WATER on the Land (Rivers): Paper 1
Foundation Level - Exam Questions
River Processes
5 (a) River channels are affected by different erosion processes. Draw a line to link each of the statements to the correct erosion process. (3 marks – June 2011)
5 (a) Figure 13 shows four ways in which a river transports its load. On Figure 13, label each process in the space provided. Choose the correct labels from the following list.
saltation suspension solution abrasion attrition traction
(4 marks – June 2012)
5 (a) Study Figure 10, a cross profile of a river. Mark with an arrow and label: one part of the cross profile where vertical erosion takes placeone part of the cross profile where lateral erosion takes place. (2 marks –June 2013)
6 (a) Tick the correct box to show whether or not each of the processes in the box is a process of river transport. (3 marks June 2007)
6 (a) Figure 10 shows four ways a river transports its load. Write the name of the process under each diagram. Choose the process from the list below.
Saltation
Solution
Suspension
Traction
(3 marks – June 2009)
5 (a) (ii) Complete the paragraph below to explain why deposition occurs along the course of a river.
Choose the correct words from this list.
energy increases transports decreases
sediment leaves behind
5 (b) Explain why a river deposits its load.(2 marks – June 2012)
River Map Skills
5 (c) Study Figure 14 on the insert, a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey map extract of the River Eden in Cumbria.
5 (c) (i) What is the approximate height of the River Eden in grid square 4257? (1 mark – June 2012)
5 (c) (ii) What happens to the River Eden at 411564?(1 mark – June 2012)
5 (c) (iii) What is the straight line distance (in km) along the line X–Y on the map?(1 mark – June 2012)
5 (c) (iv) Grid squares 4357 and 4358 are outlined on Figure 14. Describe the landform(s) found in these squares. (3 marks – June 2012)
1 Study Figure 1, (map extract not included on insert) an Ordnance Survey map extract of Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury is a town in the Severn valley.
1 (c) Name the tributary (smaller river) that joins the River Severn at grid reference 888331.
(1 mark – June 2009)
1 (d) Measure the distance along the river from the northern edge of the map (863390) to where the river goes under the M50 motorway (867369)...... km (2 marks – June 2009)
River Landforms resulting from erosion
5 (b) (i) Study Figure 11 on the insert, a photograph of the Rio Grande Gorge.
Figure 12 is a black and white copy of Figure 11. On Figure 12, label the characteristics of the river and the valley shown at X, Y and Z. (3 marks-June 2013)
5 (a) Study Figure 12, on the insert, a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey map extract of Boscastle.
5 (a) (ii) A ‘waterfall’ is found at Y. Give the map evidence for this landform, apart from the label.
(2 marks – Specimen)
5 (b) (i) Study Figure 15, on the insert, a photograph of a waterfall in the Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland. Describe the features of the waterfall shown in Figure 15. (3 marks – June 2010)
5 (b) (ii) Draw a labelled diagram(s) to explain the formation of a waterfall.(4 marks – June 2010
6 Study Figure 10, on the separate insert, a photo of the upper course of the Yellowstone River, USA.
(a) (i) Name features X, Y and Z.(3 marksJune 2008)
(ii) Complete the paragraph below to explain how a waterfall is formed.Choose the correct words from this list.
floodplain, weathered, advances, traction, undercut, abrasion, retreats, gorge
(a) Study Figure 8,on the insert, a photograph of a waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales.
(i) Draw a sketch of the waterfall shown in Figure 8. (2 marks June 2003)
(ii) On your sketch, label the: waterfall, plunge pool, hard (cap) rock. (3 marks June 2003)
(iii) Complete the paragraph below to explain how a waterfall and gorge are formed. Choose the correct words from the list:
plunge pool, advance, hydraulic power, retreat, traction, meander
5 (b) (ii) Figure 13 shows the formation of a gorge. Add a sentence to each box to explain the formation of a gorge. (4 marks –June 2013)
River Landforms resulting from erosion and deposition
5 (b) (i) Study Figure 10 on the insert, a photograph of the River Tees in its middle course.
Figure 11 is a black and white copy of Figure 10. Label Figure 11 to show three characteristics of the channel and the valley. (3 marks – June 2011)
6 (c) Study Figure 11, on the insert, which shows the River Tees and the town of Yarm.
6 (c) (i) Name a landform on which Yarm is built. (1 mark – June 2009)
(a) Study Figure 8, which shows part of a meandering river.
(i) What is a meander?(1 mark June 2005)
(ii) On Figure 8, mark with an arrow and label the following:
- a slip-off slope
- a river cliff (2 marks June 2005)
(iii) Which of the following diagrams best shows the river’s cross-section at A–B on Figure 8? Tick one box only.
(1 mark June 2005)
(iv) Explain how a slip-off slope and a river cliff are formed.(4 marks June 2005)
6 (b) Complete the paragraph below to explain how a meander develops.Choose the correct words from this list.
river cliff erosion faster flood plaindeposition
ox-bow lake slower slip-off slope
5 (b) (ii) Draw a labelled cross-section to show how the inside bend of a meander is different from the outside bend of a meander. (4 marks - June 2011)
(b) Study Figure 7, which shows some features of the lower course of a river.
