Edexcel Unit 46GEO4 Revision

The last phase before the exam! January 2010

10 top tips for success

Kim Adams Principal Examiner1Kim Adams

Contents1. Audit of research and exam skills2. Tackling the pre release material3.Enquiry Qs and synoptic element- topic maps for each option4 Familiarity with the exam paper5. What is the report style essay product6 research and preparation for content and report product7 Example of the whole process using Option 58 Characteristics of weak and good work9 Common problems in exam- solutions?10 Success and FAQs

1. How would you rate your own abilities?

Research Audit1 poor to 5 good- total /50 Organisation? Taking the initiative? Problem solving ? Effective researching

from a range of sources? Being flexible? Time management? Meeting deadlines? Self-discipline? Working outside of class? Keeping orderly file?

Exam skills audit1 poor to 5 good- total /50 Revision? Interpretation of

Command + Key words in Question?

Planning the answer? Time management? Use of technical language-

geographical vocabulary? Keeping to the point? Creating a report style

product? Sourcing? Showing evaluative skills? Creating an effective final

conclusion?Kim Adams 2

...independent learning is highly valued by universities and employers....

Revision skills- what do you use?TextbooksOriginal NotesSummary notesCue cardsVocabulary glossaryPractice exam QsTopic maps....

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Pre release stage-4 working weeks pre examInstructions to Candidates• Select one option, based on the research you have carried out for

Unit 4. • You should use information contained in the research focus to

prepare for the Unit 4 examination. The research focus will give you an idea of the sort of question you will need to answer in the examination for Unit 4.To help you narrow down your last minute research, the focus is divided into:

• Explore, meaning the background concepts, processes, theories, models involved where relevant.

• Research, meaning the geographical places, case studies and examples illustrating these.

• You will be expected to produce a report, with clear subsections and referencing.

• Please consult the accompanying generic mark scheme, also to be found on the Edexcel website

OPTION 1: Tectonic Activity and HazardsExplore the causes of different types of tectonic hazard and the spectrum of responses to them. Research a range examples of different hazard events and the reasons why responses to them differs

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2. What are You doing now to

prepare?

Sample pre release

Examples of how the pre release helps the real exam QPre release steer Actual exam Q

Tectonic Activity and Hazards

The physical causes of tectonic hazards, and responses to them Discuss the relationshipbetween the nature of tectonic hazards and human responses to them

Explore the extent to which tectonic activity has a distinctive geography and is spatially concentrated in hotspotsResearch the role of the 3 major types of plate boundary in causing varying types of tectonic hazard withdiffering frequency and magnitude

Tectonic hazards have a distinctive geography. Discuss

Explore what is meant by tectonic landscapes by looking ata variety of zoned areas.Research the role of extrusive and intrusive activity in producing a variety of landforms,& contrasting past & present tectonic activity

Explain why tectonic landscapes contain such a variety of landforms (

Life on the Margins: Food supply Problem

The complex causes of food insecurity To what extent do food security issues vary spatially and temporally?

Research the causes of food insecurity threatening life at the margins, with a particular focus on areas affected by desertification

Explore drylands with contrasting economic status suffering desertification and their vulnerability to food insecurity

Assess the role of desertification in threatening life at the margins

Explore how and why some areas have increased food supplies to create a surplus and others are experiencing shortages and famine

More food but still more hunger. Discuss

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Have you looked at sample titles from the main textbooks and the sample assessment Materials on the main Edexcel website?

2 As soon as you get the pre-release research focus:• Dissect it by relating it back to the specification.• Discuss it with your peers and teacher. • Ensure you know what ‘Explore’ and ‘Research’ actually mean. • Make a list of any key concepts and models likely to help• Which terms in your glossary may help?• Practice linkage words, to make your report structured and logical.• Marshall the parts of your file most related to the focus• Make final summary fact-files of your main case studies/examples: precise

details are required in final exam for top grades • Identify the complexity in the focus- Geography rarely involves black and

white decisions- where’s the element of gray? • Try to practice different introductions and conclusions - especially to time.

Your plan should take 5 mins or so, introduction should be written in 10minutes, main conclusion in 10 minutes.

