Yr13 - Tourism Revision - Likely Questions and essay plans

One of the most difficult bits about completing the Tourism paper is making sure you understand what the question is asking you!

You only have to answer one of two questions - so make sure you can understand what you are being asked to do and that you know the case study well enough to answer one of the following questions!

Choose ONE of the questions below and answer it. Your answers must relate to a cultural process, and the environment(s) where this cultural process operates.
Identify your chosen question, cultural process, and the environment(s) where this cultural process operates below, then plan your response on page 3.

In your analysis:

• integrate detailed, specific information about your environment(s)
• draw relevant detailed map(s) and/or diagram(s) on page 4, and/or integrate them throughout your written answer as appropriate.

Question 1. Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process has shaped your named geographic environment(s).

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• A description of the way in which Rotorua has been shaped by Tourism.
• Pink and white terraces/buried village = first tourists. Accommodation built for them. Tourism Rotorua encouraged more.
• Trout introduced to lake
• Development of roads, rail, airport encourage more - improved accessibility
• Most attractions facilities clustered in CBD. Give examples - redevelopment of CBD
• Accommodation located along roads (linear pattern).
• Dispersed fixed attractions - give examples.
• Clustered secondary attractions - give examples.
• New types of tourists = different attractions - give examples.

Question 2. Comprehensively analyse the extent to which the operation of your cultural process has impacted on people and the environment in your named geographic environment(s).

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• Impacts on people of tourism - jobs (1in5) 3.2millio visitors, pop of Rotorua only 65'000.
• Jobs seasonal/poorly paid - huge impact on downstream industries (153 million) .City heavily reliant on Tourism = problems if no. of visitors drops.
• large number of people = problems sewage/water supply/congestion/environmental impact on vulnerable environments (lake had to be cleaned) /conflict with locals.
• Tourism pays for infrastructure and improvements.
• Protects and promotes Maori culture but also cheapens.

Question 3

a) Draw an annotated map or diagram of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the spatial patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

(b) Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process causes spatial variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a).In your analysis:

• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)

• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• Clustering of attractions in CBD - give examples - due to accessibility/sharing facilities/comparison of prices/duel offers. 
• Linear patter of accommodation - give example - due to accessibility/main roads/easily seen/comparison of prices.
• Dispersed attractions - give examples - fixed attractions/based on natural features/need large areas of space/most people now have own transport and can reach
• Clustering attractions - give examples - share facilities/cheaper/offer combined entry fees/share parking/limited space by main roads.

Yr 11 - Extreme Natural Events - Likely Questions and some simple essay plans!

In this assessment it is possible to predict the type of questions you are likely to get. They tend to always ask the following;

• What processes cause your chosen Extreme Natural Event (what causes earthquakes)?
• What impacts does your chosen Extreme Natural Event have on the natural or the cultural environment? (How do earthquakes affect people and cities or the natural landscape?)
• How did people respond to your Extreme Natural Event in the short or long term? (How did people react immediately after the earthquake and how did they respond in the days weeks or months after the event?)

Below are example of some of the questions you are likely to get along with brief essay plans. These are short sentences or bullet points with a summary of what you will write about in each paragraph. In the assessment you will need to write in full sentences and in essay style. These are just rough plans of what you could include in an answer.

Question 1

Fully explain the natural processes that operate to produce your named extreme natural event within the environment of your named case study. Also specifically asks you to include reference to the concepts of Process and Environment.

Paragraph 1 - An earthquake is caused by the movement of the earth’s crust and can cause a lot of damage and devastation. Process = Plate tectonics. The earths structure – crust, mantle, inner and outer core. Split into plates. (diagram of earth’s structure)

Paragraph 2 – What causes plates to move (convection currents). Plate boundaries – conservative/constructive/convergent(destructive or subductive).Destructive beneath NZ – Pacific + Australian plate. Build up of stress energy, release = earthquake. (possible diagram of plate boundaries)

Paragraph 3 – Plates beneath NZ Environment = causes of Christchurch EQ – previously unknown fault. Magnitude 6.3. Epicentre 10km to SE of CC centre. Followed 6 months after 7.1 magnitude quake.

Question 2

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the cultural environment.You may use diagrams, and include some of the ideas from the table below, to support your answer.

