GCSE CASE STUDY OVERVIEW
You will only need ONE case study for each key question. You will NOT need to know case
study examples for Economic Development as you will not be tested on this area in the
terminal paper.
Theme 1
Rivers and Coasts
Key Question
Case Study Example
What are the effects of river flooding in an
MEDC?
What are the effects of river flooding in an
LEDC?
What processes and factors are responsible
for distinctive features within a river basin?
What processes and factors are responsible
for distinctive coastal landforms?
Why is the management of coastlines
important?
Theme 2
Population and
Settlement
Key Question
Case Study Example
How can strategies be used to influence
natural population change within a
country?
What are the causes, consequences and
management of international migration?
What are the causes, consequences and
management of migration within a country?
(internal migration)
How does the need for sustainable
development affect the planning and
management of change in one urban area?
How does retail service provision change
over time?
Theme 3
Case Study Example
Natural Hazards
What are the effects of a tectonic hazard in
an MEDC?
What are the effects of a tectonic hazard in
an LEDC?
What are the effects of a climatic hazard in
an MEDC?
What are the effects of a climatic hazard in
an LEDC?
Key points to remember
The 8 mark questions at the end of each section will require you to demonstrate your case
study knowledge. Examiners will expect you to be able to refer in detail to key processes,
facts and statistics.




Don’t just write everything you know about a particular case study. The question
may ask you to focus on causes, impacts or management but not necessarily all of
these.
Make sure you choose the correct type of country ie: LEDC or MEDC. Remember that
if you don’t name a country, region or specific example for any given Case Study
question you will be restricting the number of marks you can achieve.
Remember that marks are available for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Not
being able to spell a Case Study correctly does not get you off to a good start.
Follow the command word in the question. A list of possible command words is
given below.
Command Word
Compare
Consider
Contrast
Define
Describe
Discuss
Examine
Explain
Identify/State
Illustrate
Justify
Summarise/Outline
What it’s telling you to do
Show similarities and differences. Look at both – a balanced answer is
required.
Describe and give your opinion on a subject
Point out the key differences between two examples or opinions.
Give the precise meaning of a concept/key word
Say what something is like or how it works. Use the correct key
words/terms in your answer
Explain a key concept in detail. Look at both sides of an issue or argument.
Reach a conclusion
Look at something in detail. Offer evidence for and against.
Give a detailed and exact explanation of an idea or principle.
Express relevant points briefly and clearly.
Provide examples to back up a point.
Give reasons to support your answer/argument
Provide a short summary of the key points relevant to your answer
You may find it useful to underline the command words as you answer each question.
Remember case study answers are Level marked i.e:
Level 1 (1 – 3 marks) A basic description showing limited knowledge and understanding. Meaning
not communicated very clearly.
Level 2 (4 – 6 marks) Refers to named case study, some relevant knowledge/ideas demonstrated
and some facts/evidence are included to support answer. Meaning is communicated clearly.
Level 3 ( 7 – 8 marks) A relevant case study is used and a full range of place-specific detail is included
in the answer. Good knowledge and understanding is demonstrated using facts and evidence.
Meaning is communicated very clearly.