• If you haven’t tried writing a full report in 90 minutes with no notes, now is the time!

• Remind yourself of the components of the generic mark scheme: the formula is D+R+A+Q+C = 70!

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1st Exam pre release Dec 11th 2010 Exam Feb 2010• OPTION 1: Tectonic Activity and Hazards

• Explore the types and levels of challenge posed by varying forms of tectonic activity.• Research contrasting locations to draw out the range of tectonic activity and thedifferent impacts produced on communities.OPTION 2: Cold Environments – Landscapes and Change• Explore the variety of geomorphological processes and landforms associated withdifferent glacial environments.• Research a range of locations including both current and relict glacial environments.OPTION 3: Life on the Margins – the Food Supply Problem• Explore the problems of managing a range of contemporary food insecurity issues.• Research management strategies at a range of scales and locations.OPTION 4: The World of Cultural Diversity• Explore what is meant by a global culture, how it is defined and, if it exists, what its characteristics are.• Research contrasting locations, some of which show the effects of cultural globalisation and others which seem to be resisting the process.OPTION 5: Pollution and Human Health at Risk• Explore a range of human health risks and the varying degrees to which they have been controlled.• Research types of health risk strategies at a range of scales and locations.OPTION 6: Consuming the Rural Landscape – Leisure and Tourism• Explore the variety of challenges created by leisure and tourism in rural areas andhow they have changed over time.• Research contrasting types of rural landscapes experiencing leisure and tourism in order to assess their varying threats and opportunities

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3 Enquiry Questions and Synoptic element- Topic mapping

• Within each Option there are 4 Enquiry Questions, and sub questions to break up the topic into manageable chunks.

• Each report style essay will either cut across several Enquiry Questions, or will examine several sub questions.

The synoptic element of People-Places –Power is built into each Enquiry Question

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Topic mapTectonic

activity and hazardswhere is

the focus of YOUR

prerelease title?

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Tectonic Hazards = Causes

Tectonic Hazards Human Impacts

Tectonic Hazards physical impacts Response to tectonic

hazards

Range of Hazards + disasters

Event profiles

Plate margins

Impacts from extrusive activity

Causes

Effectiveness of approaches and trends

Range of impacts

Strategies

Volcanic landforms

Types of approach + economic development

Trends frequency + impact

Links to economic develoment

Reasons for living in tectonic zones

Effects from intrusive activity

Effects from earthquakes

• Explore the types and levels of challenge posed by varying forms of tectonic activity.

• Research contrasting locations to draw out the range of tectonic activity and thedifferent impacts produced on communities.

Topic map: Cold Environments landscapes and change

where is the focus of YOUR prerelease title?

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Defining + locating

Climatic processes + causes

Distinctive landforms+ landscapes

Challenges + opportunities

Cold periglacial glacial

environments systems

Distribution changes over

time

British Isles

Climatic causes

Long term changes

Meteorological processes British Isles

Glacial processes + landforms

Periglacial processes + landforms types

Past /present

Management strategies/ approaches• Explore the variety of geomorphological processes and landforms associated with different glacial environments.• Research a range of locations including both current and relict glacial environments.

Topic map: Life on the

Margins: the food supply

problem where is the

focus of YOUR prerelease

title?

Kim Adams 10

Global + Local Feast or famine- Characteristics of food supply +

security

Complex causes of food supply

inequalities

Management of food supply

+ security

Desertification + life at the

margins of survival

Current issues: Famine, food miles globalisation food tastes, under +over nutrition Human +

Physical

Scale + impactTechniques

Dryland ecosystems characteristics

Impacts of increasing food supplies

Players: local to international

Inappropriate farming + Environmental issues

Food security + quality of life in

rural + urban areas

Vulnerable groups

Drylands vulnerabilityFood supply

relationshipssustainability

Strategies

Spatial patterns

• Explore the problems of managing a range of contemporary food insecurity issues.• Research management strategies at a range of scales and locations.

Topic maps: The World of Cultural

Diversity where is the focus

of YOUR prerelease title?

