Level 3 Geography exam feedback for 3.1 - Muriwai exam. Takapuna Grammar School Geography

1. 3.1 Exam
Feedback
September 2013

2. General Feedback
 90% of students chose to answer Question 1
 Overall marks were divided up as follows
E 11%
M 24%
A 30%
N 16%
V 19%
 Students that opted to READ THE QUESTION
rather than just regurgitate what they had
prepared earlier tended to do better overall.

3. Question One
Interacting natural processes

4. Question One: Interacting
natural processes
 This question is about identifying HOW natural
processes have worked together to produce
natural features and which of these processes
are most significant
(a) Maps and diagrams were to show what
the features are and where they were
located
(b) The writing provides the explanation
of why they are there and how the
processes work

5. Common Mistakes
 The biggest mistake here was NOT READING
THE QUESTION
 Part (a) required you to draw an annotated
map or diagram to show the LOCATION and
CHARACTERISTICS (height, type of vegetation
etc.) of 2 different features
 Most students drew diagrams to show their
formation here which was incorrect, this
made it difficult to score above a 6

6. Not Achieved 0 – 2
N0 No response; no relevant evidence
N1 A very limited answer. The answer only
describes what is there and does not analyse
N2 A good description but lacks analysis or fails
to provide case study evidence. The visuals in
part (a) contains little accurate information
about the characteristics of the features. E.g.
Motutara stack was created by process of
wave erosion occurring over time. NO
EXPLANATION of HOW the process operates

7. Achieved 3-4
A3 Analysis of HOW 2 natural process produce ONE
natural feature. Visuals drawn in part (a) contain some
characteristics of ONE natural feature. 2nd feature
barely analysed.
A4 Analysis of HOW 2 natural processes produce
TWO natural features. Visuals drawn in part (a)
contains some characteristics of TWO natural
features
Difference between Not Achieved and Achieved was to
explain HOW processes operated to create the feature. E.g.
Motutara stack was created by the sub- process of wave
erosion known as hydraulic action. This is when……… helping
to create a notch in Otakamiro headland

8. Merit 5-6
M5 Analyse in detail how TWO natural processes
produce ONE natural feature (case study
evidence used). Some understanding shown of
the significance of these processes and how they
work together. Visuals in part (a) describe most
attributes of the features. 2nd feature is analysed
to an achievement level
M6 Both features are analysed in detail as above
NB: If you drew diagrams to show the formation in part
(a) it was difficult to get above a Merit. Diagrams were
supposed to show LOCATION and CHARACTERISTICS
(rock type, height, vegetation type etc.)

9. Excellence 7-8
E7 Fully analyses how TWO or more natural processes
produce ONE natural feature. Visuals or writing
integrates comprehensive supporting case study
evidence.
Insightful understanding of the significance of the
processes and how they work together (interactions
clear not inferred)
e.g. Aeolian deposition occurs due to vegetation growth on the
dunes. The type of vegetation determines at what rate aeolian
deposition occurs …….(explain zone of 0 wind velocity, loss of
energy, marram vs spinifex etc) Due to this interaction between
vegetation growth and deposition a difference in the height of
the dunes at the Southern end compared to the Northern end at
Muriwai can be seen.
Analyses a 2nd feature to Merit level
E8 Both features analysed as above

10. Question Two
Temporal variations

11. Question Two: Temporal
Variations
 This question is about how the operation of
natural processes at different rates and/or
scales causes temporal variations in natural
features and/or elements of the geographic
environment.
 The focus is on HOW the different rates/scales
in the operation of the process produce
temporal variations
 The maps/diagrams/cross sections could
contain info about how the operation of the
process at different rates/scales causes
temporal variations

12. Not Achieved 0-2
N0 No response; no relevant evidence
N1 Limited answer. The answer describes only
and does not analyse (HOW and WHY). Case
study evidence lacking
N2 Answer may correctly describe and/or
explain natural process(es) related to features
but doesn’t discuss any changes over time.
Case study evidence lacking. Visuals contain
little accurate information.

13. Achieved 3-4
A3 Analysis of HOW the natural process working differently
over time causes temporal variations in TWO natural
features or elements. Some case study detail is included.
Little analysis of a THIRD temporal variation
A4 As above but done for THREE natural features or
elements
Example of analysis of 1 feature at an Achieved level
e.g. At Muriwai, during summer, waves are spillers (ave. height of
1-2 m) with a gentle backwash and strong swash, this allows more
deposition to take place. During winter (ave wave height 3-
5m), waves are plungers with a strong backwash which removes
more sediment from the beach face, changing the shape of the
beach profile. This results in a steeper beach face which is more
built up in summer and flatter, more scoured out during winter.
This is due to a change in wave action from summer to winter.

14. Merit 5-6
M5 Analyses in detail how the operation of natural
processes at different rates/scales produce
temporal variations in TWO natural
features/elements with case study detail.
Good visuals that describe attributes of the
temporal variation are included. 3rd temporal
variation analysed to an Achieved level.
M6 All 3 natural features/elements are analysed to
a Merit level
As Achieved slide example with greater levels of specific
detail and explanation

15. Excellence 7-8
E7 Fully analyses how the operation of natural
processes at different rates/scales produce
temporal variations in TWO natural
features/elements. Comprehensive supporting
case study evidence integrated.
Focuses on the HOW the operation of process
produces temporal variations in
features/elements. Well drawn visuals that
describe attributes of these temporal variations
3rd temporal variation done to a Merit level
E8 As above but all THREE temporal variations fully
analysed