Cambridge O-Level Environmental Management: Natural Hazards — Practice Questions (5014, 2027-2029)

These questions practise every learning outcome in Topic 6, Natural hazards, of the 2027-2029 Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus. The contexts are an island volcano, a coastal city hit by a tsunami, a river floodplain and a farming region in drought.

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Natural hazards study guide (2027-2029) | Natural hazards revision notes

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Section A

1. Name the continent that lies over the South Pole. [1]

2. State the type of plate boundary where plates slide past each other. [1]

3. State the minimum ocean depth needed for a tropical cyclone to form. [1]

4. Name two gases released in a volcanic eruption. [2]

Section B

5. An island volcano lies in the middle of a plate, far from any plate boundary. (a) Explain how the volcano formed. [2] (b) Describe what a pyroclastic flow is and why it is dangerous. [2] (c) Explain how the volcano could cause acid rain. [2]

6. Describe what happens at a divergent (constructive) plate boundary. [3]

7. An undersea earthquake triggers a tsunami that strikes a coastal city. (a) Distinguish between the focus and the epicentre. [2] (b) Describe four impacts of the tsunami on people. [4] (c) Explain why water-related diseases may spread after the event. [2]

8. Explain two ways volcanoes provide economic opportunities for people. [4]

9. A region lies at 18° N. Its sea temperature is 29 °C in September and 25 °C in February. Explain in which month a tropical cyclone is more likely to form. [2]

10. Describe how cyclone shelters and improved building structure reduce the impacts of tropical cyclones. [4]

11. A town on a river floodplain has grown rapidly and nearby hills have been cleared for farming. (a) Explain three reasons why flood risk has increased. [3] (b) Describe two opportunities that floods provide to farmers on the floodplain. [2]

12. Explain how climate change can cause both more flooding and more drought. [3]

13. Describe four strategies to increase water supply in a region affected by drought. [4]

Section C

14. Discuss the benefits and limitations of land use zoning and monitoring and warning as strategies for managing flooding. [6]

15. Discuss the benefits and limitations of international aid in managing the impacts of a drought. [6]

16. “Building design is the most important way to reduce deaths from earthquakes.” Discuss. [6]

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Answers

1. Antarctica. [1]

2. Conservative. [1]

3. 60 m. [1]

4. Any two: water vapour; carbon dioxide; sulfur dioxide. [2]

5. (a) It formed over a hotspot [1], where hot magma rises from the mantle through the plate to the surface [1]. (b) A fast-moving cloud of hot gas, ash and rock [1]; it moves too fast to escape and burns or buries everything in its path [1]. (c) The eruption releases sulfur dioxide [1], which reacts with oxygen and water vapour in the atmosphere to form acid rain [1].

6. The plates move apart [1], driven by convection currents in the mantle [1]; magma rises into the gap, causing volcanic activity and earthquakes [1].

7. (a) The focus is the point underground where energy is released [1]; the epicentre is the point on the surface directly above it [1]. (b) Any four: deaths and injuries [1]; buildings and infrastructure destroyed [1]; evacuation and homelessness [1]; drinking water contaminated by sea water and sewage [1]; fires [1]; financial losses from damaged businesses [1]. [max 4] (c) Sewage systems are damaged and drinking water is contaminated [1], so bacteria that cause diseases such as cholera spread [1].

8. Any two explained: fertile soils from weathered volcanic rock give high crop yields [2]; tourism to see the volcano brings income and jobs [2]; geothermal power provides cheap, renewable electricity [2]; minerals and building materials can be extracted and sold [2]. [max 4]

9. September [1], because the sea temperature (29 °C) is above the 27 °C needed, whereas in February (25 °C) it is too cool [1].

10. Shelters: strong, raised buildings where people can stay during the storm [1], protecting them from wind and flooding [1]. Building structure: reinforced roofs fixed to walls and buildings on stilts [1] resist high winds and floodwater, so fewer collapse [1].

11. (a) Urban growth adds impermeable surfaces, so less infiltration [1]; deforestation on the hills reduces interception, increasing surface run-off [1]; eroded soil silts the river, reducing its capacity [1]. (b) Deposition of nutrient-rich silt [1]; recharge of surface and ground water stores for irrigation [1].

12. Higher global temperatures cause more extreme weather events [1]: some places receive more intense rainfall, causing floods [1], while others have longer dry periods and more evaporation, causing drought [1].

13. Any four: dams and reservoirs [1]; use of aquifers and wells [1]; desalination [1]; rainwater harvesting [1]; emergency water supplies brought by tanker. [max 4]

14. [6] Land use zoning: keeps homes and important buildings off the highest-risk land and allows parkland or farms there; but land is scarce in growing towns, rules are hard to enforce, and existing buildings remain. Monitoring and warning: river gauges and forecasts give time to evacuate and move property; but warnings must reach everyone and give no protection to property that cannot be moved. Conclusion: zoning reduces long-term risk; warning reduces immediate deaths; both are needed.

15. [6] Benefits: food, water and medical aid prevent famine and death when local resources fail; funding can support wells or reservoirs. Limitations: aid may arrive late because droughts develop slowly and attention comes late; distribution problems in remote areas; dependency; food aid can lower local prices. Conclusion: aid saves lives in severe drought but works best alongside monitoring and water conservation.

16. [6] For: most earthquake deaths come from collapsing buildings, so cross-bracing, flexible foundations and strong materials save many lives; buildings protect people at all times. Against: costly for low-income countries and for existing buildings; land use zoning, disaster preparation and drills, monitoring for tsunamis, and rescue teams also save lives; fire and landslides can kill even where buildings stand. Conclusion: building design is the single most important but is not enough alone.

Where marks are usually lost

• Not using the figures in the source, for example the sea temperatures in question 9.
• Describing a strategy without saying how it reduces impacts.
• Ignoring the “before, during, after” framing in management questions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to learn the seven continents? Yes. Syllabus outcome 6.1.2 asks you to identify Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America.

Is the Richter scale used in 5014? The syllabus names the Moment Magnitude Scale for earthquake magnitude, so use that term.

What are the opportunities provided by volcanoes? Fertile soils, extraction of minerals, building materials, geothermal power and tourism.

Official syllabus

Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029 - official syllabus PDF.