O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/13 · May/June 2016 · Q325 Marks

Study Fig. 4, which shows four instruments used at a school weather station. Which weather characteristic will the students measure with instrument P?

(a)(i)Study Fig. 4, which shows four instruments used at a school weather station. Which weather characteristic will the students measure with instrument P?[1]
(a)(ii)Use instrument Q to work out the daily range of temperature. Show your calculations.[2]
(a)(iii)Identify the weather instruments labelled Q, R and S. Q R S[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why: – instruments Q and R are kept in a Stevenson Screen; – instrument S is sited on the roof of the school.[4]
(b)(i)Study Photographs C and D (Insert), which show different types of clouds. Describe three differences between the clouds shown in Photographs C and D. 1 2 3[3]
(b)(ii)Describe the processes which result in large amounts of cloud forming in areas of Equatorial climate.[5]
(c)For a named area of tropical rainforest you have studied, explain how its characteristics are influenced by the Equatorial climate. Name of area[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

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

[1] (a) (i) Atmospheric/air pressure
[2] (ii) 25-26C – 19–20C (1 mark) = 5-7C (2nd mark) NB: No need for degrees C to be stated. 2 @ 1 mark
[3] (iii) Q = Maximum and minimum thermometer/sixes thermometer; R = Wet and dry (bulb) thermometer/hygrometer; S = anemometer. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] (iv) Instruments Q/R: they will not be affected by direct sunshine; they will not be affected by wind/ventilation; they will measure conditions of air not ground; they will not be tampered with, etc. Instrument S: the wind will not be blocked; as it will not be sheltered by trees/buildings; it will not be tampered with (no double credit). Reserve 1 mark for each of Q/R and S. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] (b) (i) Ideas such as: Photograph C clouds are white/D are grey; Photograph C clouds are higher; Photograph D clouds cover a greater proportion of sky than Photograph C/D covers sky, C does not/more in D than C/bigger clouds in D/sparse in C, dense in D; Photograph D clouds are more likely to bring rain; Photograph C clouds are stratus/cirrus/D cumulus; Photograph C is thin, D is thick idea, etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[5] (ii) Ideas such as: heating/heat; evaporation; transpiration/evapotranspiration; air/water vapour rises; cooling; condensation; saturation; convection, etc. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] (c) Levels marking; Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which explain how its characteristics are influenced by the Equatorial climate. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which explain how its characteristics are influenced by the Equatorial climate. NB Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example. Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which explain how its characteristics are influenced by the Equatorial climate, including some specific reference or examples/types of plants. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to: vegetation types; height and density of vegetation; evergreen nature of vegetation; fauna; constant hot/wet climate; humidity, etc. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: details of named parts of the area, reference to specific flora/fauna, statistical information, examples of species, e.g. Mahogany, etc.