Rivers MS Sample 2016 Paper 1 Qn 4(b)

(b) (i) hydraulic action – weight/power of water/loosening of unconsolidated/soft materials/pressuring of air in cracks; etc.
Corrasion – river uses load it is carrying to erode/sandpapering action etc.
Corrosion – chemicals/acids in water/dissolve rocks; etc.

 3 @ 1 mark [3]

(ii) Ideas such as:
rapid erosion of less resistant rock;
more resistant rock not worn away as rapidly;
power of falling water enlarges plunge pool;
undercutting of hard rock;
collapse of hard rock layer/lack of support;
waterfall retreats (to form gorge); etc.

 5 @ 1 mark or development [5]

(c) Levels marking
Level 1 (1–3 marks)
Statements including limited detail explaining how an oxbow lake is formed. (e.g. river cuts off a meander; erosion during floods; outer bend of meander eroded etc.)

Level 2 (4–6 marks)
More developed statements on how/why an oxbow lake is formed. (e.g. Outer bend of meanders eroded due to faster flowing water; neck of meander cut during time of flood; former meander sealed by deposition etc.)
NB Max 6 marks without diagram

Level 3 (7 marks)
Comprehensive and accurate statements explaining how and why an oxbow lake is formed, including appropriate labelled diagram(s).
NB 1. Diagram must be labelled (or numbers + key) for L3 credit. 2. Do not double credit text and annotation (other than allowing access to L3) [7]

[Total: 25]

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Past Exam Questions on Rivers

June 2014 QP 11 Qn 3(a) / June 2014 MS P11 Qn 3 (a)

June 2014 QP 11 Qn 3(b) / June 2014 MS P11 Qn 3 (b)

June 2014 QP 12 Qn 4 (a) / June 2014 MS P12 Qn 4 (a)

June 2014 QP 12 Qn 4 (b) / June 2014 MS P12 Qn 4 (b)

June 2014 QP 13 Qn 4 (a) / June 2014 MS P13 Qn 4 (a)

June 2014 QP 13 Qn 4 (b) / June 2014 MS P13 Qn 4 (b)

Sample J 2016, QP 1 Qn 4 (a) / Sample J 2016 MS 1 Qn 4(a)

Sample J 2016, QP 1 Qn 4 (b) / Sample J 2016 MS 1 Qn 4 (b)

Flood Plain MS June 2014 P11 Qn 3(b)

(b) 
(i) Ideas such as: 
heavy rainfall/ storms; 
prolonged period of rainfall; 
snow melting; 
saturated ground/ large amounts of impermeable surfaces /rapid runoff/ overland flow;  
deforestation building on flood plains / urbanisation; 
dam breaking; etc. (3 × 1 mark) [3] 

(ii) Ideas such as: 
people trapped/ forced to stay in houses; 
loss of life /drowning; 
damage to housing; 
need to evacuate (dev); 
people are homeless; 
closure/ flooding of workplaces; 
so people cannot earn money (dev); 
disruption to road transport/railways /bridges; 
sewage flows onto land/road/water; 
water borne disease; 
such as cholera / typhoid (dev); 
cost of repairs to damage; 
leads to increase in insurance premiums (dev); 
damage to possessions or examples e.g. car; 
cuts off electricity / gas; etc. 

(5 × 1 mark or development) [5] 

(c) Levels marking 

Level 1 
(1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain why people live on flood plain/ delta.  

Level 2 
(4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain why people live on flood plain/ delta. (N.B.: Max 5 if no named example) 

Level 3 
(7 marks) Uses named example of a river. Comprehensive and accurate statements, including some place specific reference. 

Content Guide: 
Answers are likely to refer to;  
fertile soils / high yields of crops; 
good grazing land; 
water from river for drinking/washing/in homes; 
irrigation; 
flat building land; 
transport along river; 
easy communications /roads /railways can be built along valley; power available from river/water mills /HEP; 
scenic beauty /make money from tourists;  
source of food/ fishing; 
clay for building/ making pots; etc. 

