NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 1 of 10
Assessment Schedule – 2008
Geography: Explain a Natural Landscape (90331)
Evidence Statement
Question
Evidence
One
(a) & (b)
Explains
how a New
Zealand
natural
landscape
evolves
and
changes.
Specific Evidence
1 (a)
Must show evolution / change between the
sketches
(i) Provides THREE sketches with
simple, accurate annotations.
Ep, Ep, Ep (M)
(ii) Provides TWO sketches with
accurate annotations in depth.
Evidence
may come
from BOTH
the written
answer
AND the
sketches,
maps or
diagrams.
Ed, Ed (M)
(iii) Provides ALL THREE sketches with
accurate annotations in depth.
Ed, Ed, Ed (E)
1 (b)
Judgement
An Achievement answer is any ONE
item of evidence from EITHER 1 (a) OR
1 (b).
A Merit answer is any combination of
TWO items of evidence from 1 (a) AND
1 (b) from
the list below:
1(a)
1(b)
Ep, Ep, Ep
AND
Ep, C
Ed,Ed
AND
Ep, C
Ed, Ed, Ed
AND
Ep, C
Ep, Ep, Ep
AND
Ed, Cd
Ep, Ep, Ep
AND
Ep, Ep, C, C
Explanation must show evolution / change.
(i) Explains how ONE process has been
responsible for the evolution of the
New Zealand landscape.
Includes some general information.
Ep, C (A)
(ii) Explains how ONE process has been
responsible for the evolution of the
New Zealand landscape in depth.
An Excellence answer is any
combination of TWO items of evidence
from 1 (a) AND 1 (b) from the list below:
1(a)
1(b)
Ep, Ep, Ep
AND
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
Ed, Ed
AND
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
Ed, Ed, Ed
AND
Ep, Ep, C, C
Ed, Ed, Ed
AND
Ed, Cd
Includes specific information
Ed, Cd (M)
(iii) Explains how TWO processes have
been responsible for the evolution of
the New Zealand landscape.
Includes some general information
about each process.
Ep, Ep, C, C (M)
(iv) Explains how TWO processes have
been responsible for the evolution of
the New Zealand landscape in depth.
Includes specific information about each
process.
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd (E)
See Appendices for an example of a
Merit answer in depth for One (b).
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 2 of 10
Question
Evidence
Achievement
Two
Merit
Excellence
EITHER
Explains spatial
variation of natural
features within a New
Zealand Natural
Landscape.
Explains how and
why ONE feature
varies spatially
within the New
Zealand landscape.
Explains how and
why TWO features
vary spatially within
the New Zealand
landscape.
Explains how and
why TWO features
vary spatially within
the New Zealand
landscape in depth.
Spatial variation may
be horizontal, vertical
or over time.
Must cover how and
why.
Must cover how and
why.
Must cover how and
why.
Includes some
general
information.
Includes some
general information
for both features.
Includes specific
information for
BOTH features.
Ep, C
Ep, Ep, C, C
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
Reasons may include:

climate

soils

processes
such as plate
tectonics,
volcanic
eruptions,
weathering,
erosion and
deposition.
Evidence may come
from BOTH the written
answer AND the
sketches, maps or
diagrams, if used.
OR
Explains how and
why ONE feature
varies spatially
within the New
Zealand landscape
in depth.
Must cover how and
why.
Includes specific
information.
Ed, Cd
See Appendices for
an example of a
Merit answer in
depth.
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 3 of 10
Question
Three
(a) & (b)
Evidence
Explains
spatial
variation of
natural
features within
a continental
natural
landscape.
Spatial
variation may
be horizontal,
vertical or over
time.
Specific Evidence
3 (a)
(i) One sketch map / diagram shows
how ONE feature varies spatially
within chosen continental natural
landscape. Includes general
information.
Judgement
An Achievement answer is any ONE
item of evidence from EITHER 3(a) OR
3(b) OR TWO items as follows:
3(a)
Ep, C
3(b)
AND
Ep, C
Ep, C (A)
(ii) Two sketch maps / diagrams show
how TWO features vary spatially
within the chosen continental natural
landscape. Includes some general
information for BOTH features.
Ep, Ep, C, C (M)
A Merit answer is any combination of
TWO items of evidence from 3 (a) AND
3 (b) from the list below:
3(a)
3(b)
Ep, C
AND
Ep, Ep, C, C
Ep, C
AND
Ed, Cd
Ep, C
AND
Ep, Ep, C, C
AND
Ep, C
Ed, Cd
AND
Ep, C
 climate
(iii) One sketch map / diagram shows
how ONE feature varies spatially in
the chosen continental natural
landscape in depth. Includes
specific information.
 soils
Ed, Cd (M)
Ed, Cd
AND
Ep, Ep, C, C
 processes
such as
plate
tectonics,
volcanic
eruptions,
weathering,
erosion and
deposition.
