(a) Study Fig. 4.1 (Insert), which is a photograph of part of a river. [Figure 4.1 (Insert) is a photograph of a river. It shows a winding river channel with features labelled X and Y. X is likely a river cliff or cut bank on the outside bend, and Y is likely a slip-off slope or point bar on the inside bend.] (b) Study Fig. 4.2, which is a map of the delta of the Pearl River in China. [Figure 4.2 is a map of the Pearl River delta in China. It shows a network of numerous distributaries and channels flowing into Lingding Bay and the South China Sea. A scale bar indicates 30 km.]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Meander
2. [2] Ideas such as: It is flat/gently sloping; It is made from fine materials/ small stones/mud/sediment/soil; It is just above the level of the river, etc.
3. [3] Ideas such as: Water flows quickly; Lateral erosion; Water erodes bank/wears away side; Hydraulic action/abrasion (or description); Undercutting; Collapse; Helicoidal/helical flow.
4. [4] Ideas such as: River could become more sinuous/winding/meandering/tighter/more pronounced; Outer bank retreats/moves outwards/goes out further; Slip off slope moves inwards/builds up; Neck of meander narrows/reduces in size/narrow neck will be formed; Cut across/river becomes shorter/straighter; Meander sealed (by deposition); Formation of oxbow lake; etc.
5. [3] Characteristics such as: South/south east facing; Adjacent to/flows into/meets/next to/on the coast of South China Sea/Lingding Bay; Many distributaries/small rivers; Width approximately 70–120 km; Length approximately 100–150 km; Islands in channel; Birds foot type; Etc.
6. [5] Ideas such as: River carries large amount of load; River slows/loses strength/can't carry sediment; Flocculation; Deposition; Formation of distributaries/new channels/finds new routes; Build up of islands/new land; Colonization by vegetation, Lack of strong currents, etc.
7. [7] Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe the hazards/difficulties of living close to a river. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which describe the hazards/difficulties of living close to a river. (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe the hazards/difficulties of living close to a river including some place specific details. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: River erosion Marsh land Mosquitoes Difficulty of crossing river Flooding and its issues such as: Transport problems Contaminated water Homes destroyed Deaths etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details, Named places alongside river, etc.