Waterfall Formation – Sample Answer

In this answer I will be discussing how a waterfall forms. A waterfall is a feature of erosion that is typically found in the upper course of a river. For a waterfall to form there first has to be a band of hard rock laying over a band of soft rock. The river erodes the bed vertically in the upper stage. Processes like abrasion and hydraulic action will erode the soft rock quicker than the hard rock. Overtime a vertical drop will form. At the bottom of the vertical drop a plunge pool will form. The plunge pool will be heavily eroded (by hydraulic action and abrasion) and will start to undercut the rock above it. Over more time the rock above will collapse, this will create a more severe vertical drop. This process repeats over millions of years until a large gorge forms. An example of a waterfall in Ireland is Torc waterfall, Co. Kerry.

Urban Renewal – Sample Answer

What is urban renewal? (2)

Urban renewal is the refurbishment or redevelopment of buildings or areas that experience urban decay. Urban renewal often happens in inner city areas. Urban renewal doesn’t change the function of a building.Explain how urban renewal has benefitted Irish people in one urban area that you have studied. (8)

ST: An example of urban renewal I have studied is Killarney Court in Dublin. This is a 4 story block of apartments that suffered from urban decline. D: The apartments in Killarney court were very small and the facilities were old and in poor condition. The number of rooms was reduce when rebuilding to allow the apartment sizes to increase and they were built with modern facilities. (Some apartments were abandoned before renewal). This improved living standards.D: The public stairwells were dirty and damp. They were a threat to any older and younger people living there. The stairwells were modernised and lifts were installed to combat this issue.D: Killarney Court once had high levels of unemployment and poverty. When renewed Killarney court had a childcare centre which helped parents find work after having children. Also local shops were added which increased local employment.D: Apartments were very cold and damp in the winter, many walls contained mould. After the renewal the apartments were properly insulated and all mould was gone. This improved the health of the local people.

Note: only need 3 development points.

Tourism Sample Answer Benefits and Negatives

One of the benefits of tourism in Spain is employment. Tourism creates direct employment in facilities that are directly used by tourists, this includes bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and attractions. Tourism also creates indirect employment, this includes employment in areas that supply food and drink for hotels and bars.

Another benefit of tourism in Spain is the economy. Tourism is Spain makes billions every single year. That money is very important for the Spanish economy. The government can use that money to improve the infrastructure and services in Spain, like building roads, railway lines, museums etc. This may even increase tourism in the future.

One of the negatives of tourism in Spain is the loss of traditional identity. Spain receives a large amount of tourists from Ireland and England. As a result many Irish and English bars and restaurants now flood the streets of many

popular Spanish tourist destinations. Spanish culture is then lost in the process.

Another negative of tourism in Spain is pollution. Firstly there is visual pollution as the many high-rise apartment blocks replace the lovely Spanish country side. There is also noise pollution from the late night clubs and bars that cater to Spain’s tourists. There is also huge amounts of littering on the streets of Spain and on the lovely beaches, left behind by beach goers.

Many countries and regions are important for tourism.

(i) Name one such country or region. Answer: Spain is a country that attracts tourists.

(ii) Explain three reasons why tourism is important in the area you have named.

Tourism is important in Spain because it creates direct employment in hotels, bars and restaurants. It also creates other jobs in farming and fishing.

Services and infrastructure have been developed for tourists which also benefit local people. For example, roads, medical centres and banks have been developed.

Transport and communication links have been developed. For example, new motorways and ring roads have been built and there are airports in major tourist areas.

Mass Movement Sample Answers

Soil Creep:In this answer I will discuss soil creep, a slow type of mass movement. Soil creep occur on gently slopes. It is a very common feature in hilly areas. Gravity forces the regolith (soil, rock, etc.) on these slopes to move downhill. The regolith is forced downslope at around 1cm per year. It is so slow you can’t see it happening. However, you can see it effects on the landscape. Tree trunks bend, fences and poles lean downhill, walls bulge or break and it leaves terracettes (looks like waves of soil).There are influences that can speed up this process such as deforestation as the roots collect rainwater and bind the soil.

Lahar:

In this answer I will discuss a lahar. A lahar is a type of mudflow. They are the fastest type of mass movement. They can travel great distances at dangerous speeds and can cause tremendous damage. A lahar occurs when a snow-capped volcanic mountain erupts. The heat of the volcano melts the ice and snow and causes it to flow downslope. The hot water mixes with ash and mud and as it moves downslope it picks up more mud and rocks. It is like a fast flowing river of concrete. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in 1985 and caused a lahar which killed over 21,000 people and cost 1 billion in damages.

