UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
GEOGRAPHY
MAY 2015
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
IM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2015
IM GEOGRAPHY
MAY 2015 SESSION
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
Part 1: Statistical Information
Table 1 shows the distribution of grades for the May 2015 session of the examination.
GRADE
A
B
C
D
E
F
ABS
TOTAL
NUMBER
10
12
39
15
3
10
8
97
% OF
TOTAL
10.31
12.37
40.21
15.46
3.093
10.31
8.247
100
General comments
A total of 97 candidates registered for the Geography Intermediate exam in May 2015. Candidates got
higher marks for questions in Section 3 (The Man-Environment Relationship). When reference to real
life examples was asked for, most candidates showed lack of application skills.
Part 2
Section 1: Physical Geographical Processes
Question 1
18 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
11 out of 18 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (61.1%)
The mean mark for this question was 9.8.
(a) Most candidates recognised the low pressure area over the central Mediterranean region but quite
a number wrongly mentioned the high pressure area over the eastern Mediterranean region.
(b) Few candidates explained the origin of low pressure systems that enter the Mediterranean region.
(c) Most candidates associated the low pressure area with cloudy and rainy weather. The amount of
detail of the sequence of weather in a depression, however, varied greatly.
(d) Most answers to this question were correct.
Question 2
15 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
13 out of 15 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (86.6%)
The mean mark for this question was 14.6.
(a) Most candidates mentioned the supply of sand and winds although few mentioned that winds have
to blow inland over a sandy beach.
(b) Most answers to this question provided detailed descriptions of the characteristics of sand dunes
that may develop across a beach. Descriptions of their formation tended to be less detailed.
(c) All candidates gave Ramla l-Ħamra as a local example of sand dunes but hardly any candidates
gave a correct example of sand dunes in other countries.
Question 3
51 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
33 out of 51 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (64.7%)
The mean mark for this question was 12.6.
This was the most popular question in Section 1. The mean mark for this question was 12.6
IM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2015
(a) Most candidates gave a correct definition of a hydrograph.
(b) Most candidates could explain what rising limb, recession or falling limb and peak discharge show.
Some candidates had difficulty explaining what lag time is.
(c) Quite a number of candidates had difficulty identifying the hydrograph.
(d) Most answers to this question provided detailed descriptions of the physical characteristics of the
drainage basin that influenced the shape of each hydrograph. Quite a number of answers included
labelled diagrams that assisted candidates in illustrating their description.
Section 2: Human Geographical Processes
Question 4
81 out of 89 candidates answered this question
55 out of 81 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 13
(a) Answers were clear and overall correct, mostly referring to the amount of people living in a specific
area given per kilometre squared. Few candidates failed to distinguish between total population and
population density.
(b) Overall good explanations given with regards to human factors contributing to a high population
density, namely referring to the economic factors. Some responses confused this term with migration
pull factors. Quite a number of responses failed to name specific examples.
(c) Again, good explanations given, with most answers referring to relief, climate and lack of
resources as the main physical factors thata contribute to a low population density.
(d) Most of the responses listed referred to overcrowding, unemployment and pollution as the main
consequences of high population density.
Question 5
19 out of 89 candidates answered this question
17 out of 20 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 15.1
(a) Responses were overall correct and specified a good explanation why people migrate giving the
political and economic conditions as the main pull and push factors.
(b) A good knowledge of Ravenstein claims for migration was evident.
(c) An overall correct application of Ravenstein claims to the current situation in the Mediterranean
Sea. A few responses failed to link these claims to the Mediterranean Sea and listed other world
regions.
Question 6
20 out of 89 candidates answered this question (22%)
9 out of 20 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 10.2
(a) A good description of a nucleated settlement, but some examples included linear rather than
nucleated settlements.
(b) Responses mostly specified that these settlements offer a sense of security and community
cohesion.
(c) A good description of dispersed settlements, but some examples listed nucleated areas. Most
candidates limited their responses to a definition without giving a reason why these settlements might
be dispersed.
