Assessment Task – Year 12 – Term 3, 2016
Human Biology ATAR Unit 4
Task Description: Hominid trends
You will research trends in Hominid evolution and analyse some of the data and conclusions. The research will
consider both the theory of evolution and creation science. You will be required to answer 2 extended
response questions.
Background:
Students determine relatedness and possible evolutionary pathways for hominids using evidence from comparisons of
modern humans and the great apes with fossils.
.
Learning
Outcomes
 Science
understanding
 Science
inquiry skills
 Science as a
human
endeavour
Student:
Assessment
Description
PART A:
Research
(Groupwork)
You will be provided with all sources of information. You
will be required to use the Report Preparation template to
show evidence of your research methods. This part will
be done in group work over 2 lessons.
PART B:
Class discussion
We will then have a class discussion about your
understanding of the findings. Bring the all of your
paperwork to class. Use your notes as the basis for
your discussion points.
 bring your research notes to the nominated lesson
 use your notes as the basis for your discussion
points
 annotate your answers with new information arising
from the class discussion.
PART C:
Answers to
questions
You are required to write answers to Questions 1 & 2.
You do not have to write them up as a report but are
allowed to use tables, flow diagrams and summary
paragraphs.
PART D:
Validation test
A short validation test will assess your understanding of
this research topic.
_____________________________________
PART A
21
Teacher: Mrs Brown
PART C
36
TOTAL
57
MARKING GUIDE
MARKS
CRITERIA
Research
methods
(SIS & SHE)
Content
(SU)
7-9
LATE
SUBMISSION
(Personal
capabilities)
1-3
There is excellent evidence
of the proper research
methods and processes
being used. Overall,
preparation shows in-depth
understanding of how to
research articles and extract
only keywords and ideas.
There is good evidence of
the proper research
methods and processes
being used. Overall,
preparation shows
satisfactory understanding
of how to research articles
and extract only keywords
and ideas.
There is limited evidence of
the proper research
methods and processes
being used. Overall,
preparation shows
inadequate understanding
of how to research articles
and extract only keywords
and ideas.
The report shows an indepth understanding of the
subject matter. Ideas from
all research articles are
highly integrated and
appropriately applied to
answer the questions.
The report shows an
adequate understanding of
the subject matter. Ideas
from most research articles
are satisfactorily integrated
and applied to answer the
questions.
The report shows limited
understanding of the
subject matter. Ideas from
most research articles are
poorly integrated and
applied to answer the
questions.
3
2
1
Ideas are communicated
logically and fluently, in
well-structured, clear and
concise sentences. Scientific
terminology is used
appropriately. Overall,
writing style indicates that
all sentences and the flow of
ideas are original.
Ideas are mostly
communicated logically and
fluently, in well-structured
and clear sentences.
Scientific terminology is
mostly used appropriately.
Overall, writing style
indicates that most
sentences and the flow of
ideas are original.
The communication of ideas
shows some logic and
fluency. Sentences are fairly
clear and well-structured.
Scientific terminology is
generally used
appropriately. Overall,
writing style indicates that
some sentences and flow of
ideas may not be original.
CRITERIA
Writing skills
(Literacy)
4-6
days late
%
Task sheet not included
–1
First / second person used
–1
TOTAL:
0
0
/21
Research questions
Consider the following illustrations:
From top left to right: Australopithecus anamensis, Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus,
From bottom left to right: Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens neanderthalensis.
[Source: Denning, K. (2003). Visions of our ancestors. Retrieved May, 2006, from York University website:
http://www.yorku.ca/kdenning/humanevolution.htm#visions.
The Curriculum Council has attempted without success to trace the copyright owner/s of these photographs, and would appreciate any information that
would enable them to do so]
Question 1
a.
b.
c.
Which aspects of these illustrations could be based on known facts of palaeoanthropology and
archaeology?
(3 marks)
Which aspects are extrapolated from known facts?
(3 marks)
Which aspects are not based on known facts? What is the basis for these being used in the
illustrations?
(4 marks)
Answer parts d. and e. in accordance with creation science. (Some evolutionary paleoanthropologists
also agree with some of these views).
d.
e.
f.
Which of these Hominins are now considered to be the same species as H. sapiens (ie. are in
actual fact human)? Which of these Hominins are in actual fact a separate species? (2 marks)
What is the contentious issue with H. habilis?
(2 marks)
Discuss three main aspects of paleoanthropology and the theory of evolution that creation
scientists have different opinions on. Consider the following:
1. Worldview, assumptions and interpretation of evidence
(6 marks)
2. The number of original fossils and availability of these fossils for
scientific study
(2 marks)
3. The methods used to date fossils
(4 marks)
Question 2
Answer the following question in accordance with the theory of evolution. This is the type of question
that you may find on your exam.
The hominins are a distinct family in the order Primates and include modern humans and their immediate
ancestors. Although hominins share certain general features with all primates, they also show a number
of distinct characteristics. Outline the trends in hominin evolution as shown in the physical characteristics
of various hominin groups, according to the theory of evolution. Explain how different groups of hominins
could have evolved.
(10 marks)
You are allowed to answer these questions in the same format as the extended responses in the exams. That
is, you may use



Tables
Flow diagrams
Summary paragraphs
In saying that however, you are still required to write in complete sentences using the appropriate scientific
terminology.
Use your textbook, your power point notes and the following articles as sources of information:
Creation Science
http://creation.com/putting-chimpanzees-hominids-and-humans-in-their-proper-place
http://creation.com/homo-habilis-hacked-from-the-family-tree
http://creation.com/denisovan
Evolution
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/print/printable_template.php?article_id=evograms_07&context=
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/print/printable_template.php?article_id=humanevo_02&context=0_0_0
REPORT PREPARATION
KEYWORDS
GROUPING KEYWORDS & IDEAS TOGETHER
REPORT STRUCTURE
Introduction
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Idea 4 4
Heading
Heading 5
Heading 6
Conclusion