Question 1: Define the term 'erosion' as it relates to coasts.

Answer: Erosion is the process by which rocks and land are worn away by natural forces such as waves, wind, or rain.

Question 2: Describe two different types of coastal landforms formed by erosion.

Answer: Two coastal landforms formed by erosion are a cliff, which is a steep face of rock that has been worn away at the edge of the land, and a wave-cut platform, which is a flat area at the base of a cliff formed by erosion.

Question 3: Explain how waves contribute to the process of coastal erosion.

Answer: Waves contribute to erosion by hitting the shoreline with force, breaking down rocks through hydraulic action and abrasion, and carrying away sediment.

Question 4: Identify and explain one method by which humans protect coasts from erosion.

Answer: One method is constructing sea walls, which act as barriers to absorb wave energy and prevent the land behind from eroding.

Question 5: Imagine you are standing on a sandy beach. Describe the processes that could cause the formation of a beach profile over time.

Answer: Waves deposit sand and pebbles onto the shoreline, building up the beach. Over time, the constant deposition and erosion shape a sloping profile, with larger materials settling at the back and finer materials at the water's edge.

Question 6: Draw a simple cross-section of a coastline showing a cliff, wave-cut platform, and a beach. Label each feature.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a vertical cliff at the landward side, a flat wave-cut platform at the base of the cliff extending into the sea, and a sloped sandy beach in front of the platform. Labels should clearly identify each feature.

Question 7: Explain the difference between a headland and a bay in terms of erosion and deposition.

Answer: A headland is a protruding area of resistant rock that erodes slowly, forming a steep cliff, while a bay is a recessed area where softer rock erodes more quickly, leading to a sheltered area often filled with water.

Question 8: Describe how longshore drift moves sediment along a coastline.

Answer: Longshore drift occurs when waves hit the shoreline at an angle, carrying sediment along the coast in the direction of the prevailing wind or wave movement.

Question 9: Identify a human activity that can accelerate coastal erosion and explain why.

Answer: Building ports and harbours can accelerate erosion because they interrupt natural wave patterns and sediment flow, leading to increased erosion elsewhere along the coast.

Question 10: Sketch and label a diagram showing the process of a hydraulic action during wave erosion.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict waves crashing against a cliff face, with arrows indicating the force of water entering cracks, compressing air, and breaking away pieces of rock. Labels should identify 'wave impact', 'cracks', and 'erosion'.

Question 11: Summarize two ways in which climate change might affect coastlines in the future.

Answer: Climate change can lead to rising sea levels, which increase the risk of flooding and erosion of coastlines. It can also cause more extreme weather events, such as storms, which intensify erosion processes.