(i) On Figure 7, mark with an arrow and label the ox-bow lake.(1 marks June 2007)
5 (b) (iii) Complete the paragraph below to explain the formation of an ox-bow lake. Circle the correct
answer in each set of brackets.
The fastest flow of water is on the [ inside / outside ] bend of the river. This results in [ erosion / deposition ]. The outside bends move closer together as the meander neck becomes narrower. When there is a very [ high / low ] discharge, the river cuts across the neck and takes a straight course. The former meander is left as a [ long straight / horseshoe shaped ] ox-bow lake.
(4 marks – June 2011)
Figure 13
5 (b) Figure 13 shows the stages in the formation of a river landform in its lower course.
Add a sentence in each box to explain the formation of the landform.
(4 marks Specimen Paper)
Figure 9
(a) Study Figure 9, which shows the formation of an oxbow lake.Using the labels on Figure 9, complete the sentences below to explain how an oxbow lake is formed.
River Landforms of Deposition
(ii) What is a levée?(1 mark June 2006)
(ii) Complete the paragraph below to explain how levées are formed.Choose the correct words from this list.Valley, deposit, channel, velocity, fences, level, erode, banks
6a (iii) Complete the sentences below to explain how a flood plain is formed.Choose the correct words from this list.
Migrate, corrosion, outside, flows, attrition, inside, floods, retreat
5 (a) (iii) A levée is shown in Figure 12 . What are levées?
(2 marks-June 2014)
5 (a) (iv) Explain the formation of a levée. Use the key words below in your answer.
Deposition ,floods ,build-up of layers loss of energy.
(4 marks –June 2014)
(d) Explain the formation of a flood plain. (4 marks – June 2012)
River Landforms – VariousFigure 8
6 (a) Figure 8 , to the right is a sketch-map of part of the area shown in Figure 1, (the Ordnance Survey map extract of Ross-on-Wye).
(i) On Figure 8, mark with an arrow and label the following:
- meander
- tributary
- flood plain (3 marks June 2006)
5 (a) Study Figure 12, on the insert, a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey map extract of Boscastle.
5 (a) (i) What happens at X along the course of the River Valency? (1 mark - Specimen)
Long and Cross Valley Profiles
5 (a) Study Figure 14 which shows a long profile and cross profiles of a typical river.
5 (a) (i) Are the following statements about the long profile and cross profiles true or false?
Tick the correct boxes.
(4 marks – June 2010)
5 (a) Study Figure 12, on the insert, a 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey map extract of Boscastle.
5 (a) (iii) Grid squares 1290 and 1291 are outlined on Figure 12.Describe the channel and the valley of the River Valency in these gridsquares. (3 marks - Specimen)
1 (f ) Study Figure 1, (map extract not included) an Ordnance Survey map extract of Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury is a town in the Severn valley.Grid square 8630 is outlined on Figure 1. Describe the relief (height and slope of the land) and drainage in this grid square. (4 marks - June 2009)
5 (a) Study Figure 12 on the insert, a block diagram showing how river landforms change downstream.
5 (a) (i) Use Figure 12 to complete the table below to identify an upper and middle course landform.
A lower course landform has been identified for you (2 marks-June 2014)
5 (a) (ii) With the help of Figure 12 , describe how the shape of a river valley changes
downstream.
(4 marks-June 2014)
Flooding Theory/ Causes
5 (b) (i) What is river flooding?
(2 marks- June 2014)
5 (b) (ii) There are a number of reasons why rivers flood. Draw a line to link each explanation to the correct cause.
(3 marks –June 2014)
5 (e) (i) Study Figure 15 on the insert, which shows the locations of flood events in England between 2000 and 2007. Are the following statements about the locations of these flood events true or false?
Tick the correct boxes.(3 marks – June 2012)
5 (c) (i) Study Figure 12, newspaper cuttings about the causes of flooding.
Using Figure 12, give one physical cause and one human cause of flooding.
(2 marks – June 2011)
5 (c) (ii) Explain how snowmelt can cause rivers to flood. (3 marks – June 2011)
2 (a) Study Figure 2 on the insert, an aerial photograph of part of the area shown in Figure 1, the Ordnance Survey Map extract (not included in Inserts).The photograph was taken during the floods in July 2007. The town of Tewkesbury is shown in the photograph.Use both Figures 1 and 2 to answer the following questions.
2 (a) (i) Name Feature X on Figure 2.(1 mark – June 2009)
2 (a) (ii) Give the number of the road at bridge Y on Figure 2.(1 mark – June 2009)
2 (a) (iii) Find Area Z on Figure 2.In which grid square on Figure 1 is Area Z on Figure 2?
(1 mark - June 2009)
2 (b) With the help of Figure 1, describe the extent of the flooding shown in Figure 2.
(4 marks – June 2009)
3 (a) Study Figure 3 which shows daily rainfall in the Severn Valley during July 2007.
3 (a) (i) Give the amount of rainfall on 13th July 2007 ...... mm
(1 mark – June 2009)
3 (a) (ii) Use the figures below to complete Figure 3.
