O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/22 · May/June 2018 · Q58 Marks

Study Fig. 5.1, a sketch of the site for a new weather station, at a location in the southern hemisphere.

(a)The Stevenson screen will be sited at B. Explain why: • the opening door will be on the south side; • the box will be on 1.25 m high legs.[2]
(b)From Fig. 5.1 only, suggest two reasons why a thermometer in the Stevenson screen at site B would have a lower reading than one sited on the wall at A.[2]
(c)Suggest why the readings from a rain gauge sited at C would be unreliable.[2]
(d)Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the site of the wind vane. Advantage Disadvantage.[2]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] 5(a) The opening door will be on the south side so thermometers are not exposed to the sun.
[1] 5(a) The box will be on 1.25 m high legs so it is not affected by ground temperature / readings are comparable (standard height).
[1] 5(b) Site A would receive direct sunlight (in the morning) / B is (always) in the shade.
[1] 5(b) Site A receives heat from the building / B is away from the building.
[1] 5(b) Bare ground below A radiates more heat / grass at B radiates less heat.
[1] 5(c) Bare / compacted soil gives rain splash.
[1] 5(c) Shelter from the tree.
[1] 5(c) Drip from the tree.
[1] 5(d) Advantage: Up high / catches the wind / away from animals / people tampering with it.
[1] 5(d) Disadvantage: Not at the top of the roof / sheltered (from west winds) / building can deflect winds.

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