WJEC GCSE Geography Quick Tips Paper 2

2. Three questions- choose
Changing Coasts
Retail and urban change
Tourism

3. State the meaning of.... (2)
Usually for definitions, data response,
notice the marks, this indicates you
need to give an example.

4. Reason – to give a cause or
justification.

5. Describe- say what it shows.
1. Describe the general pattern.
2. Give figures, dates, place names.
3. Provide any exceptions.

6. Explain- say why it has happened.
Explanation questions usually carry 3
marks- think
Point
Consequence
Elaboration

7. Evaluate – to give the good and bad
points

8. http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverxraven/2995854149/

9. •Erosion – mechanical wearing away of rocks
•Corrasion – rocks hurled at the base of a cliff between high and low
tide
•Attrition – rocks smashing and rubbing against each other become
smaller over time
•Solution – rocks dissolve by the sea
•Hydraulic action – water forced into cracks, the pressure causes them
to widen
•Long shore drift – the zigzag movement of material along a coastline
(Swash and Backwash)
•Deposition - the dropping of rock

10. Prevailing wind.
Waves travel towards the
beach at an angle driven
by the prevailing wind-
moving material towards
the beach- SWASH.
Waves runs back down at
right angles to the beach-
following the steepest
gradient under gravity-
called BACKWASH.
Material will travel with it.
In this way material is
transported along the
coastline- called Long
Shore Drift (L.S.D).

12. Draw a diagram that illustrates the
formation of a how a cliff retreat and
the formation of a wave cut platform.

13. 1.Between high and low tide rocks
are hurled at the base of a cliff-
corrasion.
2.This forms a wave cut notch.
3.Continued corrasion will cause the
wave cut notch to expand.
4.The rock above the wave cut notch
becomes unstable and collapses into
the sea.
5.The cliff has now retreated.
6.A wave cut platform is left behind-
erosion cannot take place below low
tide.
FORMATION OF A WAVE CUT PLATFORM

14. Draw a diagram that illustrates how a
coastal stack forms.

15. The headland is
made of chalk which
is sedimentary, lines
of weakness run
throughout it.
Between high and
low tide corrasion
occurs.
Corrasion will
continue to
undercut the cliff,
forming a cave.
If two caves are
formed either side
of a headland
corrasion will erode
them backwards till
they meet.
Continued corrasion
undercuts the base
of the arch, it will
collapse to form a
stack.
Continued corrasion
at the base of the
stack will undercut
it; it will collapse to
form a stump.
Hydraulic action will
exploit these
weaknesses, making
the cracks larger.
Corrasion produces
a wave cut notch at
the base of the cliff.
Corrasion evacuates
the cave so it
becomes larger and
deeper.
When they meet an
arch is formed.
Formation of a coastal stack

16. Draw a diagram that illustrates the
formation of a spit.

17. 7. The area behind the spit is
now sheltered encouraging
greater deposition- over time
a salt marsh may form.
6. Occasionally the wind direction may
change- this will also change the
direction of LSD.- this cause the spit to
curve.
‘With the aid of a labelled diagram, explain the
formation of the spit at Blakeney Point.’
4. Here there is a change in direction of
the coastline, this means the sea is quite
calm and shallow.
5. This encourages deposition to occur
and a spit begins to form. LSD can
continue.
3. Material is moved along the beach in
a zig-zag motion- called long shore drift.
1. Direction of the prevailing wind-
North-East.
2. Swash transports material up the
beach. Backwash transports material
down the beach.
8.Here the spit is limited from
developing further by a river- which will
carry material away.

