Lesson 3.1.2.1

3.1.2.1 Deserts as natural systems Quiz: AQA Geography, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.1.2.1, Deserts as natural systems: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Geography (7037), Unit 1: Physical geography, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. An aridity index is calculated as precipitation divided by which variable?

    • Surface runoff depth
    • Soil moisture storage
    • Actual evapotranspiration
    • Potential evapotranspiration

  2. Which P/PET ratio defines a hyper-arid climate zone?

    • Below 0.05
    • Above 0.50
    • 0.05 to 0.20
    • 0.20 to 0.50

  3. Which atmospheric motion causes dry conditions in subtropical high-pressure cells?

    • Frontal wedging
    • Descending air
    • Convective uplift
    • Orographic ascent

  4. Which cause of aridity is due to locations being far from oceans?

    • Continentality
    • Cold ocean currents
    • Thermal inversion
    • Rain shadow effect

  5. Which cold ocean current contributes to aridity in the Atacama Desert?

    • Humboldt Current
    • Gulf Stream
    • Canary Current
    • Benguela Current

  6. What type of water balance characterises hot desert environments?

    • Balanced water budget
    • Permanent water deficit
    • Permanent water surplus
    • Seasonal water surplus

  7. Between which latitudes are most hot deserts located?

    • 15° and 30°
    • 60° and 75°
    • 45° and 60°
    • 0° and 10°

  8. What occurs in a desert system when potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation?

    • Groundwater recharge
    • Soil moisture deficit
    • Soil moisture surplus
    • Perennial channel flow

  9. A region receives 120 mm rainfall with 1,200 mm PET. What is its P/PET ratio?

    • 0.01
    • 1.20
    • 0.10
    • 10.0

  10. Which wind direction helps maintain aridity along subtropical coastlines?

    • Offshore trade winds
    • Onshore westerlies
    • Equatorial monsoons
    • Polar easterlies

  11. Which mountain range creates a rain shadow over the Atacama Desert?

    • Atlas
    • Himalayas
    • Rockies
    • Andes

  12. Which factor makes wind an effective geomorphic agent in deserts?

    • High soil moisture
    • Sparse vegetation cover
    • Dense forest canopy
    • Frequent heavy rain

  13. Which primary factor limits vegetation density in hot deserts?

    • Water availability
    • Low sunlight levels
    • High atmospheric pressure
    • Soil toxicity

  14. Why do desert soils contain very little organic matter?

    • Sparse vegetation cover
    • Excess leaf litter
    • High earthworm activity
    • Rapid chemical weathering

  15. What geographical term describes a combination of related landforms in an area?

    • Landform
    • Dynamic equilibrium
    • Landscape
    • Sediment budget

  16. In physical geography, what term describes a state where a desert landscape balances inputs and outputs over time?

    • Static equilibrium
    • Dynamic equilibrium
    • System tipping point
    • Positive feedback

  17. Which term describes the combined total water loss from soil surface evaporation and plant transpiration?

    • Interception
    • Infiltration
    • Evapotranspiration
    • Evaporation

  18. Which cause of aridity involves mountain ranges blocking moist air to create rain shadow deserts?

    • Cold ocean currents
    • Continentality
    • Hadley cell
    • Relief

  19. An environment has an aridity index of 0.35. Which aridity classification does this represent?

    • Semi-arid
    • Arid
    • Sub-humid
    • Hyper-arid

  20. What general term describes plants specifically adapted to survive in extremely dry desert environments?

    • Xerophytes
    • Mesophytes
    • Hydrophytes
    • Halophytes

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