(iv) Two sketch maps / diagrams show
how TWO features vary spatially
within the chosen continental natural
landscape in depth. Includes
specific information for BOTH
features.
Ep, Ep, C, C
AND
Ed, Cd
Reasons may
include:
Evidence may
come from
BOTH the
written answer
AND the
sketches,
maps or
diagrams.
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd (E)
3 (b)
(i) Explains the reasons for the spatial
variations of the chosen feature
within the continental natural
landscape by giving ONE factor.
Includes general information.
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd AND
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
Ep, C
An Excellence answer is any
combination of TWO items of evidence
from 3 (a) AND 3 (b) from the list
below:
3(a)
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
3(b)
AND Ep, Ep, C, C
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd AND
Ed, Cd
Ep, Ep, C, C
AND
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
Ep, C (A)
Ed, Cd
AND
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
(ii) Explains the reasons for the spatial
variations of the chosen feature
within the continental natural
landscape by giving TWO factors.
Includes some general
information for BOTH factors.
See Appendices for examples of
sketches at each level of achievement
for Three (a) and (b).
Ep, Ep, C, C (M)
(iii) Explains the reasons for the spatial
variations of the chosen feature
within the continental natural
landscape by giving ONE factor in
depth. Include specific
information.
Ed, Cd (M)
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 4 of 10
(iv) Explains the reasons for the spatial
variations of the chosen feature
within the continental natural
landscape by giving TWO factors in
depth. Includes specific
information for BOTH factors.
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd (E)
Question
Evidence
Achievement
Merit
Four
Excellence
EITHER
Explains the effect of
different human
activities on the
continental natural
landscape.
Evidence may come
from BOTH the written
answer AND the
sketches, maps or
diagrams, if used.
Explains ONE
human activity AND
its effect on the
natural landscape.
Explains in depth
ONE human activity
AND its effect on the
natural landscape.
Explains in depth TWO
human activities AND
their effect on the natural
landscape.
Includes some
general
information.
Includes specific
information.
Includes specific
information for BOTH
activities.
Ep, C
Ed, Cd
Ed, Ed, Cd, Cd
OR
Explains TWO
human activities AND
their effect on the
natural landscape.
Includes some
general information
for BOTH activities.
Ep, Ep, C, C
See Appendices for
an example of a Merit
answer in depth.
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
Minimum of:
Minimum of:
Minimum of:
one A
one M and an A
one E and an M
Codes:
Ep – partial explanation
Ed – detailed explanation
C
– simple case study material / general information
Cd – detailed case study material / specific information
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 5 of 10
Appendices
Question One (a): See attached two pages.
Question One (b): An example of a Merit answer in depth for the Tongariro Volcanic Centre
Volcanic processes have caused the landscape of the TVC to evolve and change over a period of hundreds of
thousands of years. Before volcanic processes began, the area lay under the sea and was made up of
sedimentary rock. The first eruption probably began about one million years ago and since then volcanic
eruptions, lahars and pyroclastic flows have occurred intermittently over time to change the face of the land by
creating a series of volcanic cones and associated features such as hot springs.
The oldest volcanoes in the northern part of the area are Kakaramea, Pihanga and Tihia. These erupted
between 100 000 and 230 000 years ago and are now extinct or dormant. The three youngest volcanoes are
Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. Much of Tongariro was built 10 000 years ago, although parts of it are
much younger such as the craters that pit the mountain. The present Mt Ngauruhoe began to form 2 500 years
ago as a parasitic cone of Tongariro, but there was a larger, earlier volcano 250 000 years ago. Mt Ngauruhoe is
still active, and the last large eruption was in the 1970s when pyroclastic avalanches flowed down the side of the
mountain. Ruapehu, the largest mountain, has had four major periods of cone building beginning 250 000 years
ago. It too has been much larger than the present cone. Ruapehu has been active very recently, with eruptions
in the mid 1990s spreading ash over the countryside and pouring lahars down valleys. The most significant
event in altering the landscape, however, was the Taupo eruption of 186 AD, where an enormous pyroclastic
flow blanketed the area apart from the southern flanks of Ruapehu. This destroyed all vegetation in its path, and
vegetation is still in the process of recovering from this event.
