AS Paper 1: HYDROLOGY - SECTION B
Full list of 2010-2015 Hydrology questions from Section B (45 minutes)
Summer 2010 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the terms solution load and suspension load as they apply to
transportation in rivers. [4]
(ii) Briefly explain the conditions under which rivers entrain (pick up) and transport
sediment load. [3]
(b) With the help of diagrams, describe and explain two landforms produced by
deposition in rivers. [8]
(c) Describe the processes of erosion in river channels. Illustrate your answer with
reference to the landforms produced. [10]
Winter 2010 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the terms discharge and velocity as they apply to river channels. [4]
(ii) Briefly explain what is meant by recurrence intervals in flood prediction. [3]
(b) With the help of diagrams, explain how rivers pick up (entrain), transport and deposit
sediment. [8]
(c) Describe the differences between a braided and a meandering stream channel. What
are the causes of these differences? [10]
Summer 2011 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the hydrological terms groundwater and springs. [4]
(ii) Briefly describe how groundwater recharge occurs. [3]
(b) Using diagrams, show how soils and vegetation within a catchment area (drainage
basin) can affect the shape of storm hydrographs. [8]
(c) Describe and explain the differences between the landforms found in braided and
meandering river channels. [10]
Winter 2011 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the terms hydraulic action and solution as they apply to processes in a
river channel. [4]
(ii) Describe how variations in discharge could lead to braiding in a river channel. [3]
(b) With the use of diagrams, explain how a pool and riffle sequence may lead to the
development of meanders. [8]
(c) With reference to the Hjulstrom Curve, explain the relationship between velocity and
sediment size in terms of erosion, transportation and deposition in a river. [10]
Summer 2012 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the fluvial terms traction and suspension. [4]
(ii) Briefly explain differences between laminar and turbulent flow in a river channel. [3]
(b) With the help of diagrams, explain how river erosion can produce waterfalls and
rapids. [8]
(c) Describe how river floods occur. To what extent can the occurrence of floods be
predicted and their effects limited? [10]
Winter 2012 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the terms interception and throughflow as they apply to water in a
drainage basin. [4]
(ii) Briefly explain how the shape of a storm hydrograph can be affected by drainage
basin shape. [3]
(b) With the help of a diagram, explain how drainage basins operate as a system of
inputs, outputs, stores and flows. [8]
(c) Explain how human activities might affect the flows and stores within a drainage
basin. [10]
Summer 2013 9696/11
Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
7 (a) (i) Define the terms riffle and pool. [4]
(ii) Briefly describe helicoidal flow. [3]
(b) Draw a labelled diagram to show a braided river channel and its landforms and
explain their formation. [8]
(c) Describe how rivers erode their channels and explain to what extent river erosion has
contributed to the formation of waterfalls and rapids. [10]
Winter 2013 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the hydrological terms infiltration and overland flow. [4]
(ii) Briefly describe how evapotranspiration occurs. [3]
(b) Explain how rock type and soils can affect flows and stores of water in a drainage
basin. [8]
(c) Explain how river floods may be predicted and the extent to which they can be
prevented.
[10]
Summer 2014 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the hydrological terms surface storage and groundwater storage. [4]
(ii) Describe how saturated overland flow occurs. [3]
(b) For a similar rainfall event, draw a storm hydrograph for an urbanised catchment
area and a storm hydrograph for a forested catchment area. Explain the differences
between the two hydrographs. [8]
(c) To what extent does flooding in a catchment area only result from storm rainfall? [10]
Winter 2014 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the hydrological terms throughfall and percolation. [4]
(ii) Describe how precipitation and infiltration can lead to overland flow. [3]
(b) Explain how the porosity and permeability of rocks and soils can affect the flows of
water in a drainage basin. [8]
(c) Discuss the view that river floods cannot be prevented but their effects can be
reduced. [10]
Summer 2015 9696/11
7 (a) (i) Define the terms lag time and peak discharge. [4]
(ii) Briefly explain how overland flow occurs. [3]
(b) Using diagrams, explain how (i) rock type and (ii) vegetation can affect the storm
hydrographs of a drainage basin. [8]
(c) Explain why rivers flood. To what extent is it possible to predict floods and to prevent
rivers from flooding? [10]