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O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/23 · Oct/Nov 2018 · Q730 Marks

Students in England did fieldwork at twelve sites on a stream called Ashes Hollow. It flows for about 5km from where the stream begins, until it joins the stream called Quinny Brook. They selected six sites upstream of a waterfall, and six sites downstream of it. Fig. 7.1 (Insert) shows Ashes Hollow and Fig. 7.2 (Insert) shows the waterfall. (a) Choose from the table below the correct geographical word for confluence meander mouth source watershed

  1. (a)(i)'where the stream begins'[1]
  2. (a)(ii)'it joins the stream called Quinny Brook.'[1]
  3. (b)(i)Which one of the possible hazards did the students consider to have the greatest risk?[1]
  4. (b)(ii)Suggest different ways to manage each of the following hazards during fieldwork: Slippery surfaces in and around the river ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Fast currents in the river ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Catch disease from the river water[3]
  5. (c)To test their hypotheses the students made three measurements at each of the twelve sites. They measured the width of the channel, the depth of the channel, and the sinuosity of the channel. Their methods are shown in three photographs in a student's notebook, Fig. 7.4 (Insert). In the table below match each photograph to the method it shows. Measurement method Photograph (A, B, C) width of channel depth of channel channel sinuosity[2]
  6. (d)(i)Which one of the following is the correct method to calculate cross sectional area? Tick (✔) your choice. Method Tick (✔) average depth plus width average depth minus width average depth multiplied by width[1]
  7. (d)(ii)Use the results in Table 7.2 to plot the cross sectional area at site 3 on Fig. 7.5 below. [Figure 7.5][1]
  8. (d)(iii)To what extent do the results shown in Fig. 7.5 support Hypothesis 1: The cross sectional area of the channel increases downstream? Circle your decision below and support it with evidence from Fig. 7.5 and Table 7.2. completely partially not at all[4]
  9. (e)(i)Use the results to plot the sinuosity score at site 10 on Fig. 7.6 below. [Figure 7.6][1]
  10. (e)(ii)What conclusion did the students make about Hypothesis 2: Sinuosity is greater downstream of the waterfall? Use evidence from Fig. 7.6 and Table 7.3 to support the conclusion.[3]
  11. (f)(i)Why do valley floors generally become wider downstream?[1]
  12. (f)(ii)Their results are shown in Table 7.4 (Insert). Plot the width of the valley floor at site 8 on Fig. 7.7 below. [Figure 7.7][1]
  13. (f)(iii)Give two pieces of evidence from Fig. 7.7 and Table 7.4 that the width of the valley floor was not wider downstream of the waterfall than upstream of the waterfall.[2]
  14. (g)Describe a method the students could use to measure another characteristic of the river at the 12 sites. Do not refer to width, depth or sinuosity.[4]
  15. (h)Fig. 7.2 (Insert) shows the waterfall on Ashes Hollow stream. Explain how a waterfall is formed.[4]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] Source
  2. [1] Confluence
  3. [1] Slippery surfaces in and around the river
  4. [3] Slippery surfaces: wear suitable shoes / boots / work with a partner / don't work alone / use a stick for support
  5. Fast currents: avoid the area of fast water or deep water / work with partner / don't work alone / use a rope
  6. Waterborne disease: do not drink water / wash hands after being in river / wear gloves / drink bottled water
  7. [2] Photo C, A, B
  8. 3 correct = 2 marks, 1 or 2 correct = 1 mark
  9. [1] Average depth multiplied by width
  10. [1] Plotting bar for site 3 = 0.51 sq m
  11. [4] Partially – 1 mark reserve
  12. Sites below waterfall / 7–12 / downstream generally or overall or majority or most or some have a bigger cross section area
  13. There are exceptions / anomalies at sites 2 / 5 / 7 / 9 / 12 (any e.g.)
  14. e.g. site 7 is smaller cross section and there are larger ones upstream
