Coasts Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Coastal Processes and Landforms

Question 1

Which process is MOST responsible for the formation of a headland?

Accepted Answer

Erosion of softer rock, leaving behind harder rock that forms the headland.

Answer

Volcanic activity, which creates landforms like volcanic islands, not headlands.

Answer

Glacial erosion, which is more common in mountainous areas.

Answer

Deposition of sediment, which builds up landforms like beaches and spits.

Question 2

A coastline with strong winds and high wave energy is MOST likely to develop which landform?

Accepted Answer

Cliff

Answer

Beach, which can be found in areas with both high and low wave energy.

Answer

Spit, which is formed by deposition of sediment.

Answer

Salt marsh, which forms in sheltered areas with low wave energy.

Question 3

What is the MAIN source of sediment that forms a beach?

Accepted Answer

Erosion of cliffs and rocks, providing sand and pebbles.

Answer

Volcanic eruptions, which contribute to sand but not the primary source for beaches.

Answer

River deposition, which contributes sediment but is not the main source for beaches.

Answer

Shells of marine organisms, which contribute to beach sediment but not the main source.

Question 4

Which feature is characteristic of a coastline shaped mainly by deposition?

Accepted Answer

Extensive sandy beaches and spits, formed by the accumulation of sediment.

Answer

Narrow inlets and fjords, formed by glacial erosion.

Answer

Wave-cut platforms and arches, formed by erosion of cliffs.

Answer

Steep cliffs and headlands, formed by erosion of resistant rock.

Question 5

Longshore drift is a key factor in the formation of which coastal landform?

Accepted Answer

Spit, which is a long, narrow strip of land extending from the coast.

Answer

Cave, which is formed by erosion of cliffs.

Answer

Stack, which is formed by erosion of a headland.

Answer

Headland, which is formed by erosion of resistant rock.

Question 6

Which of these is a human-made structure built to protect coastlines from erosion?

Accepted Answer

Seawall, a wall built along the coastline to absorb wave energy.

Answer

Stump, a rock stack that has been eroded.

Answer

Arch, a natural rock formation formed by erosion.

Answer

Tombolo, a natural landform connecting an island to the mainland.

Question 7

Why are some coastlines more vulnerable to erosion than others?

Accepted Answer

The type of rock and its resistance to weathering and wave action.  Softer rocks erode faster.

Answer

The distance from the equator, which affects temperature but not directly erosion.

Answer

The amount of rainfall the coastline receives, which can influence weathering but not the main reason for erosion.

Question 8

Which of these is a possible negative consequence of coastal erosion for people?

Accepted Answer

Loss of property and infrastructure, as erosion can damage buildings and roads.

Answer

Formation of new headlands and bays, which are natural processes, not a negative impact.

Answer

Deposition of fertile sediment on farmland, which is a benefit, not a negative impact.

Answer

Increased biodiversity in marine ecosystems, which is a positive impact of erosion.

Question 9

How do mangrove forests help protect coastlines?

Accepted Answer

Their roots stabilize sediment and reduce wave energy, protecting the shoreline.

Answer

They increase the salinity of coastal waters, which is a negative impact, not a protective feature.

Answer

They attract tourists, which is a positive economic impact but not related to coastal protection.

Question 10

Which human activity is MOST likely to worsen coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

Construction of buildings on cliff tops, which removes natural protection and makes cliffs more vulnerable.

Answer

Monitoring sea level changes, which is a proactive measure to manage erosion.

Answer

Planting vegetation on sand dunes, which helps stabilize the dunes and prevent erosion.

Answer

Creating artificial reefs offshore, which can help reduce wave energy and protect the coastline.

Question 11

Which process involves the accumulation of sediment on a coastline, resulting in its buildup?

Accepted Answer

Deposition

Answer

Saltation

Answer

Erosion

Answer

Longshore drift

Question 12

Which of the following coastal erosion processes involves the weakening and collapse of cliffs due to the force of seawater seeping into cracks?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic action

Answer

Attrition

Answer

Abrasion

Answer

Corrosion

Question 13

In terms of coastal protection, which of the following is considered a 'hard engineering' measure?