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What is Culture +its value

The geography of culture

Impact of Globalisation on cultural diversity Cultural attitudes to the

environment

Definitions + origins

Range + landscapes

Threats

Significance on cultural diversity

Different players’ values

Attitudes to environment, eg sustainability

Urban/rural divide

Definitions of environment

Anthropocentric viewpoint

Resolving conflicts: eg

green movement

Role of players Cultural imperialism (eg

McDonaldisation)

Degrees of diversity + homogeneity

Role of global media corporations

Impacts of consumerismm

Glocalisation

• Explore what is meant by a global culture, how it is defined and, if it exists, what its characteristics are.• Research contrasting locations, some of which show the effects of cultural globalisation and others which seem to be resisting the process.

Topic Map:Pollution and

Human heath at riskwhere is the

focus of YOUR

prerelease title?

Range and types of human health risk: Short term to chronic

The role of Pollution: incidental

+sustained types

Management options and effectiveness Role of short term, emergency relief and longer term planning + sustainability?

Complex Causes of

health risks

Different agencies: Strategies + policies for differing health risks

Impacts: long + short term burdens

Geographical patterns: spatial +over time epidemiological model

Direct + indirect threats

Relationship with economic development

Role of socio-economic status Role of Physical

features + geographical pathways

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• Explore a range of human health risks and the varying degrees to which they have been controlled.• Research types of health risk strategies at a range of scales and locations.

Topic map: Consuming

the rural landscape: leisure and

tourismwhere is the

focus of YOUR

prerelease title?

Kim Adams 13

The growth of leisure tourism

landscapes

Impact on rural landscapes

Significance + fragility of rural

landscapes

Management issues

Growth + pleasure

periphery

Range of landscapes

Attitudes of groups involved

Activities +

conflicts

Physical + ecological

value

Models eg

carrying capacity, resilience

Quantitative + qualitative measures

fragility

Negative impacts Positive

impacts

Changes over time

Threats /opportunities in different economic development areas

Arguments for/against

management

Range of strategies

Attitudes/strategies of different groups

effectiveness

• Explore the variety of challenges created by leisure and tourism in rural areas andhow they have changed over time.• Research contrasting types of rural landscapes experiencing leisure and tourism in order to assess their varying threats and opportunities

4. What will the exam look like?

• Exam booklet• Writing instructions on front

page – eg BLACK pen!• Report titles-NB You have NO

choice! One per option only• A page specifically for

Planning • C.15 more blank sides• ENSURE YOU ANSWER THE

OPTION STUDIED IN THE EXAM!!

Kim Adams 14K Adams PE 2009 16

5. The exam product: What is a report style essay?

• You need to merge traditional essay writing style with report style to produce a discursive argument organised into structured sections.

• A report is a conventional method of presenting precise information.

• Report style is highly structured and organised.

• It is tightly focused on the subject of investigation

• An effective report will also be compelling and stimulating to read.

• Report titles will require an analysis and assessment of a situation.

Introduction

Plan

Series of linked sections ordered by concepts or case studies + sub conclusions

Conclusion

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Pollution provides substances, usually toxic chemicals, and conditions in the environment, especially in the air and in water supplies that create a risk to the health and well-being of people( online Medical Dictionary). Most pollution, whether incidental or sustained, is sub-lethal in effect, increasing morbidity rather than mortality, but may weaken the human system so it is vulnerable to another disease or even

another pollutant .

Writing frame model

Main structure What needs to be included

Hitting 70?

PLANNING PAGE 1 SIDE MAX spider, spectrum diagram, grid, bullets…..)

Section 1:Introduction

Discussion of title-developing a focus- by case study or conceptsAccurate definitionsFramework by concept/case study

D10

AnalysisSection 2 Concept/case study 1

2 …….

3 etc …..

Research + sampling methods: range, topical, relevant Analysis, Application+ Understanding: linked to title (+supporting maps/diagrams if relevant) Values/perspectives

R15+ Sub

conclusion/ evaluation

+Sub conclusion/ evaluation

A20

+Sub conclusion/ evaluation

Section 3 : Final Conclusion Ongoing evaluations + final summary. Shows complexity of Q

C15

Quality of written communication: Report style, sequencing, SPAG, Geographical Vocabulary referencing/sourcing

Q1016K Adams 2009

DRAQ is the shortened reference to the generic

mark scheme.

