Improving exam technique

1. WJEC Geography Spec B Feedback from the June 2011 exam Higher Paper Improving exam technique

2. The key points emerging from the June 2011 Unit 1 and 2a exam are given in the Examiners Report. This report can be downloaded from the WJEC website at: • Success • Nearly all the candidates completed both questions, with little evidence of time management issues. • Most students completed the case studies using the whole space provided for them (nearly 2 pages!). • Higher tier served as a fair comparison of candidates ability – Very clear that some students had been entered for the wrong tier! Action points following the 2010 Unit 1 Examination

3. Ten Ways to Improve your exam performance

4. 1 Using map evidence

5. Give Map Evidence..... • Map evidence includes: • The specific name of a feature e.g. M1, High Farm • A grid reference (4 fig will do) • Reference to another named feature on the map e.g. South east of Whitby Abbey

6. a.i. Give one piece of map evidence which suggests the area is popular with tourists. [1] Upgang Beach, West Pier, Campsites e.g. Stoupe Cross Farm. c. ii. Why is the Whitby area a desirable place to live? Give two pieces of map evidence to support your answer. [4]

7. Use map evidence to explain why this was a good site to build: • The Trafford Shopping Centre OR • The Lowry/BBC Get ordnance survey maps from previous exam papers or from http://www.geointeractive.co.uk/

8. 2 Don’t use ‘Affect’

9. Students use ‘affect’ when they are trying to explain, but it limits the marks they can achieve. • For example: • Explain how the building of the supermarket may affect the people of Whitby. [4] • Candidate A: The supermarket will affect journey times because of all the extra traffic. It will affect the elderly because they will be able to get to the supermarket easily. • What the candidate should have written was: • There will be extra traffic so journey times will be longer. The elderly will find it easy to access the supermarket because it is closer to their homes. The candidate thought that they had explained that the extra traffic will impact on journey times but they haven’t said whether journey times will be longer or shorter. It is not the job of the examiner to interpret meaning where it is implied. The second point does not say how the elderly are affected.

10. Don’t use ‘Affect’ in your answer! All these answers are worth only 1 mark. • Explain how the building of this supermarket may affect the people of Whitby. [4] Worksheet Change these sentences to double your marks!

11. Don’t use ‘Affect’ in your answer! • Explain how the building of this supermarket may affect the people of Whitby. [4] HOW are they affected?

12. Don’t use ‘Affect’ in your answer! • Explain why some people may be against building affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp. [5] • Remember this is a levelled question! All these answers are worth only 1 mark. Change these sentences to double your marks!

13. Don’t use ‘Affect’ in your answer! • Explain why some people may be against building affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp. [5] How are they affected?

14. 3 Explain your answers

15. Explain how Electronics City provides a welcoming business environment for new IT industries. [4] Max of 2 marks if no explanation

16. Explain how Electronics City provides a welcoming business environment for new IT industries. [4] Max of 2 marks if no explanation

17. Other Explain Questions on 2011 paper where significant marks were lost: Unless the question specifically asks for more than one example, the candidate could gain full marks for one well developed answer.

18. 4 Balance your case studies

19. Case Studies – a 3 part success To be successful at case studies you must do all 3!

20. i. Name and locate an area within a city where housing has been improved.ii. Describe how the local authority has improved the housing in this area. iii. Explain why the improvements were needed.

21. How your case study is marked – the simple version

22. i. Name and locate an area within a city where housing has been improved.ii. Describe how the local authority has improved the housing in this area. iii. Explain why the improvements were needed. Basic Description – some knowledge shown • Bute Town in Cardiff Bay • The local authority knocked down the old houses and built new modern high rise flats. High rise flats take up less space so you can build more to cope with the increasing population. They are also cheaper to build. They also developed services. They made a regular bus root built shops added leisure activities like the red dragon centre they builit up the surrounding area. These improvements were needed because the old houses were un-safe falling apart they did not have modern amenities like central heating etc. they were not of a good enough standard anymore there also wasn’t a good access to services. There wasn’t a regular bus root ore many activities to do in your leisure time the whole area needed modernising. To attract new business to the area and have to make people want to move there. Basic explanation 3 marks

23. i. Name and locate an area within an LEDC from which people have migrated. ii. Describe the effects on the area from which people have migrated. iii.Explain why they migrated.

