Key stage 3 Assessment Task – Comparing volcanoes
For this piece of work you must produce an essay or a newspaper report comparing
the effects of the 2 volcanoes we have studied (Nevado del Ruiz and Mt St Helens).
The report should be on A4, and can be done on the computer or by hand. It needs
to describe AND explain the impact of the volcanoes in both and LEDC and an
MEDC.
Your report could include details on the following:
 An explanation of why the volcanoes happened (this should include an
explanation of the plate boundaries involved)
 A description of the location of both volcanoes
 Pictures of the event (these should be annotated to explain the effects)
 The PRIMARY EFFECTS of the volcanoes with facts and figures
 The SECONDARY EFFECTS on people, the economy and the environment
 Some information about what is being done by emergency services in both
the short term and the long term.
 A comparison of why the effects were different linked to the level of
development of both countries (you should also compare other factors)
:
Level 6
You produce a detailed report/ essay. All the key criteria are included, and you are
able to both describe AND explain a wide range of primary and secondary effects.
You clearly explain the cause of the volcanoes, and clearly make comparisons
between both of the volcanic eruptions. . You can make links between the physical
causes of the volcanoes, and the human impact. Through appropriate use of
annotated maps, diagrams and data, you report the events accurately and in detail.
Level 5
All the key criteria are included, and you are able to describe and explain some
primary and secondary effects. You say why the volcanoes happened describing the
plate margin in detail, and suggest how this has led to some of the impacts seen.
You clearly compare the effects of the eruptions. The report is well presented and
includes some annotated maps, diagrams and/or data.
Level 4
You make reference to most of the criteria, and describe a range of effects. You say
why the volcanoes happened, but only make limited comparisons between the 2
volcanoes the impacts in the report. The essay or report is well presented, but lacks
a range of presentation styles (such as annotated maps and diagrams)
Level 3
You produce a simple account of the volcano events. Most of the criteria are
included, but the two volcanoes are not linked together or compared. It is not clear
that the effects can be divided into primary or secondary impacts, and the report
lacks an explanation of the event.