Place specific reference is likely to consist of: 
locational details; 
named settlements along river etc. [7] 

                                                                          [TOTAL: 25 marks] 

Click to go back to the Question Paper for Paper 11 Qn 3(b)

Flood Plain MS June 2014 P11 Qn 3(a)

3 (a) 
(i) 1.6 to 1.8km (1 mark) [1] 

(ii) X = Oxbow lake Y = meander (2 × 1 mark) [2] 

(iii) Ideas such as: 
 flooding of track; 
 erosion of embankment/ track; 
 cost of maintenance; 
 disruption to services; 
 build a bridge; 
 rocks from river may be deposited and block the track; etc. 

(3 × 1 mark) [3] 

 (iv) Ideas such as: 
 lateral erosion/ or description; 
 deposition in channel/ on bed of river; 
 displacement of water; 
 flooding of river/ overflows bank; 
 carrying large amount of sediment; 
 slow moving/ stationary water/ friction; 
 deposition of sediment on flood plain/ deposition of alluvium; 
 build up of layers; etc. 

(4 × 1 mark) [4] 

Click to go back to the June 2014, QP11 Qn 3(a)

Flood Plain MS June 2014 P12 Qn 4 (b)

(b) 
(i) Features such as: 
shallow; 
wide channel; 
gentle long profile; 
debris/rocks in channel/pebbles/slip off slope/river beach/deposition has taken place; 
splits into two channels/has a small island in middle/braided; 
gently sloping valley sides; 
grass/woodland/heather; 
wide valley, etc. 

3 @ 1 mark [3] 

(ii) Ideas such as: 
hydraulic action; 
power/force/weight of water will wear away loose materials; abrasion/corrasion; 
debris carried by river will scrape along the bed/banks; corrosion/solution; 
acids in water will carry out carbonation/dissolve rocks like chalk and limestone; 
lateral erosion; 
sideways erosion as water moves quickly around the outside of bends; 
vertical erosion; 
downwards erosion of the river bed, etc. 

5 @ 1 mark or development [5] 

(c) Levels marking 
Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain why flooding occurs. 

Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain why flooding occurs. 
(N.B. max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) 

Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements, including some place specific reference. 

Content Guide: 
Answers are likely to refer to: 
precipitation 
snow melt 
removal of vegetation 
rock type 
impact of roads, buildings and drains 
tides/surges 
global warming tsunamis, etc. 

Place specific reference is likely to consist of: 
locational details 
details of amounts of precipitation 
named settlements along river 
time/date, etc. 

N.B. The example can be an area or a river. Use of accurate statistics is L2. [7] 

 [Total 25 marks] 

Click to June 2014, QP12 Qn 4(b)

Flood Plain MS June 2014 P12 Qn 4 (a)

4 (a) 
(i) 3–3.2kms [1] 

(ii) Position of old course can still be seen/the old course is marked on the map/old course is left behind; there is an oxbow lake/detached from main river 

2 @ 1 mark [2] 

(iii) Shown on map; 
meander – on map on current course of the river (not on oxbow lake or old course); 
Willersley; 
farm to the north of Priory Wood 

3 @ 1 mark [3] 

(iv) Ideas such as: 
fertile soils/high yields of crops; 
good grazing land; 
water from river for drinking/washing/in homes/irrigation, etc.; 
flat building land; 
transport along river; 
easy communications/roads/railways can be built along valley; 
power available from river/water mills/HEP; 
scenic beauty/make money from tourists; 
source of food/fishing; 
clay for building or making pots, etc. 

4 @ 1 mark [4] 

Click to go to June 2014, QP 12 Qn 4(a)

Deltas & Flooding MS June 2014, P13 Qn 4(b)

(b) (i) Ideas such as: 
both have distributaries/split into lots of separate channels; 
Niger has more distributaries; 
Niger is arcuate/fan shaped but Mississippi is birds foot/smoother/less indented in Niger and more irregular for Mississippi/Niger is more triangular; 
Niger covers larger area; 
Mississippi has lakes but Niger does not; 
River/delta in Niger is SW facing and Mississippi river/delta is SE facing; etc. 

NB: Must be comparative. 

3 @ 1 mark [3] 

(ii) Ideas such as: 
large amounts of sediment (brought downstream); 
deposition in (lower course); 
speed of flow is reduced/river flows slowly; 
flocculation occurs due to salt in water ; 
deposited silt blocks course of river; 
splits into distributaries; 
deposited materials are not washed away; 
lack of currents; etc. 

