O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/11 · Oct/Nov 2010 · Q325 Marks

(a) Study Photograph A (Insert), which shows an area of coastline and Fig. 4 which is a map of the same area. [Figure 4.0] (b) Study Fig. 5, which shows the island of Barbados. [Figure 5.0]

(a)(i)How far has the cliff eroded in the last 30 years? Give your answer in metres.[1]
(a)(ii)Suggest two reasons why rapid erosion has taken place in the area shown in Photograph A.[2]
(a)(iii)Explain how coastal erosion may cause problems for the people who live in the area shown in Fig. 4.[3]
(a)(iv)Name and explain two processes by which waves erode coasts.[4]
(b)(i)Describe the distribution of coral reefs shown on Fig. 5.[3]
(b)(ii)Describe the conditions required for the development of a coral reef.[5]
(c)Explain how one of the following has formed in a named area which you have studied: • a spit; • an area of coastal sand dunes. You should use labelled 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 (Oct/Nov 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] 50–60 metres
[1] Large waves/storms/destructive waves;
[1] Soft/unconsolidated rocks;
[1] No coastal protection/or examples of;
[1] Narrow beach;
[1] No wave cut platform;
[1] Destruction of houses/bungalows/homes;
[1] Loss of gardens;
[1] Need to evacuate;
[1] Threat to businesses/hotel/craft shop;
[1] Loss of income from tourists;
[1] Loss of part of car park etc.
[2] Hydraulic action; cliffs worn away by weight/power of water (exp)/expansion of air in cracks;
[2] Corrasion/Abrasion; cliffs worn away by materials which are being carried by waves acting like sandpaper (exp);
[2] Corrosion/Solution; cliffs dissolved by chemicals in water (exp);
[2] Attrition; materials being carried by waves reduced in size by hitting each other (exp)
[1] in lines;
[1] (North) west coast/western side;
[1] South/south east coast;
[1] Near the coast/offshore;
[1] Within 1 or 2 kms of coast;
[1] Between land and 100 m depth line;
[1] Named reference to 3 or more bays and/or Kitridge point and/or Marine reserve;
[1] Warm water/seas; temperatures above 20 °C (dev)
[1] Shallow water; not more than 60 metres deep (dev)
[1] Water free from sediment/clear/away from deltas/rivers;
[1] Plentiful supply of oxygen in water/unpolluted;
[1] Plentiful supply of plankton;
[1] Calm seas/lack of destructive waves;
Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail explaining how/why spit/sand dunes have developed. (e.g. deposition by wind, onshore winds, builds up over time etc)
Level 2 (4–6 marks) Max 5 marks if no named example. 3 developed statements plus named example for 6 marks. More developed statements explaining how/why spit/sand dunes have developed. (e.g. deposition by wind as energy is reduced, onshore winds pick up dry sand from beach, obstruction on beach/pebble/seaweed causes eddies/sheltered area; marram grass colonises dunes and traps further sand etc.)
Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (e.g. Ynyslas dunes, Dyfed). Comprehensive and accurate statements explaining how and why spit/sand dunes have developed, including labelled diagrams. Do not need place specific reference use of diagram will replace this. (e.g. deposition by wind as energy of winds blowing from Cardigan Bay is reduced, westerly onshore winds pick up dry sand from the wide beach at the estuary of the Dovey river, obstruction on beach/pebble/seaweed causes eddies/sheltered area; marram grass colonises dunes and traps further sand etc.) NB: Named examples must be names of dunes or spit.