Cultural Environment = Created by man – so cities/towns/buildings/roads

Paragraph 1 – Intro – Caused wide spread devastation…many buildings/infrastructure destroyed. Details of EQ – struck at 12.51pm on 22^nd Feb 2011. 185 people killed. Fire + falling building causing many deaths (CTV building). Cost of rebuilding $20-30 billion. Tents set up in central park for people who’s homes had been damaged.

Paragraph 2 – Liquefaction – to eastern suburbs – damaging roads/homes. Roads/bridges/airport damaged causing problems for rescue efforts.

Paragraph 3 – Electricity/Power lost to many (on day of quake 80% of city without power) – took 5 days to get 82% reconnected.  Many lost water supply took a week to reconnect 70% of the city. Sewage and water pipes burst. 2000 portaloos had to be bought in and 5000 chemical toilets.

Paragraph 4 – loss of businesses/jobs due to damaged buildings and inability to access CBD. Depression and people leaving the area to live elsewhere – (CC no longer 2^nd biggest city in NZ). Loss of communities…..

Question 3

In the space below, describe the human response both during and after your chosen extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Specific references to a named case study (or studies) must be included in your answer.

Paragraph 1 - Initial response.

•  Ordinary people helped to rescue those who were trapped
• Urban Search and Rescue was there within a couple of hours of the event.
• Emergency government cabinet meeting held at 3pm
• The Canterbury Art Gallery, which was earthquake proof, was turned into an emergency response centre.
• 300 Australian police were flown in
• The police provided security cordons, organised evacuations, supported search and rescue teams, missing persons and family liaison, and organised media briefings and tours of the affected areas.
• Chemical toilets were provided for 30,000 residents
• Areas were zoned (green, orange, white, red) to classify damage/cost of repairs
• International aid was provided in the form of money (around $6-7 million) and aid workers
• The Earthquake commission assessed all buildings to ensure they were safe.

Paragraph 2 - Long term response.

•  The Red Cross provided grants to families with children under 5years of age who were living in significantly damaged homes caused by the September or February earthquakes, with their electricity bills.
• The police coordinated forensic analysis and evidence gathering of fatalities working closely with pathologists, forensic dentists and scientists.
• Paid $898 million in building claims
• Provided temporary housing and ensured all damaged housing was kept water tight
• Water and sewerage was restored for all residents by August
• Roads and houses were cleared of silt from liquefaction by August and 80% of roads/50% of footpaths were repaired

Yr11 - Contours and cross sections

The video below shows you how to use contours to create a cross section graph. This is what we tried to do earlier in the week in class :)

Yr11, Yr12, Yr13 - Skills - How to construct graphs

Thanks to Darron Gedge for putting the great videos on YouTube which explain brilliantly how to construct various different graphs. Very useful practice for the Skills paper.


Climate Graphs

Scatter Graphs

A Line Graph

A Percentage Bar Graph

A Bar Graph

Positive Negative Bar Graph

Yr11 - The Impacts on People and Places - The Christchurch Earthquake

Below are a couple of videos that I linked to in class today. They show some of the short and long term impacts of the Earthquake.

Yr11 - Extreme Natural Events Assessment guidance

Here are some sample questions from the Extreme Natural Events assessments and some sample answers with their grades.

1.Read the following Geographic Concept. Include specific references to it, as well as to the extreme natural event and to the environment of the case study (studies) you have named on page 2, to support your answers to this question.

 Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the natural environment.

Volcanic eruptions can have many effects on natural environments. The natural vegetation is stripped bare and trees lose their leaves. Forests may be burnt. Often all the trees fall in the direction of the blast. New landforms are created and others destroyed. New cones can appear or craters fill with rainwater to create new lakes. Sometimes the eruption is so large that the top of a mountain is blown off so that its height is reduced or the sides collapse as they are unstable to form a caldera. Soils are also affected. Straight after an eruption the ash covers the ground making it hard to grow anything. However, over time the soils become more fertile. Waterways are changed by debris from lahars. If there are lots of lava flows they may fill up a river valley and change the shape of the land. Coastlines are only affected if the eruption occurs near to the sea when they can change the shape of the coastline.

Overall Mark – Not Achieved

Main Reason: No reference to a case study

2.

Read the following Geographic Concept. Include specific references to it, as well as to the extreme natural event and to the environment of the case study (studies) you have named on page 2, to support your answers to this question.

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the natural environment.