5 @ 1 mark or development [5] 

(c) Levels marking 
 Level 1 
(1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe problems caused by flooding. 

Level 2 
(4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which describe problems caused by flooding. 
(NB: Max 5 if no named example) 

Level 3 
(7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements, including some place specific reference. 

Content Guide: 
Answers are likely to refer to;  
Injuries and deaths/drowning; 
Flooding of farmland; 
Impacts of food supplies, 
Disruption to communications, 
Water borne disease, 
Economic impacts 
Damage to housing, cars, possessions; etc. 

Place specific reference is likely to consist of: 
Locational details; 
Details of amounts of precipitation, 
Named settlements along river, 
Time/date etc. 

NB: Development must be of the problems; [7] 
                                                                              [Total: 25 marks] 

Click to go to June 2014, QP13 Qn 4(b)

Flood plain MS June 2014 P13 Qn 4(a)

4 (a)
(i) Valley side is forested but flood plain is grassland; 
 1 mark [1] 

(ii) hydraulic action;
 abrasion/corrasion;
 solution/corrosion;
 attrition;

2 @ 1 mark [2]

(iii) On cross section 
1 mark for asymmetrical profile with P & Q in correct place. 
Label with river cliff on correct side. (P). 
Label with slip off slope on correct side. (Q). 

3 @ 1 mark [3] 

(iv) Ideas such as:
faster flow of water on outside of bend; erosion on outer bank;
neck narrows;
cuts through neck during flooding/cutting through/meander cut off;
ends/former meander sealed by deposition;

NB: can credit information in writing or diagram but no double credit.

4 @ 1 mark [4]

Click to go to June 2014, QP 13 Qn 4(a)

Deltas & Flooding June 2014, P13 Qn 4(b)

 (b) Study Figs 6A and 6B, maps of two deltas.


(i) Using only evidence from Figs 6A and 6B, compare the deltas of the Niger and Mississippi. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................[3]

(ii) Explain how a river delta is formed. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. . ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... [5]

(c) For a named area you have studied, describe the problems caused by river flooding.  

Area studied ....................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... [7] 

Refer to the Mark Scheme to check your Answers.

Flood Plain June 2014, P13 Qn 4(a)

QUESTION 4 
4 (a) Study Photograph C (Insert), which shows a river and its valley. 
(i) Give one difference between the vegetation on the flood plain and the vegetation on the valley side. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ [1] 

(ii) Name two processes of river erosion which may take place in the area shown in Photograph C. 
1 ............................................................. 
2 ............................................................. [2] 

(iii) Draw and label a cross section along the line P–Q which is drawn on Photograph C to show: 

the likely differences in the depth of the channel; 
a slip off slope; 
a river cliff.

(iv) Explain how a meander might become an oxbow lake. You may use a diagram or series of diagrams. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Click on the Mark Scheme to check your Answers.

Flood Plain June 2014, P12 Qn 4(b)

(b) Study Photograph D (Insert), which shows a river and its valley. (i) Describe three different features of the river and its valley. 

1 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 
2 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 
3 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[3] 

(ii) Explain how the river may erode its banks and bed. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[5]

(c) For a named area you have studied, explain the causes of flooding. 

Name of area ....................................................................................  
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[7] 
                                                                                 [Total: 25 marks]

Flood Plain June 2014, P12 Qn 4(a)

QUESTION 4 4 (a) Study Fig. 6 which shows the flood plain of the River Wye in the UK.

(i) What is the distance along the river from point A to point B? ........................................kms [1] 

(ii) Identify two different pieces of evidence that the river has changed its course. 
1 ........................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ [2]  
(iii) On Fig. 6 mark and label the following: 
- a meander (label M); 
 - the village which is most likely to be completely flooded (label V); 
 - the farm building most likely to need protection from river erosion (label F).                                                                            [3]

(iv) Describe the advantages for people of living on a flood plain. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... [4]

Click on the Mark Scheme to check your Answers.

Flood Plain June 2014 P11 Qn 3(b)

(b) Study Photograph A (Insert), which shows a river which has flooded. 
(i) Suggest three possible causes of the flooding of the river shown in the photograph. 
1................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 
2.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[3] (ii) Describe the likely impacts of floods for people who live in an urban area. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................... [5]

(c) For a named river you have studied, explain why people live on its flood plain or delta. 
Name of river .................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[7]

                                                                                [Total: 25 marks]

Click on the Mark Scheme to check your Answers. 