Question Two: An example of a Merit answer in depth for the South Island High Country
The vegetation of the SIHC varies because of the interacting processes that operate in the area. The SIHC can
be divided into three distinct regions. The vegetation within these three areas displays altitudinal variation as well
as variation from west to east.
The Western High Country supports dense podocarp forests including rimu and totara trees in altitudes of less
than 1 000 metres. The understory is thick with ferns and shrubs. The climate is mild as the area lies close to the
Tasman Sea and receives high rainfall from orographic rain. The prevailing westerly winds are forced to rise over
the Southern Alps and in doing so, drop their moisture on the western slopes providing sufficient rainfall to
support the forests. Rainfall exceeds 4 000 mm per year.
The Southern Alps have little vegetation because of the cold climatic conditions and high altitude. Snow covers
much of the area in winter, and the permanent snowline is at 1 800m. Low-lying plants such as raoulia, moss and
lichens occupy sheltered pockets. They have adapted to the harsh temperatures and strong winds experienced.
The Eastern High Country is a rainshadow area. The rainfall here ranges from 1 300mm in the foothills to less
than 500mm in the McKenzie Basin. The area is also subjected to strong foehn winds and a thin covering of soil.
Only hardy plants can survive the extremely dry conditions although there are pockets of beech forest in the
valleys of the foothills. Tussock grasslands are predominant in the area.
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 6 of 10
Question Three (a): See attached two pages.
Question Three (b): An example of a Merit answer in depth for Amazonia
Seasonality of the rainfall is the main reason for the spatial variation in types of vegetation found throughout
the Amazon Basin.
Most of the lowland evergreen rainforest is found near the Equator where it experiences a double maximum
rainfall. It experiences rain in two seasons when the sun is directly overhead. As the sun moves north or south
so the ITCZ (Inter tropical Convergence Zone) moves with it bringing heavy daily rain. There is a very short dry
season and plants are not under any stress to lose their leaves. Rainfall annually exceeds 2 000 mm.
Evergreen montane rainforests are found in a thin strip along the foothills of the Andes. South East Trade winds
in June, July and August carry moist air to the Andes, which acts as a barrier producing orographic rainfall. Rain
occurs almost every day in this zone of rising air.
In the centre and east of the Amazon, away from the influence of the Andes and the ITCZ, there is a reduced
annual rainfall and rain occurs in only one season. There is a marked dry season of between 3 and 4 months
and the forest dries out. This is where the seasonal rainforest is located. Rainfall here totals between 1 500 and
2 000 mm annually.
On the edges of the seasonal rainforest are found savanna and thorn forests. The main reasons for their
existence are lower rainfall, a dry season lasting up to six months and fires caused by lightning. Annual rainfall
here ranges from 900 to 1 060 mm.
Question Four: An example of a Merit answer in depth for Amazonia
Shifting cultivation has been undertaken for centuries in the Amazon by native Amerindian tribes such as the
Yanonami and Boro. This form of subsistence agriculture, also known as slash and burn, involves clearing an
area of the forest about the size of a football field, called a swidden. The largest trees are left for shade, and the
area is burnt to increase the fertility of the soil. Crops such as manioc, corn, bananas, yam and cassava are
planted. This happens for about three years until the soil fertility decreases to a point where plants will not grow.
The tribe then shifts to another area to begin the whole process over again.
This form of agriculture has little impact on the landscape. The area used is very small and because it is
surrounded by forest, there is a ready source of seeds for the area to regenerate. Within 25 to 30 years, the area
can be farmed again and it would be impossible to tell that it had been once used. The Amerindians use a
variety of crops with different growth habits. The soil is covered by lush crops and is not exposed to the heavy
downpours, thus reducing the leaching and loss of organic material that would occur if a single crop were grown.
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 7 of 10
Question One (a)
An example of a Merit answer in breadth: three sketches with simple, accurate annotations.
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 8 of 10
Question One (a)
An example of an Excellence answer: three sketches with accurate in-depth annotations. A Merit answer
in depth would be two sketches with accurate in-depth annotations.
South Island High Country
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 9 of 10
Question Three (a)
An example of an Achievement answer: one feature with two or more variations of those features
without scale or direction.
A Merit answer in breadth would be two features with two or more variations of those features without
scale or direction.
Amazonia Vegetation showing horizontal variation
NCEA Level 2 Geography (90331) 2008 — page 10 of 10
Question Three (a)
An example of a Merit answer in depth: one feature with two or more variations of those features with
scale or direction, and annotations that add meaning to the location of the feature.
An Excellence answer would be two features with two or more variations of those features with scale or
direction, and annotations that add meaning to the location of the feature.
Amazonia Vegetation showing horizontal variation