18. EROSION MANAGEMENT
Hard engineering
techniques.
Controlled disruption
of a natural process
by using man-made
structures.
•Sea walls
•Groynes
•Gabions
Soft engineering
techniques.
Use of environmentally
sustainable strategies to
reduce the impact of a
natural process.
•Beach nourishment

19. CASE STUDY OF A COASTAL MANAGEMENT- HOLDERNESS COAST,
UK
Causes
•Soft clay cliffs.
•Long fetch from North-East
•2 metres of erosion per year.
Strategy
•Roll back policy.
•Caravan parks moved 400 metres from the coast.
•New developments must be 30-200 metres from the coast.
•Only major settlements protected.
Mappleton- 450 metres of cliffs protected. 61,500 tonnes of rock
armour, two groynes and sloping revetment.

20. Protecting Against Coastal Flooding
Reasons for increased coastal flooding
• Rising temperatures, leading to melting of land based
ice and thermal expansion.
• Warmer seas leading to more intense tropical storms,
.i.e cyclones, resulting in storm surges and heavy
rainfall.
• Coastlines are densely populated, increasing the ice of
flooding.
Thames Barrier, London - Hard
Engineering
• Open 1983
• Current cost £1.6 billion
• 10 gates raised within 30 minutes to stop storm
surges
• Protects 80 billion pounds of assets
• Protects 12 million people
•  No flood in central London since opening
•  Will need to be rebuilt in the future – 2030.
Bangladesh- Hard/Soft Engineering
• Afforestation along the coastline
• Development of flood walls in some area
• Public education about living next to the coast
• Early warning system of potential flooding events
• Cyclone shelters
Medberry, West Sussex- Soft
Engineering
• U.K’s largest scheme- £28 million pounds
• Original shingle beach unsustainable- required
maintenance each year- risk increase die to sea
level change. Cost £300,000 a year. Breached 14
times since 1994.
• Sea will be allowed to flood, defences built further
inland. 7km flood wall 2 km inland- protect from 1
in 1000 year flood
• Previous flood in March 2008 caused £5 million
pounds of damage.
• 183 hectares of land.

21. EXAM QUESTION

22. Area Why at risk? Social impacts Economic Impacts Environmental
Impacts
Bangladesh  25% only 12
metres above sea
level
 On Ganges Delta
 Experiences
cyclone activities
 Low GNP $1,800 -
therefore can’t
invest in
widespread hard
engineering
techniques
 Densely populated
161 million people
 Increase in
standing water
leading to disease
i.e. Cholera
 Food insecurity
 Estimated 4,600
deaths and 75,000
injuries per year
by 2050
 Predicted 20
million flooding
refugees by 2050
 Reduction in GNP
due to damage to
industry,
estimated at $1
billion a year by
2050
 Increased cost of
flood protection,
increased tax or
debt- estimated at
$17 million a year
 Destruction of
home and
property
estimated at $1.9
billion dollars per
year by 2050
 Pollution of fresh
water supplies
 Loss of fertile
agricultural land,
830,000 hectares
lost since 2000.
 Resulting in food
insecurity/ rising
food prices
 Estimated 30% of
species to be lost
due to flooding by
2030

23. Area Why at risk? Social impacts Economic Impacts Environmental
Impacts
London, U.K.  Isostatic
readjustment-
South-East sinking
into the sea
 Extract of water
from clay
foundations
resulted in
subsidence.
 Exposed to storm
surges, due to
funnelling water
from between
Channel and
continent
 City densely
populated 12
million people
 Building on
Thames floodplain
 Potential risk to 12
million people-
loss of life and
injury
 420,000 homes at
risk
 Homelessness and
loss of
possessions
 Flooding of sewers
leading to illness
 400 schools and
16 hospitals at risk
 29% of Londoners
have no insurance
 £80 billion worth
of real estate
 Financial capital of
world- impact on
the value of stocks
and shares across
the world
 Funding of flood
defence schemes
Thames Barrier
needs replacing by
2030, estimated
cost £4 billion
 Likely to be
publically funded
by taxpayer
 350 sq km of land
at potential risk
 55 sq km of
habitat sites
 3100 hectares of
sensitive heritage
sites
 4 World heritage
sites i.e.
Westminster
Abbey
 Wide range of
birds, i.e.
Lapwings, and
mammals, i.e.
voles.

