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GCSEGeographyEdexcelGeography BExam QuestionsFieldworkInvestigating Coastal Change & Conflict

Investigating Coastal Change & Conflict (Edexcel GCSE Geography B)

Exam Questions

1 hour4 questions
1a10 marks

Study Figure 8, which is the data collected by a group of students studying beach profiles in two different locations with contrasting rock types.

  • The students measured beach gradient at four sites in two contrasting locations chosen using a geology map.

  • They measured beach gradient using ranging poles, tapes and a clinometer.

  • At each location they followed a straight line transect measuring gradient at four different positions from the shoreline to the cliff line.

Location 1 Geology = Boulder Clay

Average beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Maximum beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Minimum beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Site 1

7°

10°

3°

Site 2

5°

11°

2°

Site 3

6°

12°

2°

Site 4

8°

15°

4°

Location 2 Geology = Sandstone

Average beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Maximum beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Minimum beach gradient (Degreesdegree)

Site 1

4°

6°

2°

Site 2

5°

7°

2°

Site 3

4°

8°

3°

Site 4

3°

5°

2°

Figure 8

i)

Suggest a suitable enquiry question that the students could have investigated.

(2)

ii)

Suggest two factors which should have been considered when choosing the fieldwork locations.

(4)

iii)

Describe the results of the students’ fieldwork shown on Figure 8.

(4)

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1b8 marks

You have carried out your own fieldwork investigating the impact of coastal management on coastal processes and communities. Name your coastal environment fieldwork location:

Assess the role of secondary data sources in your investigation.

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2a10 marks

Analyse Figure 8 which is the data collected by a group of students studying the characteristics of an east-facing beach.

  • The students chose to study the changes in sediment size, beach gradient and wave direction at 10 sites along a beach.

  • The students chose to focus on the relationship between pebble size and beach gradient.

  • They collected data at 10 sites along the beach with site 1 at the north end of the beach and further sites spaced evenly along the beach to its southern end.

  • One site was inaccessible so no data was recorded there and not all data could be collected at another site.

Site number

Average beach gradient (degrees)

Average pebble diameter (mm) found at top of the beach

Average pebble diameter (mm) found at the shoreline

Wave direction by compass bearing (degrees)

1

19

75

60

15

2

Inaccessible

3

17

60

55

20

4

Not available

20

5

11

50

45

25

6

10

35

30

30

7

9

21

10

45

8

16

15

10

60

9

10

15

8

70

10

9

10

6

80

Figure 8

i)

Suggest two factors that the students may have considered when selecting their sites.

(4)

ii)

Explain one problem resulting from the lack of data from sites 2 and 4.

(2)

iii)

Describe the relationship between beach gradient and pebble diameter in Figure 8.

(4)

How did you do?

2b8 marks

You have carried out your own fieldwork investigating the impact of coastal management on coastal processes and communities. Name your coastal environment fieldwork location:

Using the conclusions from your geographical investigation, assess the accuracy and reliability of your results.

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3a
Sme Calculator2 marks

You have carried out your own fieldwork investigating the impact of coastal management on coastal processes and communities.

Name your coastal fieldwork location:

Explain one method that you used to collect your primary data.

How did you do?

3b
Sme Calculator4 marks

Using an annotated diagram, explain how you used a graph to present your fieldwork data.

How did you do?

3c
Sme Calculator4 marks

Explain how geographical case studies and theories helped in the analysis of your data.

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3d
Sme Calculator8 marks

In 2018 a group of 20 students stayed in a hostel in New Quay/Ceinewydd, west Wales, for two days to carry out their fieldwork into the impact of coastal management on coastal processes.

They decided to measure beach profiles at two contrasting locations to investigate whether coastal management affected beach gradients.

They used the 1:25,000 OS map below (Figure 8) to choose the two contrasting locations for their data collection.

fig-8-qp-nov-2020-paper-2-gcse-edexcel-b-geo

Figure 8

Assess the factors that the students should have considered when selecting their two contrasting locations. You must use evidence from Figure 8 to support your answer.

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410 marks

Study Figure 8, which are photographs of the two beaches chosen by a group of students studying the impact of coastal management on coastal processes at two different locations.

  • The students chose to measure beaches at two different locations.

  • The chosen locations are about 10 km apart with Location A on a south-east facing coastline and Location B on a south-west facing coastline.

  • At each location they selected three sites to carry out their beach profiles.

  • They intended to measure beach gradient and sediment characteristics.

fig-8-june-2019-paper-2-gcse-edexcel-b-geo

Figure 8

i)

Suggest an enquiry question or hypothesis that the students might have proposed for their investigation.

(2)

ii)

Suggest two problems that the students’ choice of locations may have caused for data collection.

(4)

iii)

Explain how the use of Ordnance Survey (OS) maps might have helped the students choose their two beach locations and the three sites on each of those beaches to carry out the profiles.

(4)

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