Plate tectonics: past paper questions
Real questions on plate tectonics
The newest 20 of 91 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9696/11 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[8]
Explain the processes and landforms that occur at convergent (destructive) plate boundaries.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[8]
Explain the processes and landforms that occur at divergent (constructive) plate boundaries.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · May/June 2026 · Q5c[15]
‘The greatest influence on the seasonal variation of temperature is the land/sea distribution.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement? Rocks and weathering
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[8]
Explain the processes and landforms that occur at divergent (constructive) plate boundaries.
See it on the paper → - 9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly explain the formation of volcanic island arcs.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[1]
Name the type of tectonic boundary shown in diagram A in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
Compare the patterns of earthquakes between the four diagrams shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[5]
Explain the pattern of earthquakes shown in diagram B in Fig. 3.1. Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly explain the formation of ocean ridges.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[3]
Describe the process of sea floor spreading.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
Describe and explain the formation of volcanic island arcs.
See it on the paper → - 9696/11 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[4]
Describe the differences between oceanic tectonic plates and continental tectonic plates.
See it on the paper → - 9696/11 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly describe the process of sea floor spreading.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[4]
Briefly describe two types of plate boundaries.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly explain the location of ocean trenches.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Describe the formation of fold mountains.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[15]
‘The global pattern of tectonic plates is explained by the process of subduction.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?
See it on the paper → - 9696/11 · October/November 2024 · Q6b[8]
Describe and explain the formation of volcanic island arcs.
See it on the paper → - 9696/12 · October/November 2024 · Q6a(i)[3]
Describe the process of subduction.
See it on the paper → - 9696/13 · October/November 2024 · Q6c[15]
Assess the extent to which fold mountains are the main landforms associated with convergent plate boundaries.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Both collision and convergent plate boundaries are relevant, although not many candidates included both. This was an example of where appropriate diagrams would clearly have enhanced explanations, but few candidates used them.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/11 Q6(b) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates correctly identified a fold mountain range that had no active volcanoes.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/12 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
This was another comparison question but based on map evidence. There were many good answers exhibiting a thorough analysis of the map. However, as noted above, some answers were essentially two separate descriptions of the respective distributions with little comparison. It is also worth stressing that noting areas where neither fold mountains nor volcanoes occurred was a legitimate point to make...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/12 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
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