24. i. Name and locate an area within an LEDC from which people have migrated. ii. Describe the effects on the area from which people have migrated. iii.Explain why they migrated. An area which people have migrated from is in the LEDC of South Africa. It is called Limpopo. It has a population of around 90,000 people - 90% of which live in the rural areas. Many people from Limpopo migrated to another province in South Africa, it’s neighbour Guateng. The migration has had many effects on the area and it’s people. Firstly, it has lost its most skilled, brightest and youngest workers which means elderly, women and children who struggle to grow food so there is malnutrition. Also, families have been left separated and in many cases children have been left to raise themselves. However, often the migrants are economic migrants looking for better jobs and opportunities in the cities. These people may send remittances home for their families or money to invest in rural community projects to develop their home area. Also the migrants may bring back new ideas, experiences and farming techniques. However, if they are circular migrants (return to Limpopo in the best farming season) they could bring back illnesses and sexually transmitted diseases that will spread round the community quickly. There are many reasons why people migrate from rural to urban areas. The rural areas lack sanitation, schooling opportunities or healthcare centres that many would want to experience and have the privilege of having in the urban area. These are called push factors. There are also pull factors to Guateng, for example, the higher wages, the faster paced lifestyle it offers. 8 marks

25. Different Groups of people • This is one way we use to differentiate between foundation and higher tier students, and then within higher tier, between level 2 and level 3/4 candidates. • If candidates do not refer to any groups of people they cannot access any higher than level 1. • If candidates only refer to one group of people they cannot access higher than level 2. Candidates should avoid referring to ‘local people’ because this is very vague. If they refer to local tribespeople or to local people in a named village this is better. It is not worth the risk that an examiner will not credit this as a group of people. Examples of good groups include families, children, women, environmentalists, government, charities, people who have been made homeless, farmers, business owners etc.

26. For a region or a country where water supply is unreliable:i. Name and locate the region or countryii. Describe its main sources of water supplyiii. Explain how the unreliability of supply affects different groups of people.

27. For a region or a country where water supply is unreliable:i. Name and locate the region or countryii. Describe its main sources of water supplyiii. Explain how the unreliability of supply affects different groups of people. Africa’s water supply is poor there isn’t much and what they do have is dirty and carries a lot of disease. They have to get there water from rivers or wells that charities have put in place but these wells are few and far between over the years the water supply has increased but is still a major issue. The unreliability of the water effects everyone especially the poorest parts of Africa many drink dirty un-sterilised water which makes them ill gives them diahorea and chloera it kills them. There water supply is dangerously un reliable and they need help. Maximum level 1 because they named a continent 2 marks

28. For a coastal area that has been managed sustainably:i. Name and locate the coastal areaii. Describe the natural features of the area. iii. Explain how the area is being managed sustainably

29. For a coastal area that has been managed sustainably: i. Name and describe the coastal area ii. Describe the natural features of the area. iii. Explain how the area is being managed sustainably Dawlish Warren’s coastline is located in devon south west england, 20km away from exeter the main natural features would be the sand dunes and the sea this area is been managed sustainably by having groynes on the beach going into the sea to preven long shore drift, also they dont let dog walkers past a certain groyne so some of the beech is untouched, they also made part of Dawlsh warren Coastline in to a amusment area they did this because by destroying one are you protect others from being trampled and ruined, Level 1 – VERY basic description with some explanation 2 marks

30. For an area or country that has received aid:i. Name and locate the area or countryii. Describe the aid giveniii. Explain how the aid affected the lives of different groups of people

31. For an area or country that has received aid:i. Name and locate the area or countryii. Describe the aid giveniii. Explain how the aid affected the lives of different groups of people Hatai – North of the Carribean Hatai received emergency aid (short term aid) which was given to them because they had suffered from an earthquake which reached a massive 7.0 on the Ritcher scale. As a result food and water were given to the 1.8 million who were homeless to try and improve there standard of living. Non goverment organastions such as oxfam and unicef offered (freely) to re-build people’s homes and offer people help in their time of natural diaster. Multi-lateral Aid was given to Hatai from countries from the EU to try and improve the standard of living in Hatai. The aid ment that people’s life were not totally destroyed which boosted there morale despite the fact that 360,000 died (and many may have been close friends and families). The younger people in the country were put into camps to try and improve there health conditions. Level 2 Description and examples of aid and sources of aid 4 marks – only 1 group so max level 2 4 marks

32. For an economic activity that has damaged the environment:i. Name and locate the economic activityii. Describe the effects of the activity on the environmentiii. Explain how this activity leads to conflict between different groups of people.

