AQA GCSE Geography Paper 1, June 2025: Question 4

Total

Qu Pt Marking guidance

marks

04 1 Which term is used to describe the transportation process where pebbles 1

are bounced along a river bed?

A Saltation

No credit if two or more statements are shaded.

AO1 – 1 mark

04 2 Complete the hydrograph for River B on Figure 14 using the following 1

data.

Time 20:00 for River B should be accurately marked at 20 cumecs and the

student should join the points to complete the line as shown above.

AO4 – 1 mark

04 3 What is the time difference between peak rainfall and peak discharge for 1

River A?

B 2 hours

No credit if two or more statements are shaded.– – 8035/1 –

AO4 – 1 mark

04 4 Using Figure 14, describe two differences in the river discharge between 2

River A and River B.

2x1

The peak discharge for River A is higher/nearly twice as much (as that for

River B) (1)

The discharge for River A is higher (1)

River B has a higher discharge than River A from 19:30 (1).

The peak discharge occurs sooner after peak rainfall for River A (than for River

B) / there is a shorter lag time for River A (1).

The discharge for River A has a steeper rise and fall / rising and falling limb

(than that of River B) (1).

River A rises continuously to peak discharge after peak rainfall whereas River

B plateaus (at 16:00–16:30) before rising again (1).

The discharge for River B takes longer to change after the rainfall event (than

that for River A) (1).

The discharge for River B has not returned to its normal flow on the hydrograph

unlike that of River A (1).

No credit for explanation of the two hydrographs.

Must make some (implied) comparative reference.

Only 1 mark for two separate statements about the same trend.–– 8035/1 –

AO4 – 2 marks

04 5 Explain how a waterfall is formed. 4

Use one or more labelled diagrams.

Level Marks Description

2 3–4 AO1 – Demonstrates accurate knowledge about the

(Clear) formation of waterfall and river erosion processes.

AO2 – Shows a clear geographical understanding of

the effect(s) of river erosion on waterfall formation.

1 1–2 AO1 – Demonstrates basic knowledge about the

(Basic) formation of waterfall and river erosion processes.

AO2 – Shows a limited geographical understanding of

the effect(s) of river erosion on waterfall formation.

0 No relevant content.

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

understanding of river erosion and the formation of waterfalls. Appropriate

geographical terminology.

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

sequence and little reference to the processes involved. Limited

geographical terminology.

• 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 the formation of a waterfall.

• The river may flow over an area of hard (cap) rock with softer more easily

eroded rock underneath. Over time the softer rock is worn away more

rapidly by processes of hydraulic action and abrasion, creating a waterfall.

The water hits the bottom of the falls with great force. This erodes a deep

hole called a plunge pool. The softer underlying rock is eroded and

weakened. The softer layer collapses into the plunge pool, undercutting the

hard cap rock. The cap rock cracks and then collapses.

• Gradually the waterfall retreats upstream, leaving behind a steep sided

gorge. Every time the overhanging cap rock breaks off, the gorge retreats

further and grows longer. There is turbulent fast flowing water in the gorge.

Note that gorge formation is not needed to achieve max marks.

• Allow other explanations such as knick points along the river caused by

changing sea levels. Waterfalls are also found where hanging valleys form

in glacial landscapes.

No credit for identification of processes unless related to waterfall formation

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

sequence of changes and processes involved. (See next page.)––8035/1 –

The diagram above would be awarded 4 marks.

AO1 – 2 marks – – 8035/1 –

AO2 – 2 marks

04 6 Discuss the costs and benefits of using soft engineering to manage river 6

flooding. Use Figure 15 and your own understanding.

Level Marks Description

3 5–6 AO2 – Shows thorough geographical understanding

(Detailed) of the costs and benefits of using soft engineering.

AO3 – Demonstrates thorough application of

knowledge and understanding in discussing the soft

engineering strategy/ies shown in Figure 15.

2 3–4 AO2 – Shows clear geographical understanding of

(Clear) the costs and/or benefits of using soft engineering.

AO3 – Demonstrates reasonable application of

knowledge and understanding in discussing the

strategy(ies) shown in Figure 15.

1 1–2 AO2 – Shows limited geographical understanding of

(Basic) the costs and/or benefits of using soft engineering.

AO3 – Demonstrates limited application of

knowledge and understanding in discussing the

strategy(ies) shown in Figure 15.

0 No relevant content

• Level 3 (detailed) responses will be developed responses with reference to

both the costs and benefits of soft engineering strategy/ies. Detailed use of

Figure 15 and own understanding. Appropriate terminology will be used.

• Level 2 (clear) responses will show some reference to costs and/or

benefits of soft engineering strategy(ies). Answers likely to make reference

to Figure 15 and/or own understanding. Some geographical terminology

evident.

• Level 1 (basic) responses will be simple statements. May consist of listed

38 points or random statements about soft engineering strategy(ies).

• Max L2 for answer that does not refer to Figure 15.

Indicative content

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

of the costs and benefits of different types of soft engineering. At the highest

level there may be a discussion of the balance of costs and benefits

• Understanding of soft engineering. Soft engineering schemes are set up to

work with the natural processes along the river to reduce the effects of

flooding. They aim to slow down the movement of water into the river

channel and do not involve building artificial structures. Soft engineering

aims to work with the environment and is more ecologically sensitive.

• Figure 15 shows tree planting and flood warnings. Tree planting in a

drainage basin increases interception and storage and reduces surface run

off. This increases lag time and reduces a river’s discharge and so makes it

less likely to flood. It creates new habitats for animals and improves water

quality by filtering pollutants out of rainwater. Tree planting is relatively

cheap in the long-term but it can take years for the trees to mature and start––8035/1–

having an effect. Tree planting can also restrict other types of land use.

• Flood warnings help people to take action in advance of flooding.

Three levels of warning are used: flood watch, flood warning and severe 39

flood warning. The strategy is relatively cheap and can reduce loss of life

since people are given time to evacuate areas at risk. Flood warnings can

also reduce damage to belongings resulting in fewer insurance claims and

emotional distress. However, flood warnings do not actually prevent or

reduce the risk of the river flooding and not everyone may be alerted by

them or in time.

• Credit other soft engineering strategies. For example:

o Floodplain zoning is a strategy where proximity to river determines land

use. Land use close to river may be used for animal grazing. Land

furthest from the river used for ‘expensive’ land use, such as housing and

industry. The strategy is relatively cheap and does not interfere with

natural flows and river processes. Less damage is caused, leading to

fewer insurance claims. However, it is not always possible to change

existing land uses and planning decisions may not always be popular.

o River restoration involves restoring a river that has undergone hard

engineering back to its original course. If the land is no longer valuable,

river restoration can help reduce the risk of flooding downstream by using

the natural processes of the river. This can be an expensive strategy.

AO2 – 3 marks

AO3 – 3 marks