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When answering an explain question, you must give reasons and not just describe in your answer.

If a question begins with the word explain, it usually means that you are required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the answer.

For a source-based question, you should make use of the source/s and refer to them within your answer to obtain all the marks available.

If you provide a purely descriptive answer to an explain question, typically you cannot obtain any more than half the available marks for the question.

Sample question

Explain the stages and process involved in the formation of a stack. (10 marks)

Sample answer: All rocks have lines of weakness; the sea and its waves erode along any lines of weakness. (1 mark)

Hydraulic action (1 mark) is the sheer force of waves crashing against the shore and cliffs. The power of the waves forces air into cracks, compresses it and blows the rock apart as the pressure is released. (1 mark)

Abrasion (1 mark), is the process of rocks and pebbles carried by the waves wearing away rocks as they are thrown against cliffs. (1 mark)

These lines of weakness get enlarged by continuous erosion and develop into small sea caves. (1 mark)

The caves are deepened and widened by the waves on both sides of the headland (1 mark) until eventually the sea cuts through the headland, forming an arch. (1 mark)

The rock at the top of the arch becomes unsupported as the arch is enlarged, eventually collapsing to form a stack. (1 mark)

An example of a sea stack is old Harry in Dorset. (1 mark)

You can also gain marks for drawing a labelled diagram similar to the one below: