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O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/23 · Oct/Nov 2016 · Q730 Marks

Students at a school in Paris, France, used the school's weather station to measure atmospheric pressure, temperature and rainfall during 15 days in January. They tested the following hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Temperature increases as atmospheric pressure increases. Hypothesis 2: Rainfall decreases as atmospheric pressure increases.

  1. (a)(i)Complete the table below to show which measuring instruments are used in or outside a Stevenson screen. Put the following instruments under the correct heading: wind vane wet-and-dry bulb thermometer minimum-maximum thermometer rain gauge Used in a Stevenson screen Used outside a Stevenson screen[2]
  2. (a)(ii)Which one of the following instruments would the students use to measure atmospheric pressure? Circle your answer. anemometer barometer hygrometer[1]
  3. (b)(i)To measure atmospheric pressure the students took readings at the same time each day. Why was taking the readings at the same time each day important?[1]
  4. (b)(ii)The label 'mb' is usually given to the unit of atmospheric pressure. What does ‘mb' stand for?[1]
  5. (b)(iii)The students also measured the maximum temperature for each day using a thermometer like the one shown in Fig. 8 (Insert). What was the maximum temperature recorded by the thermometer in Fig. 8? [Figure 8.0 (Insert)] Circle your answer. 8°C 20°C 30°C 35°C 38°C[1]
  6. (c)(i)The results of the students' measurements are shown in Table 1 (Insert). Use these results to plot the atmospheric pressure and maximum temperature for 7 and 10 January on the scatter graph, Fig. 9 below. [Table 1 (Insert)] [Figure 9.0][2]
  7. (c)(ii)What conclusion did the students make about Hypothesis 1: Temperature increases as atmospheric pressure increases? Support your answer with evidence from Table 1 and Fig. 9.[4]
  8. (d)(i)The students used a rain gauge to measure daily rainfall. In the box below draw and label a simple rain gauge.[3]
  9. (d)(ii)Why did their teacher recommend that the rain gauge should be located: – away from the school playground; – away from trees?[2]
  10. (d)(iii)Describe how the students would make their measurements using the rain gauge.[4]
  11. (d)(iv)The students' measurements are shown in Table 1 (Insert). Use these results to plot the atmospheric pressure and rainfall for 20 January on Fig. 10 below. [Table 1 (Insert)] [Figure 10.0][2]
  12. (d)(v)Do the results shown in Fig. 10 and Table 1 support Hypothesis 2: Rainfall decreases as atmospheric pressure increases? Use data to support your decision.[3]
  13. (e)To extend their fieldwork the students decided to use a sunshine recorder to measure the amount of sunshine on each day. Photograph B (Insert) shows a sunshine recorder. Describe how a sunshine recorder is used. [Photograph B (Insert)][4]

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 (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [2] (a) (i) In a Stevenson Screen: wet and dry bulb thermometer and maximum-minimum thermometer / Outside a Stevenson Screen: wind vane and rain gauge / All correct = 2 marks, 2 or 3 correct = 1 mark
  2. [1] (ii) Barometer
  3. [1] (b) (i) To get comparable/fair/consistent/reliable reading / So results not affected by change in AP during the day/AP (or it) varies during the day/AP varies at different times
  4. [1] (ii) Millibar
  5. [1] (iii) 35°
  6. [2] (c) (i) Plot results: 1012 mb & 12° & 1019 mb & 9° (2 @ 1)
  7. [4] (ii) Hypothesis is incorrect/false – 1 mark reserve / There is no relationship between AP and temperature/no increase or decrease in temperature as AP increases (No credit for negative relationship) / Highest AP = lowest temperature / Credit 2 marks maximum for data e.g. / Highest AP = 4° and lowest AP = 8° / 1002 mb = 8° and 1022 mb = 4° (need 4 figures) / 1017 mb = temps of 5° 6° and 7° / 1008 mb 1015 mb and 1017mb all = 5°
  8. [3] (d) (i) Diagram of traditional rain gauge: / 1 mark maximum for diagram which includes funnel, collecting jar and outer casing / 2 marks maximum for labels: / Measuring jar/container/cylinder / Funnel / Outer casing / Scale/measurement/mm / If diagram is a 'home-made' gauge or pluviometer / Credit 1 mark for diagram as appropriate and 2 marks for labels such as / scale/ruler/bottle
  9. [2] (ii) Playground: so that rain gauge is not interfered with/kicked/played with / OR rain may splash into gauge / Trees: so that there is no interception of rainfall/prevents rain entering funnel/so trees don't block rain/so leaves don't block funnel/to avoid drips from leaves (2 @ 1)
  10. [4] (iii) Take collecting jar/container out of casing / Record level of water in jar or container/measure amount of water in jar/pour water into measuring tube / Pour water from overflow container into measuring cylinder / Measure every day/daily/every 24 hours / Measure at same time / Empty jar after measuring
  11. [2] (iv) Plot AP = 1008 mb (need plot and line) and rainfall = 2.8 mm on 20th (2 @ 1)
  12. [3] (d) (v) Hypothesis is correct/results support hypothesis – 1 mark reserve / Highest rainfall = lowest AP / No rainfall/0 mm of rain = highest AP / Credit 1 reserve mark (maximum) for supporting data to show contrast e.g. / 9.3 mm of rain = 1003 mb and 0 mm of rain = 1020mb (need 4 figures) / 4.1 mm of rain = 1007 mb and 2.5 mm of rain = 1012 mb
  13. [4] (e) Sunshine recorder is placed south facing in northern hemisphere / Put sunshine recorder in open space/not affected by shade/exposed to sun's rays/top of building/on a pedestal or stand / Lens/glass ball focuses the sun's rays onto a piece of card/paper / Sun's rays scorch card (paper)/burns a line in the card (paper) / Measure length of burn line/length of (burn) line shows hours of sunlight/discontinuous or interrupted line if sun is obscured by cloud / Replace card (paper) each day/put card (paper) into sunshine recorder

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About this question

Topic
The natural environment, O-Level Geography (syllabus 2217). Structured question, 30 marks.
Source
O-Level Geography, Oct/Nov 2016 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 7.

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