Coasts: past paper questions
Real questions on coasts
The newest 20 of 49 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0976/22 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[6]
Figure 3.1 (Insert) shows an area of coast in southern Portugal. Name and describe three landforms shown in Figure 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0976/22 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[2]
Figure 3.2 (Insert) shows part of the coastline on the island of La Palma, Spain. Explain how this section of coast provides two different opportunities for people.
See it on the paper → - 0976/22 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(ii)[3]
Describe the main features of the mine.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(i)[1]
Using Fig. 3.1, identify the most likely reason for the sea wall being built. Tick (✓) the correct answer from the choices provided. to attract more industry to the area to create more employment for local people to improve the scenery of the area to protect buildings on the top of the cliff tick (✓ ✓)
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(ii)[2]
Suggest two reasons why rapid coastal erosion was taking place before the sea wall was built in the area shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(iii)[3]
Describe and explain the impact of building a sea wall on the beach in the area shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3a(iv)[4]
Explain how the following two methods would help to reduce coastal erosion in the area shown in Fig. 3.1. build groynes along the beach put a line of large boulders at the base of the sea wall
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(i)[3]
Describe three differences between the bays shown in Figs. 3.2 and 3.3.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3b(ii)[5]
Explain why bays and headlands develop along some areas of coastline.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · October/November 2024 · Q3c[7]
Explain the formation of an arch and a stack at the coast. You should include a labelled diagram.
See it on the paper → - 0976/22 · October/November 2024 · Q3c(i)[3]
Describe the distribution of settlements shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0976/22 · October/November 2024 · Q5b(ii)[1]
Suggest one reason why the climates of the two places are different.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(i)[1]
What is the distance across the island of Pohnpei from west to east at the widest point? km
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(ii)[2]
Compare the distribution of coral reefs and mangroves.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(iii)[3]
Describe three different characteristics of a coral reef.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(iv)[4]
Describe the conditions that are required for the development of a coral reef.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(i)[3]
Using Fig. 3.2 only, describe the features of the mangroves.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(ii)[5]
Explain how coral reefs and mangroves can benefit people living on the coast.
See it on the paper → - 0976/12 · May/June 2024 · Q3c[7]
Explain how a spit is formed in a coastal area. Include a labelled diagram.
See it on the paper → - 0976/22 · October/November 2022 · Q4a[5]
Describe the physical landscape features shown in Fig. 4.1.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates understood Feature A was likely to collapse in the future, and many reasoned that this was as a result of the arch widening and losing its support due to the processes of erosion, such as hydraulic action and corrasion. Some suggested that weathering may also play a role. However, weaker responses did not always link the processes of erosion to waves or the sea, using the term ‘wat...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0976/22 Q4(b) (Cambridge)
Descriptions of the characteristics of the sand dunes were generally weak. Many did not refer to the marram grass and did not describe the slope with any accuracy. A number of responses referred to rocks and rocky – describing the beach instead of the dunes.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0976/12 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
The question differentiated well. Many candidates gave valid ideas to explain the formation of the sand dunes while weaker answers were confused between deposition by the sea and the wind.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0976/12 Q4(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
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