Climate Change (OCR GCSE Geography)

Topic Questions

1a1 mark

Choose the correct definition of climate change.

  • Global warming.

  • Large-scale, long-term changes in average temperatures and weather patterns. 

  • The difference in temperature and weather during different seasons

  • The short-term warming of the Earth.

1b2 marks

Study Fig. 2, a painting from 1677 of the frozen River Thames.

fig-2-insert-paper1-june-2018-ocr-gcse-geography

Figure 2

Explain how this painting could be used as evidence for climate change

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21 mark

The graph and table below show the average September Arctic sea ice extent between 1975 and 2015.

q4c-qp-paper1-june-2018-ocr-gcse-geography

Year 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Arctic sea ice extent 
(1000000sqkm) 
7.2 7.8 6.9 6.2 6.1 6.4 5.6 4.9 3.6


Which of these statements describing the trend shown on this graph is true?

  • The sea ice extent in 1975 and 1985 was the same. 

  • The sea ice has decreased most rapidly between 1985 and 2000

  • The sea ice has decreased most rapidly between 2000 and 2015

  • The sea ice has rapidly increased from 2000 to 2015

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31 mark

Study Fig. 1, a graph showing atmospheric carbon dioxide from ice cores. Select the correct description of the trend shown by the graph in Fig. 1.

fig-1-insert-paper1-june-2019-ocr-gcse-geography

Figure 1

  • fairly stable until 1800 then a sudden and very rapid rise

  • only increases from 1000 to 2000

  • small fluctuations all the way from 1000 to 2000

  • stable at around 280ppm, then a large decrease at the end

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4a1 mark

Study Fig. 1, which shows global temperature trends over time.

fig-1-gcse-ocr-geography-b-paper-1-j384-01

Figure 1

 Identify the region with the largest decrease in temperature.

4b1 mark

Study Fig. 1, which shows global temperature trends over time.

fig-1-gcse-ocr-geography-b-paper-1-j384-01

Figure1

What is the most common temperature change shown for the UK?

4c1 mark

Study Fig. 1, which shows global temperature trends over time.

fig-1-gcse-ocr-geography-b-paper-1-j384-01

Figure1

Give one region that experienced a temperature increase of 0.4–0.5 °C.

4d1 mark

Study Fig. 1, which shows global temperature trends over time.

fig-1-gcse-ocr-geography-b-paper-1-j384-01

Figure 1

Suggest one change to Fig. 1 to improve it.

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5a2 marks

The graph below shows sunspot cycles between 1970 and 2017

q1b-gcse-ocr-geography-b-paper-1-j384-01

In 2000 there were 150 sunspots. Use this information to complete the graph. 

5b1 mark

Use the graph to identify the average timing of one sunspot cycle

  • 1 year

  • 11 years

  • 17 years

  • 20 years

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6a1 mark

Study Fig. 4, which shows changes in Arctic sea ice positions over time. Identify the overall trend shown in Fig. 4

fig-4-insert-paper1-nov-2020-ocr-gcse-geography

Figure 4

  • sea ice has decreased

  • sea ice has decreased initially and then increased at the end

  • sea ice has increased

  • sea ice has stayed the same

6b2 marks

Explain how sea ice positions can be used as evidence for climate change.

6c2 marks

Give two worldwide environmental impacts of climate change

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7a1 mark

Study Fig. 2, which shows a section of an ice core.

fig-2-insert-nov-2021-paper1-ocr-gcse-geography

Figure 2

Using Fig. 2, state how many years of snow accumulation are shown by this ice core.

7b1 mark

Which of the following would be the most useful piece of information which could be added to Fig. 2.

fig-2-insert-nov-2021-paper1-ocr-gcse-geography

Figure 2

  • scale showing the dates before present

  • thickness in cm

  • thickness in km

  • where the ice core came from

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83 marks

Outline the theory of how sunspots are linked to climate change.

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9a1 mark

Look at the graph below.
q2c-qp-nov-2021-paper1-ocr-gcse-geography

Describe the overall change in atmospheric CO2 between 1970 and 2010.

9b1 mark

Identify the largest contributor to atmospheric CO2.

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106 marks

Examine the possible economic impacts of climate change on the UK.

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18 marks

‘The worldwide economic impacts of climate change are more concerning than the environmental impacts.’

 To what extent do you agree with this statement?

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28 marks

Analyse the impacts that humans have had on the atmosphere.

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14 marks

The graph below shows the changes in global temperature over the last 400000 years.

q2b-qp-paper1-june-2018-ocr-gcse-geography-1

Using data from the graph, describe the trend shown

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26 marks

Suggest why climate change is considered to be a global issue.

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34 marks

Discuss how reliable data on atmospheric carbon dioxide collected from ice cores is as evidence for climate change.

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46 marks

Explain the possible social impacts of climate change within the UK

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56 marks

Examine the possible economic impacts of climate change on the UK.

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