GEOGRAPHY

MARK
SCHEME
GRADE 12
PAPER 1
MAIN

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 Section A

Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology:

1 (a) Calculate the lag time.

5–7 hours [1]

(b) Identify the following features of the hydrograph.

(i) A rising limb

(ii) B peak discharge

(iii) C baseflow [3]

(c) Explain how two of the catchment conditions given in Fig.1 affect the shape of the hydrograph.

– Clay allows little infiltration as it gets saturated quickly and therefore the more water would form
overland flow.

– The steep sided topography means that water will flow quickly into the channel contributing to the
high level of run off.

– The rounded drainage basin shape means that all the points from the watershed are approximately
equidistant from the point where the discharge was recorded.

In all cases the effects on the hydrograph are similar i.e. a relatively short lag time, steep rising and
recessional limbs and relatively low baseflow. [6]

2 Fig. 2 shows the three changes in atmospheric moisture.

(a) Name the processes in Fig. 2 labelled:

(i) J, [1]

Freezing

(ii) K. [1]

Evaporation

(b) State and briefly describe the process occurring at L. [3]

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Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase without passing
through the liquid intermediate phase.

(c) Using Fig. 2, describe and explain processes which contribute to the formation of precipitation. [5]

The most relevant part of the diagram is the condensation/evaporation section, although candidates are
likely to go through each of the three phases in turn.

Precipitation forms when air cools and condenses. Candidates need to describe when water vapour is
changed into either a liquid or solid, by being cooled to saturation point. This can be done by: adiabatic
cooling, orographic and frontal uplift, advection and radiation cooling. It is not expected that candidates
go through all the theories of rainfall formation.

3 Fig. 3 shows some of the features associated with plate tectonics.

(a) (i) Identify the feature shown at A.

Mid-ocean ridge [1]

(ii) Identify the feature shown at B.

Ocean trench [1]

(iii) Identify the process occurring at C.

Subduction [1]

(iv) Identify the type of plate shown at D.

Oceanic [1]

(b) Explain how volcanoes might be formed at different plate margins.

Volcanoes can be formed at either divergent or convergent plate margins. At divergent margins,
upwelling of magma will produce volcanic landforms. There needs to be some mention of convection
currents. Where oceanic plates meet a continental plate or two oceanic plates meet, subduction will
occur with melting in the Benioff zone to produce magma which then may force its way to the surface.
Hotspot volcanoes, such as Hawaii, are snot acceptable. Suggest 3/3 or 4/2 depending on quality of
detail. [6]

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 Section B
Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology

4 (a) (i) Define the terms lag time and peak discharge. [4]

Lag time is the length of time (1) between the peak rainfall and peak discharge (1).

Peak discharge is the time when the river (1) has its maximum amount of flow/ volume of water (1).

A labelled diagram showing lag time and peak discharge – max 3 marks.

(ii) Briefly explain how overland flow occurs. [3]

Overland flow occurs when infiltration capacity is exceeded (1); this can be due to intensity of
rainfall/snow melt/antecedent moisture/impermeability of the surface (1) and it leads to the flow of
water on the surface direct to the channel (1).

For full marks, there needs to be a mention of precipitation input.

(b) Using diagrams, explain how (i) rock type and (ii) vegetation can affect the storm hydrographs of a
drainage basin. [8]

Many will see rock type, in simple terms, of impermeable rocks leading to a flashier response due to run
off on impermeable rocks. Better answers will explain how variations in permeability lead to contrasts in
rates and amounts of percolation, throughflow and baseflow movements.

Similarly, vegetation will be seen by many as only affecting interception (trees v pasture) but
consideration of vegetation cover or lack of it is also relevant leading possibly to a flashier response of
the latter. Impact upon infiltration will be in better answers.

If no diagrams used: max. 6 marks. For higher marks, there should be contrasts within both rock type
and vegetation parts of the response, though there may be some imbalance between rock type and
vegetation coverage.

Most candidates will use diagrams of a storm hydrograph, but if a slope hydrological system is used, as
long as the information in the diagram is related to the effects on the storm hydrograph, this is
acceptable.

Mark as 4/4.

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(c) Explain why rivers flood. To what extent is it possible to predict floods and to prevent rivers from
flooding? [10]

Rivers flood due to an excess of input into the catchment system due almost entirely to intense rainfall
that is beyond the system’s capacity. Rapid snow melt is another possibility. This produces overbankful
conditions leading to inundation of surrounding areas such as flood plains. Other causes might be related
to human activities, such as deforestation or urbanisation, which increase the risk of flooding, but there
needs to be reference to inputs.
Prediction can be undertaken by the calculation of recurrence intervals predicting 10 to 100-year floods.
This is not very successful nor is catchment modelling as it is the unpredictable nature of rainfall input
that is the problem. Discussion of weather forecasting is acceptable.
Prevention methods might include dams, levees, straightening, dredging, etc. Changing catchment land
use, e.g. afforestation and land use patterns are also relevant and might indicate a higher grade answer.
The use of dams is the most successful preventative measure as it allows the control of discharge. Even
here total prevention is not possible as reservoir capacity can be exceeded requiring the release of excess
water into the channels below the dam.
Overall, the other methods are less effective, but candidates might refer to transference of flood risk to
downstream areas as a form of evaluation.
Maximum Level 2 if only two elements covered.
Level 3
Good appreciation of the cause and nature of flooding. Prediction and prevention
methods are appropriately described and are evaluated clearly. Candidates are able to
link the ideas together and demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of flooding
and flood management. [11-15]
Level 2
There may be a very basic explanation as to the cause of flooding, but prediction
methods will be vague with little assessment, and methods of flood control will be
sensibly described but with limited assessment. [6–10]
Level 1
Flood definition or focus upon the effects rather than causes. Little or no predictive
methods and a description of some methods of flood prevention. [0–5]
No response or no creditable response, 0.