24. EXAM QUESTION

25. Explain how erosion and deposition can change the shape of a coastline.
Using your own knowledge, describe and explain how people make use of the coastline.
Describe some of the threats that coastal erosion can bring. Explain how the coastline can be protected.
Describe how corrasion (abrasion) erodes the cliffs.
Draw an annotated diagram to explain the movement of sand and pebbles along a beach.
Describe ways in which rapid erosion by the sea affects the lives of people who live along the coast.
Explain two ways that could be used to protect the coastline from erosion. Use an example or examples to help your
answer.
Explain how hydraulic action erodes cliffs.
Draw an annotated diagram to explain why processes of coastal erosion, other than hydraulic action, may result in cliff
retreat.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies to manage the coastline. Use one or more examples you
have studied to help your answer.
Explain how named processes lead to the formation of one coastal landform. You must use one or more labelled
diagrams to support your answer.
Rising sea-levels pose a threat to many coastal areas. Explain how different coastal management strategies along the
coastline can be used to reduce this threat. Refer to named places.
Describe how hard engineering strategies, like the use of groynes, can help protect the coastline from erosion by waves.
Evidence shows that coastal environments may need to be managed differently in the future. What do you think is the
most sustainable way to manage coastlines in the face of rising sea level? Explain your reasons for recommending this
strategy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

26. http://www.flickr.com/photos/carreon/462155740/

27. Factors influencing the growth of
tourism.
Increase in leisure time.
Increase in disposable incomes.
Cheaper travel, increase in travel options.
Rise of global media.
Increased wealth and health of pensioners.

28. Exam question

29. TOURISM
BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
 Employment  Seasonal, low skill, low pay
 Positive multiplier effect
within community
 Profits may leak abroad-
foreign owned facilities
 Cultural exchanges  Clashes between differing
lifestyles
 Maintains cultural heritage  Environmental damage by
increased numbers
 Develops local infrastructure  May put a strain on local
services/utilities
 Growing market  Destinations may become
unpopular/unfashionable

30. Exam question

31. Location Why go? Positive Impact Negative
Impacts
Sustainability
Nam Ha, Laos Ethically diverse
-33 tribes
View village life
Deciduous
forest
288 species
birds/37
mammal
species
8% income used
for community
projects
Slash and burn
agriculture has
reduced.
Hunters have
been deterred
by the presence
of outsiders.
Some villagers
are concerned
about increasing
materialism,
including
begging.
Some tourists
have
complained the
village stays are
somewhat
voyeuristic.
Niche market
Small groups
people
Live with locals
Low impact
activities
Nam Ha, Laos

32. Location Why go? Positive Impact Negative
Impacts
Sustainability
Peak District,
Derbyshire
Visiting market
towns
Visiting historic
houses
Cultural events i.e.
well dressing.
Walking
Climbing
Cycling
Rock climbing
Camping
Tourists spend
£356 million a
year.
Generates
employment, 2000
jobs in hotels and
catering, though
seasonal.
Employment
brings skills in the
tourist industry.
Multiplier effect,
worth an
additional £125
million
Towns have
become
dominated by
tourist shops, at
the expense of
local needs, for
example Bakewell.
Increased visitor
numbers,
increases, wear
and tear on
buildings and
monuments.
The popularity of
the area has
encouraged the
development of
second homes
Soil erosion
Replace eroded
areas with natural
stone.
Reroute walkers
from areas of
heavy erosion.
Lay down
geotextile mats
Ban walkers from
some areas
altogether.
Peak District, Derbyshire

