(a) Study Fig. 5, which shows information collected in June 2012 and June 2013 at a weather station in Maleny, Australia. 2012 2013 Rainfall (mm) 267.2 164.6 Days with rainfall 16 14 Evaporation (mm) 40.4 58.1 Humidity (%) 77 78 Minimum temperature (°C) 5.8 5.0 Maximum temperature (°C) 21.2 21.8 Wind direction SSW SSW Sunshine hours (per month) 85 80 Fig. 5

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Rainfall 1 mark (1)
2. [2] A = Wet and dry (bulb) thermometer/hygrometer B = Wind vane/weather vane/wind cock/windsock 2 @ 1 mark (2)
3. [3] Ideas such as: use a rain gauge/digital rain gauge; collecting jar with funnel/linked to computer; water poured into a measuring cylinder/water is read from jar/measured using a scale; put out in the open/area which is not sheltered by trees/buildings/buried in the ground (MAX 1 SITE); take measurements every 24 hours/fixed period/same time of day, etc. 3 @ 1 mark (3)
4. [4] Screen is painted white so that it reflects heat or sunlight/reduces direct heating by the sun/does not absorb sunlight; sides have slats/louvres/have spaces/gaps/not solid so that air can circulate; screen/box is made of wood so that heat is not conducted into it; roof is made of a double layer of wood so that air space maintains a constant temperature; screen stands more than 1m/raised on legs above the ground so that instruments are not affected by heat from the ground; door opens to the north in the northern hemisphere/to the south in the southern hemisphere to avoid sun's rays. NB: Feature and link are needed. 4 @ 1 mark (4)
5. [3] Ideas such as: hot and dry; temperatures vary from 13 to 33°C/range of 20°C; hottest months are June/July/August or coldest months are Dec/Jan/Feb (or one from each) – need two months; rainfall varies from 0 to 18 mm monthly/range of 18 mm; wettest months are Dec/Jan/Feb or driest months are April/May/June (or one from each) – need two months; annual rainfall of approx. 91mm (accept 80–100mm); hot and dry in summer and cooler and wetter in winter. NB: No tolerance on individual statistics. 3 @ 1 mark (3)
6. [5] Ideas such as: overhead sun/high angle of sun/only a small area to heat up/sun's rays are more concentrated; high air pressure; descending air; air heats as it descends; therefore no condensation; little or no surface water; little or no evaporation; little or no transpiration/evapotranspiration; wind direction over large areas of land/trade winds; rain shadow effect; cold ocean currents; distant from sea/landlocked, etc. 5 @ 1 mark or development (5)
7. [7] Levels marking Level 1 [1-3 marks] Statements including limited detail which describe and/or explain the characteristics of natural vegetation of hot deserts. Level 2 [4-6 marks] Uses named example. More developed statements which describe and explain the characteristics of natural vegetation of hot deserts. (NB Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 [7 marks] Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements, which describe and explain the characteristics of natural vegetation of hot deserts, including some specific reference. Content guide: Answers are likely to refer to: root systems spines/thorns plants remain dormant until rain falls fleshy stems waxy leaves, etc. Place-specific reference is likely to consist of: locational details specific named plant types – accept cactus NB: A country is not an appropriate example so MAX 5.