33. For an economic activity that has damaged the environment:i. Name and locate the economic activityii. Describe the effects of the activity on the environmentiii. Explain how this activity leads to conflict between different groups of people. Glensanda Superquarry is located in South west Scotland. The superquarry is only accesible via boat and has accommodation for workers on site. The superquarry extracts 6000 tonnes of stone an hour and so as to not damage the environment further the ‘glory hole’ method is used where a tunnel is dug which connects the quarry to the distribution plant, so overland transport is not used. However, Glensanda Superquarry itself is already damaging the environments in its location dramatically. The quarry itself has destroyed habitats in ‘pristine’ environments and forced many animals out of the area altogether through noise and pollution (e.g. Dust/rubble). Not only has the quarrying forced animals out of their habitats but also introduced new organisms into the area which are severly damaging the indigenous species their. This activity has aroused many environmentalists to protest against such a huge amount of industry in one place, but without it the UK would not be in the world rock market and the Channel Tunnel would not have been built. Also the quarry has stopped or reduced smaller, unnecessary quarrying elsewhere. Therefore, overall, Glensanda has damaged the environment it is on yet saved many other environments from similar destruction. Yet it is necessary due to the money Britain receives from quarrying the stone and other global construction projects. Level 2 description of damage to environment but not elaborated and no specific detail. Conflict between different groups is not elaborated. 4 marks

34. Using sketch maps • Sketch maps can be incredibly helpful because they are a quick and easy way to show information. • A candidate can gain 8 marks from a well annotated sketch map. • They do not need to be used to simply locate a case study e.g. I have studied the Amazon in Brazil – here is a sketch map of Brazil showing the location of the Amazon. • But if that candidate is able to annotate the map to show where the economic activity is taking place and what the impact on the environment is, then this would gain them marks.

35. Using sketch maps • A good example of where a sketch map might be a good idea is for the following question: • i. Name and locate a city where you have studied service provision. • ii. Describe the distribution of services in that city. You may want to draw a sketch map. • iii. Explain how access to this service provision affects different groups of people. • I have studied the distribution of large parks in Sheffield. • The Parks in Sheffield are spread evenly across the city. There are about 5 large parks including Hillsborough which is in the north-east of Sheffield about 2 miles from the CBD, Graves Park which is in the South East of the City about 3 miles from the CBD, Endcliffe Park which is in the South West of the City about 2 miles from the CBD and Millhouses Park which is in the South of the City about 3 miles from the CBD. There is also Norfolk Park in the East of the City about half a mile from the CBD. • (As you can see it might be easier to draw a map than list all this information!)

36. 5 Answering the penultimate levelled question

37. Answering Levelled Questions • The penultimate levelled question is the one before the case study. • The case study is also levelled not tick marked. • On Foundation Tier it is worth 4 marks. • On Higher Tier it is worth 5 marks. • There are 3 levels on higher tier:

38. Levelled Questions • The following answers are to give you information on how we marked the exam papers in the summer of 2011. • In our marking of the paper we have realised that in the goal of trying to differentiate our questions we have sometimes created hurdles for students that was not the intention. • Therefore, we have learnt from this experience and will provide some examples of how we might word and mark these question in future.

39. Explain why some people may be againstbuilding affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp. [5] • We wanted: • Well explained points • Some reference to Ruswarp to get to level 3 • Some reference specifically to being against affordable housing to get 5 marks. • Despite the question including ‘some people’ it was not necessary to include different viewpoints. We have to have an agreed mark scheme at the meeting of team leaders to ensure a consistent approach to marking papers.