Section 3: The Man-Environment Relationship
Question 7
36 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
22 out of 36 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 12.1.
IM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2015
(a) Some candidates wrote a short answer, without considering the ten marks assigned for this part
but others explained extensively how tsunamis can lead to a great loss of life and can cause
widespread devastation.
(b) Most candidates answered well. Some candidates provided a very detailed answer such as
tsunami warning systems, monitoring the coast, building tall structures where people can take shelter
and emergency planning.
Question 8
27 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
26 out of 27 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 14.4.
(a) Most of the parts of this question were answered correctly with a good understanding of the terms
municipal and hazardous waste.
(b) Overall good answers were given. However, most of the answers could have been more detailed.
Candidates provided examples and explained how municipal and construction waste is being
disposed of in Malta. Reference was made to recyclable materials, bring in sites, organic waste and
engineered landfills.
(c) Candidates showed good knowledge of how locally generated waste can negatively impact
Malta’s terrestrial and marine environment. Most answers related to the leeching of contaminants
from generated waste into the aquifers and sea, plastic and drainage in the sea.
Question 9
68 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
56 out of 68 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 13.
This was the most popular question in section 3.
(a) Most candidates explained why it is estimated that developing countries will produce higher
carbon dioxide emissions than MEDC.
(b) Many of the candidates explained the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global
warming. Some candidates explained the causes of global warming but did not explain the
relationship between carbon dioxide and global warming. Some candidates still confuse the depletion
of the ozone layer with global warming.
(c) Practically all candidates answered well. It is clear that the effects of global warming on coastal
areas were understood, and well written reasons were provided such as a rise in sea level and
extreme climatic instability (droughts, flooding, hurricanes, cyclones).
(d) Candidates showed good knowledge of the attempts being taken to reduce the effects of global
warming. Various measures were mentioned such as using renewable energy and gave examples on
how to reduce carbon dioxide. A number of candidates mentioned the Kyoto protocol and the EU
2020 targets.
Section 4: Fieldwork and Mapwork Skills
Question 10
66 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
51 out of 66 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 12.2.
This was the most popular question in section 4.
(a) Most candidates gave a good description of the number of people migrating from one country to
another.
(b) Few candidates responded correctly. A number of candidates replied that it was a chloropleth
map.
(c) Most candidates replied that the map is easy to interpret and understand. Some candidates
erroneously answered that the arrows show the number of migrants.
Some candidates
misunderstood the question and mentioned the advantages of migration.
IM EXAMINERS’ REPORT MAY 2015
(d) Many candidates mentioned correctly that the map can get very crowded with arrows and so the
map may be difficult to interpret. Candidates also mentioned the fact that the legend does not
indicate the actual number of migrant movement. Some candidates commented that no data was
provided for the Maltese Islands. Some candidates did not read the question well and wrote about
the disadvantages of migration.
(d) Candidates mentioned that the number of migrants should be written next to the arrows. Some
candidates were incorrect in their answer. These answered that a scattergraph could be used.
Question 11
21 out of 89 candidates answered this question.
5 out of 21 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks
The mean mark for this question was 7.9.
(a) Most candidates limited their answers to defining the scientific method and hypotheses testing
instead of explaining the importance of these concepts.
(b) Most candidates could distinguish between random and systematic sampling.
(c) Most answers showed lack of a clear idea of random or systematic sampling techniques in the
investigation chosen.
Question 12
11 out of 89 candidates answered this question (12%)
9 out of 11 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (82%
The mean mark for this question was 14.8
(a) Overall, most candidates completed this table correctly.
(b) The graph was very well plotted and clear.
(c) Most candidates used their plotted graph to work out this estimation, with slight variations in the
final value. Marks were allotted to workings done on the candidates’ graph.
(d) Most figures were correctly listed. Most candidates showed their workings both on the graph and
also by listing the lower and upper quartiles. Marks were allotted to workings done on the candidates’
graph.
(e) Candidate responses describing an advantage of using cumulative frequency diagrams were
correct.
Chairperson
Examination Panel 2015