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.

Yr12 - Historical Factors Affecting Development - Mozambique vs New Zealand

Historical Factors - Mozambique

• Mozambique was colonised by the Portuguese in 1498.
• They turned the indigenous population into slaves and took a lot of the countries wealth in the form of gold and ivory.
• From 1964-1974 - Mozambique War of Independence. Anti-colonial viewpoints spread across Africa and the widespread belief that the white European population were still gaining benefits that would never reach the indigenous population, war broke out and the fight for independence began.
• 1975 - Mozambique became independent from Portugal. Within the year 250,000 Portuguese left the country. (some were forced to leave by the new Mozambique Government and only allowed to take what they could carry - other left before this independently).
• 1977-1992 - Mozambique Civil War. The new independent government was a Marxist one (belief that everyone is equal and wealth should be spread evenly) and was supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union. Opposition groups were formed who did not want the country run in this way and a long and violent civil war began. South Africa and other nearby countries kept the conflict going by supplying weapons and supporting resistance fighters.
• 1992 - Civil War ended. UN peace keeping force was initially sent. 
• 1993 - 1.5 million Mozambique refugees returned to the country from neighbouring countries they had fled to during the war and drought.
• 1994 - first democratic elections held.
• 2000 - Devastation cyclone hits the country. Caused widespread flooding and destroys infrastructure (roads, rail, power supplies, homes, businesses).

Historical Factors - New Zealand

• One of the last land masses settled by humans!
• Settled by eastern Polynesians between 1250-1300 (although these dates are disputed!)
• 1769 - British explorer James Cook discovered the country. Whalers and sealers followed. Then many European settlers!
• 1801-1840 - Musket wars between Maori tribes killed 30-40,000 Maori.
• 1840 - Treaty of Waitangi signed - NZ became a British Colony.
• 1860-1870 - New Zealand land wars - due to confiscation of Maori land as more and more European Settlers arrived.
• 1907 - NZ became a dominion within the British Empire, which reflected its self governing status.
• 1914-1918 - NZ fought in the first World War.
• 1949-1945 - NZ fought in the second World War.
• 1947 - NZ adopted the Statute of Westminster which meant England could no longer enforce laws on New Zealand.

Yr 12 - Case Study Mozambique vz New Zealand - Fact Files

MOZAMBIQUE FACT FILE

Location - South East Africa. Bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.
Population - 24,692,144 (2014 estimate)
Size - 801,537 km2
GDP - $14,600 billion
GDP per capita - $650
HDI - 0.393 (low 178th)
Life Expectancy - 49.8yrs
Infant Mortality Rate - 62/1000 births
Birth Rate - 39/1000
Literacy Rate - 48%

NEW ZEALAND FACT FILE

Location - Island in the south western Pacific. 1,500 km east of Australia.
Population - 4,596,700 (2015 estimate)
Size - 268,000 km2
GDP - $191,730 billion
GDP per capita - $42,017
HDI - 0.910 (high 7th)
Life Expectancy - 81yrs
Infant Mortality Rate - 5/1000 births
Birth Rate - 13/1000
Literacy Rate - 99%

MOZAMBIQUE CLIMATE

Tropical climate with two seasons. Wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. Rainfall can be heavy along the coast but it can be dry inland towards the mountains. Cyclones can be common in the wet season causing flooding near the coast.

NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE

Mild and temperate maritime climate. (no extremes of temperature and influenced by the sea as we are an island!). Rain varies across the country and it can be very wet on the west coast and very dry in central Otago. Snow falls in the winter months on the high ground and on the South Island but it is sub-tropical in the very far north.

MOZAMBIQUE ECONOMY

Mozambique has a large number of natural resources, such as oil and natural gas which was found recently and may improve the wealth of the country in the future. At the moment the economy is based largely on agriculture (farming). There is some industry, which is mainly food and drink, however there is also some chemical manufacturing and aluminium and petroleum production.
The warm climate, beaches and wildlife also means that the country's tourism sector is growing. There main trading partners at the moment are South Africa, Portugal, Brazil, Spain and Belgium.

NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY

Historically New Zealand has made a lot of money from primary industries like mining and forestry. Agriculture has also been a major income, particularly since the availability of refrigerated shipping and the country was able to export meat and diary products. The UK was traditionally the main market but when it joined the European Union in 1973, New Zealand lost out to competitors from within Europe.
In 2008 China and New Zealand signed the New Zealand and China free trade agreement which will hopefully secure income for the future. New Zealand is very dependent on international trade, food products made up 55% of its exports in 2014 and wool was the second largest.
The service sector (banks, shops, tourism, anything that provides a service) makes up the largest section of industry. Tourism is very important as people travel from all over the world to view the countries natural beauty. Tourism employs 9.6% of the workforce and contributes $15 billion to the total GDP.

So why are these countries so different? Why is New Zealand so much more developed that Mozambique?

Yr13 - Impacts of Tourism on Rotorua Revision

If you get a question on the impacts of Tourism you will probably have to draw a map to illustrate these impacts. Make sure you follow the geographic conventions and add in a north point, title and key! The picture below is an example of a map that was drawn in a paper that gained an Excellence.

The impacts of Tourism in Rotorua are listed in another post on this blog but it is always a good idea to add in some up to date figures and information that demonstrates you understand your case study fully. So below are some up to date figures and information that would add detail to your case study knowledge!

Up to date figure on visitors to Rotorua for July 2015 which show an increase in visitors of 18% on the same period last year. With the greatest increase in visitors from North America and Australia.

Snapshot of Rotorua from Stats NZ has some interesting info on the population of Rotorua from the last census. There is still a large percentage of the population working in retail and accommodation, industry linked to Tourism. The average income and wealth is still low in comparison to the rest on NZ. Presumably this is linked to low paid and seasonal Tourism jobs.

Article on Rotorua winning a Tourism award from 2015 - so very new and relevant to this year. Demonstrates how Tourism is increasing this year.

Another article from this year describing, and giving some useful figures, on how much the Chinese market is increasing. Figure below are from this article.

Tourism growth May 2014 - May 2015 (against national average)

* Chinese market spend up 300 per cent .
* International electronic card spend up 28.6 per cent (16.7 per cent).
* Domestic card spend up 8.4 per cent (4.5 per cent).
* Domestic spend up 6.7 per cent (4 per cent).
* International spend up 8 per cent (7 per cent).
* Commercial accommodation visitor numbers up 7.3 per cent (5 per cent)

Another article describing the economic impact of tourism in Rotorua.

Yr 12 - Development Revision - Measuring Development

How can we measure development?

The above video is made for UK students but covers a lot of what we need to know when trying to measure development.

You need to be able to explain the advantages (good things) and limitations (things they can't tell you) of the following ways of measuring the development of different countries.

Development Indicator	What it is?	Notes
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
GDP – Gross Domestic Product	The value of output (everything made) produced within a country during a time period.	Reliability of data? How accurate is the data that is collected? Distribution of income? How is the income distributed – does a small proportion of the population earn a high percentage of the income or is income more evenly spread? Quality of life? Can changes in economic growth measure changes in the quality of life
GDP/GNP per head/per capita	Takes account of the size of the population. The figure is the amount each person within a country would have if the wealth was spread evenly.
SOCIAL INDICATORS
Life Expectancy	Is the average lifespan of someone born in that country.	This can be affected by factors such as wars, natural disasters and disease. The higher the life expectancy the more developed the country.
Birth Rate	Measures the number of babies born per thousand people per year.	The higher this is, the less developed a country is supposed to be. The UK has around 13 babies born per year for every 1,000 people.
Adult Literacy	- Is the percentage of the adult population able to read and write.	The more people who can read the more developed a country and the better the education available in that country.
Infant Mortality	Measures the number of children who die before they reach the age of one for every thousand live births per year.	The figure of 1000 is used so that countries of vastly different size can be compared. t. It is one way of finding out what is happening within a country.
THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX	The HDI measures a country in three basic dimensions of human development: Life Expectancy, Literacy Rate and GDP per capita.	It gives a measurement up to a total of 1. The nearer the figure is to 1 the more developed a country is! NZ = 0.913