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New
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Year 11
AQA

The post-industrial economy

I can describe the features of a post-industrial economy.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 11
AQA

The post-industrial economy

I can describe the features of a post-industrial economy.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The UK is moving towards a post-industrial economy.
  2. The development of information technology has contributed to a post-industrial economy in the UK.
  3. The growth of service industries, finance and research has contributed to a post-industrial economy in the UK.
  4. Science and business parks have contributed to a post-industrial economy in the UK.

Keywords

  • Post-industrial - an economic phase where employment in manufacturing is replaced by employment in services and knowledge economies

  • Financial services - a branch of industry that manages money and wealth, such as banking, insurance, fund management and taxation

  • Disposable income - money left over after someone has paid for their essentials such as food, bills and housing

  • Science park - an area of land dedicated to businesses specialising in science and technology

Common misconception

Research is not a form of industry because it does not involve trade.

Research is an industry because it creates wealth through innovation and knowledge which has value.


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: The post-industrial economy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Look at maps, satellite images and street views of Cambridge Science Park to show students what the modern face of industry looks like.
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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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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term "post-industrial" refer to?
A time before industrialisation
An economy focused on manufacturing and factories
Correct answer: An economy that moves away from manufacturing to services and technology
An economy based only on agriculture
Q2.
Which of the following industries is most likely to thrive in a post-industrial economy?
Steel production
Textile manufacturing
Correct answer: Financial services
Coal mining
Q3.
"Disposable income" refers to:
Correct answer: The money left after paying for essentials such as food, bills and housing
The income a person gets from selling goods
Money that a company spends on raw materials
Income that is spent on necessities only
Q4.
What is a benefit of having higher levels of disposable income for people in a post-industrial economy?
They spend all their money on essentials
They have a bad quality of life
Correct answer: They can spend money on goods, services, and leisure activities
Correct answer: They can save money for the future
Q5.
Match the type of industry with its example.
Correct Answer:primary sector,mining
tick

mining

Correct Answer:secondary industry,textile industry
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textile industry

Correct Answer:tertiary industry,doctor
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doctor

Correct Answer:quaternary industry,ICT
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ICT

Q6.
Why are science parks important for a post-industrial economy?
They create new factories for manufacturing
Correct answer: They help businesses develop new technologies and innovations
They provide agricultural products for the economy
They are used for tourism and leisure activities

4 Questions

Q1.
is an economic phase where employment in manufacturing is replaced by employment in services and knowledge economies.
Correct Answer: Post-industrial, post industrial
Q2.
Match the key words and their definitions.
Correct Answer:financial services,a branch of industry that manages money and wealth
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a branch of industry that manages money and wealth

Correct Answer:disposable income,money left over after someone has paid for their essentials
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money left over after someone has paid for their essentials

Correct Answer:science park,land dedicated to businesses specialising in science and technology
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land dedicated to businesses specialising in science and technology

Q3.
Which of the following are features of working in the science and research industry?
low pay
Correct answer: working with highly skilled individuals
Correct answer: state-of-the-art workplace
access to docks to transport goods
Q4.
services have seen dramatic changes in the post-industrial era as banks get larger and more global.
Correct Answer: Financial