6. Research and preparation

Planning before and during exam is essential.

It saves time- makes you a more efficient independent learner and achiever !

Ensure you have a timeline, listing the days/ weeks up until the pre-release and final exam.

Add interim deadlines for research, class work such as presentations, and practice report essays.

Plan the information you need to collect and set aside time to organise the material.

The key is to achieve a balance between ‘reading around’ a topic as well as a focussing on specific aspects.

Last minute; revise vocabulary, key facts for mini examples and longer case studies, practice planning tiles in 5 minutes, actual introductions,ensure you know what the command words mean for A2......

Choice of optionResearch

Pre releaseRevision

Final exam

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There are 3 main factors to consider to give your report a sound framework, clear style and an attractive, readable appearance:

I – StructureII - Content and discussionIII - Language and

presentation 

Structure• Report essays need logical form and shape i.e. structure• As a basic structure you should think:

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Plans and introductions

• Are always marked, even if crossed out

• Messy scribbles which help YOU are fine

• Do not over-plan (take too long planning) to detriment of real report-essay.

• A planning page is designated in the examination answer booklet

Pull apart the Question: identify the:•Command words e.g. discuss, analyse, explain…..•Identify the key words e.g. all, mainly, increasingly•Identify the range of case studies/examples needed•Identify any restrictions i.e. case studies or themes that do not fit the question. •In your introduction :DiscussDefinejustify

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Example of PlansPlan type 1-linear type

Bullet points in a list

Paragraph 1

Para 2

Para 3 etc

With egs/casestudies chosen as a list

Plan type 2

Spider /mind map with numbers on afterwards to show order of discussion

Add case studies

Plan type 3

Spectrum diagram: often the best if trying to sort out a statement, formulate an argument, eg:

•Yes, agree<….…>no disagree

• small scale<…….>large scale

Hang your egs/ casestudies off the continuum/spectrum line

Allows for ‘grey areas’ in geography and anomalies

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Style and Quality of Written Expression

• Essential to practice hand written Report Essays before final exam

• Assess the general layout of your product:

• use proper report style with sections and paragraphs .

• Use diagrams and figures • Bullet points are acceptable if part

of an argument or diagram. Remember to reference any diagrams in your text as Fig 1, 2 etc

• Use A-Level vocabulary and style, e.g. linking words, for example ‘in comparison’, ‘however’

• Is your argument easy to follow by the examiner?

• Your sentences must be grammatically correct, well punctuated and words must be spelt accurately, especially geographical terminology and place names.

• Poor writing regularly indicates muddled ideas

• Use short sentences rather than rambling, long complex ones!

• Remember you are writing to communicate not to perplex or impress. Avoid jargon.

• Focus on the specific title. Every part of the essay-report should relate to it, and this will help to keep the report concise and coherent.

• Accuracy is vitally important so always be precise. Know the material you are trying to convey

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Practising report style essays and the Exam

The Exam Product:– A report has sections /

numbered sections, headings, diagrams and possibly bullet points.

– Structure is a key element of the report, make it obvious to the examiner!

– One key aim is ‘readability’ – e.g. paragraphs need to be more than one sentence and linked logically.

– Avoid colloquialisms( e.g. sad, cool) and abbreviations (e.g. etc, don’t).

– Avoid “I did this or that” and write in the third person(e.g. “it can be seen that….”)

Use the following language within your report:To ILLUSTRATE: i.e. case studies

????

To CONTRAST between case studies or examples

????

To EXTEND the material presented

????

To CONCLUDE ????

To EVALUATE within the report

????

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Ans on next slide!

To ILLUSTRATE: i.e. case studies

For example, that is…another example of ….

To CONTRAST between case studies or examples

However…but…albeit….on the other hand….another aspect to consider…in contrast…

To EXTEND the material presented

Moreover…furthermore…in addition….in the long term….

To CONCLUDE Therefore…as a result…as has been shown….in the future….

To EVALUATE within the report

To an extent…it could be argued that….the main reason/factor/process/challenge could therefore be said….other groups may….on the other hand….against this it could be argued….one view that could be taken……

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Language....

Case studies and examples• Do not fall into the trap of collecting dozens of

detailed case studies for the sake of it.• You will not be able to use them all in the final

exam which is only 1 ½ hours! • Several extended examples and some really in

depth case studies which cross over all the subsections is the best preparation for the final exam.

• The key is to be flexible in your final choices and selection in the exam: to reject information as well as accept it!

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.... 6...?. large Case studies sorted by location, scale, economic development, time, issue/problem....

.... 6...?. more smaller examples

Tectonic activity + Hazards

Cold environments

Life on the margin

World of Cultural Diversity

Health + Pollution

Consuming the rural landscape

Use specialist Geographical vocabulary: name at least 4 technical terms from YOUR OWN option

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Tectonic activity + Hazards

salience, vulnerability, techno-centric, intra-plate, Mercalli scale, aseismic, USGS……

Cold environments Moraine, trim line, budget, albedo relic landscape, permafrost Antarctic Survey…….

Life on the margin Food security, famine, obesity, desertification, hyper arid, Sahel, WFP, UNEP….

World of Cultural Diversity

Ethnoscape, diversity, UNESCO, globalisation, Mcdonaldisation…….

Health + Pollution trans- boundary, diffuse, sustained, point, sink, precautionary principle, Tragedy of Commons, sustainability, DALYs, W.H.O….

Consuming the rural landscape

wilderness continuum, core-buffer zoning, Biosphere reserve, resilience, carrying capacity, sustainability, National Park…..

Specialist Geographical vocabulary:

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Facts, stats and topicality

• Facts- make factfiles for each of your case studies- dates, locations, types- ’ learning these is essential.

• Real life geography: do not repeat information, or use overly similar examples. Are the comparisons between case studies wise, e.g. can you really compare an infectious disease with a trauma in terms of effects, or responses to a volcano and an earthquake ?

• If relevant to your question, try to show the global spectrum of economic development rather than just the outdated N-S.

• Be topical if you can. well researched older case studies are fine so long as they are brought up to date- for example what is happening now in Denali? Antarctica? Kobe? Bam? Chernobyl? Bhopal? Darfur? AIDs/HIV ,’ Food 2030 strategy of UK Government Jan 2009……….latest tsunami, earthquake, volcano....Swine Flu........

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Evaluating and conclusions

• You get marks for evaluating throughout the essay, so after each main section have a link back to the title

• Conclusion-• How long?• What should you put in it?

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Ans on next slide!

Evaluating and conclusions• Conclusion- This section, probably ¾ or a side of

writing, is a summary of all the major findings made at stages throughout the report.

• No new evidence or examples should appear here. • The conclusion consider the evidence presented in the

main body, draws out the implications and brings it to one overall conclusion or an ordered series of final conclusions.

• There should be obvious reference back to the title and your SPECIFIC case studies.

• You might want to make reference to the future if relevant

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Methodology + Sourcing• Marks are awarded for

briefly showing how you selected data

• Eg from reputable sources• Range of sources• Possibly fieldwork• How you sampled data eg

an example from a MEDC NIC LEDC LDC or from a range of scales, impacts etc

• Mention in your introduction if possible

. Quote some key references eg BBC news website, USGS, Greenfacts, New Scientist,

Geography Review, key text or podcast or DVD

Best=…..in your report, ........as a footnote

.......or( less effectively )at the end as a mini

Bibliography. Avoid vague reference to

Google or Wikipedia or The BBC website!

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In the exam.......be a detective and a Rottweiler- look for clues and tear up the title!

• Remember the mark scheme always!

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Mark scheme Marks

Introducing, defining and focusing on the question

10 D

Researching and Methodology

15 R

Analysis, application and understanding

20 A

Conclusions and evaluation

15 C

Quality of written communication and sourcing

10 Q

TOTAL 70

7 Example of a Pre release Research steer: Option 5Explore the complex causes of health risk and how some of these may be generated by pollution.Research a range of case studies causing different types of health risks

Unpicking the steer1. Identify the overall causes of heath risk: infectious and degenerative/ chronic diseases. Range of causes: result of human lack of knowledge, poor choices in life styles or external causes, such as pollution,

or environmental change. 2. What are the links to pollution? sustained and incidental/point pollution, toxicity, then impact on societies

health. direct (such as asthma and air quality) indirect, ---global warming leading to a spread of malaria short term -- diarrhoea/cholera from water pollution- more a localised meso/micro scale) long term --- ozone depletion and melanoma- global macro scale) 3. You need examples of health risk NOT linked to pollution too, such as TB,HIV/AIDS or obesity or ‘debt

depression’• Models --epidemiological model and Kuznet environmental curve may help focus research.• topical data on pollution? Other health issues?• Note all books, articles, DVDs, websites etc used. Check authenticity/reliability.

•

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To what extent are the causes of health risk linked

to pollution ?

YES

Health risk is linked to pollutionNO

Health risk is NOT linked to pollution

Directly:---land pollution: toxic e- waste, China,---sustained water pollution: cholera , Harbin and cancer villages China ---air pollution:incidental: Chernobyl.sustained : urban asthma London ,Beijing. (Indirect- global warming if time)

Infectious disease: TB hotspotsDegenerative disease: Obesity :lifestyle,…fatcamps(HIV/AIDs if time)

Main part Sections:Air pollution-point then sustained Chernobyl 86Water pollution cholera darfurSpatial shifts and China ( air-Beijing, water, Land: ewaste, cancer villages)Infectious then degenerative risksConclusionPollution v imp , rise of BRIC….but degenerative worst overall threat globallyDouble burdenRole MDGsSources:Blacksmith Institute BBC WHO World Bank China SEPA New ScientistBMA AVERT Unit Guide World Watch Institute

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IN THE EXAM: BUG the Q!Box command wordUnderline key wordGlance back at whole Q to make sense!

Introduction- how to get 10/10• 1.1 The scale of the issues

• Health risks are caused by a variety of internal and external factors, and can be classified into chronic, infectious and trauma types. However, the fact that both the World Health Organisation and the UNs Millennium Development Goals, view pollution control and prevention as critical in health risk management, highlights the potential relationship to be discussed in this report.

• In 2008 the US NGO pressure group, The Blacksmith Institute, publicised the global health burden from pollution rather than just listing toxic hotspots in developing countries. This followed a 2007 Cornell University study attributing 40 % all deaths globally directly to pollution.

• Pollution has changed from a fairly localised problem in communities to a much more globalised transboundary issue creating health risks,. This report will focus on a range of locations and scales, from the UK to China, hot spots like Chernobyl and China’s cancer villages. K Smith and M Ezzati, from Berkeley and Harvard Universities and Omram’s epidemiology model will also be used.(Fig 1).

• A range of reputable sources will be quoted within the report from the WHO to the BBC. More biased data from pressure groups and governments will be used too ,for example Blacksmith Institute US NGO and China’s EPA, an agency uder Government control.

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Gripping start! Shows understanding and doesn’t just repeat title

Clear ref to title- introduces players

Develops a focus

Indicates methodology ie sampling techniques

Specifically refers to diagrams

Obvious report style sections immediately

• 1.2 Definitions of pollution and how it may create health risks

Pollution provides substances, usually toxic chemicals, and conditions in the environment, especially in the air and in water supplies that create a risk to the health and well-being of people( online Medical Dictionary). Most pollution, whether incidental or sustained, is sub-lethal in effect, increasing morbidity rather than mortality, but may weaken the human system so it is vulnerable to another disease or even another pollutant .

• 1.3 Other causes of health riskApart from pollution there are two other arguably more

dominant causes of health risks, see Fig 2 health risk classification.Chronic diseases were once common only in more industrialised areas like USA, Japan and Europe, but are now a feature of transition economies like BRIC which are now suffering a ‘double burden’ of disease as well as pollution generated illnesses from their rapid industrialisation. Fig 2

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Accurate definitions key terms

Shows complexity of title

Infectious Degenerative, chronic health risks Traumas

•often communicable• often acute ie rapid onset or intense symptoms. Endemic, pandemic,epidemic•Vectored or Non vectored

often resulting from longevity, not communicable Chronic- (lasting over 3 months)Cardiovascular , Respiratory, Obesity related Diabetes, Cancer, Depression •Degenerative eg Arthritis, Alzheimer’s

eg from work related accidents or transport accidents

simple tables useful

INDIVIDUAL

Household Sanitation + water quality

CASESTUDY Darfur and Winchester

MESO SCALE Community Urban Pollution rises with rapid urbanisation then falls with

good management –case study Mumbai

Increasing Wealth/ development

Shifting Environmental Burdens

Severity

Of impact

Local, immediate, risks to human health

Fig 2 The Environmental Risk Transition

Global, delayed, risks to life support systems because world affected

GLOBALClimate changeToday’s biggest pollution risk case study Copenhagen 2009

Omram model: over time health burdens change:pestilence receding infectious pandemics..>chronic diseases emergent/remergent diseases

Simple black and white diagramEffective communicationCUSTOMISED FOR THIS TITLE!!!!

Summary of rest of report...• Section 2 pollution types and their

associated health risks•  2.1 Air pollution and health risk: the case

studies of Chernobyl and UK air quality

•  2.2 Water pollution and health risk: the case of cholera 2.3 Spatial shifts in health risks from pollution

• 2.4 Focus on China’s overall health risks including pollution

• Non pollutant health risks elsewhere

• 3.1 Health risks from infectious diseases

•  3.2 Health risks from chronic diseases

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Wide range relevant case studies/egs and conceptsAccuratetopical

All research directly applied to titleCogent (ie reasoned, convincing)argumentDiagrams used to support answer

Mixture of prose, bullet points, mini diagrams... USING PEE MODEL! Point.Example, Evaluation

Conclusion•  It has been shown that pollution has long been a part of health risks to

humans, with a shift in the last few decades from the formerly industrial nations of the west to current developing and transition economies such as Darfur and China respectively. Both diffuse and point sources are involved, shown in the Chernobyl and China air quality examples. The fact that watch dogs like the Blacksmith Institute and global scale players like the United Nations focus on pollution issues indicates the importance of this to human quality of life.

• The clearest direct link between pollution and health risk was shown in the Chernobyl case study, although as the BMA has stated recently, that there is overwhelming evidence now linking air pollution with increases of asthma as well as lead and the latest pollution source :e-waste.

• This report used China as a major example since it demonstrates all health risk challenges , is the largest current scale globally of pollution related health issues and also the ‘time bomb ‘of chronic diseases .Pollution is estimated by China’s own environmental agency and the World Bank to account for up to 5% of total GDP by 2008!

• Health risks certainly do have complex causes, and both pollution and health are priorities in the current MDGs targeting hotspots of risk. However, despite all the evidence shown in this report, statistically still the most important challenges to human health are infectious and especially degenerative health risks, as indicated in the rates of TB and obesity in the UK, with a double health burden in transition economies like China.

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NB there has been ongoing evaluations throughout

Clearly stated end conclusion

Thorough recall of case studies and concepts used earlier

Understands complexity of Q

Summary of Mark scheme Mark scheme Marks

Introducing, defining and focusing on the question

10 D

Researching and Methodology

15 R

Analysis, application and understanding

20 A

Conclusions and evaluation

15 C

Quality of written communication and sourcing

10 Q

TOTAL 70

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• So when your examiner is thinking DRACQ and awarding up to 70 marks, have you maximised your chances for success?

• Would you give your Definitions/ introduction and conclusion 10 marks each?

• Have you identified the complexity in the focus- Geography rarely involves black and white decisions- where’s the element of gray?!

• Have you shown both range and depth in your Research for 15 marks?

• Have you really tried to fit the data to the title and get the highest Application/ analysis marks?

• How close to 10 will you be on Quality of Written Communication?

How did this student fare with the mark scheme?Official Mark Scheme Comment on student’s performance

D Introducing, defining and focusing on the question /10

Needs to define key terms, and set out the framework for analysis

Clear definition of key terms. Sound framework and focus. Identifies a variety of scales. Discusses title with topical start

9

R Researching and methodology /15

Expect sound range of research different health risks, with a priority on pollution related risks

Wide range of relevant mini egs and longer case studies , very topical 13

A Analysis application and understanding /20

Discussion needed as to whether the statement is true. Expect some arguments for and against.

