O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/12 · May/June 2019 · Q325 Marks

Section B Answer one question from this section. (a) Study Fig. 3.1 (Insert), which is a photograph of a river feature.

(a)(i)Identify the type of river feature shown on Fig. 3.1. Choose from the words below: confluence meander mouth source[1]
(a)(ii)Describe two characteristics of the rivers shown on Fig. 3.1.[2]
(a)(iii)Explain why erosion is likely to be the main process in the rivers shown in Fig. 3.1.[3]
(a)(iv)Suggest how the river and its valley will change further downstream from the area shown in Fig. 3.1.[4]
(b)(i)Study Fig. 3.2 (Insert), which is a photograph of a waterfall. Describe three features of the waterfall shown in Fig. 3.2.[3]
(b)(ii)Explain how a waterfall is formed on a river. You may use a labelled diagram or diagrams.[5]
(c)For a named river you have studied, explain the causes of flooding. Named river[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 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Confluence
[2] Ideas such as: White / fast flowing water / rapids;
Rocks / boulders / stones (in channel);
Shallow / varying depths;
Uneven long profile / gradient etc.
[3] Ideas such as: Fast flowing;
Has energy;
Materials carried by river;
Corrasion / hydraulic action / abrasion / attrition or description of process
e.g. rocks collide with each other
[4] Ideas such as further downstream it is likely to be: Wider river;
Broader valley
Deeper;
Faster / velocity increase;
Greater volume / discharge;
(Total) load gets larger
Size of load / sediment smaller;
More deposition / deposition instead of erosion
More lateral erosion;
Higher hydraulic radius / wetted perimeter / smoother riverbed;
More meandering / oxbow lake present;
A flood plain may develop;
Valley (sides) will be less steep / flatter;
Gradient of river gets less;
Etc.
[3] Features such as: White water / spray / turbulent / foam;
Vertical / steep (drop / sides) / cliff;
Plunge pool / deep pool;
Overhang / cave / undercut;
Double waterfall / steps / ledge / separates at top;
Widens as gets lower;
[5] Ideas such as: Hard rock overlies softer rock / (passes over) hard then soft / alternating hard and soft;
Hard rock resists erosion / softer rock is eroded rapidly;
Undercutting / overhang develops;
Overhang collapses;
Retreat of waterfall / process repeats;
Specific named methods of erosion or description of (1 MAX)
No reserve on diagram, but must be labelled to credit relevant ideas. Do not double credit ideas on diagram.
[7] Levels marking
Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain the causes of a flood.
Level 2 (4-6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain the causes of a flood. (Note: 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: Heavy rainfall, Rainfall over a long period of time, Impermeable rocks, Rocks reach saturation level, Snow / ice melt, Deforestation, Urban development Storm surges High spring tides Cyclones - so coastal flooding idea fine at estuary Lack of river management
Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details, Named places along the river / in the drainage basin, Statistics (can also be credited as PS) e.g. rainfall amounts