AS & A Level Geography 9696 · Topic 3

Rocks and weathering: past paper questions

289 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Describe, Define, Name, Draw

Real questions on rocks and weathering

The newest 20 of 289 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[1]
State the type of mass movement labelled A in Fig. 3.1.
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
Draw a sketch of the mass movements shown in Fig. 3.1. Label the main features.
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[5]
Suggest two reasons for mass movement A shown in Fig. 3.1. Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[4]
Define the weathering terms ‘salt crystal growth’ and ‘freeze–thaw’.
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly explain the formation of volcanic island arcs.
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
Explain how the mass movement processes of heaves and flows occur on slopes.
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9696/11 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[15]
‘Some strategies to reduce mass movement on slopes are more effective than others.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[1]
Name the type of tectonic boundary shown in diagram A in Fig. 3.1.
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
Compare the patterns of earthquakes between the four diagrams shown in Fig. 3.1.
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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
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[4]
Define the mass movement terms ‘heave’ and ‘fall’.
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Briefly explain the formation of ocean ridges.
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
Explain how human activity can cause slope instability.
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9696/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[15]
‘Temperature is the main factor affecting physical weathering whereas rainfall is the main factor affecting chemical weathering.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree with this statement?
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[4]
Draw a sketch of the weathered rock shown in Fig. 3.1. Label the main features.
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[3]
Suggest how one process might have weathered the rock shown in Fig. 3.1.
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[3]
Briefly explain one way that vegetation can weather rocks. Section B Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks. Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[3]
Describe the process of sea floor spreading.
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[4]
Explain how sheetwash occurs on slopes. (ii)
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9696/13 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[8]
Describe and explain the formation of volcanic island arcs.
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What examiners said

Most candidates recognised that the mass movement was a slide or a slump.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/11 Q3(a) (Cambridge)

Very few candidates attempted to illustrate the features with a diagram. Accurate observations of this mass movement were limited.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/11 Q3(b) (Cambridge)

Weight, lubrication and undercutting by the sea, were the most common explanations offered. Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9696/11 Q3(c) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

3.1 Plate tectonics

Nature of tectonic plates and their global patterns.
Types of plate boundaries: divergent (constructive), conservative and convergent (destructive).
Processes and associated landforms: sea floor spreading, subduction, fold mountain building, ocean ridges, ocean trenches, and volcanic island arcs.

3.2 Weathering

Physical (mechanical) weathering processes: freeze–thaw, heating/cooling, salt crystal growth, pressure release (dilatation), and vegetation root action.
Chemical weathering processes: hydrolysis, hydration, and carbonation.
General factors affecting the type and rate of weathering: climate, rock type, rock structure, vegetation, and relief.
Specific factors affecting the type and rate of weathering: temperature and rainfall (Peltier diagram).

3.3 Slope processes

Slope processes, conditions under which each occurs and effects on slopes.
Mass movement: heaves, flows, slides, and falls.
Water and sediment movement on slopes: rainsplash and surface runoff (sheetwash and rills).

3.4 The human impact

The impact of human activities on the stability of slopes: increasing stability and decreasing stability.
Strategies to modify slopes to reduce mass movements: pinning, netting, grading and afforestation.
Case study: candidates must study the impacts of human activity on slopes showing the effect on the stability of the slope, and evaluate attempts to reduce mass movement.
(LICs), middle income countries (MICs) and high income countries (HICs). For further information on the use of examples and case studies see 2.6.

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