Hot deserts
Edexcel GCSE Geography revision on Hot deserts. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B 1GB0 specification. This bank has 10 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 10)
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Question 1
Which latitude band are most of the world's hot deserts located within?
- A) 0 to 10 degrees
- B) 20 to 30 degrees
- C) 45 to 55 degrees
- D) 60 to 70 degrees
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Answer: 20 to 30 degrees
This region is dominated by high-pressure belts where sinking air prevents cloud formation. As the air descends, it warms and dries out, leading to the clear skies and lack of precipitation characteristic of desert biomes.
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Question 2
What is the term for the process where moisture is removed from the air as it rises over a mountain range, leaving the leeward side dry?
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Answer: rain shadow
As moist air is forced over high ground, it cools and releases rain on the windward side. Once the air descends on the other side, it has lost its moisture and warms up, creating a dry desert environment.
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Question 3
Which of the following is an adaptation used by desert plants to survive water scarcity?
- A) Broad, flat leaves
- B) Deep, vertical taproots
- C) Shallow roots that spread outwards
- D) Large, colourful flowers
Show answer
Answer: Deep, vertical taproots
Desert plants have evolved specific features to conserve water and access moisture. Deep taproots enable plants to tap into deep-seated water tables, while other adaptations like waxy cuticles or spines help reduce water loss through transpiration.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
7 more questions on Hot deserts — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Geography spec.