Lesson 1.1.2.1

1.1.2.1 How can glaciated landscapes be viewed as systems? Quiz: OCR Geography, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 1.1.2.1, How can glaciated landscapes be viewed as systems?: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Geography (H481), Unit 1: Landscape Systems, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. What type of thermodynamic system is a glaciated landscape with inputs and outputs of matter and energy?

    • Static system
    • Isolated system
    • Open system
    • Closed system

  2. What term describes the total annual addition of snow and ice to a glacier system?

    • Calving
    • Ablation
    • Accumulation
    • Sublimation

  3. What term describes the total loss of ice and snow from a glacier system?

    • Ablation
    • Deposition
    • Accumulation
    • Sublimation

  4. If total annual glacial accumulation equals total annual ablation, what state is the mass balance in?

    • Unstable equilibrium
    • Negative balance
    • Positive balance
    • Dynamic equilibrium

  5. What calculation measures the net difference between glacier accumulation and ablation over a year?

    • Glacier velocity
    • Hydrological index
    • Mass balance
    • Sediment budget

  6. Which line on a glacier marks the boundary where annual accumulation equals annual ablation?

    • Bergschrund
    • Equilibrium line
    • Snout line
    • Firn line

  7. What main physical factor allows glaciers to exist near the equator at high elevations?

    • High latitude
    • Microclimate
    • Lithology
    • High altitude

  8. Which geological factor describes the physical composition and mineral hardness of rocks in a glaciated system?

    • Relief
    • Aspect
    • Structure
    • Lithology

  9. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes receive higher solar radiation primarily due to which physical factor?

    • Altitude
    • Lithology
    • Aspect
    • Latitude

  10. What term describes compacted, granular snow that is undergoing the transition into glacier ice?

    • Neve
    • Firn
    • Till
    • Slush

  11. Which movement mechanism involves individual ice crystals sliding past each other without basal ice melting?

    • Internal deformation
    • Enhanced basal creep
    • Basal sliding
    • Regelation flow

  12. Which thermal characteristic is present at the base of a warm-based glacier?

    • Static base
    • Basal meltwater
    • Sub-zero ice
    • Frozen bed

  13. What movement process allows warm-based glaciers to slip over bedrock using meltwater lubrication?

    • Internal deformation
    • Basal sliding
    • Extensional flow
    • Compressional flow

  14. What process involves ice melting under pressure around an obstacle and refreezing on the downstream side?

    • Abrasion
    • Plucking
    • Regelation
    • Enhanced creep

  15. What type of glacier is constrained by valley topography and covers less than 50,000 square kilometres?

    • Ice cap
    • Ice sheet
    • Valley glacier
    • Ice shelf

  16. What large, unconfined glacier type covers areas greater than 50,000 square kilometres, like Greenland?

    • Cirque glacier
    • Ice sheet
    • Piedmont glacier
    • Valley glacier

  17. Which geological factor includes joints, faults, and bedding planes that create weaknesses in glaciated bedrock?

    • Rock structure
    • Lithology
    • Relief
    • Aspect

  18. What primary form of energy input drives surface melting and thermal processes in glaciated systems?

    • Geothermal heat
    • Latent heat
    • Solar radiation
    • Friction

  19. How does a glacier snout typically respond following several consecutive years of positive mass balance?

    • Advance
    • Retreat
    • Stagnate
    • Deflate

  20. Why do cold-based glaciers move significantly slower than warm-based glaciers?

    • Lack of accumulation
    • Thicker ice sheet
    • Frozen to bedrock
    • High slope angle

All OCR Geography quizzes