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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify some of the challenges facing Beijing and describe some ways in which the lives of people are unequal.

      Key learning points

      1. There are high levels of inequalities in Beijing and many other places in the world.
      2. Beijing is one of the wealthiest cities in the world but many people struggle to meet their daily living needs.
      3. Beijing’s high population density puts strains on housing, infrastructure and services.
      4. Poor air quality in Beijing is harmful to people and the environment.

      Keywords

      • Services - a system that supplies a public need, for example waste collection

      • Informal settlement - an area of unplanned housing where people often don't own the land and may face challenges in accessing services such as electricity and sanitation

      • Infrastructure - all the basic systems in a country, such as transport and power supply

      • Pollution - anything that makes the environment dirty or unhealthy

      • Inequality - when something is not shared evenly between everyone

      Common misconception

      Inequality is just about the difference in how much money people have.

      There are many different inequalities between people’s lives such as access to education and health care, quality of housing, job opportunities and how people are treated.

      Teacher tip

      Cut up a cake or share out stickers unfairly to illustrate what inequality means.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the largest mountain range in China?

      The Andes
      Correct answer: The Himalayas
      The Alps

      Q2.
      What river is the longest in China?

      Correct answer: Yangtze
      Ganges River
      Thames

      Q3.
      What is the capital city of China?

      Shanghai
      Correct answer: Beijing
      Guangzhou
      Hong Kong

      Q4.
      Which desert is located in the northern part of China?

      Sahara
      Kalahari
      Correct answer: Gobi Desert

      Q5.
      What is the main language spoken in China?

      Cantonese
      Correct answer: Mandarin
      Tibetan
      English

      Q6.
      Which of these is a major industry in China?

      Textile production
      Technology and electronics
      Car manufacturing
      Correct answer: All of the above

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is one major environmental challenge in Beijing?

      Lack of water supply
      Correct answer: Air pollution
      Overfishing
      Too many forests

      Q2.
      Why is traffic congestion a big problem in Beijing?

      The city has very few roads.
      Bicycles are the main form of transport.
      Correct answer: There are too many people and vehicles.
      There are no public transport options.

      Q3.
      How does rapid urbanisation impact Beijing?

      Correct answer: It creates overcrowding and strain on services.
      It reduces the population.
      It leads to more green spaces.
      It makes the city less important.

      Q4.
      What does inequality refer to?

      Only the difference in income.
      Correct answer: The difference in access to resources, opportunities, and living conditions.
      The difference in education levels only.
      The difference in political power.

      To help you plan your 7 geography lesson on: Challenges in Beijing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...