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Exam-style practice

Managing soil erosion answer explanations

Review worked answers and explanations for Managing soil erosion. Aligned to Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management.

Answer explanations

Question 1 of 2

Review the answer support, then move sideways through the set.

Paper 1 structured question: Managing soil erosion

Paper 1TheoryPractical5 marks

Method

Method to Investigate Soil Erosion Reduction by Contour Ploughing

The farmer sets up two plots on a hillside: one ploughed along the contour lines and one ploughed up and down the slope. After heavy rain, the amount of soil lost from each plot is measured by collecting sediment in traps at the bottom of each plot.

Plot typeSoil loss (kg)
Contour ploughed
Up and down slope ploughed
  1. a

    Identify the independent variable in this investigation.

    [1]
  2. b

    Identify the dependent variable in this investigation.

    [1]
  3. c

    Suggest one control variable that should be kept the same to ensure a fair test.

    [1]
  4. d

    Describe how the farmer could improve the reliability of the results.

    [2]