O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/13 · May/June 2018 · Q325 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 3.1, which is a flow diagram showing information about water flows and stores in a drainage basin. [Figure 3.1]

(a)(i)What is a drainage basin?[1]
(a)(ii)Name the processes/flows which take place at P and Q on Fig. 3.1. P Q[2]
(a)(iii)AA from season to season[3]
(a)(iii)BB from place to place[4]
(b)(i)Describe three differences between the river and valley in Fig. 3.2 compared with the river and valley in Fig. 3.3. 1 2 3[3]
(b)(ii)Suggest how rivers such as those shown in Figs. 3.2 and 3.3 transport their load.[5]
(c)Explain how an oxbow lake is formed. Include a diagram or series of diagrams.[7]

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 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a)(i) An area of land drained by a river (and its tributaries)
[2] (a)(ii) P = Infiltration Q = Groundwater flow/base flow
[3] (a)(iii)A Ideas such as: Amounts of precipitation/rainfall will vary; Temperature will vary/evaporation; Amount/density of vegetation will vary/transpiration; In some seasons, there is snow melt.
[4] (a)(iii)B Ideas such as variation within drainage basin of: Angle of slope; Rock type; Thickness/type of soil; Vegetation cover; Precipitation will vary; Land use will vary;
[3] (b)(i) Ideas such as: River in 3.2 is steeper; Valley sides in 3.2 are steeper; River in 3.2 has a more irregular long profile/3.2 has rapids/waterfall or and 3.3 does not; 3.3 has interlocking spurs but 3.2 does not; 3.3 has a more sinuous/winding course; 3.3 is wider/has flatter floor; 3.2 is more turbulent/has more white water Note: It is steeper (without reference to river or valley) is one mark overall for first two m/s lines. The answer needs to compare. Assume candidates are writing about 3.2 unless stated.
[5] (b)(ii) Methods such as: Traction; Large boulders moved/rolled along the bed (dev); Saltation; Stones bounces along the river bed (dev); Suspension; Light materials carried within the water (dev); Solution; Material dissolved in the (dev); Note: Mark from either the name of the process or the description. Candidates must correctly identify the link to get the development mark (i.e. two marks for one process)
[7] (c) Levels marking Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain how an oxbow lake is formed. Level 2 (4-6 marks) More developed statements which explain how an oxbow lake is formed. Level 3 (7 marks) Comprehensive and accurate which explain how an oxbow lake is formed, including an accurate diagram or series of diagrams. Content Guide: Ideas such as: ∞ Faster flow on outer bends ∞ Erosion on outer bends ∞ Neck of meander narrows/meander becomes more pronounced ∞ Cuts through neck in time of flood; ∞ Former meander sealed by deposition