Question 1 Report
At a hot Mediterranean resort, planners are considering a sea wall to protect a promenade built close to a cliff. Fig. 1 shows the proposed curved wall during a high tide, with houses behind it and a narrow beach in front. Residents disagree about whether this hard engineering scheme is the best use of public money.
(a) Which group of people shown in Fig. 1 would gain most direct protection from the wall? [1]
(b) Outline one way in which a curved sea wall reduces erosion of the land behind it. [2]
(c) Draw a labelled alternative soft engineering method that could protect this section of coast. [2]
(a) Residents / house owners behind the promenade [1] (b) Wall forms a barrier that prevents waves reaching the promenade or cliff [1]; curved face deflects wave energy upward / back to sea [1] (c) Award [1] for an appropriate method such as beach nourishment, dune regeneration or managed realignment; [1] for a clear label showing how it reduces wave energy or provides sediment.
Everything you need to excel in your exams