AQA GCSE Geography Paper 1, June 2025: Question 3

Section C

Total

Qu Pt Marking guidance

marks

03 1 Which term is used to describe the force of waves crashing into the 1

cliffs?

C Hydraulic power

No credit if two or more statements are shaded.

AO1 – 1 mark

03 2 Using Figure 11, calculate the median soil pH. 1

7.5

AO4 – 1 mark

03 3 Using Figure 11, describe changes in vegetation from the embryo dune to 2

the mature dune.

2x1

The (percentage of ) vegetation (cover) increases across the dune / The

embryo dune has 25% cover whereas the mature dune has 100% cover (1)

The number of plant species increases across the dune /The embryo dune has

2 species whereas the mature dune has 22 species (1)

The embryo dune has very little vegetation whereas the mature dune has much

more plant cover (1).

The vegetation increases in height across the dune (1)

Vegetation changes from grasses to trees (1).

The vegetation changes from grasses on the embryo dune to shrubs on the

grey dune (1), then changes to woodland on the mature dune (d)(1).

Note that 2 changes are required for 2 –marks – 8035/1 –

AO4 – 2 marks

03 4 Plot the following data on Figure 12. 1

Correct plotting of point.

– – 8035/1 –

AO4 – 1 mark

03 5 Explain how a stack is formed in a coastal landscape. 4

Use one or more diagrams.

Level Marks Description

2 3–4 AO1 – Demonstrates accurate knowledge about coastal

(Clear) erosion processes and stack formation.

AO2 – Shows a clear geographical understanding of

the interrelationships between coastal environments

and processes. Explanations are developed.

1 (Basic) 1–2 AO1 – Demonstrates limited knowledge of coastal

erosion processes and stack formation.

AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of the

interrelationships between coastal environments and

processes. Explanations are partial.

0 No relevant content

• Level 2 (clear) responses are likely to contain linked statements showing

understanding of the processes involved and the sequence of formation.

Diagram(s) will be labelled and clear. Appropriate geographical terminology.

• Level 1 (basic) responses will comprise simple ideas with limited or partial

sequence and little reference to the processes involved. Diagrams may be

unlabelled or unclear. Geographical terminology will be limited.

• Max lower L2 if diagram is not used.

• Credit full marks at L2 if annotated diagram clearly shows formation.

Indicative content

• The command is ‘explain’, so responses should provide a reasoned account

of how and why a coastal stack is formed.

• Where headlands extend into the sea, waves attack vertical lines of 29

weakness in the rock/faults.

• Processes such as hydraulic action and abrasion widen these faults into

cracks and eventually the waves will penetrate deeply enough to create

caves. Over time, the cave will be eroded into an arch, accessible to the sea

on both sides.

• Weathering will also play a role, with physical weathering processes such as

freeze thaw and salt crystallisation and chemical processes such as

carbonation weakening the rock surrounding the cave or arch making it more

susceptible to mass movement and collapse.

• Finally, the erosion and weathering continues and the arch collapses leaving

behind a stack (a vertical column of rock).

• These stacks can be attacked further, and eventually the stack may collapse

to leave a low-lying stump.

• Credit the full sequence of landform development (cave, arch, stack, stump).

However, it is not necessary to include stump to be awarded full marks.

No credit for identification of processes unless related to stack formation

– – 8035/1 –

30 Labelled and annotated diagram(s) can substitute for written text, showing the

sequence of changes and processes involved.

The diagram above is worthy of 4 marks.

– – 8035/1 –

AO1 – 2 marks

AO2 – 2 marks

03 6 Discuss the effectiveness of using hard engineering strategies to manage 6

the coastline.

Use Figure 13 and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 5–6 AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding

(Detailed) of hard engineering strategies used to protect

coastlines against erosion.

AO3 – Demonstrates thorough application of

knowledge and understanding by making reasoned

assessment of the effectiveness of coastal

management strategies.

2 3–4 AO2 – Shows clear geographical understanding of

(Clear) hard engineering strategies used to protect

coastlines against erosion.

AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable application of

knowledge and understanding by making clear

assessment of the effectiveness of coastal

management strategy(ies).

