Examine the importance of water in the development of hot, arid landscape features.

Examine the extent to which new technologies might contribute to sustainable development in one or more kinds of extreme environment.

Refer to Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Both wind and water are involved in the development of hot, arid landscapes. Their relative importance has been a subject of debate and water has often not been recognized sufficiently. Water is essential for most weathering processes that occur, and infrequent but intense rainfall events have an important erosive effect with subsequent transportation and deposition. Past climatic conditions are also an important consideration, as many landforms, such as wadis, might be explained in relation to periods of higher rainfall.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• The role of water in both physical and chemical weathering and in erosion,transportation and deposition.
• The formation of landscape features, such as wadis, rock pedestals, mesas and buttes.
• Understanding that precipitation, although infrequent, is often intense and may have a significant impact on landforms.
• Understanding that the nature of the ground surface and lack of vegetation is conducive to erosion by water.
• Understanding of the importance of other processes of wind erosion, transportation and deposition.

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the statement in a way that explicitly examines the relative importance of water and wind processes responsible for landscape development, perhaps in different or contrasting places. Another approach might be to examine the relative importance of different processes over varying time scales, such as past climates.

For 5–6 marks, expect some outlining of one or more landscape features whose development is linked with water. The response is partial, narrow or lacks supporting evidence.

For 7–8 marks, expect a logically structured account, which includes:

• either a well-evidenced explanation of why water is important for the development of two or more landscape features
• or an ongoing evaluation (or discursive conclusion) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.

Refer to Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Sustainable development has social, economic and environmental dimensions.

New technologies, including the use of solar power and desalinization, may aid the development of extreme environments. Technology can be used to mitigate the aspects of extreme environments that make development difficult. New and future technologies open the possibility of further development of these regions. However, some technologies demand large inputs of energy and resources and cannot be considered sustainable.

Possible applied themes (AO2) demonstrating knowledge and understanding (AO1):

• New technologies include the use of new building and construction materials, developments in IT and communications, the development of solar power and other alternative energy sources, desalinization, hydroponics, climate controlled greenhouses, recycling and waste management.
• These technologies can be used to overcome some of the challenges of extreme environments, such as extremes of climate, access to fresh water, limits to agriculture, inaccessibility and remoteness.
• These technologies may offer social, economic and/or environmental benefits and therefore be deemed sustainable (or not).

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) which examines the limits of different technologies in relation to different possible scenarios, eg extreme climate change. Another approach might be to examine contrasting places and their varying prospects for sustainable development (economy, society, environment), perhaps at different scales or in varying geographic (arid versus cold) or economic (high income versus low income) contexts.

For 5–6 marks, expect some outlining of one or more new technologies in extreme environment(s). The response is partial, narrow or lacks supporting evidence.

For 7–8 marks, expect a logically structured account, which includes:

• either a well-evidenced explanation of use of new technologies potentially contributing to sustainable development
• or an ongoing evaluation (or discursive conclusion) grounded in geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 9–10 marks, expect both of these traits.

There were some excellent responses to this question, with thorough knowledge and understanding of the importance of water in the development of landforms in hot, arid areas. Most also recognized the relative importance of wind. However, there were a large number of responses in which the question was misinterpreted and answered regarding the importance of water for habitation or agriculture in an arid area.

There were some good, well-considered responses to this question, discussing how new technologies could contribute to sustainable development within extreme environments. Such technologies include renewable energy (solar power), desalinization, hydroponics, GPS monitoring, and the use of Al. However, the use of technologies such as drip irrigation, stone lines, snow mobiles, snow cannons, ski lifts, indoor ski slopes are not considered new and each response was considered on its individual merits.