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OCR GCSE (9-1) Geography B: Geography for Enquiring Minds (J384) · Spec 7.1a, 7.1b, 7.1c, 7.2a and 7.2b

The UK in the 21st Century

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

  • Population density is the number of people per square kilometre. A country can have a large population and a low density if it has lots of land.
  • A population pyramid with a wide base shows a high birth rate. A UK-style pyramid has bars of similar width up the age groups, which shows low birth and low death rates.
  • The Demographic Transition Model has four stages that you need to know in order: Stage 1 high birth, high death. Stage 2 high birth, falling death. Stage 3 falling birth, low death. Stage 4 low birth, low death.
  • The UK has an ageing population because life expectancy is higher and the birth rate has fallen.
  • UK employment has shifted from manufacturing to services. De-industrialisation is the decline of manufacturing. A post-industrial economy has many jobs in IT and finance, with business and science parks.
  • An economic hub is a place where growing businesses cluster, attracting investment and driving its region.
  • Politically, the UK has a permanent seat and a veto on the UN Security Council. You also need the UK's role in one global conflict, its media exports and the cultural contribution of one ethnic group.
  • Migration also changes the population. Net migration is the number of people arriving to live in the UK minus the number leaving. When more arrive than leave, the population grows even if natural change is low.

Key terms

Population density
The number of people per square kilometre.
Natural change
Birth rate minus death rate.
Total fertility rate
The average number of children per woman.
De-industrialisation
The decline of manufacturing industry.
Globalisation
Growing worldwide links in trade and communication.
Economic hub
A place where growing businesses cluster and drive the economy of its region.
Net migration
The number of people arriving to live in a country minus the number leaving.

Common mistakes

  • Reading a pyramid with bars of similar width as a high birth rate. It shows a low birth rate and a low death rate.
  • Giving care homes or pensions as a cause of an ageing population. The causes are longer life and fewer births.
  • Saying older people are a burden who pay no tax. Many work, volunteer and spend money, so the effects are not all negative.
  • Writing 'technology' alone to explain why manufacturing jobs fell. Say what technology did, such as machines replacing workers, and mention overseas competition.
  • Thinking an economic hub is the same as the CBD.

Exam tip

Q3 of Paper 2 ends on a UK-based 6. Back every point with a UK fact: a figure from the resource booklet, or a named place from your learning. When a question says 'describe' a pyramid, use the age groups and quote the data.

Free practice questions

7 questions, 12 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]

    The decline of manufacturing is called ___; growing worldwide links in trade and communication are called ___.

    Word bank: de-industrialisation · globalisation · urbanisation

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

    Which TWO are features of a post-industrial economy?

    Choose 2.

  3. Question 3 · Put in order[1 mark]

    Put these stages of UK economic change in order, earliest first.

    Use the arrows to put these in the right order, first at the top.

    1. 1Overseas competition leads to factory closures
    2. 2Science and business parks grow on former industrial land
    3. 3Coal mines, shipyards and factories employ millions
    4. 4Services such as finance and IT become the main employers
  4. Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    What does a wide base on a population pyramid show?

  5. Question 5 · Matching[4 marks]

    Match each population term to its meaning.

  6. Question 6 · Put in order[1 mark]

    Put the Demographic Transition Model stages in order, starting with Stage 1.

    Use the arrows to put these in the right order, first at the top.

    1. 1Stage 2: high birth rate, falling death rate
    2. 2Stage 1: high birth rate, high death rate
    3. 3Stage 4: low birth rate, low death rate
    4. 4Stage 3: falling birth rate, low death rate
  7. Question 7 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Which is a cause of the UK's ageing population?