O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/11 · May/June 2010 · Q325 Marks

Study Photographs C and D (Insert), which show part of a meander on a river. Photograph D shows a student carrying out fieldwork at the area marked X on Photograph C. [Photograph C, Photograph D] Study Fig. 4, which shows a river and its valley. [Figure 4]

(a)(i)What feature is labelled X in Photograph C?[1]
(a)(ii)Describe two characteristics of the materials which form the river bed and bank shown in Photograph D.[2]
(a)(iii)Explain how the feature at X is formed.[3]
(a)(iv)The river cliff at Y is formed by erosion. Name and explain two processes of river erosion.[4]
(b)(i)Describe the main natural features of the river and valley which are shown on Fig. 4.[3]
(b)(ii)Describe the advantages and difficulties for people of living close to a river such as the one shown on Fig. 4.[5]
(c)Explain how and why a delta has formed in a named area which you have studied. You should use a labelled diagram or diagrams in your answer.[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 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Slip off slope/river beach 1 mark
[2] Characteristics such as: pebbles/stones; angular/pointed/sharp/jagged; grey; mixture of sizes etc 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as: water is flowing slowly; and cannot carry its load; thus deposition occurs; gradual built up/repeat of process etc 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Methods of river erosion such as: Hydraulic action; bed/banks worn away by weight/power of water (exp); Abrasion/corrasion; bed worn away by materials which are being carried acting like sandpaper (exp); Corrosion; bed/banks dissolved by chemicals in water (exp); Attrition; materials being carried by river reduced in size by hitting each other/bouncing on river bed (exp) NB One mark for each named process and one for explanation correctly linked with it. Must have correct explanation to match the process. 2 @ 2 marks
[3] Natural Features such as: flood plain/flat land (alongside river); gently sloping valley sides; meandering/winding river; levees alongside river; river is wide/widens out; etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Candidates should describe both the advantages and disadvantages for people of living on a flood plain. Credit up to 3 MAXIMUM for advantages/difficulties. Advantages - Va Expect advantages relating to issues such as: Agriculture/fertile soils; so people can produce high yields of crops (dev). Water for irrigation/for drinking/washing; so people can grow rice in areas that would otherwise be too dry (dev)/don't have to walk far to collect it (dev); Communications (by river; by road/rail on flood plain); River is source of food/fish; Flat building land; etc Difficulties - √d Expect difficulties relating to issues such as: Flooding; so people may lose their property/crops washed away so food shortages (dev); Instability of foundations; Need to bridge river; Often densely populated/competition for space; etc 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail explaining delta formation. (e.g. Deposition of sediment/alluvium by river; Absence of major tidal flows/currents; Distributaries form; etc) Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example More developed statements explaining delta formation. (e.g. Deposition of sediment/alluvium by river as speed of flow slows down; river cannot carry load if river is heavily laden with silt; absence of major tidal flows/currents allows continual build up of sediment; impact of salt water causes further deposition; growth of vegetation raises it above sea level; distributaries form to enable water to flow through to sea; etc) NB Max 5 if no named example Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (e.g. Mississippi Delta) Comprehensive and accurate statements explaining delta formation, including labelled diagrams. (Must have labelled diagram rather than place specific information).