1. Unit 3 Contested Planet: Section B Past Questions
Here are all the past topics, regions and questions for Section B of Contested
Planet. Are there any patterns of differences between the questions set?
January 2010: Superpower Geographies / The small Gulf States: Emerging
Powers?
(a) Explain the factors that have led to rapid economic growth in the small
Gulf States (12)
(b) Evaluate the possible environmental consequences of continues rapid
urban and economic development in the small Gulf States (14)
(c) Explain how the growing economic power of the small Gulf States could
lead to social and political tension within the region and beyond (14)
June 2010: Biodiversity Under Threat / The Pacific SIDS Biodiversity under
threat
(a) Explain why the Pacific SIDS (Small Island Developing States) have such
high biodiversity (10)
(b) Evaluate the relative importance of the threats facing biodiversity in the
region (16)
(c) Examine the actions shown in Figure 7. Assess the contribution these
might make to a more sustainable future for the Pacific SIDS (14)
January 2011:Energy Security / Energy Security options for North America
(a) Explain why there are growing concerns about North America’s energy
security (12)
(b) Evaluate the arguments for and against large scale development of
unconventional and technically difficult fossil fuel sources in North America
(14)
(c) Assess the contribution renewable energy could make in securing North
America’s energy future (14)
June 2011:Bridging the Development Gap / Which way for the Maghreb
(North Africa)
(a) Outline the strengths and weaknesses of Morocco’s decision to use
tourism as a major development strategy (14)

2. Unit 3 Contested Planet: Section B Past Questions
(b) To what extent does environmental change threaten economic
development and ecological wellbeing in the Maghreb? (12)
(c) The Maghreb is at a political and economic crossroads. Evaluate the costs
and benefits of the possible directions it could take for its future development
(14)
January 2012:The Technological Fix? / Scandinavia: Most advance part of
the planet?
(a) Explain the contribution that technology has made to Scandinavia’s
development level and quality of life (12)
(b) Assess the extent to which Scandinavia has minimized the environmental
costs of using technology and resources (14)
(c) Study Figure 13. Evaluate the contribution that the technologies shown
might make in reducing ecologicalfootprints in Scandinavia and beyond (14)
June 2012:Water Conflicts / Water resource in the Himalaya
(a) Explain how the physical and political geography of the region is putting
water supply at risk (10)
(b) Assess the relative importance of the threats to future water supply
within the region (15)
(c) Evaluate the contribution water management schemes, such as those
shown in Figure 11, might make towards a sustainable water future for
the region (15)
January 2013: Energy Security / Securing Western Europe’s energy future
(a) Explain why energy players have such different perceptions of nuclear
power (12)
(b) Evaluate the economic and political costs and benefits of developing new
nuclear power stations in Western Europe to increase energy security (14)
(c) Study the three options in Figure 11. Assess the possible impacts of their
development on the energy security and the environment of Western Europe
(14)