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Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Geography B (1GB0) · Spec 9.1 and 9.2

Consuming energy resources: types, impacts and access

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

  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and nuclear power are non-renewable. Wind, solar, hydro and biomass are renewable.
  • Every energy source has some environmental impact, including renewables. Hydroelectric dams flood valleys and change habitats. Wind farms take up land and affect views and birds.
  • Energy use per person rises with development, population growth and new technology. An average hides large differences between regions and between rich and poor people.
  • Access depends on physical factors, such as steep slopes and high rainfall for hydroelectric power, and on political and economic factors.
  • Section C is the heavy section of Paper 3, with two 8-mark Assess questions (AO3 4 + AO4 4).

Key terms

Renewable energy
Energy from sources that do not run out, such as wind or solar.
Non-renewable energy
Energy from sources that cannot be replaced quickly, such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear fuel.
Energy security
Having a reliable and affordable energy supply.
Energy deficit
Using more energy than a country produces.
Energy consumption
The amount of energy used.

Common mistakes

  • Saying renewable energy has no environmental costs.
  • Saying the wrong climate is a full physical reason. Name the resource and the limit, such as weak sunlight for solar.
  • Saying renewables are too expensive is a political reason. A political reason needs a government decision.

Exam tip

Assess means weigh up the factors and say which matters most. Give a balanced case and finish with a judgement. In the 8-mark Section C questions the data you quote (AO4) must support your reasoning (AO3). Copying figures without using them to answer stays in Level 1.

Free practice questions

7 questions, 15 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.

  1. Question 1 · Fill the gaps[2 marks]

    Wind, solar and hydro are ___ energy sources, while coal, oil and gas are ___ fuels.

    Word bank: nuclear · renewable · fossil

  2. Question 2 · Sort into groups[3 marks]

    Sort each energy source into the correct group.

    Nuclear

    Natural gas

    Wind

  3. Question 3 · True or false[3 marks]

    Decide whether each statement about energy sources is true or false.

    1. All renewable sources have some environmental impact.

    2. A tidal barrage has no effect on the estuary environment.

    3. Nuclear power is a non-renewable energy source.

  4. Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Which statement about wind farms is correct?

  5. Question 5 · Choose more than one[2 marks]

    Practical Action built 47 micro-hydro schemes on the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern Peru. Which TWO physical factors make this area suitable for hydroelectric power?

    Choose 2.

  6. Question 6 · Matching[3 marks]

    Match each energy term to its meaning.

  7. Question 7 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Which statement about energy sources is correct?