation and sports facilities.

Explain the occurrence of mid-ocean ridges.

Examine the environmental impacts of agriculture on water quality.

Using map evidence, outline one reason why the Phungi Khola river is likely to have seasonal variations in its discharge.

Explain two reasons for the increase in the numbers of people affected by disasters in recent years.

Explain one economic factor and one political factor that may have contributed to the increased numbers of tourist arrivals for Asia and the Pacific from 2000 to 2015.

Describe the relationship between GDP (gross domestic product) per capita and life expectancy.

Suggest how changes over time in the amount of water stored as ice in the hydrological cycle could affect the size of one or more other stores in the hydrological cycle.

Using map evidence, state why river discharge at B is likely to be significantly higher than at C throughout the year.

Examine why some hazard events are more predictable than others.

Explain one reason, other than migration, why the number of megacities has risen globally in recent years.

State the relationship between the discharge and the flood recurrence interval shown on the graph.

Explain two hydrological changes that may result from the construction of a dam in an area such as the Sagarmatha National Park.

Outline the trend in overfished stocks shown on the graph.

Briefly outline one consequence of overfishing.

Explain the occurrence of ocean trenches.

“Global climate change will create more challenges than opportunities for indigenous populations.” Discuss this statement, with reference to one or more extreme environments.

Examine the importance of re-assessing risk and re-examining vulnerability following any major hazard event.

Using information on the graph describe changes in the duration of La Niña events from 1950 to 2016.

Examine the cultural and political factors that might affect success for countries participating in major international sports.

Outline one advantage of using HALE as a measure of a population’s health.

Explain two possible challenges posed by the environment to the economic activities of people living in areas like area D shown in the photograph.

Outline what is meant by the term “megacity”.

Referring to the photograph, identify landform A and landform B.

Outline the main features of one scale used to measure the magnitude of one named hazard type.

Explain two management strategies to reduce environmental damage from tourism in one named rural area.

Estimate the numbers of tourist arrivals in 2015 for Africa, and for Asia and the Pacific

Outline the location of the informal sector in urban areas.

Explain one economic benefit and one environmental benefit of mangrove swamps.

Describe what is meant by hazard risk.

Explain how one natural barrier and one political barrier might limit the spread of disease.

Using the map, describe the global distribution of megacities in 2015.

Outline two characteristics of the informal sector.

Examine the causes and effects of the movement of retailing in urban areas to new locations.

Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to manage conflicting human pressures on one named area of coastline.

Outline two climatic characteristics of a periglacial extreme environment.

Describe two characteristics of permafrost.

Examine the relative importance of factors influencing the distribution of sports facilities in one or more named urban areas.

Explain how urban stress might result from environmental factors. 

Explain how urban stress might result from social factors.

Briefly outline how the landform at C was formed.

Explain the role of water in two weathering processes in hot, arid environments.

Examine the impacts of international trade agreements and trade barriers on the availability of food in some countries.

Outline one reason why international tourism data may be unreliable.

Explain one economic reason why large numbers of people have migrated to megacities in recent years.

Explain two ways in which people’s vulnerability to a tectonic hazard may be reduced.

Evaluate the success of strategies of sustainable city management in one or more urban areas.

Examine the geographic factors responsible for the incidence and transmission of one named disease (vector-borne, water-borne or sexually transmitted).

Explain how one environmental factor and one political factor can lead to a decline in food production.

With reference to one named river basin, discuss the different strategies used to meet the competing demands on the water supply.