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This lesson examines the skills and strategies needed to excel in Paper 2: Human Geography of the Edexcel A-Level Geography exam (9GE0). Paper 2 is worth 105 marks (30% of the total grade) and tests students' understanding of globalisation, place-based studies, superpowers and global development. While the structural format mirrors Paper 1, the nature of human geography content demands different analytical approaches and writing techniques.
Paper 2 is divided into four sections, each covering a different human geography topic:
| Section | Topic | Compulsory/Optional | Approximate Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Globalisation | Compulsory | ~26 |
| B | Shaping Places (Regenerating Places OR Diverse Places) | Optional (choose 1) | ~26 |
| C | Superpowers | Compulsory | ~26 |
| D | Global Development and Connections (Health, Human Rights and Intervention OR Migration, Identity and Sovereignty) | Optional (choose 1) | ~27 (inc. 20-mark + 4 SPaG) |
The total is 105 marks in 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes), giving the same rate of approximately 1.3 minutes per mark as Paper 1.
Understanding the differences between Papers 1 and 2 is critical for adjusting your approach:
In Paper 1, you can sometimes earn reasonable marks by explaining physical processes without naming specific places. In Paper 2, place-based knowledge is essential. The Shaping Places topics (Regenerating Places and Diverse Places) are explicitly place-based, requiring detailed knowledge of two contrasting places — typically one local and one from a different context (e.g. one urban, one rural; one in the UK, one overseas).
| Weak Response | Strong Response |
|---|---|
| "Regeneration has improved some areas" | "The regeneration of Stratford, East London, driven by the 2012 Olympic Games, attracted over £9 billion of investment, creating 10,000 jobs during construction and transforming the former industrial brownfield site into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park" |
| "Migration causes cultural diversity" | "The London Borough of Newham, identified by the 2021 Census as the most ethnically diverse local authority in England, with 75.5% of residents from non-White British backgrounds, demonstrates how sustained international migration creates super-diverse communities" |
Human geography questions frequently require analysis of different stakeholder perspectives. This means identifying who the key players are, what their interests are, and how these interests may conflict.
graph TD
A["Geographical Issue<br/>(e.g. Urban Regeneration)"] --> B["Government<br/>Wants economic growth,<br/>job creation, votes"]
A --> C["Local Residents<br/>Want affordable housing,<br/>community preservation"]
A --> D["Private Developers<br/>Want profit maximisation,<br/>planning permission"]
A --> E["Environmental Groups<br/>Want sustainable development,<br/>green spaces"]
A --> F["Community Groups<br/>Want social inclusion,<br/>cultural preservation"]
style A fill:#ff9800,color:#fff
style B fill:#2196f3,color:#fff
style C fill:#4caf50,color:#fff
style D fill:#f44336,color:#fff
style E fill:#009688,color:#fff
style F fill:#9c27b0,color:#fff
Exam Tip: In any Paper 2 essay question, aim to discuss at least three different stakeholder perspectives. This demonstrates AO2 skills (application and evaluation) and shows the examiner that you understand the complexity of human geography issues. The best answers acknowledge that no single perspective is entirely right or wrong — geographical issues involve trade-offs and contested outcomes.
Paper 2 questions tend to use more evaluative command words: "evaluate", "assess", "to what extent", "discuss". This means that simply describing what has happened is insufficient — you must make judgements about significance, effectiveness, desirability and the balance of evidence.
Human geography topics change rapidly. Students who demonstrate awareness of recent developments (from the last 2-3 years) show examiners that they are engaged geographers, not just textbook learners. For example:
Case studies are the backbone of strong Paper 2 answers. However, how you use case studies matters as much as which case studies you know.
| Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| S — Specific | Name the place, date, scale, stakeholder | "In the London Borough of Tower Hamlets..." |
| E — Evidence | Provide quantitative data or qualitative detail | "...where 35% of children live in poverty (2023)..." |
| E — Explain | Link the evidence to the geographical process or concept | "...reflecting the spatial inequality created by rapid gentrification that has pushed up housing costs while wages for existing residents have stagnated..." |
| P — Perspective | Acknowledge how different groups view the issue | "...although the local council argues that regeneration projects like Canary Wharf have created 120,000 jobs, critics point out that many of these are high-skilled financial services roles inaccessible to the original working-class population." |
The mark scheme rewards answers that compare and contrast examples from different contexts. Aim to include:
This demonstrates breadth of knowledge and the ability to evaluate, which are essential for top-band marks.
The 12-mark question in Paper 2 requires more evaluative depth than its Paper 1 equivalent. Here is a framework specifically designed for human geography 12-mark questions:
Paragraph structure:
Repeat for 3 paragraphs, then write a brief conclusion that synthesises your judgements.
Question: Assess the extent to which globalisation has reduced spatial inequality. (12 marks)
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