A-Level Geography - Diverse Places
Paper 3 Revision Exam Questions With
Double Checked Answers
Explain how and why the population of the UK has grown unevenly over the last 50 years, with some
areas growing rapidly while other areas have grown more slowly (London versus the NE of England) -
(8) - ANS1970s: Decline in secondary industry in cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham
(deindustrialisation). An increase in unemployment and poor city living conditions encouraged
migration away from major city hubs. Docks became unnecessary, with improved plane
transportation, therefore large-scale dereliction in docks such as in Liverpool and Salford. Inward
international migration from Vietnam, Bangladesh and Chile (following a military coup).
1980s: Economic recession continues to cause unemployment and deindustrialisation in many towns
and cities. This discourages some international migrants, who are interested in better employment
opportunities in the UK. UK government begins to offer tax incentives and special economic zones to
try to encourage Foreign Direct Investment and TNCs establishing offices or manufacturing within the
UK. Inward international migration from China and Australia.
1990s: Growth in the UK population is mainly due to net migration. Conflict in the Balklans, Yemen
and Kosovo encourages international migration to the UK. The collapse of the Soviet Union also
encourages migration to the UK, as migrants wish to improve their quality of life.
2000s: Suburbanisation accelerates, creating new towns for highly-paid migrants to move into,
offering them a more rural lifestyle whilst maintaining their job in the city nearby. EU Freedom of
Movement - Increased migrants from the UK due to reduced limitations. Expansion of the EU (2004)
to include previously Soviet states increases the number of Polish, Slovakian and Lithuanian
migrants.
2010s: London's reputation continues to develop and attract new migrants by developing as a
multicultural city, shown through the Olympic Games. Conflict in Syria pushes asylum seekers into
the UK. Brexit causes uncertainty in migration and population patterns: increase
Explain how and why the population structure and density of the UK varies according to placement
along the rural to urban continuum - (8) - ANSThe rural-urban continuum is a classification that
distinguishes metropolitan counties by their population size, and nonmetropolitan counties by their
degree of urbanisation and closeness to metro areas.
, ➔ Population structure and density therefore varies according to placement in the rural-urban
continuum. If you are in a rural area, the population will be sparser than that of an urban area.
➔ Accessibility, physical factors, historical development and planning determine the rural-urban
divide and so have an influence over population settlements. Some slightly more rural zones such as
those within sub-urban areas may be considered desirable for their housing market given the more
affordable starting prices of family homes. E.g. Potters Bar, Hertfordshire / St. Albans, Hertfordshire.
➔ Population structures and dynamics change along the continuum based on an area's deemed
desirability (which is based upon individual perceptions). It is more so likely that urban areas or those
nearby in commuter villages will be deemed more attractive by young graduates or those of working
+ child-bearing age (close to a variety of well-regarded schools and job opportunities for parents).
Inner city areas are high density - given their desirability and their population structure is mostly an
equal gender split however is dominated by youthful or working age populations given the
educational / working opportunities.
Explain why population structure varies because of differences in fertility and mortality rates as well
as rates of international and internal migration (8) - ANSChanges to fertility + mortality rates:
- Idea of population structure in developed, urban areas having a lesser percentage of children /
young people (lower fertility rates). Changing role of women in society (more opportunities) -
women's vote (1928) and the establishment of the contraceptive pill in 1961. Idea of it being less
normalised and 'necessary' for women to solely focus upon raising families.
- Lower mortality rates: Improved healthcare (NHS formed in 1948) and improved lifestyles through
acts such as the 'Clean Air Act' of 1956. Larger elderly population as lower death rate and better
support for public health. In 2018 almost 2M of the UK population was 65+.
International and internal migration (how it affects population structure):
- Higher level of middle aged men within the population structure of global financial hubs such as
London as high levels of economic migration witnessed post the 2004 expansion of the EU to include
Poland, Czech Republic for example.
- Higher numbers of male than female economic migrants.
- Windrush generation of the 1960s led to high levels of immigrants from the Caribbean.
- Internal migration during the 2010s as rebranding and regeneration began, attempting to attract
private businesses. Prior residents in inner-city regions out-priced and forced to move into areas such
as Essex.
- Elderly populations concentrated in rural / seaside towns such as within Cornwall for retirement.
Idea of the population structure becoming dominated by this age group.