33. Mark scheme
Level descriptor
Level 1 1-2 marks
List or simple description of advantages/disadvantages.
Information is communicated by brief statements. There is a basic structure. There is reasonable
accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Level 2 3-4 marks
One or more advantages/disadvantages are described with some elaboration.
May not be balanced between people and/or environment. Reference to MEDC region is
generalised and lacks detail. Max 4 marks for an LEDC
Communication is clear and logical. Spelling, punctuation and grammar have considerable accuracy.
Level 3 5-6 marks
Description / explanation of advantages and / or disadvantages of tourism on both people and the
environment.
Reference to an MEDC region is specific.
Communication is clear, logical and has structure. Specialist terms are used with proficiency.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar have considerable accuracy.
Level 4 7-8 marks
Advantages and disadvantages of tourism on both people and the environment are explained with
more than one example of elaboration.
Reference to an MEDC region is specific and detailed.
Communication is very clear, sophisticated and well structured. Specialist terms are used adeptly.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar have consistent accuracy.
Explain why tourism can bring both
advantages and disadvantages for
people and the environment of one
MEDC region you have studied. [8]

34. James
I have studied the Peak District. An advantage of tourist going to the area is that they provide jobs
for local people at tourist attractions like Chatsworth House; this means that local people are
employed. If people are employed they are more likely to spend in the local area, this creates more
business for local traders- this is called the positive multiplier effect.
The disadvantage of these jobs are that they are often low paid and seasonal, this means that people
are likely to be out of work in the slower winter months and will need to find alternative employment.
Tourists often travel to the Peak District to walk, but this has created huge areas of erosion along the
Pennine Way. Hundreds of people walking off the paths remove the vegetation; the soil is then
washed away when it rains. As a result vegetation can’t regrow on these areas, this look unsightly.
Tourists thought also provide income that maintains the environment, without tourist receipts
historic locations like Chatsworth House could not be maintained as they are not funded by the
government.
Level Mark
Positives
Improvements
Peer assessment

35. Location Why go? Positive Impact Negative
Impacts
Sustainability
Ibiza, Spain Beaches
Sun- over 2,700
hours of sunlight a
year
Warm
temperatures in
summer reaching
up to 30 degrees
Clubbing scene
Unemployed is
only 4% compared
to Spain’s 14%.
Tourists spend in
the local
economy- positive
multiplier effect
72% of Ibiza’s GDP
is from tourism.
Mainly jobs are
seasonal and low
skill/low pay
Many jobs go to
foreign nationals -
13%
Farmers annoyed
about tourists
damaging crops
within fields.
Focusing on more
exclusive crowd of
visitors- encourage
the development
on top end hotels.
All new hotels
have to be 5*
Local government
is enforcing early
closing of bars and
clubs to limit noise
pollution
Ibiza, Spain

36. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Explain how any two natural factors can lead to the development of tourism in one region you have studied.
Explain how tourism can have a negative impact on the environment in an MEDC.
Why have LEDCs attempted to develop sustainable tourism? Why have these efforts been sometimes
abandoned?
Give two reasons that help to explain why more people may decide to take their holidays in the UK instead of
going abroad.
Explain why tourism can bring both advantages and disadvantages for people and the environment of one
region you have studied.
Explain how tourism can have different impacts on one MEDC region you have studied.
Explain how tourism can be managed sustainably.
Describe how tourism can be developed in a sustainable way.
Explain how tourism can bring disadvantages for people and the environment. Use a located example to help
your answer.

38. How are city centres changing? Nottingham
• £3.5 billion pound private- public regeneration
• Improving the city centre
• Market Place- £7 million pound make-over
• Pedestrianisation of shopping areas
• Use of heritagisation- Victorian signs and furniture
• Attracting shops- allowing the redevelopment of Broadmarsh
shopping centre
• Development of improved public transport links- new tram lines and improved train
station
• Development of waterfront areas along the canals and the River Trent
• Investment in inner city communities such as St.Anns and Sneinton
• Sneinton Market
• Creating a creative quarter for the media industry.
• Improved environment in ex-industrial areas, i.e. Hockley, has lead to private
gentrification. Area now focused upon nightlife and entertainment.
Remember you can also use
Freiburg as an example of
urban change…