When Tarawera erupted in 1886 it had a major impact on the environment. It was a huge eruption, measuring a 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity index (VEI). This was so large that it was recorded by the ancient Chinese who saw strange red skies. The eruption started just after midnight with a series of small earthquakes. The first eruption happened about 1.30am with a huge cloud of ash. At this time most people were in their houses hiding as they were scared and did not know what to do. When the ash fell on the roofs of the houses they collapsed under the weight. 153 people were killed in 3 Maori villages such as Te Wairoa. This could have been avoided if people had been evacuated. Today scientists are much more able to predict if an eruption is likely. When Pinatubo erupted in 1991 this was also a large eruption measuring a 5 on the VEI scale. However, an effective evacuation by the government saw 370,000 people in the 30km radius of the volcano moved to safety elsewhere. This shows that volcanic eruptions can have big impacts on environments.

Overall Mark: Not Achieved

Reason: Is all on impacts of cultural environments not natural.

3.

Read the following Geographic Concept. Include specific references to it, as well as to the extreme natural event and to the environment of the case study (studies) you have named on page 2, to support your answers to this question.

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the natural environment.

When Tarawera erupted in 1886 it had a major impact on the environment. This eruption was very large measuring a 4 on the volcanic Explosivity Index meaning that it could do a lot of damage to the natural environment. One impact that it had was that it changed  lake Rotomahana. Before the eruption this lake was fairly small and well known as the site of two silica terraces called the Pink and white terraces that were a major tourist attraction at the time. When the eruption occurred just after midnight on June 10^th 1886 the hot lava hit the cold water of the lake and caused a massive explosion. The water was turned into hot mud that rained down across the whole region and buried it. A large hole was left where the lake stood. Over time this hole filled with rainwater to form the present lake. This is now more than double its original size and is 40m higher than before the eruption. This shows that volcanic eruptions can cause big changes to the shape of the environment.

Overall Mark: Not Achieved

Reason: Only one impact on the natural environment is mentioned.

 4.

Read the following Geographic Concept. Include specific references to it, as well as to the extreme natural event and to the environment of the case study (studies) you have named on page 2, to support your answers to this question.

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the natural environment.

When Pinatubo erupted in June 1991 it caused many effects on the natural environment. The vegetation that covered the mountain sides was stripped bare. The soils were made infertile causing a food shortage. The rivers that had their source on Mt Pinatubo such as the Maloma were all changed as they were unable to flow along their original path. Most dramatic of all was that a new caldera was formed that was 2.5km wide. The highest point of the caldera rim stood 260m lower than the pre-eruption summit. This shows that volcanic eruptions can change natural environments.

Overall Mark: Achieved

Reason: Has several impacts on natural environments and case study specifics. However, this is descriptive only and does not give reasons for the effects needed to lift to Merit.

5.

Read the following Geographic Concept. Include specific references to it, as well as to the extreme natural event and to the environment of the case study (studies) you have named on page 2, to support your answers to this question.

Fully explain how your named extreme natural event has affected the natural environment.

Volcanic eruptions can have many effects on natural environments as can be seen by the case studies of Tarawera (1886) and Pinatubo (1991). Both of these eruptions were very large and explosive measuring 4-5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity index). Because of the size of the eruption they had major effects on relief. On Tarawera the top of the mountain split open along a 17km long line. This went through a nearby valley and as the hot magma came into contact with cold lake water it turned it to steam, ash and mud. This rained down over the area burying valleys and destroying forests. The ground was covered in up to 8m of mud that made the soils infertile for the next 10 years. Features such as the Pink and White terraces were destroyed while the holes left by the explosions later filled with rain creating new lakes such as Lake Rotomahana. In the Pinatubo eruption the explosion was so vast that it created a caldera 2.5km wide.  The river systems were all altered as they were clogged with volcanic sediment. Minerals such as lead were brought to the surface making soils infertile.

Overall Mark: Merit

Reason: Has several impacts on natural environments that are explained with good case study evidence. Lacks reference to change needed for excellence. 

Yr11 - Extreme Natural Events - Likely Questions :)

Understanding the question from lavenderbongo

The slideshow above takes you through some of the most common questions that tend to be asked during the Extreme Natural Events assessments.

Yr12 - Development - Mozambique - The Economy

Rather a useful documentary about the economy of Mozambique.

Very in-depth look at the economy of Mozambique - but it does give you some background on how the country may develop in the future.
Note its trade partners and the industry it is developing. Also the huge dependency it has on Agriculture (Farming) - this is obviously a very vulnerable sector (it could be damaged by extreme weather, flooding or drought!).

