A Level H1 Geography Physical Geography Quiz

A-Level Geography H1 Quiz - Physical Geography (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 40
Topic: Physical Geography

Section A: Fundamentals

1. [1 mark]
Answer: Ice cores (or ocean cores).
Teaching note: Proxy indicators are indirect measures of past climate. Ice cores trap air bubbles and isotopes revealing CO₂ and temperature. Other acceptable: ocean sediment cores, tree rings.
Common mistake: Naming direct instruments like thermometers (not available for Quaternary past).

2. [2 marks]
Answer: The enhanced greenhouse effect is the additional warming caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (e.g., CO₂, CH₄) from human activities, which trap more outgoing longwave radiation than in pre-industrial times.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for human-induced increase in GHGs; 1 mark for mechanism of extra heat retention.
Teaching note: Distinguish from natural greenhouse effect which is necessary for life.

3. [1 mark]
Answer: 0.85 – 0.05 = 0.80 °C.
Teaching note: Subtract 1950 value from 2020 value. Show working: 0.85 − 0.05 = 0.80.

4. [1 mark]
Answer: Changes in thermohaline circulation (or changes in ice sheets).
Teaching note: Natural factors from syllabus: solar output, thermohaline circulation, ice sheets.

5. [2 marks]
Answer: Melting permafrost releases methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas, which increases atmospheric warming, causing more permafrost to melt.
Mark breakdown: 1 mark for identifying mechanism (e.g., permafrost/methane); 1 mark for explaining acceleration loop.
Teaching note: Positive feedback amplifies initial warming.

Section B: Source & Data-Based

6. [3 marks]
Answer:

• Ice core shows CO₂ stayed within 180–300 ppm for 800k yrs (natural range). [1]
• Post-1850 rise to 410 ppm is outside this range. [1]
• Sharp rise coincides with industrial era → human cause, not natural variability. [1]
  Teaching note: Use data values as evidence. Mark for each clear point with reference.

7. [3 marks]
Expected visual: tropical line rising from +0.5% to +4.3%; temperate line falling from +0.2% to −2.4%.
Answer:

• Tropical zone precipitation increased steadily (0.5% → 4.3%). [1]
• Temperate zone decreased after 1980s (0.2% → −2.4%). [1]
• Trends diverge: wetting tropics, drying temperate. [1]
  Teaching note: Describe both directions using figures.

8. [4 marks]
Answer:

• Cyclone brings intense rainfall (orthonormal inflow). [1]
• High precipitation exceeds infiltration → surface runoff increases. [1]
• River discharge rises beyond bankfull capacity. [1]
• Low pressure + storm surge in coastal reach worsens flooding. [1]
  Teaching note: Link hydrological processes: precipitation → runoff → channel flow.

9. [3 marks]
Answer:

• Thermohaline circulation carries warm equatorial water to N. Atlantic. [1]
• Slowdown reduces heat transport to Europe. [1]
• Local cooling can offset global warming regionally. [1]
  Teaching note: Distinguish global mean vs regional effect.

10. [3 marks]
Answer:

• Larger ice sheets increase albedo → reflect more solar radiation → cooling. [1]
• Retreat reduces albedo → more absorption → warming. [1]
• This self-reinforcing loop is feedback (ice-albedo feedback). [1]
  Teaching note: Connect to Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles.

11. [3 marks]
Expected map: formation 5–20° N/S, none at equator.
Answer:

• Most form between 5° and 20° latitude N and S. [1]
• Absent within 5° of equator (Coriolis too weak). [1]
• Tracks curve poleward in basins. [1]
  Teaching note: Coriolis force requirement.

12. [4 marks]
Answer:
Useful: direct proxy for CO₂/temp over long timescales [1]; high resolution [1].
Limited: spatial coverage (poles/oceans only) [1]; dating uncertainty [1].
Teaching note: Evaluate = judge strengths + weaknesses.

Section C: Extended Response

13. [3 marks]
Answer: IPCC states warming since mid-20th century is unequivocal [1]; very likely (>90%) due to anthropogenic GHG emissions [1]; not explained by natural forcings alone [1].

14. [4 marks]
Answer: Deforestation reduces CO₂ uptake [1]; land-use change removes wetlands [1]; ocean acidification weakens plankton sinks [1]; urbanization cuts vegetation [1].

15. [5 marks]
Mark descriptors:

• L1 (1–2): asserts natural insufficient, little evidence.
• L2 (3–4): uses some evidence (ice cores, solar output stable).
• L3 (5): synthesises: natural factors explain past variability but rate/post-1850 rise matches emissions.
  Answer points: natural factors (solar, thermohaline) changed slowly; observed warming rate exceeds natural; CO₂ rise from fossils.
  Teaching note: Assessment requires balanced judgement.

16. [3 marks]
Answer: Shift in species ranges [1]; phenological changes (flowering) [1]; desertification stress [1].

17. [4 marks]
Answer: Sea-level rise floods settlements [1]; higher temp → more heat stress [1]; precipitation change alters water supply [1]; storm intensity displaces pop [1].

18. [4 marks]
Expected chart: Jakarta highest loss, New Orleans lowest.
Answer: Jakarta loses most at 3°C (9.8 bn) due subsidence+sea [2]; all cities worse at 3°C than 1.5°C [1]; uneven because exposure differs [1].

19. [4 marks]
Answer: Negative feedback e.g., increased plant growth from CO₂ absorbs C [1]; aerosol cooling [1]; cloud albedo [1]; limits but not stops warming [1].

20. [5 marks]
Mark descriptors L3 (5): evaluates extent with examples (sea walls, CCS) and notes limits (physical onset unavoidable).
Answer: Tech (GIS, desalination) helps adapt [2]; but cannot reverse locked-in warming [2]; thus partial mitigation [1].