  15. e.g. site 12 is smaller cross section than site 11
  16. Credit 2 marks maximum for data – any 2 sites and cross-section areas (1 mark for supporting hypothesis and 1 mark for exception)
  17. Sites must relate to a context above
  18. e.g. Site 1 = 0.12 sq m and site 12 = 0.84 sq m (support)
  19. e.g. Site 5 = 1.65 sq m and site 7 = 0.23 sq m (exception)
  20. e.g. average 1-6 (above) = 0.8 / 0.81 sq m and average 7–12 (below) = 1.94 sq m
  21. If no hypothesis conclusion credit evidence
  22. [1] Plotting score for site 10 = 1.53
  23. [3] Hypothesis is true – 1 mark reserve
  24. (Average) score is higher / increases downstream (of waterfall)
  25. Credit 1 mark for paired data – average or sites above and below waterfall or range - which support hypothesis e.g.
  26. Sites 1-6 average = 1.11 and sites 7–12 average = 1.35
  27. Site 1 = 1.19 and site 12 = 1.37
  28. Range of sites 1–6 = 1.01 to 1.19 and range of sites 7-12 = 1.14 to 1.63
  29. If no hypothesis conclusion credit evidence
  30. [1] Erosion on outside of meander / bank / side
  31. Lateral / sideways erosion
  32. [1] Plot width at site 8 = 8.4 m
  33. [2] Credit evidence from upstream and downstream of waterfall such as
  34. Second largest measurement at site 3 / upstream of waterfall
  35. Sites 2/3/5 are wider than some sites downstream
  36. Site 7/8/9/10 are narrower than some sites upstream
  37. Credit any two appropriate sites (upstream and downstream of waterfall) – either statement or statistics to 2 marks
  38. e.g. site 3 is wider than site 7 OR site 3 = 24.7 m and site 7 = 4.2 m
  39. e.g. site 2 is wider than site 10 OR Site 2 = 18.2 m and site 10 = 10.3 m
  40. [4] Method to measure stream velocity or gradient or load characteristics or wetted perimeter or pollution
  41. Velocity using floats: Use tape measure to measure a fixed distance / 10 metres; Put poles/sticks at fixed distance / 10 metres along river / at start and end of fixed distance; Put float / orange in river at start of measured distance; Start stopwatch or timer when float / orange is put in river; Stopwatch or timer measures time it takes to travel the measured distance / stop stopwatch or timer when float reaches end of measured distance; Measure at different points across river channel
  42. Velocity using flowmeter: Put velocity meter / propeller / flowmeter below surface of river / into the water; Propeller must be facing upstream / nothing in front of propeller; Read / look at digital reading or display / speed is shown on display; Take readings across river channel
  43. Gradient: Measure 10 m distance along river; Put two poles vertically on river bed; Hold / put poles at either end of measured distance; Hold clinometer next to top / at agreed height on pole; Line up identified position / top of two poles; Use clinometer to measure angle / degrees
  44. Load - size, material or roundness: Select rocks at different sites downstream; Sample a number / 10–20 rocks at each site; Systematic or random sampling technique; Put rock into callipers or pebbleometer / adjusted callipers to hold rock; Measure length using scale on callipers; Measured long axis / length with ruler; Compare selected rock with Powers roundness scale; Classify rocks according to roundness scale
  45. If characteristic does not match the method, credit method to 2 marks maximum
  46. If more than one method, credit best answer
  47. [4] (Layers of) hard and soft rock / hard rock (layer) on top of soft rock (layer)
  48. Soft rock (layer) is eroded by river / river erodes at base of waterfall
  49. Abrasion / corrasion
  50. Hard rock (layer) is undercut / forms overhang / nothing to hold it / unsupported
  51. Hard rock (layer) collapses

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About this question

Topic
The natural environment, O-Level Geography (syllabus 2217). Structured question, 30 marks.
Source
O-Level Geography, Oct/Nov 2018 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 7.

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