(i) Identify any one landform shown in area A on the photograph.

(ii) Suggest how landform B in the photograph was formed.

Explain two environmental impacts of tourism on one named extreme environment.

Contrast the challenges for mineral extraction in periglacial environments and hot, arid environments.

(i) Butte, cliff, plateau, pediment, plain, scree/talus slope, mesa.

(ii) Basic understanding of the weathering and erosional processes in arid extreme environments should be demonstrated. Landform (butte) need not be named. If an incorrect landform is identified in part (i) (such as a zeugen), award a maximum of [2 marks]. Do not credit wind erosion.

Award [1 mark] for each of the following suggestions:

• original land surface was eroded by backwearing/slope retreat
• a specific weathering process has played a role (eg heating and cooling, or freeze-thaw), or erosion by water
• sloping talus layer is produced by mass movement.

In each case, award [1 mark] for each identified environmental impact linked to a tourist activity and [2 marks] for further development and explanation of how the physical environment is affected.

Possibilities include erosion, mass movement, land degradation, vulnerability to hazards, water usage, waste disposal, disruption to biodiversity. Positive changes are possible eg irrigation, restoration.

For example: “Erosion of land surface by off-road vehicles [1 mark]. This destroys what little vegetation helps bind the soil together in semi-arid areas [1 mark] which can then contribute to desertification [1 mark].”

Award up to a maximum of [3 marks] for a generic account of tourism impacts with no reference to the specifics of a named extreme environment.

Credit all content in line with the markbands. Credit unexpected approaches wherever relevant.

The challenges for mineral extraction in periglacial areas include low temperatures, seasonal lack of daylight, permafrost, thermokarst, remoteness, inaccessibility, water supply, transport difficulties, environmental conservation, attracting and retaining
workforce.

Challenges in hot, arid areas include the high temperatures, lack of water, dust and sandstorms, remoteness, inaccessibility, attracting and retaining workforce, environmental conservation and transport difficulties.

Remoteness, inaccessibility and the challenge of attracting a workforce are features that can be described in relation to either environment. However, good answers will seek contrasts (such as inaccessibility due to low numbers of tundra travel days,
linked with active layer thawing, as opposed to mobile dunes in arid areas).

For band D candidates must describe some challenges found in periglacial and arid areas (all of the above list are not necessary), with some basic link to mineral extraction established, rather than all human activity in general. Do not expect contrasts to be made explicit at this level.

Band E should either provide greater detail of how specific challenges for mineral extraction arise in both cases, or can offer a strongly contrasting account of the two extreme environments.

At band F, expect both elements.

Very few could accurately identify the landform or explain its formation. Only some were able to show basic knowledge of processes.

Straightforward but too many gave generic environmental impacts and did not refer to a named extreme environment.

Many seemed to look at the challenges for living in periglacial/arid areas and did not relate it to mineral extraction. In some no actual mineral was mentioned. The better responses were able to describe some of the challenges, but few offered a contrast between the different environments.