39. How are city centres changing? Nottingham- Impacts
Daytime- focus on retail
Negative Positive
Mostly part-time, low
paid jobs
Job creation 9/10 jobs
in services
Unemployment below
national average
High cost of
regeneration on local
population i.e. tax
burden
Increased number of
beggars and street
crime 53 per 1000
compared to national
average of 29
Retail generates
£1,280 million in the
city
3rd largest shopping
area in country
1300 outlets
Night time- focus on leisure and
entertainment
Negative Positive
Increased cost
of policing
Top stag and hen
do destination
11 million night
time visitors a
year
Disturbance to
city residents
Increase in
crime – 20%
crimes linked to
alcohol
300 bars and
clubs
Creation of jobs

40. Exam question

41. Changing shopping
Case study of an out of town
shopping area: Meadowhall,
Sheffield
Internet shopping
i.e. Amazon
• £7 billion pounds profit, controversially no corporate
tax paid in U.K
• Employs 20,000 people across 8 warehouses
• Concerns over zero hour contracts, strict working
conditions – workers can walk up to 11 miles in 10.5
shift
• Concerns about impacts on high street i.e. decline of
HMW etc…
Positives
 24 hour access
 Wider range of goods
 Purchases can be made from across the world
 Delivered to your door
Negatives
 Waiting for deliveries to come, or not turn up
 You do not get to view the purchase beforehand
 Sometimes complex return processes
 Fraud!
Access
Ex-industrial site- large
12,000 car parking
spaces
300 coach spaces
120 buses per hour
Train and train access
All reduced friction of
distance.
Shopping
233 stores, many
multiple
Longer opening hours
Shopping environment
Undercover
CCTV
Light and bright
Vegetation
Leisure
World’s largest food
court
11 cinema screens
Special events i.e.
classical concerts and tea
dances.

42. Changing shopping
Impact of out of town shopping
CBD Outskirts
Few shoppers Loss of greenfield land,
urban sprawl
Increased vacant units,
less choice for shoppers
Decline in shopping
environment
Increased traffic
congestion
Why have out of town shopping
stores developed?
• Land is cheaper on the outskirts of cities
• Large areas of land- allows large stores, larger
range of products.. Also allows a large car park.
• Large area of land allows stores to be built on one
level
• Better access for cars via roads- reduces the
friction of distance
• Environment is often attractive on the outskirts of
a city.
Enhancing the High Street, Ilkeston
Replicate the conditions of OFT shopping
• Pedestrianisation
• CCTV
• Undercover areas i.e. Albion Centre
• Improving shop frontages
• Greening – vegetation
• Free car parking
• Exploiting heritage
Why have our shopping habits
changed?
• Cars allow bulk buying, reducing frequency of
visits needed
• Monthly wage packets
• Fridge and freezers allow bulk buying
• Cheaper technology in the home and access to the
internet.

43. Exam question

44. Consumer choices
Case study, Cocoa farming in
Ghana (Chocolate)
Ghana Cocoa
farmers
• Low profit,
price goes up
and down
• Small farms
• Labour
intensive-,
including
children, injury
from snakes,
using machete
• Poor quality of
life, lack of
healthcare,
access to
education
Fairtrade
• Set price- covers
cost of
production
• Paid upfront to
farmer to allow
planning
• Collective
• Consumer pays
20% - social
premium used
for quality of life
projects
Case study, China- Apple
Social 
• 47,000 employee directly
• 230,000 indirectly
• Jobs for graduates in research and development
Economic 
• Supports 349 supplies- positive multiplier effect
• Expanding stores from 13 to 25
• Billion dollar investment
Environmental
• Recycling of e-waste creates jobs
Social 
• Low paid long hours, 69 hrs a week $10 dollars a week
Economic 
• Profits $1.3 billion leak abroad
• Company exempt from first 15% of tax
Environmental 
• 37 manufacturers known to be serious polluters
• 70% of e-waste ends in China
• Contamination of groundwater with heavy metals
You could also discuss
the impact of buying
Cocoa Cola.