Sedimentary and Limestone Formation

Sample Answer

Sedimentary rock is formed slowly over millions of years. It is formed from the remains of other rocks, animal remains and plants. These items were *compressed and *cemented together over time. Examples of this rock type are Limestone, Sandstone, Shale and Coal. All the sediments and animal remains and plants gather together at the bottom of lakes or oceans. Overtime other materials gather on top of them making it heavy and squeezing out the water between all the sediments (*Compacting). Overtime the sediments will cement together forming sedimentary rock. Sedimentary forms into layers known as strata. Sedimentary rock is Ireland’s most common rock type.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock. Limestone is formed slowly over millions of years. Limestone typically forms in tropical regions. This is because it is made up mostly of shellfish and coral remains which are found in those regions. These sediments collect at the bottom of oceans and will slowly compact and cement together to form limestone. The sediments continuously collect on top of one another on the seabed, the weight of all this material will cause the sediments to compact together. Overtime the sediments will cement together forming limestone rock. Limestone forms into layers known as strata. Irelands limestone rock formed 350 million years ago when Irelands was near the equator.

Sample Answers

Based on the information we can read from the map what factors have influenced Drogheda’s development into a large urban settlement?

Relief;

Drogheda’s development looks as though it was influenced by relief (slope of the land). The relief is gently-sloping. This can be identified by looking at the spacing between the contour lines. The colour of the map around the town (green) also suggest that Drogheda’s altitude is below 200m which usually has better relief. Gently sloping relief means that it is easier and cheaper to build on. This will increase the likelihood of housing, industrial estates, transport and functions.

Drainage;

As discussed the relief in Drogheda is gently sloping, this often means that the drainage in the area is good. Gently-sloping land acts like a natural drainage system as it funnels rainwater in different directions and prevents the likelihood of flooding. In addition, the river flowing through the centre of the town could be used to collect access rainwater which runs off a lot quicker for concrete streets. The river banks would have to be built up for this.

Transport;

Drogheda is a route focus (place where a number of roads meet). For example, the R152 and R166 meet there. This is very important as it increases the flow of

people in and out of the town which is good for the development of functions (services and activities). Drogheda has a number of bridging points which ensure the flow of people through the town. There is a railway line passing through the town with a train station, this again makes Drogheda an even more attractive place to live and work in. The R152 connects with the M1 motorway which increases the ease and access of good transport routes. Good transport routes will attract residents, workers and industries to the area.

Coast;

Drogheda is not a coastal urban settlement so the possibility of building ports for travel or trading is not available. Also, people looking for a coastal holiday (beaches) would be less inclined to travel to Drogheda.

Additional Info

Functions;

To add to this Drogheda has a wide range of functions which would further attract people to the area. There are a number of different schools around the map for example at (provide gird reference). There is a hospital located at (grid reference). There is a tourist information office and a number of ancient settlements which could attract visitors to the area.

Ancient Settlement;

If there is a river visible in the map (or photograph) and there are ancient features (in red writing or visible on a photograph) then you can discuss how the town may have developed over time from past settlements. Discuss how they may have used the river (hygiene, water supply, defence, fishing, transport).

Sample answer – Pop PyramidWhich pyramid is a developed country and which is a developing country?

From the graphs provided in the picture given I believe that pyramid B is a developing country. Firstly, the bottom of pyramid B is wide which indicates that there is a larger growth number of people being born which

is typical of a developing country in the early stages of the demographic transition model. In the middle of pyramid B around the ages of mid 20s to the early 40s/50s the pyramid begins to narrow, this is because people may have died from diseases, lack of clean water and food supplies in previous decades. This is typical of a developing country. From 70+ you can see the graphs severely narrow, this is because medicine, sanitation, healthcare services and elderly care is not sufficient in developing countries.

Also from the graph I can presume that pyramid A is a developed country. My 1st reason would be that the base is relatively narrow which means the population is steady and isn’t growing rapidly. My 2nd reason for pyramid A being a developed country is the middle of the pyramid is the widest which shows that the growing populations are in their middle ages (20s – early 40s) that indicates the older generations had higher birth rates but have decreased since this may due to new careers and family planning. In developing countries women have careers which impacts the birth rate as they are less likely to have big families.

