Oxford Cambridge and RSA
May 2026 – Morning
A Level Geography
H481/01 Physical systems
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
• the Resource Booklet (inside this document)
You can use:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• a scientific or graphical calculator
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Choose one option in Section A and answer all the questions for that option. Answer all
the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 66.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Try to answer every part of each question you choose.
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Geography Physical systems (H481/01) Question Paper And
Mark Scheme
, 2
Section A Landscape
Systems
Choose one option and answer all the parts of the question in your chosen option.
Option A – Coastal Landscapes
1
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt marsh. [8]
(b) Study Table 1, which shows cliff erosion rates on the East Yorkshire coast, UK.
Table 1 Cliff erosion rates on East Yorkshire coast, UK
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Bridlington 1.00
Barmston 2.00
Hornsea 0.25
Mappleton 1.50
Aldbrough 0.80
Grimston 1.10
Tunstall 0.75
Withernsea 2.20
Out Newton 1.90
Spurn neck 3.10
(i) Using Table 1, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 1 is 0.8.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 1, a coastal landscape in Norway.
With reference to Fig. 1, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in shaping landform A
(fjord). [3]
(d) * ‘Coastal landscape systems are influenced more by management strategies than by the
unintentional impacts of economic development.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25
, 3
Option B – Glaciated Landscapes 2
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a drumlin. [8]
(b) Study Table 2, which shows valley erosion rates along a glacier in India.
Table 2 Valley erosion rates along a glacier in India
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Zanskar 1 80
Jobri 30
Bilare Bhang 30
Drang Drung 90
Bhurpu 50
Hamtah 80
Nikarchu 90
Shankalpa 50
Pindari 64
Poting 50
(i) Using Table 2, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 2 is 21.7.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 2, a periglacial landscape in Iceland.
With reference to Fig. 2, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in forming landform B
(patterned ground). [3]
(d) * ‘Periglacial landscape systems are influenced more by human activity than glacial landscape
systems.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Option C – Dryland Landscapes
3
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a linear dune. [8]
(b) Study Table 3, which shows canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China.
Table 3 Canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Xi’an 3.5
Yinchan 3.5
Milan 1.0
Hami 0.5
Turpan 2.0
Korla 3.0
Yinang 1.0
Kashi 0.7
Shache 2.8
Lhasa 1.6
(i) Using Table 3, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 3 is 1.11.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 3, a dryland landscape in Chad.
With reference to Fig. 3, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in shaping landform C
(nivation hollow). [3]
(d) * ‘Dryland landscape systems are influenced more by human activity, due to water supply issues, than by
economic activity.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25
May 2026 – Morning
A Level Geography
H481/01 Physical systems
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
• the Resource Booklet (inside this document)
You can use:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• a scientific or graphical calculator
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Choose one option in Section A and answer all the questions for that option. Answer all
the questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 66.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Try to answer every part of each question you choose.
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR A Level Geography Physical systems (H481/01) Question Paper And
Mark Scheme
, 2
Section A Landscape
Systems
Choose one option and answer all the parts of the question in your chosen option.
Option A – Coastal Landscapes
1
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a salt marsh. [8]
(b) Study Table 1, which shows cliff erosion rates on the East Yorkshire coast, UK.
Table 1 Cliff erosion rates on East Yorkshire coast, UK
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Bridlington 1.00
Barmston 2.00
Hornsea 0.25
Mappleton 1.50
Aldbrough 0.80
Grimston 1.10
Tunstall 0.75
Withernsea 2.20
Out Newton 1.90
Spurn neck 3.10
(i) Using Table 1, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 1 is 0.8.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 1, a coastal landscape in Norway.
With reference to Fig. 1, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in shaping landform A
(fjord). [3]
(d) * ‘Coastal landscape systems are influenced more by management strategies than by the
unintentional impacts of economic development.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25
, 3
Option B – Glaciated Landscapes 2
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a drumlin. [8]
(b) Study Table 2, which shows valley erosion rates along a glacier in India.
Table 2 Valley erosion rates along a glacier in India
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Zanskar 1 80
Jobri 30
Bilare Bhang 30
Drang Drung 90
Bhurpu 50
Hamtah 80
Nikarchu 90
Shankalpa 50
Pindari 64
Poting 50
(i) Using Table 2, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 2 is 21.7.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 2, a periglacial landscape in Iceland.
With reference to Fig. 2, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in forming landform B
(patterned ground). [3]
(d) * ‘Periglacial landscape systems are influenced more by human activity than glacial landscape
systems.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
Option C – Dryland Landscapes
3
(a) Explain the influence of flows of energy in the formation of a linear dune. [8]
(b) Study Table 3, which shows canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China.
Table 3 Canyon erosion rates in a dryland landscape in China
Rate of erosion (m/
Location
year)
Xi’an 3.5
Yinchan 3.5
Milan 1.0
Hami 0.5
Turpan 2.0
Korla 3.0
Yinang 1.0
Kashi 0.7
Shache 2.8
Lhasa 1.6
(i) Using Table 3, calculate the mean rate of erosion.
Show your workings. [2]
(ii) The standard deviation for the rate of erosion in Table 3 is 1.11.
State what this indicates about the dispersion (spread) of the data set. [2]
(iii) Explain why standard deviation is a more accurate measure of dispersion (spread) than range
and interquartile range. [2]
(c) Study Fig. 3, a dryland landscape in Chad.
With reference to Fig. 3, explain the influence of one geomorphic process in shaping landform C
(nivation hollow). [3]
(d) * ‘Dryland landscape systems are influenced more by human activity, due to water supply issues, than by
economic activity.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? [16]
© OCR 2025 H481/01 Jun25