45. Consumer choices
Case study, tomato farming in Ghana
Background Impact on Ghana.
 E.U. produces 16 million tonnes of tomatoes each year.
Second only to China.
 E.U. provides £250 million pounds of subsidy each year to
tomato farmers in Europe.
 The EU currently puts an import tariff of 15% on tomatoes.
 The impact of the subsidies is to reduce the cost of tomato
paste and canned tomatoes by 65%.
 As a result this makes E.U. tomatoes products cheaper.
 The E.U. is therefore a major exporter of tomatoes.
 If the subsidy was to be removed, this export market would
collapse.
 Imports would increase by 100%.
 World prices would increase by 5%.
 It currently generates 250 million Euros for the European
economy.
 Ghana adds a tariff of 25% for imported tomatoes.
 The World Bank has forced Ghana to remove import quotas
on tomatoes into the country, otherwise it wouldn’t receive
loans.
 The E.U. subsidies mean that the world price is depressed by
up to 5%.
 A European farmer’s tomato is half the cost of a Ghanaian
farmer’s tomato.
 Ghana farmers therefore get a very low price for their crop.
 As a result their quality of life is poor. Lack of healthcare,
nutrition and education.
 Crops are they left to rot in the field, if they can’t be sold.
 Domestic consumption has collapsed as Ghanaians purchase
cheaper imports.
 The country doesn’t have the factories to process the
tomatoes into secondary products which would command a
higher price.
You could also reuse this
case study as an example
of the impact of trade and
consumer choice.

46. Consumer choices
Food miles Organic shopping
Consumers only purchase food locally. Technically locally is
within 25 miles- this is mostly impossible!
Positives
 Reduces carbon footprint of household. Less fossil
fuel used for transport.
 Supports local farmers and producers.
 Know source of your food and how it has been grown
or reared.
 Food is more nutritious, quality hasn’t declined during
transport.
Negatives
 Reduced choice.
 Food may only be available in season.
 LEDC farmers may lose out; they tend to produce
primary foodstuffs.
 Food may be more expensive; UK farmers need to
maintain a fair quality of life.
 Food may be travelling a shorter distance, but
greenhouses may be needed to grow it within the UK,
therefore increasing the carbon footprint of the
products.
Consumers only buy food produced without the use of
chemicals.
Positives
 Reduces carbon footprint of household, no chemicals
need to be manufactured and used during
production.
 Chemicals do not leak into the environment,
therefore damaging it.
 Food is free from chemical residues. Safer for health?
 Some believe the food tastes better.
 Many organic farmers tend to be from LEDC
countries; therefore you are supporting their quality
of life.
Negatives
 Usually around 10% more expensive.
 Tends to be a smaller range of products.
 There is no evidence that organic products taste
better, or are better for your health.
 70% of organic food is imported, increasing carbon
footprints.

47. Exam question

48. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Explain why C.B.D.’s contain many national chain stores.
Name two land-uses found within the C.B.D. .
Describe and explain how changing shopping habits have made out of town shopping areas popular. To what extent are
these shopping centres a good development?
The shopping centre is next to the motorway. Using examples, explain the advantages of this type of location.
Explain why pedestrianisation, and other named recent changes, have attempted to make city centres more attractive to
shoppers.
Explain why city centres present opportunities and problems for locals and visitors at night time.
To what extent could the increasing use of the internet be a concern for traditional retail outlets in town and cities?
Explain how global trade can have advantages and disadvantages for people in developing countries. Use one or more
examples to help your answer.
Many people prefer to visit out of town shopping centres. Explain two factors why people prefer these locations to city
centres.
Describe how changes in customer choice are having an impact on the global environment.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages linked to the regeneration of one European city centre. Use an example of a
named place to help your answer.