Underground Karst Feature – Pillar Sample Answer

In this answer I will be discussing the formation of pillars in Limestone caves. As rainwater moves through the permeable limestone (joints and bedding planes) the carbonation process occurs (The weak carbonic acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the limestone to wear it away). The rainwater carries a small spec of calcite with it. When it reaches the ceiling of a cave it evaporates and leaves behind the calcite, this process repeats itself and the calcite builds until it forms a stalactite. The same process occurs at the bottom of the cave as the rainwater falls from the ceiling. This create a thicker icicle like shaped feature known as a stalagmite (thicker due to the splash when the rainwater hits the ground). Over time both features continue to grow until they begin to connect and form a new feature known as a pillar.

Note: the brackets are additional info that can be included if time allows.

New Town – Tallaght

New towns are designed to house the overspill of people coming from large cities. New towns recue urban sprawl. New towns are large urban areas that have been built with specific designs and include all the necessary modern functions.

The new town I have studied is Tallaght. Tallaght was once a small village but a ‘new town’ was built surrounding the small village in 1970. Tallaght now houses over 70,000 people.One characteristic of Tallaght is its recreational functions. The Square in Tallaght is one of Ireland’s busiest shopping centres. Tallaght also has a football stadium which is home to Shamrock Rovers and hosts concerts. There are also two theatres in Tallaght.Another characteristic of Tallaght is its transport functions. Tallaght is directly connected to the M50, this has allowed industries to develop there. The Luas redline runs through Tallaght and brings people into Dublin city centre.Another characteristic of Tallaght is education and health. Tallaght Institute of Technology is located there and caters to 3-level students. Tallaght hospital is also a key feature which provides security and jobs for its locals.

Factory Location FactorsSample Answer

In this answer I will be discussing how certain factors have influenced the location of Intel in Leixlip. The three factors I have selected are labour, transport and markets.The first factor I will discuss is labour. Intel is a high-tech company that produces micro-chips. Intel needs a highly educated and skilled workforce. As a result Intel needed to be located near universities so that they attract workers with a 3rd level education. Intel in Leixlip is next Maynooth University and is close to a number of different colleges in Dublin.The next factor I will discuss is transport. Road, rail, air and sea are all vitally important to factories for the import and export of goods. Time is money, the quicker goods are moved in and out the more money there is to be made. Intel in Leixlip has excellent transport systems. It is next to the N4 ring road which connects with the M50. The M50 bypasses a number of big towns and connects to Dublin airport.The final factor I will discuss is markets. This is where the goods are sold. Intel can locate far from markets because their products are high in value and low bulk. Intel in Leixlip has a big local market as microchips are sold to other companies in Ireland. Also Ireland is on the edge of Europe and is part of the EU so Intel has a huge international market to sell to.

Rocks Sample Answer

In this answer I will be discussing how igneous rocks form …

Igenous rock is formed from the cooling of volcanic material. There are two ways igneous rocks form within the earth’s crust or on the earth’s surface. Extrusive igneous rocks form when lava flows over the earth’s surface and cools, an example of this rock is basalt. Intrusive igneous rocks form when magma gets caught in the earth’s crust and cools slowly over time, an example of this rock is granite.

Diagram: (Volcano)Include crystals in diagram.Basalt small Granite large

How Soil Forms (2 Factors)

In this answer I will be discussing how soil forms with reference to two factors, parent rock and micro-organisms. The parent rock is the type of rock that soil is formed from. The type of rock it is formed from will affect the mineral content and will affect the speed at which the soil forms. Rocks are broken down by weathering and erosion. Soft rocks like Limestone will break down quick than hard rocks like granite and will create soil quicker as a result. Different rock types have different minerals. Limestone for example will release calcium into the soil which helps strengthen plants. Micro-organisms are microscopic bugs that live in soil. In autumn some plants and trees lose their leaves, this is known as plant litter. Micro-organism eat the leaves on the top part of the soil. They then produce humus, a dark jelly-like substance. Humus is a natural fertilizer and is very healthy for soil. Humus will result in better growth for the future. This restarts the cycle.

