New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Making a geographical decision

I can evaluate different sources of evidence to justify a decision about a geographical issue.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Making a geographical decision

I can evaluate different sources of evidence to justify a decision about a geographical issue.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Geographical issues link different parts of geography together and involve decisions about how land is used.
  2. There is a wide range of data that can be used when evaluating geographical issues, including graphs and maps.
  3. Data can be used to understand issue and as evidence to support an argument.
  4. Geographers use evidence to make decisions and aim to balance the needs of people and the environment.

Keywords

  • Context - the economic, environmental, historical or social background to an issue

  • Biodiversity hotspot - an area with a very high number of different species, many of which are found nowhere else

  • Carbon sink - a natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases

  • GNI per capita - the total income of a country divided by its population; shows average income per person

Common misconception

There is always a correct solution to a geographical issue.

There is not a 'correct' answer to a geographical issue. Geographers try and balance economic, social and environmental concerns and use evidence to justify their opinion.


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Making a geographical decision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson provides a framework to help students understand and engage with the decision making element of paper 3. Teachers may want to use this as an introduction to decision making or break up and use different parts of the lesson separately.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its definition.

Correct Answer:evidence,information used to support a conclusion

information used to support a conclusion

Correct Answer:argument,a reasoned case for or against a decision

a reasoned case for or against a decision

Correct Answer:graph,a visual way of presenting numerical data

a visual way of presenting numerical data

Correct Answer:land use,how land is used e.g. for farming, housing or parks

how land is used e.g. for farming, housing or parks

Q2.
What is the purpose of using maps and graphs when making decisions in geography?

to decorate reports
to provide opinions
Correct answer: to give clear, visual evidence
to replace all written work

Q3.
What do geographers try to balance when making land use decisions?

only economic costs
Correct answer: human and environmental needs
people's hobbies and TV habits
what looks good on a map

Q4.
Which of these is an example of a geographical issue?

picking your next holiday
Correct answer: whether to build on a floodplain
choosing what to eat for lunch
buying a houseplant

Q5.
What does a well-justified decision include?

Correct answer: evidence and explanation
personal opinions
guesswork
as few words as possible

Q6.
Which of these best describes a graphical source of data?

a diary entry
Correct answer: a bar chart
a letter to a local council
a paragraph in a textbook

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its definition.

Correct Answer:context,economic, environmental or social background

economic, environmental or social background

Correct Answer:biodiversity hotspot,area with many species, sometimes found nowhere else

area with many species, sometimes found nowhere else

Correct Answer:carbon sink,absorbs more carbon than it releases

absorbs more carbon than it releases

Correct Answer:GNI per capita,average income per person in a country

average income per person in a country

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of a geographical issue?

what to wear to school
Correct answer: whether to build a road through a rainforest
choosing your favourite sport
picking your lunch option

Q3.
There is not always a single correct to a geographical issue.

Correct Answer: solution, answer, decision

Q4.
Which statement best explains why there’s often no single correct decision in geography?

Geographers don’t do enough research.
Issues are too simple.
Correct answer: People interpret evidence differently.
Geography ignores people's opinions.