GCSE (9–1) GEOGRAPHY A — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER: The World Around Us
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J383/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Geography A The World Around Us Paper (OCR J383/02) brings together the
complete official examination paper and its accompanying mark scheme to form a clear, rigorous,
and fully aligned revision resource. This component assesses students’ understanding of global
geographical themes, including ecosystems of the planet, environmental threats, global
development, and the complex interactions between physical and human processes across different
world regions. Learners are expected to interpret diverse geographical data, analyse spatial
patterns, compare global contexts, and apply conceptual knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios. The
paper also evaluates students’ ability to construct balanced arguments, draw justified conclusions,
and demonstrate secure case-study understanding alongside accurate use of geographical
terminology. By aligning each question with its detailed marking guidance, this resource makes
examiner expectations explicit, highlights what is required for top-band responses, and supports
confident, structured exam practice. It reinforces analytical, evaluative, and decision-making skills
while helping students refine their use of evidence and reasoning—ultimately preparing them
thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Geography A (The World Around Us) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Ecosystems of the Planet
1
(a) Look at Fig. 1 in the Resource Booklet.
(i) Name the hot desert which covers the largest area on Fig. 1.
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(ii) Describe the distribution of hot deserts shown on Fig. 1.
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(iii) State two climate features associated with hot desert ecosystems.
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[2]
(iv) Describe how animals adapt to live in a hot desert ecosystem.
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© OCR 2025
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Look at Fig. 2 in the Resource Booklet.
(b) Explain how the nutrient cycle operates in a coral reef ecosystem.
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© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
CASE STUDY
Threats to tropical rainforest biodiversity
Tropical rainforest studied: ...............................................................................................................
(c) * Explain how threats to biodiversity affect interdependence in a tropical rainforest.
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© OCR 2025
All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J383/02]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Geography A The World Around Us Paper (OCR J383/02) brings together the
complete official examination paper and its accompanying mark scheme to form a clear, rigorous,
and fully aligned revision resource. This component assesses students’ understanding of global
geographical themes, including ecosystems of the planet, environmental threats, global
development, and the complex interactions between physical and human processes across different
world regions. Learners are expected to interpret diverse geographical data, analyse spatial
patterns, compare global contexts, and apply conceptual knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios. The
paper also evaluates students’ ability to construct balanced arguments, draw justified conclusions,
and demonstrate secure case-study understanding alongside accurate use of geographical
terminology. By aligning each question with its detailed marking guidance, this resource makes
examiner expectations explicit, highlights what is required for top-band responses, and supports
confident, structured exam practice. It reinforces analytical, evaluative, and decision-making skills
while helping students refine their use of evidence and reasoning—ultimately preparing them
thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Geography A (The World Around Us) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Ecosystems of the Planet
1
(a) Look at Fig. 1 in the Resource Booklet.
(i) Name the hot desert which covers the largest area on Fig. 1.
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Describe the distribution of hot deserts shown on Fig. 1.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [3]
(iii) State two climate features associated with hot desert ecosystems.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(iv) Describe how animals adapt to live in a hot desert ecosystem.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
Look at Fig. 2 in the Resource Booklet.
(b) Explain how the nutrient cycle operates in a coral reef ecosystem.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
CASE STUDY
Threats to tropical rainforest biodiversity
Tropical rainforest studied: ...............................................................................................................
(c) * Explain how threats to biodiversity affect interdependence in a tropical rainforest.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
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© OCR 2025
