O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/11 · May/June 2011 · Q325 Marks

Section B Answer one question from this section. (a) Study Fig. 4, which shows four instruments which students are using to measure the weather at a school weather station. [Figure 4.0]

(a)(i)Which weather characteristic will the students measure with instrument A?[1]
(a)(ii)Identify the weather instruments labelled B and C. Instrument B ......................................... Instrument C .........................................[2]
(a)(iii)Use instrument D to work out the daily range of temperature. Show your calculations.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain why instrument B will give more accurate readings if it is sited on the roof of the school, rather than in the playground.[4]
(b)(i)(b) Study Fig. 5, which shows a Stevenson Screen which the students will use in their school weather station. Identify the characteristics of the Stevenson Screen which: A reflect the sun's rays; B allow free flow of air; C ensure that the thermometers inside it measure the temperature of the air not the ground.[3]
(b)(ii)What advice would you give the students about where to site the Stevenson Screen? Give reasons for your answer.[5]
(c)Name an area which you have studied where tropical storms occur. Describe the problems which they cause for people living in your chosen area. 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 2011). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a) (i) (Relative) humidity
[1] (ii) B. Anemometer
[1] C. Barometer
[1] (iii) One mark for correct reading of maximum temperature 26–27°C;
[1] One mark for correct reading of minimum temperature 20–21°C;
[1] One mark for correct calculation of range/use of correct formula;
[1] (iv) Ideas such as: high up/higher than playground;
[1] above trees and/or buildings;
[1] not sheltered/nothing to interfere with wind/block wind;
[1] playground may be sheltered by school buildings/objects;
[1] will not be damaged by children/can be damaged in playground;
[1] roof is not used for anything else; etc.
[1] (b) (i) A. white colour
[1] B. slatted sides
[1] C. legs/raised above ground
[1] (ii) Ideas such as: open space/away from trees and/or buildings/middle of field;
[1] so readings are not affected by shelter they provide (reason);
[1] above grass/not above concrete;
[1] as temperatures above concrete will be artificially high (reason);
[1] in a fenced/walled compound; to avoid tampering (reason)/away from animals (damage idea); etc.
[1-3] (c) Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail describing problems experienced by people as a result of tropical storms. (e.g. people killed, crops destroyed, they have no water to drink, houses damaged, strong winds destroy houses, people have to evacuate, roads flooded/blocked, list of what need to do to prepare. etc.)
[4-6] Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements describing problems experienced by people as a result of tropical storms. (e.g. people have to walk long distances to find fresh water; damage to crops leads to lack of food; death through starvation/malnutrition/drowning etc.; people have to evacuate and live in refugee camps, roads flooded/blocked so aid cannot be sent in etc.) (NB MAX 5 if no named example)
[7] Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example (e.g. cyclones in Bangladesh). Comprehensive and accurate statements describing problems experienced by people as a result of tropical storms, including some place specific reference. (e.g. people have to walk long distances to find fresh water as local groundwater sources are flooded by the Ganges; damage to rice crops leads to lack of food; death through starvation/malnutrition/drowning etc.; housing destroyed by strong winds sweeping in from Bay of Bengal; people have to evacuate and live in refugee camps in Dhaka, roads flooded/blocked so aid cannot be sent in etc.)