O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/22 · Oct/Nov 2018 · Q58 Marks

Study Fig. 5.1, which shows a plate boundary in California, USA.

(a)(i)Describe the movements of the two plates shown on Fig. 5.1.[2]
(a)(ii)What type of plate boundary is this? (Circle) the correct answer. conservative constructive destructive[1]
(b)(i)Describe the location of the major settlements shown on Fig. 5.1.[2]
(b)(ii)Suggest why many people choose to live in these settlements.[3]

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

[2] 5(a)(i) Both plates moving NW / same direction
[2] 5(a)(i) North American plate moves 1 cm per year + Pacific plate moves 6 cm per year / 5 cm per year difference in speeds
[2] 5(a)(i) Pacific plate is moving faster / 6 times as fast / North American plate is moving slower
[1] 5(a)(ii) Conservative
[2] 5(b)(i) Coastal
[2] 5(b)(i) Close to plate boundary
[2] 5(b)(i) West of California
[2] 5(b)(i) San Francisco / Oakland in the N / NW and Los Angeles in the S / SE
[2] 5(b)(i) San Francisco / Oakland NW of Los Angeles / Los Angeles SE of San Francisco / Oakland
[2] 5(b)(i) San Francisco / Oakland and Los Angeles are 600–700 km apart
[3] 5(b)(ii) Coastal location so moderate climate / attractive / sea views /beach
[3] 5(b)(ii) Ports / fishing / ocean transport
[3] 5(b)(ii) Tourism jobs / high tech industry
[3] 5(b)(ii) Family ties to area
[3] 5(b)(ii) Cannot afford to go elsewhere
[3] 5(b)(ii) Consider benefits to outweigh the risks
[3] 5(b)(ii) Buildings built to withstand earthquakes
[3] 5(b)(ii) Trust warning systems / emergency procedures
[3] 5(b)(ii) Think it will never happen

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