O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/12 · May/June 2010 · Q325 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 4, which shows a cross section of a river meander. Key P 20 cm/sec 60 cm/sec 40 cm/sec S Q R Lines joining points of equal velocity Fig. 4 (b) Study Photograph D (Insert) which shows part of a river and its flood plain.

(a)(i)At which point is deposition most likely P, Q, R or S?[1]
(a)(ii)Why is erosion more likely at point S than point P?[2]
(a)(iii)Explain how the process of hydraulic action may erode the bed and banks of a river.[3]
(a)(iv)Name and explain two processes by which a river transports its load.[4]
(b)(i)Describe three likely impacts of flooding in the area shown in the photograph.[3]
(b)(ii)What methods can be used to reduce flooding?[5]
(c)Describe the advantages and difficulties for people of living on a river delta. You should refer to a delta which you have studied.[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] (a)(i) P
[2] (a)(ii) Ideas such as: Greater amount/volume of water; water is faster flowing/has more energy; as it has further to travel; centrifugal forces pushes water to outer bank/helicoidal flow.
[3] (a)(iii) Ideas such as: weight/power/force of water; removes unconsolidated/soft materials/soil/clay; pushes air/water into cracks in rock; and breaks it apart/cavitation/undercuts bank; repeat of process etc.
[4] (a)(iv) Methods of river transportation such as: traction; large materials being pushed/rolled along bed (exp); saltation; pebbles being picked up by water and bounced along the bed/series of hops (exp); suspension; light materials carried within the water (exp); solution; materials dissolved in the water (exp); NB One mark for each named process and one for explanation correctly linked with it.
[3] (b)(i) Impacts such as: loss of life; flooding of roads/disruption of road transport; flooding of farmland/damage to crops/death of farm livestock; damage to houses/property/evacuation of residents; damage to/flooding of businesses/pub/restaurant; boats damaged/swept away; contamination of land/dwellings by pollutants; damage to trees; loss of recreational land etc.
[5] (b)(ii) Methods such as: build higher banks/artificial levees; so it will hold more water (dev); afforestation; so less water will reach river (dev); build dams/barriers; to regulate flow of water (dev); straighten river; so water is removed from drainage basin more quickly (dev); widen/deepen/regular dredging; so less water is displaced by accumulated sediment (dev); artificial drainage channels/overflow channels; restrict building on flood plain etc.
[7] (c) Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail describing advantages and/or difficulties of living on a delta. (e.g. Good for agriculture/fertile soils; Water for irrigation; easy to build road/rail; source of food/fish; flat building land; flooding; instability of foundations; need to bridge rivers; competition for space etc.)
[7] (c) Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example (e.g. Mississippi Delta). More developed statements describing advantages and/or difficulties of living on a delta. (e.g. fertile soils therefore high crop yields; Water for irrigation enables cultivation in dry periods; easy to build road on flood plain; source of food/fish to vary diet; flat building land so construction is easy; flooding may regularly damage homes; need to bridge rivers makes cost of road construction expensive; competition for space due to high population density etc.) (NB MAX 5 if no named e.g.)
[7] (c) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (e.g. Mississippi Delta). Comprehensive and accurate statements describing advantages and difficulties of living on a delta. (NB Place specific references could include settlements or rural areas in delta region, alternatively area of sea into which it flows.)