Flood Plain June 2014 P11 Qn 3(a)

QUESTION 3 
3 (a) Study Fig. 5, a map showing a river and its flood plain

(i) What is the width of the flood plain of the river at its widest point? 
_______________________________________ kilometres [1]

(ii) Identify features X and Y shown on Fig. 5. 
X ................................... 
Y ................................... [2]

(iii) Suggest how the river may cause problems for the company managing the railway shown in Fig. 5. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[3]

(iv) Explain the formation of a flood plain. ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[4]

Click on the Mark Scheme to check your Answers.

Rivers Sample 2016 Paper 1, No 4 (b)

(b) Study Fig. 7, a diagram showing a waterfall and gorge.



 (i) The river is eroding by hydraulic action, corrasion (abrasion) and corrosion. Define each of these terms.

Hydraulic action ________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Corrasion (abrasion) _____________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

Corrosion _____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ [3]

(ii) Explain how the waterfall and gorge shown in Fig. 7 have been formed.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

(c) Explain how an oxbow lake is formed. You should include fully labelled diagram(s).
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ [7]

Rivers Sample 2016 Paper 1, No 4 (a)

(i) Name a tributary of the River Lee.
___________________________________________________ [1]

(ii) Give two reasons why the amount of water in the river is greater at X than Y.
1 ____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________
2 ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ [2]

(iii) Suggest three likely differences between the shape of the river valley at X and at Y.  [3]

1 ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________
3 ___________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________ [3]

(iv) Explain how the River Lee might bring both benefits and problems for people who live in Hertford.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ [4]

Rivers MS Sample 2016 Paper 1 Qn 4(a)

4 (a)
(i) Stort/Ash/Rib/Beane [1]

(ii) ideas such as:
more tributaries have joined;
further distance downstream/X is nearer to mouth;
more water will have been added by run off;
more concrete surfaces around X so more runoff; etc.
 NB no need for comparative statements.

 2 @ 1 mark [2]

(iii) Answer needs to be comparative or two discrete accounts. ideas such as:
wider at X; less V shaped at X;
more likely to have flood plain/flat land next to river at X;
steeper sides at Y; etc. narrow at Y; more V shaped at Y; 3

@ 1 mark [3]

(iv) Problems such as:
flooding of roads;
flooding of farmland/damage to crops/death of farm livestock;
damage to houses/property/evacuation of residents;
damage to/flooding of businesses;
river may be polluted;
need to build bridges for transport/difficult to travel;
drowning/deaths;

Benefits such as:
water supply;
fishing;
irrigation/water for livestock;
recreational value;
sewage/waste disposal;
HEP;
transport; etc.
 Max 2 on each of problems/benefits

 2 + 2 @ 1 mark [4]

Floodplains and Levees

What landforms can be created along the course of a river?

MIDDLE AND LOWER COURSE - Floodplains and Levees

Levees can be natural or manmade. They form on the edge of a river channel. When a river floods the velocity of the water flowing over the floodplains suddenly drops.  This fall in velocity means that the river has less energy, so immediately deposits its load. The river deposits the largest material first on the banks of the river, creating embankments. Over time these embankments begin to grow in size and become more stable.

Floodplains and Levees

River Processes - Transportation

When a river has a lot of energy it is able to transport material. There are four ways which a river can transport material.
- Traction: Where large pieces of load are rolled along the river bed.
- Saltation: Where smaller load bounces along the river bed.
- Suspension: Where fine pieces of load are carried in a rivers flow, they are suspended within the water.
- Solution: The process of dissolved pieces of material being transported in a solution.

River Processes - Transportation

Deltas

What landforms can be created along the course of a river?

MIDDLE AND LOWER COURSE - Deltas

A delta forms when the river meets the sea and its velocity drops quickly. This reduction in velocity means that the river load is deposited at the mouth of the river. If the river is able to deposit faster than the sea can erode material then a delta will form. Deltas have very fertile soil and tend to be excellent for farming.