Yr12 - Reducing differences in development

Another of the big problems facing Mozambique is the fight against the spread of Aids (HIV).

Preventing the spread of Aids/HIV in Mozambique is vitally important when attempting to develop the country. Reducing the strain on the health care system and keeping people healthy is really the only way the economy of the country will develop.

The statistics shown below - taken from the United Nations website illustrate the full impact of this disease on the population of Mozambique.

HIV and AIDS estimates (2014)

Number of people living with HIV - 1.5 million

Adults aged 15-49 with HIV - 10.6%

Women aged 15 and up living with HIV - 830'000

Children aged 0-14 living with HIV - 160'000

Death due to AIDS - 45'000

Orphans due to AIDS - 610'000

UNICEF has been attempting to make sure that women are educated about HIV and how to prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV.

Yr12 - Reducing differences in Development

You are likely to get a question on how we can reduce the differences between one country and another. This is normally the last question in the assessment paper and one that traditionally people struggle with! However, if you know your case study, it can be one of the easiest :)

Some general things that can be done globally to help reduce the differences between one country and another are listed below.

Trade – The action of buying and selling goods and services.

Market access – Allowing all countries to sell and buy goods without any restrictions.

Fairtrade – Ensuring that countries get paid a fair price for their food.

Debt Relief – Writing off or reducing the money owed by poor countries.

Aid – Supplying food, water, labour, technology to those countries that need help.

Remittances – People working abroad who send money home to their country.

Remember this video we watched in class about dropping the debt?

Or this one on Fairtrade?

Both of these videos are examples of what can be done generally to reduce the differences between one country and another.

However you will need to also give specific examples of things that can be done to improve life for people in Mozambique.

1. Reduce the spread of Malaria.

Malaria is a life-threatening blood disease caused by parasites and is transmitted to humans by the mosquitoes. Once bitten, parasites multiply in the host's liver before infecting and destroying red blood cells.

Malaria is the leading killer of children in Mozambique. About 36,000 children die from malaria every year and the disease accounts for 40 per cent of all out-patient consultations and up to 60 per cent of in-patients in paediatric wards.  

There are three principal ways in which malaria can contribute to death in young children. First, an overwhelming acute infection, which frequently manifests as seizures or coma, may kill a child directly and quickly.  

Second, repeated malaria infections contribute to the development of severe anaemia, which substantially increases the risk of death.

Third, low birth weight – frequently the consequence of malaria infection in pregnant women – is a major risk factor for death in the first month of life.  

One of the best ways to prevent malaria, together with house spraying with insecticides, is to sleep at night under an insecticide-treated bed net or the newer long-lasting insecticidal nets, which do not need retreatment. Mozambique has a widespread programme for the distribution and promotion of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Between 2000 and 2009, UNICEF (United Nations Internationsal Childrens Emergency Fund - an NGO (Non Governmental Organisation)) supported the distribution of 2.9 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, children under five, orphaned and vulnerable children and people living with HIV across the country, out of a total of over 6 million nets distributed by various partners.

By 2009, pregnant women in all provinces except Maputo received a long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets through antenatal services.

The UNICEF-supported programme complements the government’s Indoor Residual Spraying programme.

The insecticide-treated mosquito nets are distributed free of charge to pregnant women through routine antenatal care services in health facilities and to children under five through health campaigns.

UNICEF has worked with the Ministry of Health and a range of partners to develop a cost effective strategy of mosquito nets distribution at district level under the management of District Health Teams.

How will this help to reduce the differences between Mozambique and other countries?
How will this improve the life of people in Mozambique?

• Reduce the number of deaths from Malaria.
• Reduce the spread of disease by mosquitoes.
• Allow people to grow up healthy and work to earn money and improve their country.
• Reduce the amount of money spent on health care which can be spent elsewhere to improve the country.

You could also discuss the policies that are attempting to reduce the spread of Aids which I will post about at a later date.

This Article on Mozambique becoming land mine free was only published earlier this month and describes how the country has just been declared land mine free. This is likely to have a huge impact on the ability of the country to develop. It means that people can now use all of their land without worrying about the risk of being blown up! Could allow them to develop the land and their economy at an increasing rate and therefore improve their level of development. Could be worth mentioning in the assessment!

