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AQA GCSE GEOGRAPHY 8035/2 PAPER 2 CHALLENGES IN
THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PRACTICE EXAM BANK: 100
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Human Geography / Development-Studies & Environmental Geography /
Economics
Exam coverage:
❖ Section 1 (Q1–35): Urban issues and challenges, including
global urbanisation, megacities, case studies of Lagos and
Rio, urban change in the UK, and sustainable urban living.
❖ Section 2 (Q36–70): The changing economic world, covering
development indicators, the development gap, case studies
of Nigeria and Jamaica, and the UK's changing economy.
❖ Section 3 (Q71–100): The challenge of resource
management, including food, water, and energy security,
sustainable management strategies, and case studies such
as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and
Chambamontera.
Section 1: Urban Issues and Challenges (Questions 1–35)
Question 1
Global urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of a
population that lives in towns and cities. The rate of
urbanisation varies significantly between different types of
countries. Which of the following statements best describes the
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current pattern of global urbanisation?
A. Urbanisation is happening fastest in high-income countries
(HICs).
B. Urbanisation is happening fastest in low-income countries
(LICs) and newly emerging economies (NEEs).
C. Urbanisation is decreasing globally.
D. Urbanisation is only occurring in Europe.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Urbanisation is happening fastest in LICs and
NEEs due to rural-to-urban migration and natural increase.
Option A is incorrect because HICs are already highly
urbanised. Option C is incorrect because urbanisation is
increasing globally. Option D is incorrect because urbanisation
is a global phenomenon.
Question 2
A megacity is defined as a city with a population of over 10
million people. The number of megacities has grown rapidly in
recent decades. Which of the following best describes where
most megacities are now located?
A. Only in North America and Europe
B. Mostly in Asia, Latin America, and Africa
C. Only in Australia
D. Only in the Middle East
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Most megacities are now located in Asia, Latin
America, and Africa, with countries like China, India, and Brazil
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having several. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
megacities are distributed across multiple continents, not
confined to one region.
Question 3
Rural-to-urban migration is a major driver of urbanisation in LICs
and NEEs. Which of the following is a push factor that drives
people from rural areas to cities?
A. Better employment opportunities
B. Better access to education
C. Mechanisation of agriculture reducing the need for labour
D. Higher quality housing in cities
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Push factors drive people away from rural areas,
and the mechanisation of agriculture reduces the need for
manual labour, leading to rural unemployment. Options A, B,
and D are pull factors that attract people to cities.
Question 4
Rapid urbanisation in LICs and NEEs creates both opportunities
and challenges. Which of the following is a social opportunity
created by urban growth?
A. Increased traffic congestion
B. Better access to healthcare and education
C. Poor air quality
D. Overcrowded housing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Urban growth can improve access to healthcare
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and education, which are social opportunities. Options A, C,
and D are challenges associated with urban growth, not
opportunities.
Question 5
Squatter settlements are a common challenge in rapidly
urbanising cities in LICs and NEEs. Which of the following best
describes a squatter settlement?
A. An area of high-quality housing built by the government
B. An area of illegal, self-built housing with poor access to basic
services
C. An area of commercial development
D. An area of protected green space
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Squatter settlements are illegal, self-built housing
areas with inadequate access to water, sanitation, and
electricity. Option A describes government housing. Options C
and D do not describe squatter settlements.
Question 6
A PMHNP is not relevant here. The correct question is: Which of
the following is a strategy used to improve squatter settlements
in LICs and NEEs?
A. Evicting residents without compensation
B. Site and service schemes providing land and basic
infrastructure
C. Ignoring the problem
D. Building new cities elsewhere
AQA GCSE GEOGRAPHY 8035/2 PAPER 2 CHALLENGES IN
THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PRACTICE EXAM BANK: 100
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
Human Geography / Development-Studies & Environmental Geography /
Economics
Exam coverage:
❖ Section 1 (Q1–35): Urban issues and challenges, including
global urbanisation, megacities, case studies of Lagos and
Rio, urban change in the UK, and sustainable urban living.
❖ Section 2 (Q36–70): The changing economic world, covering
development indicators, the development gap, case studies
of Nigeria and Jamaica, and the UK's changing economy.
❖ Section 3 (Q71–100): The challenge of resource
management, including food, water, and energy security,
sustainable management strategies, and case studies such
as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and
Chambamontera.
Section 1: Urban Issues and Challenges (Questions 1–35)
Question 1
Global urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of a
population that lives in towns and cities. The rate of
urbanisation varies significantly between different types of
countries. Which of the following statements best describes the
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current pattern of global urbanisation?
A. Urbanisation is happening fastest in high-income countries
(HICs).
B. Urbanisation is happening fastest in low-income countries
(LICs) and newly emerging economies (NEEs).
C. Urbanisation is decreasing globally.
D. Urbanisation is only occurring in Europe.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Urbanisation is happening fastest in LICs and
NEEs due to rural-to-urban migration and natural increase.
Option A is incorrect because HICs are already highly
urbanised. Option C is incorrect because urbanisation is
increasing globally. Option D is incorrect because urbanisation
is a global phenomenon.
Question 2
A megacity is defined as a city with a population of over 10
million people. The number of megacities has grown rapidly in
recent decades. Which of the following best describes where
most megacities are now located?
A. Only in North America and Europe
B. Mostly in Asia, Latin America, and Africa
C. Only in Australia
D. Only in the Middle East
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Most megacities are now located in Asia, Latin
America, and Africa, with countries like China, India, and Brazil
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having several. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
megacities are distributed across multiple continents, not
confined to one region.
Question 3
Rural-to-urban migration is a major driver of urbanisation in LICs
and NEEs. Which of the following is a push factor that drives
people from rural areas to cities?
A. Better employment opportunities
B. Better access to education
C. Mechanisation of agriculture reducing the need for labour
D. Higher quality housing in cities
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Push factors drive people away from rural areas,
and the mechanisation of agriculture reduces the need for
manual labour, leading to rural unemployment. Options A, B,
and D are pull factors that attract people to cities.
Question 4
Rapid urbanisation in LICs and NEEs creates both opportunities
and challenges. Which of the following is a social opportunity
created by urban growth?
A. Increased traffic congestion
B. Better access to healthcare and education
C. Poor air quality
D. Overcrowded housing
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Urban growth can improve access to healthcare
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and education, which are social opportunities. Options A, C,
and D are challenges associated with urban growth, not
opportunities.
Question 5
Squatter settlements are a common challenge in rapidly
urbanising cities in LICs and NEEs. Which of the following best
describes a squatter settlement?
A. An area of high-quality housing built by the government
B. An area of illegal, self-built housing with poor access to basic
services
C. An area of commercial development
D. An area of protected green space
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Squatter settlements are illegal, self-built housing
areas with inadequate access to water, sanitation, and
electricity. Option A describes government housing. Options C
and D do not describe squatter settlements.
Question 6
A PMHNP is not relevant here. The correct question is: Which of
the following is a strategy used to improve squatter settlements
in LICs and NEEs?
A. Evicting residents without compensation
B. Site and service schemes providing land and basic
infrastructure
C. Ignoring the problem
D. Building new cities elsewhere
