Take this Exam: A-Level Geography: Coastal Systems and Landscapes | Zestly

Question 1

Two sea-level changes are observed: Case X involves the land surface slowly rising after the weight of glacial ice was removed, and Case Y involves a global rise in sea level due to the melting of ice sheets. Which terms correctly identify these processes?

Accepted Answer

Case X is isostatic change; Case Y is eustatic change.

Answer

Case X is thermal expansion; Case Y is tectonic uplift.

Answer

Case X is eustatic change; Case Y is isostatic change.

Answer

Case X is global change; Case Y is local change.

Question 2

A stretch of coastline features a small, isolated village, a highly sensitive saltmarsh ecosystem, and very limited council funds. Which management approach is most appropriate and why?

Accepted Answer

Soft engineering, such as beach nourishment or dune restoration, because it works with natural processes and is more cost-effective for low-density areas.

Answer

Hard engineering, such as a sea wall, because it provides the highest level of protection regardless of the cost or ecological impact.

Answer

No active intervention, because the village is not significant enough to warrant any form of protection.

Answer

Managed retreat, because it is the only way to ensure the saltmarsh is completely removed from the risk zone.

Question 3

At an invented estuary, a low earth bank has kept the tide off a field of rough grazing for about a century. The authority now deliberately breaches the bank and lets the water in, so that the field becomes saltmarsh. What does that decision buy, what does it cost, and who carries the cost?

Accepted Answer

It buys a belt of saltmarsh that absorbs wave energy before it reaches the defences behind it, so those defences need less work for years; it costs the land itself, and that loss falls on whoever owned or farmed the field, which is why schemes like this normally involve compensation and rarely proceed without it.

Answer

It buys nothing in particular and is chosen only because it is the cheapest thing available, which is what makes it the right approach on any coast.

Answer

It buys complete protection for everything behind it, so no further defence or maintenance will be needed at this site again.

Answer

It buys lower maintenance and costs nothing worth counting, since the field was of little value and the sea would have taken it in the end anyway.

Question 4

A spit has formed across the mouth of the River Estuary, with the prevailing wind blowing from the south-west. The end of the spit is recurved towards the land. Why is the end recurved and why does the spit not cross the entire estuary?

Answer

The end is recurved because of tidal surges, and it does not cross because the spit has run out of sediment.

Answer

The end is recurved due to wave refraction around the headland, and it does not cross because the wind is too weak.

Answer

The end is recurved due to secondary wind directions or wave refraction, and it does not cross because the river current prevents sediment deposition.

Answer

The end is recurved because of longshore drift, and it does not cross because the water is too deep.

Question 5

A coastal management plan decides to protect the town of Northport with a sea wall, but leaves the neighbouring town of Southport undefended. Both towns are connected by a continuous beach system. What can Southport expect, and why?

Answer

Southport will remain unaffected because the sea wall only protects the area immediately behind it.

Answer

Southport will experience accelerated erosion because the sea wall at Northport will interrupt the longshore drift of sediment, starving Southport of material.

Answer

Southport will see a rise in sea level because the sea wall at Northport will deflect water towards their coastline.

Answer

Southport will experience increased deposition because the sea wall will push more sediment towards them.