Edexcel GCSE Geography
Edexcel GCSE Geography Paper 2 practice questions
Paper 2 is worth 37.5% of Edexcel GCSE Geography. The questions below are original practice questions with worked answers, so you can test yourself the way the real exam will — and see exactly what an examiner is looking for.
What is on Paper 2?
- Paper 2 covers UK geographical issues.
- It is a written paper of 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 94 marks including spelling, punctuation and grammar — 37.5% of the GCSE.
- Questions are a mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer extended responses.
- Always check the latest specification on your exam board's website, as details can change between exam years.
Paper 2 practice questions with answers
10 original questions across the 5 Paper 2 topics. Try each one before reading the answer.
Edexcel B papers and decision making
1. Which Edexcel B component contains the decision-making question?
- • Component 1
- • Component 2
- • Component 3
- • Coursework
Answer: Component 3
The 12-mark decision question ends Component 3.
Edexcel B papers and decision making
2. Fieldwork is assessed in:
- • Component 1
- • Component 2
- • Component 3
- • All three
Answer: Component 2
Geographical investigations sit inside the UK issues paper.
River landscapes and flooding
3. Which process rounds pebbles as they travel downstream?
- • Hydraulic action
- • Abrasion
- • Attrition
- • Solution
Answer: Attrition
Particles collide with each other and become smaller and rounder.
River landscapes and flooding
4. Deposition on the inside of a meander bend forms a:
- • River cliff
- • Slip-off slope
- • Levee
- • Gorge
Answer: Slip-off slope
Slower flow inside the bend drops sediment as a gentle shelf.
Coastal landscapes and management
5. Which wave type has a strong backwash?
- • Constructive
- • Destructive
- • Standing
- • Refracted
Answer: Destructive
Strong backwash drags sediment offshore, narrowing beaches.
Coastal landscapes and management
6. Explain how longshore drift moves sediment.
Answer: Swash carries material up the beach at the prevailing wind angle and backwash returns it at right angles, moving it in a zig-zag
Angle of swash plus gravity-driven backwash is essential.
Urban issues and challenges
7. Urbanisation means:
- • Cities getting physically bigger only
- • A rising proportion of people living in urban areas
- • Falling city populations
- • Rural population growth
Answer: A rising proportion of people living in urban areas
It is about share of population, not just area.
Urban issues and challenges
8. Which is a pull factor for rural-urban migration?
- • Crop failure
- • Better paid jobs in the city
- • Rural drought
- • Lack of rural healthcare
Answer: Better paid jobs in the city
Pull factors attract people to the destination.
Fieldwork enquiry
9. Which is primary data?
- • Census population figures
- • River velocity you measured
- • Historic rainfall records
- • A published journal article
Answer: River velocity you measured
Primary data is collected first-hand.
Fieldwork enquiry
10. Collecting data every 10 m along a transect is:
- • Random sampling
- • Systematic sampling
- • Stratified sampling
- • Opportunistic sampling
Answer: Systematic sampling
Fixed intervals make the method repeatable.
Where Paper 2 marks are usually lost
- Writing general answers without a named case study and specific facts or figures.
- Describing a landform without explaining the processes that formed it.
- Forgetting to quote data with units when describing a map, graph or table.
- Making a judgement in 'assess' or 'evaluate' questions without weighing up both sides.
- Losing spelling, punctuation and grammar marks on the longest answers.
How to pick up the extended-answer marks
- Underline the command word and the focus of the question before writing — most dropped marks come from answering a different question.
- Plan for one or two minutes: three or four points, each backed by evidence and explained.
- Keep linking back to the question in every paragraph, not just the conclusion.
- For 'evaluate' or 'how far do you agree' questions, weigh both sides and finish with a clear judgement.
Timing that works under pressure
- Check the marks per question and give each one time in proportion, keeping spare minutes for checking at the end.
- Bank the short questions first, then return to the longer answers with your remaining time.
- If a question stalls for more than two minutes, write down what you know and move on — partial marks still count.
- Leave five minutes to check spelling of key terms, units and whether any question part was skipped over a page break.
Practise the whole paper in the app
These Paper 2 topics have 360 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.
Revise each Paper 2 topic
- Edexcel B papers and decision making (72 questions)
- River landscapes and flooding (72 questions)
- Coastal landscapes and management (72 questions)
- Urban issues and challenges (72 questions)
- Fieldwork enquiry (72 questions)
Edexcel Geography Paper 2 FAQs
- What topics are on Edexcel GCSE Geography Paper 2?
- Paper 2 assesses the UK's evolving physical and human landscapes, and geographical investigations through fieldwork.
- How long is Edexcel GCSE Geography Paper 2?
- It is a 1 hour 30 minutes written exam worth 94 marks including spelling, punctuation and grammar, which is 37.5% of the GCSE. Check your board's latest specification for any changes.
- How should I revise for Geography Paper 2?
- Practise answering questions rather than rereading notes. Short daily sets of five questions per topic, marked straight away, expose weak areas faster than a long passive revision session.
ReviseRush is an independent educational revision aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Pearson or any exam board. All notes and questions are original. Always check content against your official course and specification. No grade outcome is guaranteed.