Hwa Chong Institution
Secondary Two Geography 2014
Term 1 Test: Weather and Climate & Natural Vegetation
Marking Scheme (v1)
Name: ___________________________________ (
Class: 2A3
)
Date: _____________
Marks:
/25
Parent’s Signature: _________________
Duration: 50 mins
Answer all questions on foolscap paper. Hand in question paper separately.
Section A: Field Techniques and Data Response (10 marks)
1.
Fig. 1 below shows four locations in the school compound.
[3]
Fig. 1
At which location, A, B, C or D, would you locate a rain gauge?
Justify your answer.
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D, in an open area
allows rain to enter the rain gauge from any angle
the rain gauge can also be sunk into the grassy ground to prevent it from
being toppled away by strong winds
A is not suitable because the buildings may obstruct the rain
Rain from the roof might flow into the rain gauge.
B is not suitable because rain may splash into the rain gauge as a result of
the concrete surface
C is not suitable as leaves of the tree may prevent some of the rain from
reaching the rain gauge
Also, water collected on the leaves may drip into the rain gauge
(accept any other logical answers)
1
2.
Fig. 2 shows two sets of temperature data collected by a group of students
in the late morning at 7 different sites in our school campus on two
different days. Earlier, the group came up with a hypothesis:
Air temperature at 15cm above ground is higher than that at 1.5 metres.
They used a Pocket Weather Device to obtain the following information in
Fig.2.
Day 1 – Time: 11.40am
Sites:
Top Floor of Multi-Storey Car Park
Garden Outside Printing Centre
Open Space between Canteen and
Block C
Terraces
Field
Running Track
Fountain Area Outside General
Office
Day 2 – Time: 11.50am
Sites:
Top Floor of Multi-Storey Car Park
Garden Outside Printing Centre
Open Space between Canteen and
Block C
Terraces
Field
Running Track
Fountain Area Outside General
Office
Temperature in °C
0.15m above ground
34.0
30.0
29.4
30.5
33.0
31.5
28.9
Temperature in °C
0.15m above ground
28.3
27.7
28.8
28.7
29.9
29.3
28.9
Temperature in °C
1.5m above ground
32.0
29.1
29.8
29.5
33.2
31.0
28.9
Temperature in °C
1.5m above ground
28.1
27.6
28.5
28.6
29.6
29.1
27.6
Fig. 2
(a)
Based on the data collected, do you think the hypothesis should be
accepted or rejected? Why?
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[2]
The hypothesis should be accepted
as temperature at 15cm above ground is higher than 1.5m above ground for 4
places/majority of the places
Average temperature at 0.15m for both days = 29.9°C
Average temperature at 1.5m for both days = 28.6°C
(b)
State and explain one precautionary measure that should be observed
when measuring the air temperature.
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[1]
Weather pocket device must be held at the same height throughout the data
collection process
To ensure consistency
Avoid taking measurement in the shade
As temperature recorded in the shade will be lower
Same time
Ensure consistency
2
3.
Fig. 3 shows a climograph of Country X
Fig. 3
With reference to Fig. 3, describe the climate of Country X
[3]
(a)
 X has a moderate mean annual temperature of 11°C (max=19; low=3)
 a high annual temperature range 16°C
 Temperatures fluctuate widely or with highest temperature recorded in June
and lowest in January
 Total annual rainfall is moderate at 593 mm
 Rain throughout the year
 Rainfall is slightly higher in the second half of the year.
[minus 1m for not stating data from (a)]
`
(b)
State an evidence from Fig. 1 that suggests that Country X is located at [1]
higher latitudes.
 ½ m - Country X has a winter season from November to February (low
temperatures), and Summer in June (high temperatures)
½ m - Temperatures fluctuate between 3 and 19°C (high annual temperature
range)
3
Section B: Structured Essay and Open-Ended Questions (15 marks)
4.
Explain how a Six’s thermometer records the minimum temperature of a
day.
 ½m - When the surrounding temperature cools, the alcohol in the left arm
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5.
contracts (note: accept answers with “mercury contracts”)
½m - while some of the alcohol vapour in the right bulb/partial vacuum
condenses and turns back to liquid
½m - The mercury then moves up the left arm
½m - This pushes the metal index in the left arm as well
½m - to indicate the minimum temperature reached/ When surrounding
temperature rises, the mercury expands, but the metal index remains at the
minimum temperature
½m - The bottom of the metal index is read at eye level to collect the
temperature data.
Can award ½m - The scale on the left arm is reversed such that the
temperature decreases as the metal index is pushed higher. This allows a
minimum temperature to be recorded.
Explain how mangroves adapt to their surroundings.
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The Avicennia and Sonneratia trees which are common in the coastal zone
(nearest to the coast) have breathing/aerial roots to take in oxygen
They are adapted to growing in salt water as the coastal zone is flooded with
seawater during high tide
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The Rhizophora trees common in the middle zone have prop roots
It helps by supporting the trees on muddy soil
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The mangrove rainforest has leaves which are evergreen
Due to abundance of sunlight and rain throughout the year
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The leaves are also broad and dark green
To receive maximum amount of sunlight and rain throughout the year
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Smooth and waxy with drip tip leaves/down pointing tip
To prevent water accumulation due to regular rainfalls/ allow rainwater to
flow off easily
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Avicennia are salt secretors, secreting excess salt on their leaves, which are
then removed by wind or rain
Bruguiera, Rhizophora and Sonneratia species are ultrafiltrators, absorbing
salt instead of secreting it and removing this excess salt by storing it in old
leaves, which then fall off
This helps them grow in salt water which they are usually exposed to
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[3]
[4]
The fruits of the Avicennia are buoyant
When they drop into the water, the waves and currents carry them away to a
new coastal location where they take root
Fruits of the Rhizophora germinate, or begin to grow, while still attached to
4
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6.
the parent tree and drop directly into the ground to take root.
The fruits of this species also have an elongated structure with sharp tips that
help the fruits to anchor themselves in soft muddy soil
(accept any other logical answers)
[8]
“Countries should stop clearing their forests.”
To what extent agree with this statement?
Level 1 (1 – 3m):
One-sided answers (For or against) or answers without links.
•
•
•
Describe reasons, poor elaboration
Explain at least 1 reason, well-elaborated
Explain at least 2 reasons, well-elaborated with place-specific examples
1m
2m
3m
Level 2 (4 – 6m)
Two-sided answers (For & Against)
•
•
•
Explain one reason for and one reason against, lacking details
4m
Explain at least 1 to 2 other reasons, (1-2 for or 1-2 against) some examples 5m
given
Explain at least 2 others reasons (2 reasons for and 2 reasons against) in detail 6m
with relevant examples
Level 3 (7 – 8m)
L2/6 + sound conclusion and ‘how far do you agree’ is substantiated.
•
•
Sound conclusion, summarises main points for and against
7m
Conclusion is sound and carefully weighed, suggests strategies (at least) to 8m
minimize disadvatages
- End of Paper –
Source Acknowledgements
Section A
Q1
Fig 1
Q2
Fig 2
Q3
Fig 3
Marshall Cavendish “Earth Our Home” 2006
Source: GeoActive Online, 291
Aspects of Physical Geography
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