1 1–2 AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of

(Basic) one or more hard engineering strategy(ies) used to

protect coastlines against erosion.

AO3 – Demonstrates limited application of

knowledge and understanding by making basic

assessment of the effectiveness of coastal

management strategy(ies). 31

0 No relevant content.

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will be developed responses clearly

assessing the effectiveness of hard engineering coastal management

strategies. Appropriate terminology will be used. Appropriate use of Figure

13.

• Level 2 (clear) responses are likely to show understanding of coastal

management strategy(ies) and their effectiveness. Some assessment and

some geographical terminology may be evident. Likely to use Figure 13.

• Level 1 (basic) responses will be simple statements with limited

understanding or development. May consist of listed points or random

statements about general coastal management strategies. Answer may be

largely reliant on Figure 13.

• Max L2 for answers that refer to a single strategy. Full marks available for

assessment of two or more strategies.

Indicative content

– – 8035/1 –

• Understanding of hard engineering schemes, which involve using artificial

structures to control natural processes. These are designed to reduce wave

energy or create a barrier between the land and sea, so storm waves can’t

32 reach the cliffs.

• Application of understanding to Figure 13, showing coastal management in

the form of gabions, rip rap or rock armour, a sea wall and groynes. Expect

some assessment of the costs and benefits/effectiveness of these

approaches. Other types of hard engineering may also be credited.

• Figure 13 shows rock groynes or barriers that are built down the beach at

right angles to the coastline. They are designed to stop material being

moved along the beach by longshore drift. They work by building up the

amount of sand and shingle on the updrift side. They act as a buffer against

wave attack, helping to protect the cliffs. The groynes appear to be trapping

beach material effectively, providing protection to the coastline.

• Groynes create a wider beach, which can be popular with tourists and boost

local economy. They reduce the risk of damage, making residents and local

business feel more secure. They are not too expensive, and if well

maintained, can last up to 40 years. However beaches may be washed

away and cliffs eroded beyond the final groyne, as they are starved of beach

material.

• Sea walls aim to protect the coast using concrete, steel and/or stone. A sea

wall protects the base of cliffs, land and buildings against erosion. Also, it

can prevent coastal flooding in some areas. It gives people a sense of

security. If well maintained, sea walls can last for many years, but they can

be undercut by wave scour over time. Sea walls do not impede the

movement of sediment downdrift, so they do not disadvantage other areas.

• However they are expensive to build. Curved sea walls reflect the energy of

the waves back to the sea. This means that the waves remain powerful.

Over time the wall may begin to erode and the cost of maintenance is high.

• Gabions are wire cages filled with rocks that can be built up to support a cliff

or provide a buffer against the sea. Often constructed on site using local

pebbles.

• They are cheap to produce and flexible in the final design. Can improve

drainage of cliffs. Will eventually become vegetated and merge into the

landscape. Much cheaper than sea walls, rock armour or groynes. Ideal as

a quick-fix solution. For the cost, they are good value for money, as they

may last 20–25 years.

• However, gabions are unsightly, especially after they have been in the

water for a long time and the cages have started to rust. Equipment can be

difficult to source. Both the cage and its contents will deteriorate over time,

leading to more expense.

• Rip rap/rock armour consists of massive blocks of natural rock piled up at

the base of a cliff. The rocks are dumped on top of each other leaving gaps

between them that allow water through. The rock armour protects the base

of the cliffs from erosion. They disperse the energy of the waves. Structure

is quick to build and easy to maintain. Much cheaper than a sea wall. If well

maintained, rock armour lasts a long time. It is versatile, as it can be placed

in front of a sea wall to lengthen its lifespan or used to stabilise slopes on

sand dunes.

• However , they look different to the local geology, as the rock has been

imported from other areas. The rocks are expensive to transport.

• Credit other hard engineering strategies, including revetments, offshore

barriers and reefs. – – 8035/1 –

• Overall assessment of hard engineering strategies. Sea walls, gabions,

groynes and rock armour are effective solutions which help reassure the

coastal community. However, they are expensive to install and maintain. In 33

addition to this, by installing hard engineering solutions in one place this can

have a detrimental effect further along the coast.

AO2 – 3 marks

AO3 – 3 marks