OCR A-Level Geography Physical systems (01), June 2025: Question 1

Question Answer Mark Guidance

1 (a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the 8 Indicative content:

formation of a salt marsh. AO1 x8 AO1 – 8 marks

Knowledge and understanding of the reasons for the

Level 3 (6-8 marks) influence of flows of energy (e.g. thermal, kinetic,

Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding gravitational) in the formation of a salt marsh could

of the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a potentially include:

salt marsh. (AO1). • As a spit develops across a river mouth kinetic

energy in the channel reduces as the spit

This will be shown by including well-developed ideas creates a barrier reducing speed causing

with a clear appreciation of the reasons for the increased deposition

influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt • In the widening sheltered area behind the spit,

marsh. kinetic energy continues to reduce causing

continued fluvial deposition creating mud flats

Level 2 (3-5 marks)

exposed at low tide

Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and

understanding of the reasons for the influence of flows • On the margins of the salt marsh fluvial currents

of energy in the formation of a salt marsh. have higher kinetic energy (greater speed) as

they can flow out to sea – these are likely to

This will be shown by including developed ideas with change with the tide

some appreciation of the reasons of the influence of • Flocculation of clay particles creates flocs which

flows of energy in the formation of a salt marsh. are heavier and require more energy to move

• Over time energy levels in the salt marsh

Level 1 (1-2 marks) change as vegetation develops through thermal

Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of energy from the sun. This produces more

the reasons for the influence of flows of energy in the friction, causing lower velocities and increased

formation of a salt marsh (AO1). deposition as kinetic energy lowers

• After further succession and development of

This will be shown by including simple ideas and with

creeks faster flow and greater kinetic energy will

no or limited appreciation of the reasons for the

influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt be found here as there is less friction

marsh. • Salt marshes can also form in gently sloping

inter-tidal zones where kinetic energy reduces

0 marks due to friction leading to vertical deposition and

No response or no response worthy of credit. salt marsh formation

1 (b) (i) Study TABLE 1, which shows cliff erosion rates on 2 AO3 - 2 marks

the East Yorkshire Coast, UK. Using TABLE 1, AO3 x2 1 x 1 (✓) for calculating the mean rate of erosion using

calculate the mean rate of erosion. Show your TABLE 1.

workings. 1 x 1 (✓) for showing workings.

• 1+2+0.25+1.5+0.8+1.1+0.75+2.2+1.9+3.1 / 10

( ) or 14.6 / 10 ( )

• Mean value is 1.46 ( )

1 (b) (ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in 2 AO3 – 2 marks

TABLE 1 is 0.8. State what this indicates about the AO3 x2 1 x 1 (✓) for general point about dispersion

dispersion (spread) of the data set. 2 x 1 (✓) for specific point about dispersion

• The sample suggests that approximately 68% of

the values ( ) lies in the range 0.66 - 2.26

(within 0.8 of the mean) ( )

• The sample is clustered around the mean /

limited dispersion (✓) but there are a couple of

locations more than one SD from the mean (e.g.

Hornsea (0.25) (✓)

• The sample suggests that 8/10 or 80% of the

values ( ) lie within 1 SD of the mean / within

0.8 ( )

1 (b) (iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate 2 AO3 – 2 marks

measure of dispersion (spread) than range and AO3 x2 1 x 1 (✓) for explanation of why standard deviation is

interquartile range. more accurate than the range

1 x 1 (✓) for explanation of why standard deviation is

• Standard deviation is more useful than the more accurate than the interquartile range

range which only uses the maximum and

minimum value so gives you limited information

about the spread of data ( )

• Standard deviation is more useful than the

range, as the range can be skewed by

outliers/anomalies’ ( )

• Standard deviation is more useful than the IQR

which only uses half the values / the middle 50%

of the data set ( )

• The range only uses the highest and lowest

values ( )

1 (c) Study FIG. 1, a coastal landscape in Norway. 3 Indicative content:

With reference to FIG. 1, explain the influence of AO2 x3 AO2 – 3 marks

ONE geomorphic process in shaping landform A For analysing Fig. 1 to explain the influence of ONE

(fjord). geomorphic process in shaping landform A (fjord)

• Biological weathering where roots grow into • The original formation of the U shaped valley by

cracks in the rock ( ) causing the rocks to break glacial erosion is creditworthy

apart (DEV), creating landslides (DEV) • Naming a geomorphic process of its own is not

• Mechanical weathering e.g. freeze-thaw where sufficient for a mark.

