User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2020 Marks available 10 Reference code 20N.1.bp.4
Level SL and HL Paper 1 Time zone
Command term Examine Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Examine the role of sea level changes in the formation of relict cliffs and raised beaches.

[10]
a.

Examine the roles of different stakeholders in the management of one coastal margin affected by erosion or flooding.

[10]
b.

Markscheme

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Sea levels have undergone significant changes over the last few thousand years, and these have had a significant impact on coastal landforms, resulting in coastlines of emergence (sea level fall) and submergence (sea level rise).

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

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3). The formation could become complicated because of interactions between different eustatic and isostatic processes, eg sea level rise due to climate change may begin to drown isostatically uplifted areas. There may be many changes over time in relative sea levels.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of the role of sea level change in the formation of relict cliffs and/or raised beaches.

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

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

a.

Marks should be allocated according to the Paper 1 markbands (available under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials).

Coastal margins may be affected by erosion and flooding. Rapid erosion of cliffs may cause significant impact on human activity, such as loss of settlements, infrastructure and agricultural land. Coastal flooding not only causes damage, but may also cause significant loss of life and injury.

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

Good answers may be well structured (AO4) and may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) of the roles or power of the stakeholders. Another approach is to examine their different perspectives.

For 5–6 marks, expect some weakly evidenced outlining of a coastal management strategy, possibly with implied stakeholders, in order to combat either flooding or erosion

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

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

If both erosion and flooding are written about, only the first one mentioned is to be credited.

b.

Examiners report

The role of sea level change on the formation of relict cliffs and raised beaches was not understood well. Few answers referred to isostatic and eustatic changes.

a.

This was well answered with an effective use of case studies but more was needed on the role of stakeholders which was poorly understood despite good knowledge of coastal margin management. Some candidates discussed river flooding and not coastal flooding, especially when using Bangladesh as a case study.

b.

Syllabus sections

Option B: Oceans and coastal margins » B.3. Managing coastal margins » B.3.1. Coastal erosion and flooding management strategies
Option B: Oceans and coastal margins » B.3. Managing coastal margins » B.3.3. Management of coral reefs and mangrove swamps
Option B: Oceans and coastal margins » B.3. Managing coastal margins
Option B: Oceans and coastal margins

View options