Year 10
Geography
Exam Feedback
General observations
• Most students attempted the whole paper
• Most students did well on the Topographic map section but Scale
was difficult for many
• Some students did not write enough in the short answers and they
did not Evaluate as the lead verb in the question asked. Therefor no-
one got 6 marks for this question!
• Some students struggled with skills such as: Bearings and Coastal
Processes as well as Cross-sections.
Exam technique
• 1 minute per each multiple choice question- choose the “outlayer” and
discard. Choose the “Best” answer
•Pacing- don’t spend all your time on MC and then there is no time for
the rest of the paper
•Knowledge- contrary to popular opinion you need quite a good deal
of knowledge for multiple choice questions!
• How can you gain knowledge?- Revision- You actually need to study,
make summary notes!
Short Answer Responses
• Short answers- address the lead verb: EVALUATE
• Look at the marks allocated and respond accordingly to short answers
• When answering an Evaluate question the key is to provide your opinion or
verdict concerning the extent to which an argument is accurate.
• You should demonstrate the extent to which you agree with a particular
situation.
• It is essential to provide information on both sides of the debate using
evidence. In this case from the text provided to you in class
before the test- The California Coast Case Study .
• Then you must state your position basing your arguments on the evidence
that informed you in arriving at your position.
Short Answer Response: Question 24
Introduction- Topic sentence
In 1976, the California Coastal Act was enacted. This Act
enabled the creation of the Coastal Commission whose role
was to oversee coastal development on the California
Coast. Since 1976 the Commission has looked after and
protected sensitive resources like wetlands, streams and
endangered habitats. It also has managed growing urban
sprawl, allowed public access to the coastline all while
protecting agricultural lands and scenic rural landscapes
along the coast.
Body
The Coastal Act 1976, has been an outstanding success. It has enabled the
urban footprint along the coastline to remain the same even though
California's population has doubled since 1970. Adding further to its success,
it has allowed the Coastal Commission and local governments to work
together collaboratively on programs that have actively reduced losses to
wetlands- leading to the protection of coastal habitats.
Furthermore, the Commission advocated to the federal government for
responsible use of offshore coastal areas, ensuring that no risky, offshore oil
development or desalination plants can be built which could adversely affect
the sustainability of the coastline. These actions and policies have allowed
greater access and enjoyability for locals and tourists alike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Commission has overwhelmingly proven that their
mission to safeguard the coast with careful and rigorous coastal
protection practices which promote and maintain biodiversity have
not impacted the benefits of a strong economy fuelled by tourism on
the Californian coast.
Skills: Direction
• 16 point compass rose
• Question:21a, 14
Direction: Bearings
Question 21 b:, 22d, 15
Direction: Bearings (cont.)
Scale
• Question: 22e & f
• Measuring distance
• Converting scale from one unit to another
Contour Lines:
• Question: 11,16, 17,18,19
• What is a contour line?
• How do contour lines help us
interpret shapes of land?
Contour Lines: (cont.)
Area References: 4 figure references
• Question: 12,22a & b e
Grid References 6 figure references
• Question: 13, 22c &d &f
Cross Sections
• Question: 23
Cross Sections (cont.)
Coastal processes: Longshore drift
• Question: 5
Coastal Processes: Erosion and deposition
caused by waves
• Question: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9
Coastal Processes: Erosion and deposition
caused by waves (cont.)
Photo Angles:
• Question: 4
Aspect: Question 20
• Aspect is the direction a slope faces with respect to the sun when you
face downhill.
• Draw a faint line on the map from the point x to the lower contour.
What direction would you travel on this line down the slope?
Latitude and Longitude
• Question:
Latitude and Longitude (cont.)
Latitude and Longitude (cont.)
Coastal Management strategies
Question: 6
• Groynes
Primary and Secondary sources
• Primary Data = data you gather yourself for the purpose of
the current investigation e.g. survey, interview,
observations, measurements, take photographs, do a field
sketch etc.
• Secondary Data = data that has already been gathered for
another purpose e.g. newspaper articles, census data,
research reports etc.
