Past Paper Corrections

Question 1

Explain why stacks form when coastal processes and geology interact. [6]

Answer 1

1) Stacks form in discordant coastlines when a headland of more resistant rock (such as limestone) sticks out into the sea. They cannot form on concordant coastlines as headlands are not present here.
2) Weaker rocks will tend to be less steep and consolidated which means they collapse more easily, before the landform has a chance to develop.
3) Wave energy is focused onto the headland and faults/weaknesses in the rock are eroded through the processes of hydraulic action, abrasion and solution. Destructive waves are directed to the sides of the headland by refraction.
4) This causes a crack to widen until it forms a cave in the rock.
5) Erosion continues until the waves break through the back of the cave to the other side; an arch is formed.
6) Processes of erosion continue alongside weathering (freeze-thaw mainly). This causes the arch to widen, weaken and eventually collapse under gravity to form a stack.

Question 2

Advantages of choropleth maps (4)

Answer 2

• It shows spatial distribution
• Visually effective
• Shading represents a range of values
• Groupings can be flexible to accommodate spread of values

Question 3

Disadvantages of choropleth maps (3)

Answer 3

• Difficult to understand/ not suitable if colour blind
• Gives a false impression of abrupt changes around boundaries
• They don’t highlight variations within an area

Question 4

What are tertiary industries?

Answer 4

Businesses that provide services rather than goods

Question 5

What is one economic consequence of international migration into the UK? (2)

Answer 5

Improved economy with the UK as migrants fill less desirable/ low paid jobs and contribute taxes to the government - larger tax base

Question 6

The growth of global cities can have positive and negative impacts on the way of life of people who live in them. Explain why. [6]

Answer 6

• There is a concentration of business and commerce in global cities - providing jobs, wealth and greater opportunities to residents and in-migrants due to greater connections with other global cities and the regions they support.
• But these opportunities are likely to be greater in HIC global cities. An impact of this in LIC’s/NIC’s could be the lack of capacity to absorb the number of migrants in search of this wealth which in turn leads to development of an informal economy as well as greater unemployment, poverty & lack of access to services such as housing.

Question 7

Describe the processes that cause geysers to become active. (5)

Answer 7

1) rainwater/snowmelt percolates into the ground
2) it meets hot rocks
3) it expands
4) pressure increases
5) this forces steam/boiling water back to the surface

Question 8

Explain why rift valleys can form at divergent plate boundaries. [4]

Answer 8

1) Diverging plates cause the rifting and pulling apart of crustal rocks to form a rift valley.
2) Tension created as the plates pull the crust apart leads to vertical faults developing.
3) Between these faults rocks can collapse/ drop downwards to form a valley
4) Therefore the middle section collapses/ sinks between the 2 rifting plates

Question 9

Give uses for a hazard risk map [4]

Answer 9

• identifying high/ low risk areas
• planning building development
• to inform government/planners
• evacuation route planning

Question 10

Why should planners be cautious about using hazard risk maps in earthquake zones [4]

Answer 10

• earthquakes are unpredictable
• they can occur in seemingly low-risk areas
• Hazard risk maps can lead to complacency
• Earthquake impacts can depend upon infrastructure, building quality and population density (it is not just about distance from the epicentre)