Oxford Cambridge and
RSA Examinations GCE
GeologyH414/02:
Scientific literacy in
geology A Level
question paper and
marking scheme
(merged)
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 13 June 2023 – Afternoon
A Level Geology
H414/02 Scientific literacy in geology
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You can use:
* 9 8 9 5 3 8 6 9 5 8 *
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• a protractor
• an HB pencil
* H 4 1 4 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2023 [603/0782/1] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (LK/SW) 322344/5 Turn over
, 2
1 Coal mining in the UK peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries with as many as 2000 mines
operating in the UK. These abandoned mines have left spoil heaps, abandoned engineering,
unstable land surfaces and brownfield sites.
(a) Describe and explain the term brownfield site.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) The table shows data about the position of coal seams and faults, collected from three
boreholes (sites A, B and C) across an abandoned underground coal mine.
Depth from surface (m)
Feature Site A Site B Site C
Fault Not seen 650 450
Top of coal seam X 200 250 260
Bottom of coal seam X 210 340 390
Top of coal seam Y 500 520 485
Bottom of coal seam Y 565 585 550
(i) Plot the data on the grid below to show both coal seams and the fault.
N A B C S
0 Land surface
100
200
Depth 300
(m)
400
500
600
700
[3]
© OCR 2023
, 3
(ii) An engineering company is assessing the abandoned coal mine as a potential
repository for the storage of low-level nuclear waste. The coal was mined using a shaft
system and stope mining. The shaft access is close to site A.
Assess the suitability of the abandoned coal mine as a potential repository for storing
waste underground.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) Describe how stope mining was used in the removal of coal and explain one problem
with this method of extraction.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2023 Turn over
RSA Examinations GCE
GeologyH414/02:
Scientific literacy in
geology A Level
question paper and
marking scheme
(merged)
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 13 June 2023 – Afternoon
A Level Geology
H414/02 Scientific literacy in geology
Time allowed: 2 hours 15 minutes
You can use:
* 9 8 9 5 3 8 6 9 5 8 *
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• a protractor
• an HB pencil
* H 4 1 4 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2023 [603/0782/1] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (LK/SW) 322344/5 Turn over
, 2
1 Coal mining in the UK peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries with as many as 2000 mines
operating in the UK. These abandoned mines have left spoil heaps, abandoned engineering,
unstable land surfaces and brownfield sites.
(a) Describe and explain the term brownfield site.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) The table shows data about the position of coal seams and faults, collected from three
boreholes (sites A, B and C) across an abandoned underground coal mine.
Depth from surface (m)
Feature Site A Site B Site C
Fault Not seen 650 450
Top of coal seam X 200 250 260
Bottom of coal seam X 210 340 390
Top of coal seam Y 500 520 485
Bottom of coal seam Y 565 585 550
(i) Plot the data on the grid below to show both coal seams and the fault.
N A B C S
0 Land surface
100
200
Depth 300
(m)
400
500
600
700
[3]
© OCR 2023
, 3
(ii) An engineering company is assessing the abandoned coal mine as a potential
repository for the storage of low-level nuclear waste. The coal was mined using a shaft
system and stope mining. The shaft access is close to site A.
Assess the suitability of the abandoned coal mine as a potential repository for storing
waste underground.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) Describe how stope mining was used in the removal of coal and explain one problem
with this method of extraction.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
© OCR 2023 Turn over
