The graph shows climatic data for an extreme arid environment.

(i) Identify the month with the highest rainfall.

(ii) Estimate the annual temperature range.

(iii) Suggest why October is a more challenging month for human activity than June.

Explain two processes of weathering or erosion that operate in hot, arid areas.

“All cold extreme environments are equally challenging for human activity.” Discuss this statement.

(i)

February [1]

(ii)

17°C (allow 16–18°C) [1]
(accept “from 24 to 41°C”)

(iii)

Two valid points required, such as:

• same temperature
• October has had longer (the previous four months) without rain
• water stores used up (dry).

Award [1] for identifying a specific weathering, wind or water process, [1] for a basic explanation of how the process operates, and [1] for further development.

For example:
Wind abrasion [1] occurs when wind blows sand particles against rock [1]. This process operates mainly close to the ground/results in undercutting of rock near ground level [1].

Exfoliation/onion skin weathering [1] is when repeated heating and cooling [1] affects the outer layers of the rock, causing them to peel away [1].

Hydraulic action and/or abrasion (by water) [1] occurs after flash floods (and high energy run-off) [1] causing wadis/canyons [1].

The question can be answered in different ways. An account of different periglacial areas would be sufficient. Candidates may equally compare polar/glacial/periglacial/high mountains.

Challenges include extreme cold, permafrost, remoteness, isolation, daylight hours, fragile ecosystem, climate change.

Likely human activities include mining, tourism, agriculture (nomadic herding), fishing, settlement and communications.

Good candidates may explicitly discuss the very different types of challenge (permafrost or high altitudes), or may discuss ways in which different societies or activities encounter different challenges.

At band D, expect a general description of the challenges and possible human activities in one or more cold extreme environments.

At band E expect either explanation of some range of activities in two cold environments or some explicit discussion of whether all cold extreme environments are equally challenging.

At band F expect both.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

(i/ii) This presented few difficulties. Most were able to correctly identify the month and estimate the temperature range.

(iii) Some had difficulty in suggesting why October was a more challenging month.

Generally poorly answered. There was limited understanding of the processes of weathering and erosion in hot, arid areas.

Generally reasonably well answered and exemplified; there were some very sound responses. However, how challenges have been overcome was often descriptive. Weaker candidates tended to focus on living conditions and adaptations.