Yr13 - Cultural Processes Assessment - Constructing Maps and Diagrams in Assessments

You will be asked to construct a sketch map or diagram to illustrate your cultural process. So you will need to be able to draw one from memory. This is why we have been going over and over this in class!

You will probably have to draw a map to illustrate one of the following things;

• A map of the spatial distribution of phenomena. (where attractions and facilities are located).
• A map to illustrates the impacts of Tourism in Rotorua.
• A map to illustrate any temporal patterns caused by your cultural process. (how Tourism in Rotorua has changed over time).

You must make sure your map has the basic geographic conventions shown below.

• A title.
• A key.
• A frame.
• A north point.
• If possible a scale.

It is a good idea to follow the following rules when constructing your map.

1. Read the question carefully and make sure you fully understand what it is you are being asked to show on your map. 
2. Plan your map. Decide what it is you are going to show on your map and make sure you are going to construct a map big enough (or small enough) to illustrate it.
3. Draw the basic outline. In our case you will need to draw in the main lake and the two main state highways that cross at the base of the lake. This gives you a starting point, on which you can add all the detail.
4. Add labels. Make sure you add in the labels to describe whatever it is you have been asked to illustrate.
5. Add detail and annotate. Make sure you annotate in enough detail to describe any pattern or explain any spatial variation or impacts you have been asked to illustrate.
6. Add the geographic conventions. Make sure you include the title, key, frame and north point.

The two maps shown below are examples of ones that have been used to show spatial variation. A map that shows the impacts has been demonstrated elsewhere in the blog.

The map below shows Spatial Variation of Phenomena (where attractions and tourist facilities are located).

This is not enough – you need to describe the spatial pattern………..

as they have in this map.

Yr13 - Cultural Processes Assessment - Questions on Tourism

Can you understand the question?

The most important thing to get right when completing the External Assessments is to make sure you understand what the question is actually asking you to do!

You can hopefully predict the types of questions you will be asked and so you need to make sure you include everything they are asking for in your answers. Below are examples of some of the most common questions that appear in this assessment. The writing in red is the simplified explanation of what the question is asking you to do!

1. Draw a map(s) to show the effects of your cultural process on people and places in your geographic environment(s).  

Draw a map to show how Tourism has effected both people and the environment in Rotorua

If you are analysing the effects in ONE environment, draw your map on page 10.
If you are analysing the effects in TWO environments, draw your second map on page 11.
You must use appropriate geographic conventions in your answer.

Make sure you include a title, key, frame, north point and if possible a scale in your map.

2. Does the operation of your cultural process have a greater impact on people OR places in your geographic environment(s)? Justify your answer.

In your opinion does Tourism have a greater impact on people or the environment in Rotorua. Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) to support your answer.

You should include specific case study detail about your geographic environment(s) in your answer, and refer to the map(s) drawn in part (a) of this question. You may include other maps / diagrams in your answer.

You must include evidence (facts and figures) from you case study area (Rotorua) to support your answer and refer to the map you have drawn in the first part of the question.

3. Draw a map(s) to show the spatial variations that result from the operation of your chosen cultural process in your geographic environment(s). 

Draw a map to show where tourist attractions and facilities are located in Rotorua and any patterns that occur.

You must use appropriate geographic conventions in your answer.

Make sure you include a title, key, frame, north point and if possible a scale in your map.

4. Critically analyse the causes of the spatial variations shown on your map(s) in (a).

Explain why the tourist attractions and facilities are located in certain areas and not others. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of these locations.

You should include specific case study detail about your geographic environment(s) in your answer, and refer to the map(s) drawn in part (a) of this question. You may include other maps / diagrams in your answer.

Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study area (Rotorua) to support your arguments.

5. Draw an annotated map or diagram of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the spatial patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

Draw a map to show where tourist attractions and facilities are located in Rotorua and any patterns that occur.

Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process causes spatial variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a). In your analysis:
• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)
• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

Explain why the tourist attractions and facilities are located in certain areas and not others. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of these locations.
Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study area (Rotorua) to support your arguments.

6. Draw an annotated map(s) or diagram(s) of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the temporal patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

Draw a map to show how Tourism in Rotorua has developed over time.

Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process has resulted in the temporal variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a). In your analysis:
• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)
• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

Explain how Tourism in Rotorua has changed over time (Why it first developed and then how it changed over the years.) Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study of Rotorua to support any arguments you make.