uestions","formulaUrl":null,"initialIndex":29,"initialQuestionWindow":[{"id":"9a640eeb-aff8-42be-8164-95caf55fd2a6","revisionId":"4a1d5e93-21bd-483b-aa07-02ef8a5390ce","questionNumber":null,"questionType":"LA","specification":"","difficulty":3,"difficultyBand":"easy","totalMarks":2,"sourceTitle":null,"calculatorUse":null,"parts":[{"id":"479676ee-8577-41d0-8a5b-f0418799c0e7","label":null,"content":"Outline one reason why the melting of permafrost in tundra environments is a threat to the global climate.","markscheme":"- Identifies a valid mechanism, e.g. the decay of trapped organic matter releasing greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide or methane) or the reduction of surface albedo B1\n- Explains the consequence for the global climate, e.g. trapping longwave radiation to enhance the greenhouse effect, accelerating global temperature rise, or initiating a positive feedback loop B1","marks":2,"order":0,"markingRubric":null,"explanation":{"methods":[{"id":"greenhouse_gas_feedback","label":"Greenhouse gas feedback","steps":[{"type":"text","order":0,"title":"Identify the mechanism","content":"Permafrost is permanently frozen ground. It can trap dead plant material (organic matter). When the ground thaws, this material can decay and release greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide.\n\nThis identifies a valid cause, so it earns the first mark.","highlights":[{"text":"melting of permafrost in tundra environments is a threat to the global climate","location":"specification"}]},{"type":"text","order":1,"title":"Explain the global effect","content":"These greenhouse gases trap more outgoing longwave radiation in the atmosphere. This strengthens the greenhouse effect and raises global temperatures, which is why the threat is global rather than only affecting the tundra.\n\nLinking the released gases to increased global warming earns the second mark.","highlights":[{"text":"threat to the global climate","location":"specification"}]}]}],"generatedAt":"2026-07-21T04:47:18.545Z","modelVersion":"gpt-5.6-terra","explanationVersion":"v3"},"options":[]}],"options":[],"explanation":null,"firstAttemptFullMarks":null},{"id":"9b6de25c-e216-4dad-9b29-da28e6f46ec2","revisionId":"cd2aff97-79e9-4d5f-80bb-d40363f4ee41","questionNumber":null,"questionType":"LA","specification":"","difficulty":5,"difficultyBand":"easy","totalMarks":1,"sourceTitle":null,"calculatorUse":null,"parts":[{"id":"0ba44d02-465c-4af6-ae25-799c09f43a1b","label":null,"content":"Give one reason why polar regions receive very little annual precipitation.","markscheme":"- States that cold air can hold very little moisture/water vapour, OR that high-pressure systems dominate (causing sinking air which prevents cloud formation), OR that dry winds blow over ice/cold oceans with minimal evaporation B1","marks":1,"order":0,"markingRubric":null,"explanation":null,"options":[]}],"options":[],"explanation":null,"firstAttemptFullMarks":null},{"id":"9b83f683-fb1d-4ffb-a92e-294254656428","revisionId":"7cf3cba7-9a13-48e0-9a78-c6719b462027","questionNumber":null,"questionType":"LA","specification":"","difficulty":3,"difficultyBand":"easy","totalMarks":1,"sourceTitle":null,"calculatorUse":null,"parts":[{"id":"c2de0a93-c9f5-4873-913d-8894dec2e216","label":null,"content":"Outline **one** reason why organic litter decomposes extremely slowly in tundra environments.","markscheme":"- Low temperatures reduce the metabolic activity of decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi), slowing down the breakdown of organic material. B1\n- OR: Water is locked up as ice or permafrost for much of the year, depriving decomposers of the liquid water required for decomposition. B1\n- OR: Waterlogged soils in summer (due to permafrost preventing drainage) create anaerobic conditions that limit aerobic decomposer activity. B1","marks":1,"order":0,"markingRubric":null,"explanation":null,"options":[]}],"options":[],"explanation":null,"firstAttemptFullMarks":null}],"subjectCode":"gcse_geography__aqa","summaries":[{"id"

Cold environments

Question 10

Cold environments Questions

Cold environments

Question 10

Cold environments Questions