MANAGING COLD ENVIRONMENTS

Past Paper Question Booklet

SHORT RESPONSE QUESTIONS
January 2009
Study Fig. 3, a climate graph for Tomsk, Russia.

Identify the main features of the climate at Tomsk, Russia shown in Fig. 3.
[4]
Explain how vegetation has adapted to such climatic conditions.
[6]
Suggest two ways in which human activity makes cold environments ecologically vulnerable.[6]
Explain the impact of weathering on the physical landscape of one located cold environment.[9]

May 2009
Study the map extract, a 1:50 000 OS map of part of the Lake District.

Identify the distinctive landforms produced by ice, A, B, C and D, show in the map extract.[4]
Explain how ice shaped one of these distinctive landforms. [6]
Outline two ways in which cold environments can provide economic opportunities.[6]
With reference to one or more located examples, explain why cold environments can be easily
damaged.[9]

January 2010
Study Fig. 3, a photograph of a cold environment in Lapland, Finland.

Describe the main characteristics of the vegetation shown in Fig. 3.[4]

Suggest how climate has influenced two of these characteristics. [6]
Outline two ways in which cold environments provide challenges for economic development.
With reference to one or more located examples, explain how careful management in cold
environments can help to ensure sustainability.
[9]

[6]

May 2010
Study Fig. 3, a map of the present-day distribution of ice masses.

Describe the distribution of ice masses show in Fig. 3.[4]

Explain how climatic conditions lead to the formation of ice masses.[6]
Outline two ways in which cold environments can be exploited for short-term gains.[6]
With reference to one or more located examples, explain how ice produces distinctive landforms in
cold environments. [9]

January 2011
Study Fig. 3, two maps showing annual days of melt on the Greenland ice sheet in 1979 and 2007.

Describe the pattern of change in annual days of melt shown in Fig. 3.

[4]
Suggest two reasons for this pattern of change.
[6]
Explain two impacts of climate on the characteristics of animals in cold environments. [6]
With reference to one or more cold environments, examine how meltwater has shaped the
landscape.
[9]

May 2011
Study Fig. 3, a rose diagram showing the orientation of cirques in an area of the Lake District.

Describe the pattern of cirque orientation shown in Fig. 3. [4]

Explain how two natural processes influence cirque formation.
[6]
Describe the climatic characteristics of a cold environment.
[6]
With reference to one or more located examples, show how cold environments provide economic
opportunities. [9]

January 2012
Study Fig. 3, a (3-D sketch) diagram of a cold (glacial eroded) environment.

Describe two opportunities for human activities provided by this cold environment.[4]
Explain two ways in which these activities could help the economic development of the area.[6]
Outline the influence of two factors affecting weathering processes in cold environments.[6]
With reference to one or more located cold environments, show how and why the ecosystem has
been damaged.[9]

May 2012
Study Fig. 3, a photograph of a cold environment in the Alps

Use Fig. 3 to outline the evidence that suggests that these are harsh conditions for animals.[4]
Explain two ways in which animals have adapted to conditions in cold environments.[6]
Explain how two factors affect processes of erosion by ice. [6]
With reference to one or more located examples, show how cold environments provide challenges
for development.[9]

January 2013
Study Fig. 3, a summary of a sustainable tourism scheme in the Swiss Alps.

Use evidence from Fig.3 to show how socio-economic and environmental needs are being met.[4]
In what way is this scheme sustainable?
[6]
State and explain two ways in which plants adapt to survive in cold environments.[6]
Outline how ecosystems in cold environments can change as a result of human activities. [9]

Essay questions (all 25 marks)

Specimen paper
With reference to located examples, discuss how sustainable development strategies can reduce the
threats to communities and the environment in cold environments.
January 2009
With reference to located examples, discuss the opportunities and challenges for development in cold
environments.
May 2009
With reference to located examples, explain how the management of cold environments needs to balance
socio-economic and environmental needs.
January 2010
With reference to located examples of distinctive landforms, examine the impact of climate and weathering
on the physical landscape of cold environments.
May 2010
With reference to located examples, explain how human and physical factors make ecosystems in cold
environments vulnerable to damage.
January 2011
With reference to located examples, explain how cold environments can provide both opportunities and
challenges for development.
May 2011
With reference to located examples, examine strategies to manage cold environments sustainably.
January 2012
Explain the formation of distinctive erosional landforms found in one or more named cold environments.
May 2012
With reference to located examples, explain how careful management of cold environments can help
ensure sustainable development
January 2013
With reference to located examples, examine ways in which cold environments provide social, economic
and environmental challenges for development.

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