Edexcel A-level Geography – Glaciated Landscapes and Change
Explain the significance of the contribution of glacial meltwater to the formation of
glaciated landscapes. [8 marks]
HOW TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION
This 8-mark 'explain the significance' question is best planned in three layers before you write:
• 1. Identify the landform family: these are fluvio-glacial landforms, because they are created by
meltwater (not by ice movement directly). State this early so the examiner knows you
understand the category.
• 2. Write 3 PEEL points on different fluvio-glacial landforms: choose one ice-contact feature
deposited subglacially (e.g. eskers), one ice-contact feature deposited at the margin (e.g.
kames), and one proglacial feature (e.g. outwash plains/sandur). For each: Point, Evidence (a
NAMED example), Explain the step-by-step formation, Link back to meltwater's significance.
• 3. Make the role of meltwater explicit: don't just describe the landforms. Make clear what
meltwater actually does and the impact this has on the sediment produced.
Examiner tip: named, located examples are what lift this answer from 7/8 to full marks. Clear,
sequenced explanations of how these different landforms are formed earn the bulk of the credit,
but each landform should be pinned to a real place.
The full model answer follows on the next page.
Explain the significance of the contribution of glacial meltwater to the formation of
glaciated landscapes. [8 marks]
HOW TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION
This 8-mark 'explain the significance' question is best planned in three layers before you write:
• 1. Identify the landform family: these are fluvio-glacial landforms, because they are created by
meltwater (not by ice movement directly). State this early so the examiner knows you
understand the category.
• 2. Write 3 PEEL points on different fluvio-glacial landforms: choose one ice-contact feature
deposited subglacially (e.g. eskers), one ice-contact feature deposited at the margin (e.g.
kames), and one proglacial feature (e.g. outwash plains/sandur). For each: Point, Evidence (a
NAMED example), Explain the step-by-step formation, Link back to meltwater's significance.
• 3. Make the role of meltwater explicit: don't just describe the landforms. Make clear what
meltwater actually does and the impact this has on the sediment produced.
Examiner tip: named, located examples are what lift this answer from 7/8 to full marks. Clear,
sequenced explanations of how these different landforms are formed earn the bulk of the credit,
but each landform should be pinned to a real place.
The full model answer follows on the next page.