water gets into cracks in the rock face ( ). As it • A geomorphic process must be present within

freezes it expands (DEV) causing disintegration the answer to achieve full marks.

and the formation of steep valley sides (DEV)

• Marine erosion, such as abrasion at the base of

valley sides, involves waves carrying rock

particles that scour and wear away the rock (✓),

Question Answer 12 Mark Guidance

leading to its removal (DEV) and potentially

triggering mass movement (DEV)

• As the ice moves down the valley, plucking would

occur ( ) so the valley became deeper and

wider (DEV)

1 (d*) ‘Coastal landscape systems are influenced more by 16 Indicative content

management strategies than by the unintentional AO1 x8

impacts of economic development.’ To what extent AO2 x8 AO1 – 8 marks

do you agree with this statement? Knowledge and understanding of management

strategies and economic development on coastal

AO1 landscape systems could potentially include:

Level 3 (6-8 marks) • Influence of management strategies

Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding o Groynes – building the beach minimising

of the influence of management strategies and movement of sediment influencing

economic development on coastal landscape systems. landforms down coast with increased

erosion rates reducing beaches

The answer should include accurate place-specific o Beach recharge – building up the beach

detail. annually

o Recurved seawalls – reflecting waves to

Level 2 (3-5 marks)

reduce erosion, results in less cliff collapse

Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and

understanding of the influence of management and less sediment carried so more erosion

strategies and economic development on coastal down coast

landscape systems. o Influence of managed retreat on width of

salt marshes

The answer should include place-specific detail which • Influence of unintentional change caused by

is partially accurate. economic development

o Sand dredging for construction resulted in

Level 1 (1-2 marks) wider, flatter beaches which are less

Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of effective at absorbing energy leading to

the influence of management strategies and economic more breached beaches, dunes and spits.

development on coastal landscape systems. o Breakwaters at ports/harbours may disrupt

longshore sediment supply downdrift

reducing size of beaches.

There is an attempt to include place-specific detail but o Construction on slopes/cliff tops adds

it is inaccurate. weight increasing likelihood of mass

movement.

0 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit. AO2 – 8 marks

Apply knowledge and understanding to analyse and

AO2

evaluate to what extent coastal landscape systems are

Level 3 (6-8 marks)

influenced more by management strategies than

Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and

unintentional change caused by economic development

understanding to provide clear and developed analysis

could potentially include:

that shows accuracy. Includes a detailed evaluation that

• Importance will vary depending on use of case

offers generally secure judgements, with some link

between rational conclusions and evidence, of the study

extent to which coastal landscape systems are • Sandbanks, Dorset erosion rates lowered from

influenced more by management strategies than 1.6m/yr building wider and deeper beach, and

unintentional change caused by economic creating more mass movement and erosion at

development. Barton Cliffs however, rotational slumping is

continuing and new escarpments are being

Level 2 (3-5 marks) created regularly.

Demonstrates reasonable application of knowledge • At Mangawhai-Pakiri, New Zealand rates of

and understanding to provide sound analysis that extraction are unsustainable in closed system,

shows some accuracy. Includes a sound evaluation of beaches being breached more and shape

the extent to which coastal landscape systems are changing to be wider and flatter. Breaches have

influenced more by management strategies than affected tidal currents increasing sedimentation,

unintentional change caused by economic fore dunes undercut by waves causing more

development. Judgement and conclusions are

mass movement and aeolian erosion. Coastal

generalised, with limited use of evidence.

retreat estimated at 35m, with width of coastal

Level 1 (1-2 marks) zone vulnerable to erosion between 48-111m by

Demonstrates basic application of knowledge and the end of the century

understanding to provide simple analysis that shows • Economic development had greater impact –

limited accuracy to provide an un-supported evaluation over time, also unsustainable indicating greater

that offers simple conclusions of the extent to which (irretrievable) impact, wider scale of impact e.g.

coastal landscape systems are influenced more by widespread sedimentation of harbour and fore

dunes undercut

management strategies than unintentional change Highest level likely to refer to dynamic equilibrium /

caused by economic development. spatial / temporal variations.

0 marks

No response or no response worthy of credit.

Quality of extended response

Level 3

There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is

clear and logically structured. The information

presented is relevant and substantiated.

Level 2

There is a line of reasoning presented with some

structure. The information presented is in the most-part

relevant and supported by some evidence.

Level 1

The information is basic and communicated in an

unstructured way. The information is supported by

limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence

may not be clear.