The diagram shows contours and spot heights from a map study of a proposed cycle route near Abuja. The contour interval is 20 metres. Students need to choos...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows contours and spot heights from a map study of a proposed cycle route near Abuja. The contour interval is 20 metres. Students need to choose between route X, which crosses the slope, and route Y, which follows the valley floor. The fieldwork enquiry considers whether the route will be accessible for younger cyclists as well as providing attractive views.
(a) State the height of the innermost contour in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) State which route, X or Y, is likely to have the gentler gradient. [1]
(c) Explain how contour spacing supports your answer. [2]
(d) Suggest one non-map factor the students should investigate before selecting a cycle route. [1]
Fig. 1 shows part of a 1:25 000 topographic map used by students during a fieldwork enquiry beside a reservoir in northern Nigeria. The grid lines are 1 km apart. Their study compares access routes from the car park at A to a bird hide at B. The route crosses a footbridge and then follows a track. The students must use map evidence rather than estimates made from a phone screen.
(a) State the map scale shown in Fig. 1. [1]
(b) State one piece of map evidence showing that the route is suitable for walkers. [1]
(c) Calculate the straight-line distance from A to B if it measures 9.2 cm on the map. Show your working. [2]
(d) Suggest one reason why the distance walked will be greater than your answer to part (c). [1]
Answer Details
Contours and cycle routes
- (a) The innermost contour is 240 m. The labelled contours rise from 200 m to 220 m to 240 m, matching the 20 m contour interval. [1]
- (b) Route Y is likely to have the gentler gradient. [1]
- (c) Contours are farther apart along or near route Y. Widely spaced contours indicate less height change over a given horizontal distance, so the slope is gentler. [2]
- (d) A valid non-map factor is traffic danger, land ownership, surface condition, flood risk, cost or users' views. Each could affect whether cyclists can use the route safely or practically. [1]
Map scale and access route
- (a) The map scale is 1:25 000. [1]
- (b) The marked track or footbridge is map evidence that the route is suitable for walkers. The car park and marked route are also relevant access evidence. [1]
- (c) At a scale of \(1:25\,000\), 1 cm on the map represents 25 000 cm on the ground.
\[9.2\text{ cm}\times25\,000=230\,000\text{ cm}\]
\[230\,000\text{ cm}=2\,300\text{ m}=2.3\text{ km}\]
The straight-line distance is 2.3 km. [2] - (d) The walking distance will be greater because the route bends and follows the track rather than travelling in a straight line from A to B. [1]
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