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The water cycle: AQA A‑Level Geography questions

Every AQA A-Level Geography exam question on 3.1.1.2 The water cycle, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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537 questions

  1. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    4 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 01.1: Outline characteristic features of a drainage basin. [4 marks]

  2. Q01.3

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 01.3: Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of physical and human factors in achieving a sustainable water supply. [6 marks]

  3. Q01.1

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 01.1: Which of the following describes an urban flood hydrograph for a river after a very intense but short rainstorm event? [1 mark]

  4. Q01.3

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 01.3: Outline the process of evapotranspiration. [3 marks]

  5. Q01.6

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    20 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle3.1.1.6 Case studies
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 01.6: Evaluate the impact of human activity on the water cycle in a tropical rainforest you have studied. [20 marks]

  6. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    4 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 01.1: Outline how human factors impact upon the water cycle. [4 marks]

  7. Q01.3

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 01.3: Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess factors affecting the likelihood of flooding across the UK. [6 marks]

  8. Q01.1

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 01.1: Which of the following describes a cause of precipitation? [1 mark]

  9. Q01.4

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 01.4: Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]

  10. Q01.1

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    4 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 01.1: Outline the purpose of a flood hydrograph. [4 marks]

  11. Q01.2

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 01.2: Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]

  12. Q01.1

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 01.1: Which of the following describes the groundwater store? [1 mark]

  13. Q01.2

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 01.2: Which of the following are all natural drivers of change in the water cycle? [1 mark]

  14. Q01.3

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 01.3: Outline the distribution of major stores of water. [3 marks]

  15. Q01.2

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 01.2: Analyse the changes in the terrestrial water system shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]

  16. Q01.1

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 01.1: Which of the following describes the cryospheric store of water? [1 mark]

  17. Q01.3

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 01.3: Outline features of a flood hydrograph. [3 marks]

  18. Q01.6

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    20 marks3.1.1.1 Water and carbon cycles as natural systems3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 01.6: ‘There is always a balance between the inputs and outputs of water in a drainage basin.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [20 marks]

  19. Q01.4

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    20 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle3.1.1.6 Case studies
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 01.4: With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. [20 marks]

  20. Q01.2

    November 2020 · Paper 1

    6 marks3.1.1.2 The water cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1, question 01.2: Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
All 22 questions on The water cycle, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q01.1 (4 marks): Outline characteristic features of a drainage basin. [4 marks]
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q01.3 (6 marks): Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of physical and human factors in achieving a sustainable water supply. [6 marks]
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q01.1 (1 mark): Which of the following describes an urban flood hydrograph for a river after a very intense but short rainstorm event? [1 mark]
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q01.3 (3 marks): Outline the process of evapotranspiration. [3 marks]
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q01.6 (20 marks): Evaluate the impact of human activity on the water cycle in a tropical rainforest you have studied. [20 marks]
  6. June 2024, Paper 1, Q01.1 (4 marks): Outline how human factors impact upon the water cycle. [4 marks]
  7. June 2024, Paper 1, Q01.3 (6 marks): Using Figure 2 and your own knowledge, assess factors affecting the likelihood of flooding across the UK. [6 marks]
  8. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q01.1 (1 mark): Which of the following describes a cause of precipitation? [1 mark]
  9. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q01.4 (6 marks): Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
  10. June 2023, Paper 1, Q01.1 (4 marks): Outline the purpose of a flood hydrograph. [4 marks]
  11. June 2023, Paper 1, Q01.2 (6 marks): Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
  12. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q01.1 (1 mark): Which of the following describes the groundwater store? [1 mark]
  13. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q01.2 (1 mark): Which of the following are all natural drivers of change in the water cycle? [1 mark]
  14. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q01.3 (3 marks): Outline the distribution of major stores of water. [3 marks]
  15. June 2022, Paper 1, Q01.2 (6 marks): Analyse the changes in the terrestrial water system shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
  16. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q01.1 (1 mark): Which of the following describes the cryospheric store of water? [1 mark]
  17. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q01.3 (3 marks): Outline features of a flood hydrograph. [3 marks]
  18. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q01.6 (20 marks): ‘There is always a balance between the inputs and outputs of water in a drainage basin.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [20 marks]
  19. November 2021, Paper 1, Q01.4 (20 marks): With reference to a river catchment that you have studied, assess the potential factors which can impact upon the flood hydrograph. [20 marks]
  20. November 2020, Paper 1, Q01.2 (6 marks): Analyse the data shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
  21. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q01.4 (6 marks): Analyse the information shown in Figure 1. [6 marks]
  22. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q01.5 (9 marks): Assess the possible impact of changing land use on the shape of a flood hydrograph. [9 marks]

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