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This lesson is designed to help you prepare for the AQA GCSE Geography exam on the Resource Management topic. It covers the structure of the exam, the types of questions you will face, how to approach each question type, and includes practice questions with model answer guidance. Mastering exam technique is just as important as knowing the content.
Resource Management appears in Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment, Section B.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Paper | Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment |
| Section | Section B: The Challenge of Resource Management |
| Total marks | The resource management section is worth approximately 30 marks |
| Time | You should spend roughly 30 minutes on this section |
| Structure | A mix of short-answer (1–4 marks) and extended-answer (6 and 9 marks) questions |
| Resource management overview | Questions on food, water, and energy in the UK |
| Chosen option | One of: Food Management, Water Management, or Energy Management (in-depth) |
Exam Tip: Read the question carefully to determine whether it is asking about the overview (UK resource challenges) or your chosen option (the in-depth food, water, or energy topic). Answering about the wrong section is a common mistake.
Understanding command words is critical. Each one tells you exactly what the examiner expects.
| Command Word | What It Means | How to Respond |
|---|---|---|
| State | Give a short, factual answer | One or two words, or a brief sentence |
| Define | Give the meaning of a term | A clear, concise definition |
| Describe | Say what something is like | Give details of features, patterns, or processes |
| Explain | Say why or how something happens | Give reasons, using connectives like "because," "this means that," "as a result" |
| Compare | Identify similarities and/or differences | Use comparative language: "whereas," "in contrast," "both" |
| Assess | Make a judgement about the importance or significance | Weigh up evidence from different perspectives, then reach a conclusion |
| Evaluate | Judge the success or effectiveness of something | Consider advantages and disadvantages, then give a reasoned conclusion |
| Discuss | Present arguments for and against | Consider multiple viewpoints and reach a balanced conclusion |
| To what extent | How far do you agree with a statement? | Argue for and against, then state your position with justification |
These require a brief, precise response. Do not waste time writing more than necessary.
Example: Define the term "food security."
Model answer: Food security is when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
Give two clear points, each with brief development.
Example: Describe two ways in which the UK's water supply varies geographically. (2 marks)
Model answer: The north and west of the UK receive higher rainfall (over 2,000 mm/year in parts of Scotland and Wales), creating a water surplus. The south and east, particularly East Anglia and London, receive lower rainfall (under 700 mm/year) but have much higher population density, creating a water deficit.
Give two developed points with clear reasoning.
Example: Explain two reasons why energy consumption is increasing globally. (4 marks)
Model answer:
Point 1: Global population growth means there are more people who need energy for heating, lighting, cooking, and transport. The world population has passed 8 billion and continues to grow, particularly in Asia and Africa, increasing total energy demand.
Point 2: Economic development in newly emerging economies (NEEs) like China and India is driving up per capita energy consumption. As countries industrialise, factories, offices, and infrastructure require significantly more energy, and rising incomes mean more people can afford cars, electronic devices, and air conditioning.
These require you to apply your knowledge to a specific case study. Use the PEE chain (Point, Evidence, Explanation) and aim for at least two well-developed paragraphs.
Example: Using a named example, explain the advantages and disadvantages of a large-scale water management scheme. (6 marks)
Model answer guidance:
Introduction: Name the case study — e.g., "The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) transfers water from the highlands of Lesotho to the Gauteng Province of South Africa."
Paragraph 1 — Advantages: The LHWP provides a reliable water supply to over 15 million people in Gauteng, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, which would otherwise face severe water shortages. Additionally, Lesotho receives water royalties, which are a significant source of national income for one of Africa's poorest countries. The dams also generate hydroelectric power, improving Lesotho's energy security.
Paragraph 2 — Disadvantages: However, the construction of the Katse and Mohale dams displaced over 30,000 people, many of whom received inadequate compensation. The project has also been marred by corruption scandals, with multinational companies found guilty of bribery. Furthermore, the environmental impact has been significant, with river ecosystems disrupted and habitats submerged beneath the reservoir.
Exam Tip: For 6-mark questions, aim for two strong paragraphs with specific evidence (names, numbers, locations). Always link your evidence back to the question — do not just describe; explain the significance.
These are the highest-value questions and require a well-structured, evaluative response. You must present arguments, use case study evidence, and reach a clear conclusion. 3 additional marks are available for spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).
Example: "Large-scale strategies are always the best way to increase food supply." To what extent do you agree with this statement? (9 marks + 3 SPaG)
Model answer structure:
Introduction: Briefly state that both large-scale and small-scale strategies have advantages, and that the best approach depends on the context.
Paragraph 1 — Arguments FOR large-scale strategies: Large-scale strategies can dramatically increase food production. For example, Almeria in south-east Spain uses over 30,000 hectares of intensive plastic greenhouses to produce tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables year-round, supplying much of Europe. This generates billions of euros in revenue and employs tens of thousands of workers. The Green Revolution's introduction of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds transformed food production in India, turning the country from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus one within two decades. These examples demonstrate that large-scale approaches can deliver massive increases in food supply.
Paragraph 2 — Arguments AGAINST large-scale strategies: However, large-scale strategies often carry significant environmental and social costs. Almeria's greenhouses are depleting groundwater aquifers, producing enormous quantities of plastic waste, and exploiting migrant labourers who work in poor conditions for low pay. The Green Revolution's reliance on expensive fertilisers and pesticides benefited wealthy farmers while marginalising poor ones, and caused environmental damage through chemical pollution and loss of crop biodiversity.
Paragraph 3 — The alternative: small-scale and sustainable approaches: Small-scale, sustainable approaches can be more effective in certain contexts. In Makueni County, Kenya, community-led strategies including sand dams, terracing, drought-resistant crops, and farmer cooperatives have improved food security without the environmental costs of industrial agriculture. These approaches are affordable, locally managed, and empower communities — particularly women. They also build long-term resilience rather than creating dependency on expensive external inputs.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I partially agree with the statement. Large-scale strategies are necessary to feed the world's growing urban populations and meet global food demand. However, they are not always the "best" way, especially in rural LIC communities where small-scale, sustainable approaches are often more appropriate, affordable, and equitable. The most effective overall strategy combines both approaches — using large-scale production where it is sustainable and supporting community-led initiatives where they are needed most.
| Mistake | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Being too vague | Use specific case studies with names, numbers, and locations |
| Not answering the question | Underline the command word and refer back to it throughout your answer |
| Listing without explaining | Always explain why something matters, not just what it is |
| One-sided arguments | For evaluate/assess/discuss questions, always present multiple perspectives |
| No conclusion | Extended answers must end with a clear, reasoned judgement |
| Ignoring SPaG | Write in full sentences with correct spelling and punctuation — 3 marks depend on it |
| Running out of time | Spend roughly 1 minute per mark — a 9-mark question should take about 12 minutes (including planning) |
Use these questions to test your knowledge and exam technique. For each one, plan your answer before writing.
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