Skip to main content
O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/23 · May/June 2014 · Q28 Marks

Study Fig. 3, which shows surface weathering of marble tombstones, in an area of Sydney, Australia, where acid rain occurs.

  1. (a)(i)Draw a best fit line on the scattergraph in Fig. 3.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Describe the relationship suggested by the graph.[1]
  3. (b)The marble is weathered by carbonation. Describe this process.[2]
  4. (c)(i)Use the data in Table 1 to plot, on Fig. 3, the four data points for tombstones at Wollongong, Australia. Date on tombstone | Surface reduction (mm) 1940 | 0.13 1930 | 0.20 1905 | 0.18 1893 | 0.21[2]
  5. (c)(ii)Which location, Sydney or Wollongong, has more acidic rain?[1]
  6. (c)(iii)Suggest why the rainfall might be more acidic.[1]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

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

  1. [1] (a) (i) Appropriate line on graph
  2. [1] (ii) Older tombstones have more surface reduction
  3. Newer tombstones have less surface reduction
  4. Negative relationship
  5. [2] (b) Carbon dioxide / industrial emissions dissolve in rainwater
  6. Chemical reaction between acid and (calcium carbonate in) rocks / acid dissolves rocks
  7. [2] (c) (i) All correct = 2 marks
  8. 1 wrong = 1 mark
  9. 2 or more wrong = 0 marks
  10. [1] (ii) Wollongong
  11. [1] (iii) More industry
  12. More urban emissions
  13. More air pollution

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
The natural environment, O-Level Geography (syllabus 2217). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
O-Level Geography, May/June 2014 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 2.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Geography questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep