teachers’ seminar on 2010 al geography examination...china & weber model – 24% . 15. 16 16...

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TeachersTeachers’’ Seminar onSeminar on

2010 AL Geography Examination2010 AL Geography Examination

9 December 20109 December 2010

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Review of Paper 1Review of Paper 1

2010 AL Geog Exam – Paper 1

1. Recap what AL Geography Paper 1 is

2. Review on the Examination

Paper

3. Review on Candidates’

performance

4. Review on Marking 33

4

Recap what ALRecap what AL

GeographyGeography PAPER 1PAPER 1

isis

ReReccaapp wwhhaatt ALAL GGeeooggrraapphhyy

PPAPAPEERR 11 iiss

� Data-response questions:

� process information by using data

� often use data that candidates have not

come across before

� Structured questions:

� comprises a set of sub-questions

� directive terms + geographical concepts

� Progression in difficulty (e.g. describe �

explain � discuss/evaluate) 55

ReReccaapp wwhhaatt ALAL GGeeooggrraapphhyy

PPAPAPEERR 11 iiss

� Test geographical skills

� e.g.: map work; photo interpretation;

calculation; statistical calculation;

drawing

� Assessment of thinking skills

� Require candidates to process

information by using the data provided

� Discourage candidate to rote-learn 66

7

Review on theReview on the

Examination PaperExamination Paper

MMaarrkkeerrss’’ ccoommmmeennttss oonn tthhee PPAAPPEERR aass aa wwhhoollee

3292

6946

4006

7514

4457

7684

4466

7563

4748

7881

88


3292

6946

4006

7514

4457

7684

4466

7563

4748

7881

99


3292

6946

4006

7514

4457

7684

4466

7563

4748

7881

1100


3292

6946

4006

7514

4457

7684

4466

7563

4748

7881

well

balanced

1111

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Review onReview on

CandidatesCandidates’’

PerformancePerformance

54.7%

38.7%

60.6%

19.3%

23.7%

1313

Popularity % of Questions in Paper 1Popularity % of Questions in Paper 1 (Based on samples)(Based on samples)

3.3%

11.7

3.3

54.7

81.3

38.7

60.6

19.3

52.7

23.7

54

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Popularity

(%)

Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11

Q2-Q5: Natural Landscapes

Q6-Q7: Agricultural Landscapes

Q8-Q11: Urban & Industrial Landscapes

PPooppuullaarriittyy ooff QQuueessttiioonnss aanndd

CCaannddiiddaatteess PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee

� Overall

� Weak in map skills (e.g. transect, …), aerial photo

interpretation skill

� Weak in graphic skills (e.g. annotated diagram, …)

� Section A - Natural Landscapes

� Weak in weather & climate (3% attempted)

� Weak in weathering sub-system (12% attempted)

� Popular & well performed – man-land relationship

(55% & 81% respectively attempted)

1144

PPooppuullaarriittyy ooff QQuueessttiioonnss aanndd

CCaannddiiddaatteess PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee

� Section B – Agricultural Landscapes &

Section C – Urban & Industrial Landscapes

� Less popular questions – “models”

� Agri. Landscapes – von Thunen – 39% vs 61%

� Central Place Theory – 19%

� More popular questions – local & neighbouring areas

� Hong Kong – 52%

� Zhujiang Delta – 54%

� Vs China & Weber Model – 24% 1155

16 16

Review on MarkingReview on Marking

CCaannddiiddaatteess’’ CCoommmmoonn MMiissttaakkeess &&

MMiissuunnddeerrssttaannddiinnggss iinn MMaarrkkiinngg ((11))

Marking is NOT just scanning for

answers/wordings which match with the points in

the Marking Scheme

� Question 1 (a) (ii)

� Describe and explain the distribution of

woodland.

� Marking scheme & Candidates’ answer

� N-facing aspect does NOT mean northern

location of the slope 1177

� �



� Question 1 (a) (iii)

� Explain the locational advantages of Ma Tseuk Leung (120946) in relation to the relief. … ….

� Marking Scheme

� Relief / map evidence: flat lowland / valley located at

S / SE of the settlement

� Explanation: availability of farming

� Candidate’s script

� … lastly, the flat relief is beneficial for agriculture because it enhances the mechnaisation of farming

1188



� Question 4 (a) (ii) � Draw a graph to show rainfall anomalies from 1999 to 2008.

� Marking scheme � accuracy

(2 marks)

� 2 axes &

label

(1 mark)

� title

(1 mark)

Total: 4 marks

1199



� Question 4 (a) (ii) � Draw a graph to show rainfall anomalies from 1999 to 2008.

� Marking scheme � accuracy score NOScattergram

(2 marks) mark � 2 axes &

label score NO (1 mark) Line graph

mark � title

(1 mark) score NOTotal: 4 marks Inappropriate bar graph mark

2200



• NO marks for superficial textbook explanation

• Specific answer required

• Answer should stick to the question

� Question 1(b)(ii)

� …Sections X & Y of Tan Shan River … Sinuosity

Index … Explain the difference between the 2 indices.

� Marking Scheme

� X – upper course / narrow V / steep / vertical erosion

� Y – lower course / wide open / gentle / lateral erosion

2211

CaCannddiiddaatteess’’ CoCommmmoonn MMiissttaakkeess &&


�Candidate X’s answer: Sinuosity indice in fact measures the

of X is smaller than that of Y. X has less than the river X, thus the sinuosity indice the map the river Y has more meandering also occurs. In this case, clearly, as seen in of erosion in the outer band and deposition river has meandering, that is the process if it is greater than 1.5, that implies the degree of meandering in the river courses,

meandering.

2222

CaCannddiiddaatteess’’ CoCommmmoonn MMiissttaakkeess &&


�Candidate Y’s answer:

The Sinuosity Index of section Y is bigger

.xe,eehtnil–foh giaruorerap

than the section X.

Because section X is straighter comwith section Y. Section Y have many ndly place. However, section X is more st ht. Therefore, the actual channel lengtsection Y is bigger. And the straight e distance is similar, so the affect on Sinuosity Index is not big. Thereforsection Y have bigger Sinuosity Ind

2233

l



�� NNOOTT ssttiicckkiinngg ttoo tthhee qquueessttiioonn:: AAnn eexxaammppllee

� Q8(c)(ii)

� Suggest factors that may lead to such distortions from the marketing principle of the Central Place Theory.

� Question stem:

� Fig. 8a shows the distribution of some settlements on a ppllaaiinn in Ontario, Canada.

� Q8(c):

� … … in the ssttuuddyy aarreeaa … …

� Candidates’ performance: NOT sticking to

� … difference in topography / re ief …. … the question 24



NO marks for copying data provided by the

question

� Question 4(d)

� Refer to Figure 4b. Comment on the … …

2255



NO marks for unclear, vague and not-in-depth

explanation

� Question 9(c): � Explain why the construction of the West Island Line might NOT

solve the existing transport problems in Western District.(5 mks)

� Marking Scheme for 9(c):

2266



�Candidate Z’s answer:

The transport line may not solve the transport problems like traffic congestion there. It is because most people own private cards and prefer to drive their own to work and shop there. Besides,�the land uses there are not balanced. More people

melbgaemisda

dnS.seievilwork in Western District, but most of them n

other places like new towns in New Territori o, there are still great amount of commuters acommuting journeys. Moreover, the urban ro n Western District has been developed long ti o. With the use of private cars, bottleneck procan hardly be solved.

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carbon dioxide and led to urban heat island shop which will emit greenhouses gases like are still many people using vehicles to work and by vehicles are not solved. It is because there

Besides, the problem of air pollution caused

because the working population has the same hours but over-used in peak hours. This is The West Island Line is underused in off-peak

Moreover, there is still high rush hours cost.

�Candidate Z’s answer (continued):

working time.

effect. 28



• UNSATISFACTORY performance in high

order thinking questions

• Satisfactory performance in “describe” &

“explain” questions;

• but UNSATISFACTORY performance in

“discuss” & “comment” questions.

� Q4 (c) & (d)

� Q11 (d) (ii)

2299



� Q4 (c) � …… DDiissccuussss the effectiveness of using biofuels to

reduce the excessive carbon storage in the atmosphere.

� Marking scheme: � Effective: …... … … (max. 2 marks)

� Ineffective: … … … (max. 2 marks)

� Candidates’ performance: � Most candidates were only able to give a description

� But NOT discuss the effectiveness of using biofuels 30



� Q11(d)(ii) �� DDiissccuussss how these measures could affect the

competitive power of industries in Zhujiang Delta.

� Marking scheme: � Benefits: …... … … (max. 2 marks)

� Problems: … … … (max. 2 marks)

� Candidates’ performance: � Many candidates mentioned the negative impacts of

the measures

� But OVERLOOKED the positive aspects 31

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Performance on MarkingPerformance on Marking

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Markers’ Meeting

Marking Scheme discussed & amended

Trial marking of sample scripts Set A

Marking of candidates’ scripts

Marking of sample scripts Set B

LLaasstt bbuutt NNOOTT tthhee lleeaasstt

•• MMaarrkkiinngg SScchheemmeess ((MMSS)) were prepared for markers’ reference.

•評卷參考是閱卷員的參考文件。

• NOT regards as sets of MODEL ANSWERS.

•不應將評卷參考視作標準答案。

• NO rote memorisation of the points in the MS.

•不可將評卷參考的「點」硬背死記，活剝生吞。

• DO interpret the contents of the MS with care.

•必須小心謹慎詮釋評卷參考的內容。3333

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Review of Paper 2Review of Paper 2

MMaajjoorr CoConncceerrnnss ooff PPaappeerr 22

� Questions are arranged in 3 tiers

- from lower order (e.g. Describe)

to higher order (e.g. Evaluate) skills

� Marks are awarded to clear, logical and

systematic presentation.

� Appropriate examples are needed for

illustration.

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MMaajjoorr CCoonncceerrnnss ooff PPaappeerr 22 ((CCoonntt..))

� Students should adopt different answering techniques

e.g. Compare ≠ Describe

Q.4 Compare the physical factors affecting

soil formation processes in tropical

humid and tropical arid regions.

- No mark is given if there is no

comparison of the physical factors

36

MMaajjoorr CCoonncceerrnnss ooff PPaappeerr 22 ((CCoonntt..))

� Organisation of ideas in systematic ways – put down relevant information and concepts only

� Great differentiation between higher ability and lower ability students

- screening of higher ability students

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PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee ooff CaCannddiiddaatteess

1. Misconception

Q.1 Discuss how industrial development

and related human activities change

the energy balance to intensify global

warming.

Students mix up the concept of heat

island effect with global warming.

38

PPeerrffoorrmmaannccee ooff CCaannddiiddaatteess ((CCoonntt..))

2. Partial answers

Q.7 Assess the possibilities of fair trade in fostering

the sustainable development of plantations.

Students only presented either the positive or negative impacts of fair trade in fostering

sustainable development.

Discuss the obstacles encountered in MDCs when promoting fair trade.

Most candidates focused mainly on economic obstacles and failed to address the political

issues.

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2. Partial answers (Cont.)

Q.4 Explain why cattle ranching is more

destructive to the soil properties than

shifting cultivation in tropical humid

regions.

Students only explain why cattle ranching

is destructive but no explanation and

comparison are on the impact of shifting

cultivation on soil properties.

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3. Wrong approach

Q.10 Compare the characteristics of industrial

zones in the inner city and the suburb.

Candidates showed an understanding of the

characteristics of industrial zones in inner city

and the suburb but they failed to make

systematic comparisons.

No comparison – no mark

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4. Answers are irrelevant and illogical

Q.4 Evaluate the effectiveness of government

policies of LDCs in tackling the soil

degradation problems brought by cattle

ranching.

The government may introduce birth control. � It is ineffective that most families are reluctant to carry out birth control. � IR

42


4. Answers are irrelevant and illogical (Cont.)

Q.9 Explain why the TNCs set up fewer R&D

centres than production bases in China.

The infrastructure of China is not yet well

developed. � So, it is difficult for the TNCs

to locate the R&D centres which requires

fast flow of information due to lack of

railway, connectiviity of transport system. �

43


5. Overlook key words

Q.4 Compare the physical factors

affecting soil forming processes …

Students compared the soil

formation processes instead of the factors.

44


5. Overlook key words (Cont.)

Q.11 How does urban greenery reduce the

adverse impacts of urbanisation on

micro-climate?

With the planting of trees in urban area,

carbon dioxide content is reduced and

the problem of global warming � is less.

NOT MICRO-CLIMATE!

45


6. Lack of examples to support the answer

Q.3 Discuss how climate and relief interact

to produce distinctive vertical zoning of

vegetation in mountainous areas…

Illustrate your answer with appropriate

examples.

46


7. General comments

� Candidates should broaden their scope on

local and international affairs.

� Using a simple table or mind map in their

drafts may help to improve the

organisation and presentation of their

ideas.

� Relevant information and logical reasoning

� Tidy handwriting and annotated diagrams

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ReRevviieeww oonn MMaarrkkiinngg

� Use of On-screen marking (OSM)

- Consistent and close monitoring of

marking standard: less deviation of

marks among markers

- Check-marking is done in every stage:

training, qualifying, marking, control scripts

- Stress on fairness and accuracy

- Mark by question: consistency

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teachers’ seminar on 2010 al geography examination...china & weber model – 24% . 15. 16 16...

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