A-Level H2 Geography 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of fold mountains such as the Himalayas?
- Divergent boundary
- Transform boundary
- Convergent collision boundary (Correct answer)
- Hot spot
Correct answer: Convergent collision boundary
Fold mountains form at convergent collision boundaries where two continental plates collide and rock layers are compressed and folded upward.
Question 2: What is the term for the zone where denser oceanic crust sinks beneath lighter continental crust?
- Rift valley
- Subduction zone (Correct answer)
- Transform fault
- Mid-ocean ridge
Correct answer: Subduction zone
A subduction zone occurs at a convergent boundary where denser oceanic crust is forced beneath lighter continental crust into the mantle.
Question 3: Which seismic wave type causes the greatest surface destruction during an earthquake?
- Primary (P) waves
- Secondary (S) waves
- Surface (L) waves (Correct answer)
- Body waves
Correct answer: Surface (L) waves
Surface (Love and Rayleigh) waves travel along Earth's surface with the largest amplitude and lowest frequency, causing the most structural damage.
Question 4: Which term describes the in-situ breakdown of rock without removal of the weathered material?
- Erosion
- Weathering (Correct answer)
- Transportation
- Abrasion
Correct answer: Weathering
Weathering is the physical, chemical, or biological breakdown of rock in place, with no movement of material away from the site.
Question 5: Which coastal feature forms when the roof of a sea arch collapses, leaving an isolated rock pillar?
- Cave
- Arch
- Stack (Correct answer)
- Stump
Correct answer: Stack
A stack forms when continued wave erosion causes the roof of a coastal arch to collapse, isolating a pillar of rock from the headland.
Question 6: What is the primary reason rivers deposit their load in the lower course?
- Increased gradient
- Increased velocity
- Decreased velocity and energy (Correct answer)
- Increased discharge
Correct answer: Decreased velocity and energy
In the lower course, a reduced gradient causes velocity and energy to decrease, so the river can no longer transport its load and deposits it.
Question 7: Which type of mass movement involves saturated regolith sliding along a curved, concave slip plane?
- Rockfall
- Soil creep
- Mudflow
- Rotational slide (slump) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Rotational slide (slump)
A rotational slide (slump) occurs when saturated regolith moves along a curved, concave failure plane, often triggered by heavy rainfall or undercutting.
A-Level H2 Geography 1
Which type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of fold mountains such as the Himalayas?