Argues the case strongly for with ongoing evaluation. Also considers case against, supported by facts

18

C Conclusion and evaluation /15

Needs to refer back to the question. Ongoing evaluation should feature

Meaningful conclusion –returns to main case studies and justifies findings. Indicates complexity. Strong ongoing evaluation.

12

Q Quality of written communication /10

Expect sound use of terminology. Sound structure. Good use of language.

Well structured report. Clearly headed. Sound use of terminology. Well written. Obvious evidencing

962/70

Kim Adams 40

A very cogent, competent response.

8 Characteristics of weak and strong exam work

Characteristics of weak work Characteristics of strong work

Unstructured report Lack of focus on the question in the

introduction Random case studies, poorly related to

question focus Descriptive ‘Another case study is…” A simple presentation of knowledge, some of

it incorrect No referencing, sourcing or hint at research

methods

?

41Kim Adams

Characteristics of strong exam workCharacteristics of strong work

Well organised, sectioned report Direct reference to question, definitions Justified case study choice Links to concepts, theories and models Explanatory, supported by factual detail Supporting examples Links between case studies and examples drawing

out overall themes A genuine discussion A genuine attempt to source, reference and

mention research 42Kim Adams

9 Common Problems in exam-…Solutions!

Problem

Panic: Cant do this, No idea what Question means…..

Deep breath, shut eyes,focus! Scribble some notes, data from a case study you know- think with a pen alwaysThink positive, the examiner is NOT out to show your lack of knowledge! You can never be penalised in an exam- but you may not be gaining marks by repetition, unfinished work, poorly selected data—and of course not answering the Q set! BUG IT!!!!!

Running out of time

Get to the conclusion even if leave some blank space. Go into bullet points- as this is a report not a formal essay this is acceptable style anyway

Thought of something extra and no room to fit it in

Neatly use an * and refer to a specific page for the extension

Time to spare Unlikely if you have done 10 weeks research work and at least some revision. Use it to check SPAG, add some geographical vocabulary, some footnotes, underline the main section headings……. 43

10 So, Student Success?• S= use all your SKILLS as a

geographer- synthesis!• U = Understand what is required• C= act on command words• C= select relevant case studies and

concepts• E =Exam Question: choose the one

you have prepared for even if others look suddenly more interesting

• S=keep to strict time scale when researching and IN the exam itself

• S= make sure you know the mark scheme and how the examiner will be marking your work.

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Unit 4 FAQs• When is it examined ?– Exam in Jan or June• How long is the exam?- 1 hr 30 min• What type of Question is asked?- One long essay/report to showcase and synthesise research

results• What is it marked out of ?- 70 worth 40% of A2 and 20% of total A level marks • What is the Pre release focus?- A steer to the actual exam title given 4 working weeks before

exam to focus your revision. • Can I wait until the pre release and do my work then-NO! You will find the 4 Enquiry Qs studied

over a long period are essential for the final question in direct and indirect ways• What are the enquiry questions? -There are 4 parts to any option chosen, all must be studied

and the exam Q will often expect coverage of more than one enquiry question• How many Qs to choose from?-Only one in your chosen option• Can I take my notes in?- No• Do I have to do the Q on the option I have studied at college/school?- Yes• Time is very short to write a long report , will I need to do a plan in the exam? -Yes, there will be

a separate page for a plan in your examination booklet. Plans are invaluable in selecting correct information, rejecting other information not directly relevant, in keeping your trend of argument on track and in structuring your final product

• Should I quote where some of the information originates from?- Yes, you can mention how you selected data and then refer to authors/sources either in the main body, as simple footnotes or an end mini bibliography. Avoid references to just Wikipedia and Google and school/college intranet!

• Should I use just the information given in class by my teacher?- No, you are required to show independent geographical research. Showcase any initiative you have taken, eg emails, fieldwork…..

• Can I write a simple essay? NO you will not maximise your marks, a REPORT is required!

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