Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A (1GA0) · Spec 7 and 7A
Fieldwork: investigating coastal landscapes
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- A coastal enquiry might measure beach gradient with a clinometer (in degrees) or the length of pebbles along a beach.
- A theory such as longshore drift helps interpret the results: pebbles get smaller and rounder downdrift.
- A secondary source for coasts is something you did not collect, such as a geology map.
- A complete conclusion goes beyond 'the pebbles got smaller'. It gives the cause too, such as attrition and abrasion.
- In an evaluation, name a limitation of the method and an improvement, such as more sites at regular intervals.
Key terms
- Clinometer
- An instrument that measures the angle of a slope.
- Primary data
- Data you collect yourself.
- Secondary data
- Data collected by someone else.
- Mean
- The total divided by the number of values.
- Range
- The highest value minus the lowest value.
Common mistakes
- Naming equipment and nothing more. Say how it was used.
- Writing a conclusion that only repeats the pattern. Add the geographic reason.
- Treating a measurement you took as secondary data. Secondary data was collected by someone else.
Exam tip
Describe a method by naming the item and then saying how it was used, such as 'a tape measure held tight at each change of slope'.
Free practice questions
6 questions, 7 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A student measures the gradient of a beach between two ranging poles. Which equipment and unit should they use?
- Question 2 · Choose more than one[2 marks]
A student measured the longest axis of 10 pebbles at site 1 and at site 4 on a beach (illustrative teaching data, not measured). Site 1: 78, 72, 85, 69, 74, 80, 66, 71, 77, 68 mm. Site 4: 41, 38, 45, 36, 40, 43, 35, 39, 42, 37 mm. Which TWO statements are supported by these data?
Choose 2.
- Question 3 · True or false[1 mark]
Is this statement true or false?
- Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which of these is a SECONDARY source for a coastal investigation?
- Question 5 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which is a geographical theory used to interpret coastal results?
- Question 6 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A group measured 10 pebbles at each of only 4 sites along a beach. Which change best improves THAT limitation?