Study Fig. 6 which shows the flood plain of the River Wye in the UK. [Figure 6] is a map showing the River Wye and its flood plain in the UK. It includes towns such as Eardisley, Ailey, Whitney on Wye, Winforton, Willersley, Clifford, and Bredwardine, as well as Priory Wood. Points A and B are marked on the river. The key indicates 'river', 'old course of river', 'higher ground' (patterned), 'flood plain' (patterned), 'village' (symbol), 'farm building' (symbol), and a scale bar (0-2 km), with a north arrow. Study Photograph D (Insert), which shows a river and its valley.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] 3–3.2 kms
2. [2] Position of old course can still be seen/the old course is marked on the map/old course is left behind; there is an oxbow lake/detached from main river
3. [3] Shown on map; meander – on map on current course of the river (not on oxbow lake or old course); Willersley; farm to the north of Priory Wood
4. [4] Ideas such as: fertile soils/high yields of crops; good grazing land; water from river for drinking/washing/in homes/irrigation, etc.; flat building land; transport along river; easy communications/roads/railways can be built along valley; power available from river/water mills/HEP; scenic beauty/make money for tourists; source of food/fishing; clay for building or making pots, etc.
5. [3] Features such as: shallow; wide channel; gentle long profile; debris/rocks in channel/pebbles/slip off slope/river beach/deposition has taken place; splits into two channels/has a small island in middle/braided; gently sloping valley sides; grass/woodland/heather; wide valley, etc.
6. [5] Ideas such as: hydraulic action; power/force/weight of water will wear away loose materials; abrasion/corrasion; debris carried by river will scrape along the bed/banks; corrosion/solution; acids in water will carry out carbonation/dissolve rocks like chalk and limestone; lateral erosion; sideways erosion as water moves quickly around the outside of bends; vertical erosion; downwards erosion of the river bed, etc.
7. [7] Levels marking Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain why flooding occurs. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain why flooding occurs. (N.B. max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements, including some place specific reference. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: precipitation snow melt removal of vegetation rock type impact of roads, buildings and drains tides/surges global warming tsunamis, etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: locational details details of amounts of precipitation named settlements along river time/date, etc. N.B. The example can be an area or a river. Use of accurate statistics is L2.