Other Definitions of Delta: 

"Most simply, deltas are landforms that develop wherever a river enters a large body of water—whether ocean, lagoon, or even lake (yep, there are inland deltas)—and deposits sediment more rapidly than can be eroded. Over time, the accumulation of sediment—usually sand, silt, and clay—cause the shoreline to advance, effectively building new land."  Porous Places

The Formation of a Delta

A Delta

Watch the following videos:

AS Physical Geography - Deltas

Questions on Deltas

Explain how a delta is formed? (5 marks)

Deltas are formed at the end of rivers (river mouth) as it flows into the sea

Rivers carry a lot of sediment (mud)

The river flows into a calm sea

This slows the river down

Which makes the river drop its sediment

This deposited sediment builds up over years creating a delta

The river is forced to split up

The smaller rivers made by deltas are called distributaries

Examples of Deltas are Nile Delta, Ganges Delta

Oxbow Lakes

Watch the following videos:

Meanders and Oxbow Lakes

Meanders and Ox Bow Lakes - diagram and explanation

Oxbow Lake Formation - Animation


AS Physical Geography - Oxbow Lakes

Meanders

A popular but poorly explained feature of rivers is the meander, so we will feature it here, but you should learn more than one feature!

Formation of a meander

Water never flows in a straight line even in an apparently straight river channel. Water twists and turns around stones and other obstructions resulting in areas of slower and faster water movement. Slower areas are found in deeper parts of the river filled with fine sediments and are called pools. Faster areas are found in shallower parts of the river around larger stones and are called riffles.

How a River Changes Shape

The river starts to flow from side to side in a winding course but still in a relatively straight channel. The pools tend to move to opposite sides of the channel over time and this is where a meander will develop.

Water moving faster has more energy to erode. This occurs on the outside of the pool.

Cross-Section of a River Channel

Water moving slowly tends to deposit material as it has little energy left to erode or transport material. This occurs on the inside of the pool.

The Changing Shape of a Meander

Meanders migrate downstream and change shape over time. The neck of land between the loops also gets narrower. At the next flood, the river may cut through this to find a faster course. It then deposits material at the entrance to the old meander, cutting off the flow of water and creating an ox-bow lake.

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What landforms can be created along the course of a river?

UPPER COURSE - Meanders

Meanders are found throughout the middle and lower courses of many rivers. A meander is the geographical term for a bend in the course of a river. They form when the fastest flowing water erodes one side of the river, this causes one bank to erode more rapidly than the other. On the opposite side the water is flowing much slower so material is deposited. This creates a bend in river. Over time this meander will become larger and more exaggerated.
Eventually the meander will become so large that during a flood the river will attempt to take the shortest route possible. This will result in the river breaking through the neck of a meander, cutting off the meander itself. This results in the creation of an Ox-bow Lake.

Watch the following videos:

Meanders

Formation of a Meander

Meandering Rivers

Why do Rivers Curve?






AS Level Geography

As Physical Geography - Meanders

AS Geography - Meanders

Valley

What landforms can be created along the course of a river?

UPPER COURSE - v-shaped valleys

V-shaped valleys are found in the upper course of a river where vertical erosion is dominant. The river erodes downwards, leaving the sides exposed. These are then weathered (attacked by the wind and rain) to leave a steep sided valley. Interlocking spurs are usually created, this is where areas of the valley stick out forming the river to flow around them.

Watch the following videos:

Difference Between Valley and Canyon

Difference Between a Basin and Valley

Gorges

Watch the following videos:

The Three Gorges

Three Gorges Dam Project

Waterfalls

What landforms can be created along the course of a river?

UPPER COURSE - Waterfalls

Waterfalls are areas where water descends vertically. They form where there is a layer of hard rock with softer rock underneath. As the water falls over the waterfall it erodes the softer rock below by hydraulic action. This creates a plunge pool and undercutting. The undercutting continues creating an overhang, eventually this overhang becomes to heavy and collapses into the plunge pool. This process is then repeated again, meaning that the waterfall is constantly retreating upstream. This leaves behind a gorge which is a steep sided valley.

Watch the following videos:

Formation of Waterfalls

How Waterfalls Form

Waterfall - diagram and explanation

iGCSE /IB Waterfalls & Erosion 

World's Most Bizarre Waterfalls

How to Make a Realistic Waterfall Model

Waterfall Model Made at Home