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Atmosphere and weather

5 (a) (i) Define the terms condensation and evaporation. [4]

Condensation is the process by which the state of water vapour (gas) in the atmosphere is changed into
a liquid, or if temperatures fall below 0 °C, a solid. It results from air being cooled until it is saturated at
the dew point.

Evaporation is the physical process by which moisture is lost directly into the atmosphere from water
surfaces and the soil due to the effects of air movement and sun’s heat. This involves a change of state
(liquid-gas). Rates vary depending upon humidity, wind velocity, insolation and nature of ground
surface.

(ii) Briefly explain what is meant by latent heat transfer. [3]

The amount of energy emitted or absorbed when a body changes state, without any change of
temperature within the body. It is emitted during the processes of condensation and freezing, but is
absorbed when evaporation and melting occurs.

Latent heat allows energy to be transferred within the atmospheric circulation as well as energy transfer
from ground to the atmosphere.

(b) With the help of diagrams, explain how land and sea breezes are created. [8]

Expect cross-section diagrams showing land and sea breezes; land breeze at night and sea breeze in the
daytime. Land and sea breezes result from circulation on a diurnal timescale due to differential heating
and cooling between land and adjacent sea areas.

The resulting pressure differences produce gentle breezes which affect coastal areas in anticyclonic
conditions. In a morning, low pressure results in breeze from sea to land which can lower coastal
temperatures and cause advection fogs. Sea retains heat longer at night; reversal of pressure gradient
and it produces a land breeze.

(c) Explain how instability in the atmosphere causes different types of weather. [10]

In unstable conditions, a lifted parcel of air will be warmer than the surrounding air at altitude. Because
it is warmer, it is less dense and is prone to further ascent. The parcel cools adiabatically until dew point
(condensation level) is reached after which the parcel rises at the SLAR. The question asks for a
discussion of the resultant weather phenomena. Expect reference to the production of clouds, types of
rainfall, and also sleet and hail.

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Level 3:

A good understanding of the condition of instability in the atmosphere. Correct reference to the
weather phenomena associated with instability. Expect accurate, well labelled diagrams at this level to
back up the discussion of the main types of rainfall. [11–15]

Level 2:

More than a basic knowledge of the link between weather and the process of instability.

[6–10]

Level 1:

Lacks sound understanding of instability and focuses on the occurrence of thunderstorms and rainfall.
[0–5]

6 (a) (i) Define sea floor spreading and ocean ridge. [4]

Sea floor spreading is the extension of ocean floors laterally, as oceanic plates move apart (1) and
magma is added to the ocean floor (1).

An ocean ridge is a (large scale) mid-ocean elevation/mountain range, (1) typically with a rift along the
spine/central ridge/where magma escapes (1).

(ii) Describe an island arc. [3]

A chain of islands/archipelago (1), generally in a curved line (1), usually volcanic close to or parallel to a
destructive plate margin/convergent oceanic plates (1).

(b) Draw a labelled diagram showing the convergence of an oceanic plate and a continental plate.
Explain the processes occurring and the types of landforms produced. [8]

The diagram should show an oceanic plate being subducted beneath a continental plate with attendant
volcanic, ocean trench and fold mountains. Explanation should involve the role of convection currents,
crustal melting in the Benioff zone and the upwelling of magma through fissures and faults in the
continental plate and folding of marine sediments/continental plate to form fold mountains. The ocean
trench represents the dragging downward of crust at the subduction zone.

If no diagram: max 5 marks.

A higher band response could be characterised by a well labelled diagram and will link processes to a
variety of specific landforms.

Use three bands of marks: 1–3, 4–6 and 7–8.

No response or no creditable response, 0.

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(c) A good understanding of the formation of Fold mountains at both destructive plate margin and
collision plate margin

Destructive plate margin –

Over the land :

Explanation should involve the role of convection currents, crustal melting in the Benioff zone and the
upwelling of magma through fissures and faults in the continental plate and folding of marine
sediments/continental plate to form fold mountains [7]

Collision Plate Margin

Mention of two continental plates

Same densities no subduction

Instead, the 2 plates crumple into one another and fold upwards into fold mountains. At these margins
we get fold mountains and earthquake activity, and a fantastic example of this is the Himalayan
mountains. Here, the Indo Australian plate is colliding with the Eurasian plate and has done so for
millions of years. Originally, there used to be a sea called the Tethys Sea between India and Asia, but
over time India has collided into Eurasia creating huge fold mountains rich in marine (sea) fossils. [8]

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