(2 marks – June 2009)
3 (b) Describe what Figure 3 shows about the rainfall in July 2007.
(4 marks – June 2009)
5 (c) (i) Study Figure 14, a sketch hydrograph of a river flowing through a forest after a period
of rain. A hydrograph shows the link between rainfall and discharge in a river.
On Figure 14, draw a sketch hydrograph for a river flowing through an area without
vegetation after the same period of rain. (2 marks –June 2013)
5 (c) (ii) Explain the factors affecting river discharge. (6 marks-June 2013)
5 (c) Study Figures 16a and 16b which are hydrographs for two different streams in North Yorkshire after the same storm. A hydrograph shows the link between rainfall and discharge in a river.
5 (c) (i) Use Figures 16a and 16b to complete the following:
- Peak rainfall for both streams: ...... mm
- Peak discharge for Clapham Beck: ...... cumecs
- Lag time (the time difference between the peak rainfall and the peak discharge) for Austwick Beck: ...... hours (3 marks – June 2010)
5 (c) (ii) Suggest one reason why the discharge for Austwick Beck is different from that for Clapham Beck. (2 marks – June 2010)
6 (c) (ii) Study Figure 11on the insert, which shows the River Tees and the town of Yarm. Suggest why each of the following causes Yarm to have a highrisk of flooding.
- Shape of land
- Built-up area of Yarm (2 marks – June 2009)
5 (c) (i) Boscastle experienced a flash flood on 16 August 2004. Give the meaning of the term ‘flash flood’. (2 marks - Specimen)
(ii) Using Figure 12 in the insert, the Ordnance Survey map of Boscastle, describe how eachof the following contributed to the flooding.
- The relief (height and shape of the land) in the Valency valley in grid square(1091).
- The settlement of Boscastle in grid square (0990). (4 marks - Specimen)
Flooding Effects and Management
(iii) Study Figure 14, on the separate insert, which shows part of Boscastle on17 August 2004.Three effects of flooding are arrowed and marked X, Y and Z on Figure 14.Write labels for X, Y and Z to describe the effects of flooding in Boscastle. (3 marks Specimen)
(c) Study the photograph on the separate insert, showing the effects of the floods inBoscastle in 2004.
(i) Describe the effects of the floods shown in the photograph (4 marks June 2007)
(b) Study Figure 9 below, a map showing what might happen if the River Wyeflooded.
Figure 9
(i)Describe the likely effects of flooding on the area shown in Figure 9.
(4 marks June 2006)
(ii)Describe how the area could be protected from future flooding.
(3 marks June 2006)
(c) Study Figure 9 below, which shows flood plain zoning.
Figure 9
(i) Name the land use found closest to the river.(1 mark June 2005)
(ii) Explain why settlements and roads are much further away from the river.(3 marks June 2005)
(c) Study Figure 10, on the separate insert, which shows a map of the restoration works on the River Skerne in Darlington.
(i) Using Figure 10, give three changes that have taken place along this section of the River Skerne.
(3 marks June 2004)
(ii) Explain the advantages that the restoration scheme may bring to the area.(4 marks June 2004)
(ii) Explain one way in which river flooding may be prevented. (2 marks June 2007)
(b) Study the list below of ways in which floods may be managed.Tick one box for each method to show whether it is a hard or soft engineering strategy. (3 marks June 2005)
6 (d) Hard and soft engineering methods can lower the risk of flooding.
6 (d) (i) Give one example of a hard engineering method.(1 mark – June 2009)
6 (d) (ii) Explain the advantages of soft engineering methods.(4 marks – June 2009)
5 (d) (i) Study Figure 15 on the insert, an atlas map of north Wales.What is the direction from Bala Lake (in grid square C4) to Lake Vyrnwy? (1 mark-June 2013)
5 (d) (ii) Figure 15 shows many lakes and reservoirs. The following statements are reasons why there are many lakes and reservoirs in the area shown in Figure 15. Using evidence from Figure 15 only, tick the three correct reasons. (3 marks-June 2013)
5 (d) (iii) Explain how dams and reservoirs help to provide a reliable water supply. (4 marks-June 2013)
5 (d) Explain how flooding can be managed using hard engineering strategies.(6 marks – June 2011)
5 (d) Describe how hard engineering methods are used to control flooding.(6 marks - Specimen)
5 (c) Study Figure 13 on the insert, a photograph of an information board describing flood management in Boscastle, Cornwall.
5 (c) (i) Give one example of hard engineering and one example of soft engineering shown in Figure 13.
(2 marks-June 2014)
Flooding Case Studies
(b) Describe the causes of a river flood that you have studied.(4 marks June 2004)
5 (e) (ii) Use a case study to describe the effects of river flooding.(6 marks – June 2012)
(c) Using an example of a flood in an MEDC, describe its effects on the land and people.
(4 marksJune 2003)
5 (c) (ii) With the help of Figure 13, explain how different responses have reduced the risk of flooding in areas such as Boscastle.
(6 marks-June 2014)
Water Supply and Demand
5 (d) Explain why the demand for water is increasing in the UK.(6 marks – June 2010)