O-LevelGeographyThe natural environment2217/12 · May/June 2011 · Q325 Marks

(a) Study [Figure 5], a table of data collected at a school weather station.

(a)(i)Which day had the lowest range of temperature?[1]
(a)(ii)State the general relationship shown by the data in [Figure 5] between: A air pressure and precipitation B wind direction and temperature.[2]
(a)(iii)Name the weather instruments which were used to collect the data in [Figure 5] on precipitation, air pressure and wind direction.[3]
(a)(iv)Draw a labelled diagram to show the main features of a maximum-minimum thermometer.[4]
(b)(i)Describe three differences between the clouds shown in Photographs A and B.[3]
(b)(ii)Explain why very few clouds form in tropical deserts.[5]
(c)For a named area of tropical rainforest which you have studied, describe and explain the characteristics of its climate. Area of rainforest[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] Wednesday
[2] A lower air pressure the higher the precipitation/inverse relationship/negative correlation B winds from south (west) / southerly direction bring higher temperatures (than winds from north) 2 @ 1 mark
[3] precipitation = rain gauge; air pressure = barometer; wind direction = wind/weather vane. NB Assume same order and credit if precipitation/air pressure and wind direction not stated. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] U- Shape (no labelling needed); maximum/minimum scales; magnet; metal markers; alcohol/spirit; mercury; air space. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] Differences such as: B shows a greater amount of cloud cover than A/more oktas in B; B clouds are grey but A are white/darker clouds in B; B nimbus/stratus but A cumulus; B clouds are lower than A; clouds in B are more likely to produce rain etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Ideas such as: distance from oceans; winds blow over large areas of land; winds blow offshore/do not blow from sea hence no source of moisture/water sources; low humidity; lack of evaporation; sparse vegetation; lack of transpiration; high air pressure; descending air; cold offshore currents etc. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[1-3] Statements including limited detail describing and/or explaining the main features of tropical rainforest climate. (e.g. hot, wet, cumulus clouds, sun overhead, low pressure, high rainfall etc.)
[4-6] Uses named example. More developed statements describing and/or explaining the main features of tropical rainforest climate. (e.g. temperatures which are no lower than 30C all year, small annual range of temperature, wet climate due to low pressure/convection currents, high temperatures due to overhead sun, daily build up of cumulus clouds due to convection, daily convectional rainfall etc.) (NB MAX 5 if no named example)
[7] Uses named example (e.g. Amazon). Comprehensive and accurate statements describing and explaining the main features of tropical rainforest climates. (e.g. annual range of temperature only 2 degrees C. Over 2000mm rain due to low pressure/convection currents, high temperatures due to overhead sun within a few degrees of Equator, daily build up of cumulus clouds due to convection, daily convectional rainfall etc.)