Get That Grade

GET THAT GRADE!
Unit 10

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Test 10

Issues in Geography

!	Please note that the feedback for Test 10 of Get That Grade! is available under Unit 10 Feedback

This test is designed to give you practice at putting forward geographical arguments to support particular points of view. Both questions involve some memory work – but not as much as previous tests have done.

Your main aim in the first question should be to present logical, reasoned arguments to support a point of view.

Your main aim in the second should be to put forward two different sides of a debate, and then to choose between those sides.

1

Imagine that you work for an electricity-generating company. The company operates a coal-fired power station. This was built several years ago.

Recent developments in the industry mean that the power station is going to be altered to make it less polluting. The company is going to add a ‘scrubber’ system to the power station. This technology takes a large proportion of the sulphur out of the waste gases from the station.

Unfortunately this new technology is quite expensive, so average costs will rise by 5%.

Write a letter to your customers to explain:

	(i)	what is meant by ‘acid rain’	(2)
	(ii)	two problems caused by acid rain	(4)
	(iii)	how, at present, the power station is adding to this problem	(2)
	(iv)	the advantages of the new technology	(2)
	(v)	why the customers have to pay increased prices	(4)

2

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) owns a piece of land in the fen region of East Anglia. This area is low and flat, and easily flooded. Much of the Fens has been drained for intensive agriculture, but the RSPB keeps their land as a wetland habitat, without draining it. It has become an important bird sanctuary. Many species live there permanently, and others stop there on their migrations. It is the most important stopping place in Europe for migrating swans.

This year a neighbouring land owner applied for permission to develop a wind farm on his land. The wind farm would consist of 12 wind turbines, lying between 200 metres and 1 kilometre from the RSPB’s land. This would be enough to generate enough energy for about 500 people, reducing the country’s need to use fossil fuels.

Unfortunately the proposed farm lies right across one of the main routes into the sanctuary used by migrating birds. It is feared that birds in flight might collide with the turbines. It is also feared that the operation of the turbines might disturb birds that are nesting, feeding or roosting on the site. The farm is also close to a village, and residents are opposed to the development at that location.

	(i)	Give three reasons why the development of wind farms can bring benefits to the country. Explain each of these benefits.	(6)
	(ii)	Give three reasons why this site might not be ideal. Explain each of these reasons.	(8)
	(iii)	Imagine that you work for RSPB but that you do not live in the nearby village. Would you support the development of a wind farm on this site? Explain your answer.	(6)