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GCSE AQA Case Studies with Exam Prep

Case Study resource packs – written specifically for the new AQA GCSE Geography specification (8035).

Designed with an examination focus in mind. For each topic, ALL of the Case Studies required by the spec are covered, providing a detailed synopsis of the event, location or theme in question.

In addition, single-page summaries, revision material, and practice exam questions help guide students in the lead up to their exams.

We've carefully selected a range of case studies which not only span the globe but also focus on countries with contrasting levels of development. As well as understanding the physical factors at play within each case study, these resources allow you to teach all of the human concepts by comparing locations at either end of the development spectrum.

Each case study is structured with two main parts; The Case Study, and The Exam Prep:

The Case Study sections include...

  • Thought-provoking images and starter questions to get students thinking
  • Fact files of all the key information relating to the event
  • ICT interactive links and reliable sources to extend research

The Exam Prep sections include...

  • Single-page summaries for an at-a-glance overview of the topic
  • Rapid-fire revision questions to drum home the facts and figures
  • AQA exam-style questions (with suggested answers) to provide a structured approach to testing knowledge and recall in the lead up to the exams

Teach your students to gain a deep understanding of the physical world around them through study of specific events, and learn about the interactions between people and place, and the differing effects that global events will have on developing and developed populations.


UNIT 1: Living with the Physical Environment
Section A: The Challenge of Natural Hazards – Tectonic Hazards
Tohoku Earthquake, Japan, 2011; Nepal Earthquake, 2015;
Eyjafjallajökull Eruption, Iceland, 2010; Mount Merapi Eruption, Java, 2010
Section A: The Challenge of Natural Hazards – Weather Hazards
Hurricane Sandy, USA, 2012; Cyclone Hudhud, India/Nepal, 2014; Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines, 2013;
Drought, Southern England, 2004-06; Flash Flooding, Morpeth, 2008; Winter Storms, UK, 2013-14; Extreme Cold, UK, 2010-11; Heatwave, UK, 2015
Section B: The Living World
The River Otter, Devon (small-scale ecosystem); Madagascar and Sumatra (Tropical Rainforests);
The Sonoran Desert (Hot Deserts);
The Sakha Republic, Russia (Cold Environments)
Section C: Physical Landscapes of the UK – Coastal Landscapes in the UK
The Jurassic Coast; The Seven Sisters
Section C: Physical Landscapes of the UK – River Landscapes in the UK
The River Thames; The River Spey
Section C: Physical Landscapes of the UK – Glacial Landscapes in the UK
Snowdonia; The Lake District

UNIT 2: Challenges in the Human Environment
Section A: Urban Issues and Challenges
Nairobi, Kenya; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Bristol, UK
Section B: The Changing Economic World
Brazil; Kenya; Bristol, UK
Section C: The Challenge of Resource Management – Food, Water, Energy
Santa Luzia Farm (Large-scale Agriculture – Food); Dead Sea Permaculture (Local Scheme – Food);
SNWTP, China (Large-scale Water Transfer – Water); Mikuyuni Muumoni Sand Dam, Kenya (Local Scheme – Water);
Tar Sands, Canada (Fossil Fuel Extraction – Energy); Micro-hydro Power Plants, Afghanistan (Local Scheme – Energy)

What do teachers say about this resource? (7317)

A well planned resource in which the author has clearly spent a lot of time and effort on. The resource fits well with the new 2016 GCSE curriculum. The case studies used are certainly the most popular with students, teachers and textbooks. I am impressed with how much detailed content there is on offer which will certainly stretch and challenge the more able students. However there are also a number of facts and figures which have been categorised into social, economic and environmental impacts which will make easy reading for the less able.

G. Dhaliwal, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

The case studies are well-chosen and all four are appropriate for the AQA GCSE Geography course. The level of detail throughout the resource is excellent. The Springboards are a nice idea to develop discussion and tease out understanding. Students need to remember case study detail to access the higher levels in exam answers, and this will surely help!

D. Burgess, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Good use of images with a good range of headings. It is very detailed and covers the areas required of any case study. All four of the examples in keeping with what the specification requires and do offer a useful contrast. It offers enough depth for the more able students to develop answers required to score full marks while offering lower ability the chance to cherry pick knowledge that would see them offer better responses than they might do without the resource.

S. Cracknell, HoD & Peer Reviewer

A good set of resources with very good facts and figures and some very useful and different revision resources. The [ICT] resources suggested and the springboard questions are good for connect activities or homework. The question and answer section is excellent and these can be used for other learning and teaching ideas such as quizzes.

C. Cottam, HoD & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (7320)

A very detailed resource with very specific detail. I really like the springboard photo/question activity.

C. Cottam, HoD & Peer Reviewer

A fabulous resource of coastal environments based on two exceptional case studies. I particularly liked the [springboard] questions for the images – this has a growing presence in the examinations but also is an interesting way of engaging the pupils for the longer style questions e.g. discuss views.

K. Butler, HoD & Peer Reviewer

It has lots of detailed information. The information is [also] written as a summary so it's easy to pick up key points. I liked that there was a page for the ICT links to make it a bit more interactive. I really liked the exam questions at the end, good use of exam command words.

K. Williams, Teacher & Peer Reviewer