Explain why there is considerable variation in population characteristics (gender and ethnicity) both
in and between places? (8) - ANSVariation in pop. characteristics in urban settlements (within one
place):
Paper 3 Revision Exam Questions With
Double Checked Answers
Explain how and why the population of the UK has grown unevenly over the last 50 years, with some
areas growing rapidly while other areas have grown more slowly (London versus the NE of England) -
(8) - ANS1970s: Decline in secondary industry in cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham
(deindustrialisation). An increase in unemployment and poor city living conditions encouraged
migration away from major city hubs. Docks became unnecessary, with improved plane
transportation, therefore large-scale dereliction in docks such as in Liverpool and Salford. Inward
international migration from Vietnam, Bangladesh and Chile (following a military coup).
1980s: Economic recession continues to cause unemployment and deindustrialisation in many towns
and cities. This discourages some international migrants, who are interested in better employment
opportunities in the UK. UK government begins to offer tax incentives and special economic zones to
try to encourage Foreign Direct Investment and TNCs establishing offices or manufacturing within the
UK. Inward international migration from China and Australia.
1990s: Growth in the UK population is mainly due to net migration. Conflict in the Balklans, Yemen
and Kosovo encourages international migration to the UK. The collapse of the Soviet Union also
encourages migration to the UK, as migrants wish to improve their quality of life.
2000s: Suburbanisation accelerates, creating new towns for highly-paid migrants to move into,
offering them a more rural lifestyle whilst maintaining their job in the city nearby. EU Freedom of
Movement - Increased migrants from the UK due to reduced limitations. Expansion of the EU (2004)
to include previously Soviet states increases the number of Polish, Slovakian and Lithuanian
migrants.
2010s: London's reputation continues to develop and attract new migrants by developing as a
multicultural city, shown through the Olympic Games. Conflict in Syria pushes asylum seekers into
the UK. Brexit causes uncertainty in migration and population patterns: increase
Explain how and why the population structure and density of the UK varies according to placement
along the rural to urban continuum - (8) - ANSThe rural-urban continuum is a classification that
distinguishes metropolitan counties by their population size, and nonmetropolitan counties by their
degree of urbanisation and closeness to metro areas.
, ➔ Population structure and density therefore varies according to placement in the rural-urban
continuum. If you are in a rural area, the population will be sparser than that of an urban area.
➔ Accessibility, physical factors, historical development and planning determine the rural-urban
divide and so have an influence over population settlements. Some slightly more rural zones such as
those within sub-urban areas may be considered desirable for their housing market given the more
affordable starting prices of family homes. E.g. Potters Bar, Hertfordshire / St. Albans, Hertfordshire.
➔ Population structures and dynamics change along the continuum based on an area's deemed
desirability (which is based upon individual perceptions). It is more so likely that urban areas or those
nearby in commuter villages will be deemed more attractive by young graduates or those of working
+ child-bearing age (close to a variety of well-regarded schools and job opportunities for parents).
Inner city areas are high density - given their desirability and their population structure is mostly an
equal gender split however is dominated by youthful or working age populations given the
educational / working opportunities.
Explain why population structure varies because of differences in fertility and mortality rates as well
as rates of international and internal migration (8) - ANSChanges to fertility + mortality rates:
- Idea of population structure in developed, urban areas having a lesser percentage of children /
young people (lower fertility rates). Changing role of women in society (more opportunities) -
women's vote (1928) and the establishment of the contraceptive pill in 1961. Idea of it being less
normalised and 'necessary' for women to solely focus upon raising families.
- Lower mortality rates: Improved healthcare (NHS formed in 1948) and improved lifestyles through
acts such as the 'Clean Air Act' of 1956. Larger elderly population as lower death rate and better
support for public health. In 2018 almost 2M of the UK population was 65+.
International and internal migration (how it affects population structure):
- Higher level of middle aged men within the population structure of global financial hubs such as
London as high levels of economic migration witnessed post the 2004 expansion of the EU to include
Poland, Czech Republic for example.
- Higher numbers of male than female economic migrants.
- Windrush generation of the 1960s led to high levels of immigrants from the Caribbean.
- Internal migration during the 2010s as rebranding and regeneration began, attempting to attract
private businesses. Prior residents in inner-city regions out-priced and forced to move into areas such
as Essex.
- Elderly populations concentrated in rural / seaside towns such as within Cornwall for retirement.
Idea of the population structure becoming dominated by this age group.
Explain why there is considerable variation in population characteristics (gender and ethnicity) both
in and between places? (8) - ANSVariation in pop. characteristics in urban settlements (within one
place):
