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2025 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B Paper 3 and Mark Scheme Combined (1GB0/03: People and Environmental issues Making Geographical Decisions)
Paper code: 1GB0/03. Pearson Qualifications+2thewisdomacademy.co.uk+2
Title: People and Environment Issues — Making Geographical Decisions. Pearson Qualifications+1
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Pearson Qualifications+1
Total marks: 64 raw marks. Up to 4 of those are reserved for spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist terminology (SPaG / technical terms). Pearson Qualifications+2PDF4PRO+2
Weighting: This paper counts for 25% of the total Geography B GCSE qualification. Save My Exams+2Scribd+2
Paper 3 draws on three main “themes”/topics from the specification: Save My Exams+2Studocu+2
Topic 7 — People and the Biosphere: global biomes, resource use, population/resource debates. Save My Exams+1
Topic 8 — Forests under Threat: characteristics of rainforest / taiga (boreal) forest, threats to forests, management/ conservation strategies. Pearson Qualifications+1
Topic 9 — Consuming Energy Resources: energy types, supply & demand, environmental impact of energy use, renewable/ non-renewable resources, energy challenges and decision‑making about future energy use. Save My Exams+1
Thus the exam assesses issues at the intersection of people, environment, natural resources, and sustainability / decision-making about environmental problems. Save My Exams+2Pearson Qualifications+2
According to the specification and specimen paper: Pearson Qualifications+2Pearson Qualifications+2
The paper is divided into four sections:
Section A — People and the Biosphere Studocu+1
Section B — Forests under Threat Studocu+1
Section C — Consuming Energy Resources Studocu+1
Section D — Making a Geographical Decision — a decision-making scenario, in which students must apply knowledge, data and judgement to address a real-world environmental issue. Pearson Qualifications+2Pearson Qualifications+2
Question types include: multiple‐choice / multiple‐response, short open‑response, open‑response questions, 8‑mark extended writing (in Section C), and a 12‑mark extended writing decision question (in Section D) where quality of written communication (SPaG + use of specialist terminology) is assessed. Studocu+2Pearson Qualifications+2
The exam uses a resource booklet (with data, stimulus material) which students refer to — so questions and answers often require interpreting data / information from the booklet. Pearson Qualifications+2Docsity+2
The exam tests:
Knowledge & understanding of human‑environment interactions: biomes, forests, energy, resource use, environmental issues. Save My Exams+1
Data interpretation and evaluation — interpreting data / information in the resource booklet (e.g. statistics, graphs, maps, written sources), assessing environmental issues, risks, trade‑offs. Pearson Qualifications+2Pearson Qualifications+2
Decision‑making and evaluative judgement — especially in Section D: constructing reasoned arguments, weighing options (economic, environmental, social), making a justified recommendation. Pearson Qualifications+2Studocu+2
Communication & literacy — clear writing, correct use of geography terminology, good structure, accurate grammar/spelling (SPaG). Pearson Qualifications+1
Study thoroughly the three key themes: biomes & resources; forests under threat; energy resources — know their definitions, causes of issues, possible management/solutions.
Practice reading and interpreting data and sources: graphs, maps, statistics, written source excerpts (since the exam uses a resource booklet).
Practice extended writing and decision-making responses: particularly develop skills for 8‑mark and 12‑mark questions — structure answers with clear reasoning: define issue, discuss pros/cons, use evidence/data, conclude with justified decision.
Work on clear communication and geography-specific vocabulary: good terminology, accurate spelling, grammar, clear structure — these count for SPaG / specialist‑term marks.
Manage exam time: 64 marks over 90 minutes — shorter questions first, ensure enough time for extended writing in Section C and decision question in Section D.
| Author | Proficient Academic Tutor |
| Published | 09 Dec 2025 |
| Included files | |