Cambridge International AS & A Level

GEOGRAPHY 9696/12
Paper 1 Core Physical Geography October/November 2021

1 hour 30 minutes

You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.

* 7 6 9 3 5 1 4 8 9 9 *

You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)

Insert (enclosed)

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer four questions in total:
Section A: answer all questions.
Section B: answer one question.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.
● Sketch maps and diagrams should be drawn whenever they serve to illustrate an answer.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● The insert contains all the resources referred to in the questions.

This document has 4 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (MS) 199490/2
© UCLES 2021 [Turn over
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Section A

Answer all questions in this section. All questions are worth 10 marks.

Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology

1 Fig. 1.1 is a photograph which shows a river flooding.

(a) Name the feature:

(i) labelled X [1]

(ii) between Y and Z. [1]

(b) Describe the features of the flooding shown in Fig. 1.1. [3]

(c) Suggest the factors that led to the flooding shown in Fig. 1.1. [5]

Atmosphere and weather

2 Fig. 2.1 shows predicted increased impacts of hazards as a result of global warming, in the USA,
2050.

(a) Which part of the USA is predicted to be most affected by an increase in precipitation? [1]

(b) Describe the pattern of predicted increased impacts of hazards shown in Fig. 2.1. [3]

(c) Examine how global warming might explain two of the predicted increased impacts of hazards
shown in Fig. 2.1. [6]

Rocks and weathering

3 Fig. 3.1 shows three types of mass movement.

(a) Name the type of mass movement labelled A. [1]

(b) Compare the features of the mass movements labelled B and C in Fig. 3.1. [4]

(c) Suggest how mass movement B shown in Fig. 3.1 formed. [5]

© UCLES 2021 9696/12/O/N/21

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Section B

Answer one question from this section. All questions are worth 30 marks.

Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology

4 (a) (i) Define the fluvial terms laminar flow and evapotranspiration. [4]

(ii) Briefly explain why abrasion/corrasion varies along a river channel. [3]

(b) Explain the relationship between riffle and pool sequences in meandering river channels. [8]

(c) ‘Climate is the most important factor influencing flows and stores in a drainage basin system.’

With the aid of examples, how far do you agree? [15]

Atmosphere and weather

5 (a) (i) Define the atmospheric terms deposition and sensible heat transfer. [4]

(ii) Briefly explain radiation cooling. [3]

(b) Explain how human activity affects precipitation and winds in urban areas. [8]

(c) With the aid of examples, assess the view that latitude is the most important factor in seasonal
variations in pressure and wind belts. [15]

Rocks and weathering

6 (a) (i) Contrast continental and oceanic tectonic plates. [4]

(ii) Briefly explain the distribution of volcanic island arcs. [3]

(b) Explain how afforestation and slope grading can reduce mass movements on slopes. [8]

(c) ‘Temperature is the most important factor affecting the type and rate of weathering.’

With the aid of examples, how far do you agree? [15]

© UCLES 2021 9696/12/O/N/21

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© UCLES 2021 9696/12/O/N/21