40. Answering Levelled Questions Explain why some people may be againstbuilding affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp. [5] Candidate A: People may be against this because it brings in more tourists buying second homes which are destructive to the community. There would be more traffic and overcrowding. And also added pollution to the area as they are building on a greenfield site. • Examiner Comments: • Affordable homes are not eligible as second homes. • Pollution not qualified (should say air/noise) or explained. • Simple description 1 mark

41. Answering Levelled Questions Explain why some people may be againstbuilding affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp. [5] Candidate B: There will be more traffic so more air pollution and more accidents. Local services like doctors will be under more pressure because there will be more people using them so longer waiting times for patients. Habitats will be destroyed to build the houses so animals will die or move away. Even if the candidate had said ‘woodland’ instead of habitats it would have been able to get into level 3. • Examiner Comments: • Well explained answers. • No specific reference to Ruswarp. • No reference to affordable homes. • Max level 2 3 marks

42. Answering Levelled QuestionsExplain why some people might be against building affordable housing at the proposed site near Ruswarp 1 • The affordable homes will be cheaply built .... Not only is this a detailed explanation But it also refers to AFFORDABLE housing – a specific part of the question. • ...so they might not fit in with the local housing... 2 • ...and local people will be annoyed because their house value will reduce. 3 3 part answer makes you a star

43. Answering Levelled Questions 2 1 3

44. Teaching future candidates.... • On reflection we felt that we had created too many hurdles in this question. • A similar question which differentiates effectively without the hurdles and the same mark scheme would be: • Explain how building new housing in Ruswarp might affect the area. [5] • Elaborated answers • Must use os map to refer to Ruswarp (specific detail)

45. Answering Levelled Questions River Flooding is a major problem throughout the world. Describe and explainmethods that could be used to prevent river flooding. Refer to rivers you have studied. Candidate A: Use dams to control the flow of the water. Build levees to increase the amount of water held in the river like on the Mississippi River. Plant trees to increase interception. 3 marks • Examiner Comments: • 3 explained ideas with an example of a River but only simple explanation. • Max Level 2.

46. Answering Levelled Questions River Flooding is a major problem throughout the world. Describe and explainmethods that could be used to prevent river flooding. Refer to rivers you have studied. Candidate B: You could build a dam like the Aswan Dam on the River Nile which was built to control the flow of water during peak rainfall times which reduced flooding. You could also build a reservoir to store the water behind the dam which would hold the water back from flooding. 3 marks • Examiner Comments: • A detailed explanation with an example but it is only one method – dam and reservoir are the same idea. • Max level 2.

47. Answering Levelled Questions River Flooding is a major problem throughout the world. Describe and explain methods that could be used to prevent river flooding. Refer to rivers you have studied. 2 3 1

48. Teaching future candidates.... • On reflection we felt that we had created too many hurdles in this question. • A similar question which differentiates effectively without the hurdles and the same mark scheme would be: • Explain how people can prevent river flooding. [5] • Elaborated answers • Must refer to specific examples of river flood management e.g. Levees, but do not need to locate.

49. Answering Levelled Questions Electronics City is planned to grow considerably over the next twenty years. Explain how this is likely to affect the quality of life of people living in the Bengalaru area. Candidate A: There will be more jobs so higher incomes and better standard of living. More people might move in and have to live in Shanty Towns and so it will be overcrowded and there might be more crime. 4 marks • Examiner Comments: • A detailed explanation but no specific reference to quality of life so max 4 marks. • Just saying ‘it will improve quality of life or standard of living will be better’ is not enough

50. Answering Levelled Questions Electronics City is planned to grow considerably over the next twenty years. Explain how this is likely to affect the quality of life of people living in the Bengalaru area. L1 Candidate B: It will create more jobs so there will be a positive multiplier effect. The council will have more money to spend on services. More children will get educated. There will be better housing and quality of life will improve. There will be less disease. L2 L1 L1 L1 L1 2 marks Examiner Comments: There is some attempt at explanation but it isn’t clear. If the candidate had said ‘more jobs means higher incomes so more taxes for the council to spend on services like schools so more children will get educated’ this question would have been reaching level 3. The examiner should not be putting the ideas together for the candidate. The idea about positive multiplier effect is not explained or exemplified. Quality of life is not specific enough.