Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A (1GA0) · Spec 2.7 and 2.8
Drought
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- A drought is a long period of rainfall below the normal level for a place. It leads to a water shortage. A few dry days is not a drought.
- A desert is not in drought. It is always dry, so low rainfall is normal for it.
- Some places are more vulnerable. Sinking air under a subtropical high-pressure belt means cloud and rain rarely form. A blocking high can stop rain-bearing systems.
- Humans can make drought worse. For example, irrigation can take water from rivers and groundwater faster than it is replaced.
- Impacts can be social, economic and environmental. Responses are made by individuals, organisations and governments.
Key terms
- Drought
- A long period of rainfall below the normal level for that place.
- Vulnerability
- How likely a place is to suffer harm from a hazard.
- Irrigation
- Supplying water to crops from rivers, groundwater or reservoirs.
- Water shortage
- When there is not enough usable water to meet needs.
Common mistakes
- Defining drought as 'very little rain'. It is rainfall below normal for that place for a long time.
- Saying 'overusing water' is a human cause. Name the specific cause, such as irrigation taking more than is replaced.
- Using a tier that does not match. Check if the question wants a developed country or a developing or emerging one.
Exam tip
The Section B 8-marker (with 4 SPaG marks) is Assess or Evaluate and asks about impacts and responses to drought in a named country. Name places, years and responses, and say which matters most.
Free practice questions
5 questions, 6 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Fill the gaps[2 marks]
A drought is a long period with rainfall ___ the normal level for a place, leading to a ___ shortage.
Word bank: water · above · heat · below
- Question 2 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which is the best reason why a place under the sinking air of a subtropical high-pressure belt is vulnerable to drought?
- Question 3 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which statement defines a drought?
- Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which is a specific human cause of drought?
- Question 5 · True or false[1 mark]
Is this statement true or false?