Exam Connection

🎯 Exam Connection

Exam frequency: Very high — resource management overview concepts appear in every paper as either direct questions or as the framework for longer "explain" and "assess" questions.

Typical Question Types for This Topic

• "Explain why global demand for resources is increasing." [4 marks] — Use two developed points from PUCC (population growth, changing diets/economic development, urbanisation, climate change). Each point must include a mechanism: not just "more people" but "as the world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, demand for food, water, and energy will rise proportionally."
• "Explain the relationship between food, energy, and water resources." [4–6 marks] — This is explicitly a FEW Nexus question. Explain how using more of one resource increases demand for the others. Use at least one specific example (agriculture uses 70% of freshwater; desalination requires energy).
• "Assess the extent to which resource insecurity is caused by uneven distribution." [8 marks] — Level 3 requires: specific evidence on distribution (MENA water scarcity, Sub-Saharan Africa food insecurity), counterargument (distribution is not the only cause — governance, poverty, infrastructure gaps also matter), and a supported judgement.
• "Explain the challenges facing the UK in managing its resources sustainably." [4–6 marks] — Use UK-specific evidence: South-East water stress, food import dependence, 80% gas boilers, North Sea decline. Connect to sustainability goals (net zero 2050).

What Gets You to Level 3 (Top Marks):

• Named statistics with sources ("733 million face hunger — FAO, 2023" is better than "many people are hungry")
• Demonstrating nexus awareness — showing how one resource problem affects another
• Using the four PUCC demand drivers in combination, not just listing them
• UK examples alongside global evidence — this shows you understand that resource insecurity is not just a developing-world problem
• A supported judgement in "assess" questions — never just describing; always reaching a conclusion with evidence

Key Command Words for This Topic

• Describe: State what the resource distribution or demand pattern is — use data and named places
• Explain: Give reasons using "because" and "this means that" — link causes to mechanisms to effects
• Assess: Weigh up evidence for and against a statement; reach a supported judgement
• To what extent: As above — consider multiple perspectives, decide how far you agree, defend your position

Best Evidence to Deploy

• 733 million food insecure (FAO, 2023) — despite world producing enough calories for everyone
• Only 1% of Earth's water accessible as freshwater
• Agriculture uses 70% of global freshwater withdrawals
• UK: 46% of food imported; South-East classified as "seriously water-stressed"; 80% of homes use gas boilers
• World population: 8 billion (2022) → projected 9.7 billion (2050)
• 1 kg beef = ~15,500 litres water vs 1 kg wheat = ~1,600 litres