The UK economy: change and the post-industrial economy - AQA GCSE Geography (Paper 2) Exam Questions

Practise 35 exam-style questions on The UK economy: change and the post-industrial economy for AQA GCSE Geography (Paper 2). Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.

35 questions
1–12 marks each
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20 questions, marked as you go

Sample questions with model answers

Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.

Question 1

1 mark

Which one of the following set up Cambridge Science Park, the UK's first science park, in 1970?

A Nissan
B Trinity College, part of the University of Cambridge
C The European Union
D The BBC

Give the letter of the correct answer.

Model answer

Explanation

Cambridge Science Park was set up by Trinity College in 1970 to link university research with high-tech businesses. Being close to a world-class university gives firms access to research, ideas and highly qualified graduates.

Mark scheme

1 mark
B (Trinity College, part of the University of Cambridge)
accept the letter or the option written out; do not accept more than one answer

Question 2

2 marks

Suggest two ways in which a large quarry can be made more environmentally sustainable.

Model answer

The quarry could transport its rock by rail instead of by lorry, which reduces carbon emissions and traffic. It could also plan to restore the site as a lake or nature reserve when quarrying ends.

Explanation

Sustainable strategies reduce the impact now (transport, screening, dust control) or repair the damage later (restoration). Torr Works in Somerset uses several of these, including rail transport and a plan to create a lake.

Mark scheme

1 mark
Transport the rock by rail instead of by lorry, cutting emissions, noise and traffic
max 2; 1 mark per valid way
1 mark
Plant trees and build landscaped banks (bunds) to screen the quarry and reduce noise and dust
1 mark
Restore the site when quarrying ends, e.g. as a lake, nature reserve or farmland
1 mark
Spray water to control dust
1 mark
Limit blasting to certain times and monitor noise and vibration
1 mark
Recycle water used on the site and treat it before releasing it
1 mark
Use renewable energy or more efficient machinery

Question 3

4 marks

Explain how globalisation has affected the UK economy.

Model answer

Globalisation has allowed companies to move manufacturing to countries where wages and costs are lower. For example, Dyson moved its vacuum cleaner production from Malmesbury to Malaysia in 2002 and the Cadbury factory at Somerdale closed in 2011 when production moved to Poland, so UK factory jobs were lost. However, globalisation has also brought investment into the UK: foreign TNCs such as Nissan in Sunderland and Hitachi at Newton Aycliffe have built factories that employ thousands of people. London has also benefited by becoming one of the world's leading financial centres, earning money from services sold around the world.

Explanation

Globalisation has had mixed effects: it has cost manufacturing jobs as production moved abroad, but has attracted foreign investment and boosted the UK's service and financial sectors. Named examples, such as Dyson or Nissan, make the explanation convincing.

Mark scheme

4 marks
Levels of response (4 marks).
Level 2 (3-4 marks): clear explanation of how globalisation has affected the UK economy, with developed points; may cover both positive and negative effects; some specific examples.
Level 1 (1-2 marks): basic explanation with simple statements; little development or detail.
0 marks: nothing worthy of credit.
Indicative content (not a checklist; credit other valid points): negative: manufacturing has moved to countries with lower costs, causing factory closures and job losses, e.g. Dyson moved vacuum cleaner production from Malmesbury to Malaysia in 2002 and Cadbury's Somerdale factory closed in 2011 when production moved to Poland; cheap imports compete with UK producers (e.g. steel); some call centres and back-office jobs moved to countries such as India. Positive: foreign TNCs have invested in the UK, e.g. Nissan in Sunderland (1986), Toyota near Derby and Hitachi's train factory at Newton Aycliffe, creating jobs; Tata (India) owns Jaguar Land Rover; London has become a leading global financial centre; UK firms sell services worldwide; cheaper goods for consumers; growth of ICT and global communication supports the service economy.

Question 4

6 marks

Using an example, explain how modern industrial development can be more environmentally sustainable.

Model answer

Torr Works is a large limestone quarry in the Mendip Hills near Frome in Somerset, run by Aggregate Industries. It supplies crushed rock for building and road construction, but it has been planned to reduce its impact on the environment.

One key strategy is transport. The quarry has its own rail link, so a large amount of the stone is carried by train rather than by lorry. This reduces the number of heavy lorries on the narrow country lanes of Somerset, cutting noise, congestion and carbon dioxide emissions.

The quarry is also screened from view by landscaped banks planted with trees. These hide the quarry from nearby villages and help to reduce noise and dust. Blasting, dust and water quality are monitored to keep pollution within strict limits.

Most importantly, there is a long-term restoration plan. When quarrying ends, the site will be landscaped and allowed to flood, creating a large lake with new habitats for wildlife and space for recreation. This means the land will have a valuable use in the future instead of being left as a derelict hole, so the development is more environmentally sustainable than older quarries.

Explanation

A strong answer names a real development and explains how each strategy, such as rail transport, screening or restoration, reduces environmental harm. Torr Works and Nissan Sunderland are common examples. General statements such as 'it uses green energy' need to be developed with how and why it helps.

Mark scheme

6 marks
Levels of response (6 marks).
Level 3 (5-6 marks): detailed, well-developed explanation of how the named development reduces its environmental impact, with clear links between each strategy and the benefit to the environment; accurate place-specific detail.
Level 2 (3-4 marks): clear explanation of some sustainable strategies, with some development; some detail about a named example.
Level 1 (1-2 marks): basic statements about sustainability with little explanation; generic or no named example.
0 marks: nothing worthy of credit.
Indicative content (not a checklist; credit other valid points): Torr Works, Somerset: a large limestone quarry in the Mendip Hills near Frome, run by Aggregate Industries, supplying crushed rock for roads and construction; it has its own rail link, so much of the stone is moved by train rather than lorry, reducing traffic, noise and carbon emissions on narrow country roads; landscaped banks (bunds) planted with trees screen the quarry and reduce noise and dust; blasting, dust and water quality are monitored and controlled; a restoration plan means that when quarrying ends the site will be landscaped and flooded to create a lake with wildlife habitats and space for recreation. Nissan, Sunderland: the UK's largest car factory, opened in 1986; wind turbines and a solar farm on the site generate renewable electricity; it builds the electric Nissan Leaf and its batteries; the EV36Zero project announced in 2021 includes a battery gigafactory powered by renewable energy; waste is reduced and recycled. Credit any appropriate named example.

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