Fold Mountain – Sample Answer

In this answer I will be discussing Fold Mountain formation. Fold Mountains are formed at destructive plate boundaries, this is where two plates collide. When the two plates collide the pressure causes the rock on the earth’s surface to buckle or fold upwards. The upfolds are called anticlines and the downfolds are called synclines. Examples of Fold Mountains include the Andes, the Himalayas and the mountains of Munster (The Comeraghs). Ireland’s Fold Mountains are very old, they formed 250-300 million years ago. They were once as high as the Alps but have been worn down due to weathering and erosion.

Additional Info: (Use if you can’t remember the above)

The plates are pulled towards each other by convection currents in the mantle. The heavier plate will sink into the mantle and start to melt while the other plate is pushed slightly upwards.

Fishing Sample Answer

Reasons for Overfishing + Ways to Stop it

One reason for overfishing is the size and use of fish nets. Trawler nets can fit 13 jumbo jets wing to wing, this shows how big they actually are and how much fish they would be able to catch. Trawler nets also destroy fish habitats as they are dragged along the sea bed. This can result in a breakdown of the local ecosystem.

Another reason is the size of the mesh on some trawler nets. If the mesh is too small then infant fish will also get caught. If this happens then there might not be future generations of fish as the infant fish won’t get a chance to reproduce.

Another reason for overfishing is the advancement in technology. Modern ships use a variety of technology that allow for them to catch more fish. Supertrawlers use sonar to map the seabed and find out where shoals of fish are.

We can prevent overfishing by banning the larger ships like supertrawlers from entering our seas. Supertrawlers are weapons of mass destruction in our oceans, banning them would lower the amount of fish being caught. Australia banned them in 2012.

Another way of preventing overfishing is by setting quotas. Quotas are set limits on the amount of fish ships can catch over a certain period. This will prevent bigger ship like the supertrawler from overfishing. Quotas can be backed up by fining people who go over the limits.

Another way of preventing overfishing is creating conservation zones. Conservation zones are large areas of our seas that ship are not allowed to fish in. This will allow fish stocks to increase in those areas and may lead to sustainable fishing.

Sample Answer Q. Explain how acid rain occurs and lost 4 effects it can have on the surrounding environment

Acid rain is a mixture of water vapour and other gases. Examples of these gases include sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These harmful gases are released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. For example, industries burn fossil fuels to power machinery or generate electricity. Gases are pumped high into the atmosphere from industrial vents. When they cool they condense and form clouds (same as the water cycle). When the newly formed clouds cool even more precipitation will occur (rain, hail, sleet or snow). Acid rain has a PH of below 4.3 which can have very harmful effects of the surrounding environment.

Effects:

Humans – heavier gases may drop before been taken away by wind. This may cause eye and throat irritation. Acid rain can also damage property such as cars, houses, gardens, etc.

Forests – Acid rain leaches or removes nutrients from soil. This severely weakens trees and leaves them susceptible to diseases. Acid rain can also damage leaves.

Plants/ Crops – Acid rain can disrupt the photosynthesis process. As mentioned before the removal of nutrients in soil can lead to disease. Some crops may not grow to full fruition or may fail to grow entirely.

Farmers – As mentioned to acid rain washed away nutrients in soil. In order to replenish those nutrients so crops grow fully farmers must buy expensive fertiliser which reduces profits.

Fish in lakes – Lake Water can become very acidic. This can lead to fish eggs being damaged and may prevent the total loss of fish life in lakes. For example, some lakes in Sweden are biologically dead.

Architecture – Some famous buildings and monuments are damaged by acid rain. Statues can lose their distinct features, particularly if they are made from weaker rocks like limestone. This may affect tourism in the area.

Economic Inequality1. Explain THREE reasons why the level of economic

development in lower in the ‘south’2. Name TWO ways in which this can be addressed

1. Unfair trade, colonialism and debt and corruption are the three main reasons why economic development is slower in the south. Unfair trade has resulted in poorer countries as workers in those countries being exploited and not receiving a fair price for their goods. Colonialism has led to the wealthier northern developed countries stripping poorer countries in the south of their natural resources. They cannot afford to spend money on important services such as education and health as they are crippled by the huge debts they owe.

2. One way in which this can be addressed is by introducing fair trade. Workers must receive a fair price for their goods which are then processed and sold for a much higher value. The clearing of world debt would also help address and divide and give poorer countries in the south a chance to develop and spend money on the services that are essential such as education, transport and healthcare/medicines.