Accepted Answer

Groynes

Answer

Beach nourishment

Answer

Dune planting

Answer

Managed retreat

Question 14

What is the term for the movement of sediment parallel to the coastline, caused by waves and currents?

Accepted Answer

Longshore drift

Answer

Transverse drift

Answer

Onshore drift

Answer

Offshore drift

Question 15

Which type of coastline is characterized by a river mouth where sediment deposition forms a landform extending into a body of water?

Accepted Answer

Deltaic coastline

Answer

Ria coastline

Answer

Fjord coastline

Answer

Barrier coastline

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a recognized process of coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

Deposition

Answer

Attrition

Answer

Hydraulic action

Answer

Abrasion

Question 17

A coastline with prominent cliffs and headlands is likely to be shaped by which dominant process?

Accepted Answer

Erosion

Answer

Submergence

Answer

Tropical weathering

Answer

Deposition

Question 18

Which coastal management strategy utilizes natural materials and methods to protect the coastline?

Accepted Answer

Beach nourishment

Answer

Groynes

Answer

Revetments

Answer

Sea walls

Question 19

Longshore drift refers to:

Accepted Answer

The movement of sediment along the coast by waves

Answer

The erosion of cliffs by water action

Answer

The downward movement of sediment due to gravity

Answer

The formation of sand dunes by wind

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential positive outcome of coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

Creation of unique habitats for plants and animals

Answer

Loss of valuable land and property

Answer

Increased risk of flooding

Answer

Disruption of coastal tourism

Question 21

What is the primary difference between a spit and a bar?

Accepted Answer

A bar connects two headlands, while a spit is attached to the mainland at one end.

Answer

A spit is formed by erosion, while a bar is formed by deposition.

Answer

A bar is found in rivers, while a spit is found on coastlines.

Question 22

Which of these factors can influence the rate of coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Wave energy

Answer

Fetch

Answer

Rock type

Question 23

A stack is formed through the erosion of a:

Accepted Answer

Headland

Answer

Tombolo

Answer

Beach

Answer

Spit

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a process that contributes to coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

Deposition

Answer

Abrasion

Answer

Attrition

Answer

Hydraulic action

Question 25

A headland is formed by:

Accepted Answer

Resistant rock that erodes more slowly than surrounding rock.

Answer

Deposition of sediment by waves.

Answer

The gradual retreat of the coastline.

Question 26

Which of these is an example of a depositional landform?

Accepted Answer

Spits

Answer

Stacks

Answer

Caves

Answer

Cliffs

Question 27

What is the main factor that influences the rate of coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

The type of rock present.

Answer

The presence of vegetation.

Answer

The amount of rainfall.

Answer

The height of the tides.

Question 28

A coastline dominated by cliffs and arches is most likely to be:

Accepted Answer

Erosional.

Answer

Depositional.

Answer

Glacial.

Answer

Fluvial.

Question 29

Which of the following human activities can contribute to coastal erosion?

Accepted Answer

Sea wall construction.

Answer

Creating artificial reefs.

Answer

Planting vegetation.

Answer

Beach nourishment.

Question 30

The process of waves breaking against cliffs and wearing them down is known as:

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic action.

Answer

Corrosion.

Answer

Deposition.

Answer

Attrition.

Question 31

A long, narrow strip of land extending out from the coastline, often with a hook at the end, is called a:

Accepted Answer

Spit.

Answer

Tombolo.

Answer

Stack.

Answer

Cove.

Question 32

Which of the following is a coastal management strategy aimed at reducing erosion?

Accepted Answer

Sea wall construction.

Answer

Creating artificial reefs.

Answer

Building groynes.

Answer

Beach nourishment.

Question 33

A coastline that is characterized by smooth, gently sloping beaches is likely to be:

Accepted Answer

Depositional.

Answer

Erosional.

Answer

Volcanic.

Answer

Glacial.