AJC H2 GEO P2 QP MARK SCHEME

2018 JC2 H2 Geo Prelim – Paper 2 MARK SCHEME Page 1 of 14 AJC 2018 JC2 H2 Geography Preliminary Examinations – Paper 2 Section A Theme 4: Geographical Investigations 1 A class of 25 18-year old students were tasked to investigate the influence of land use on infiltration rates in Singapore. After splitting into groups of 5, one of the groups selected Labrador Nature Reserve as their study area, and decided to carry out their primary fieldwork at two sites – Sites A and B – in the nature reserve. The group crafted the following hypothesis for their investigation: “The higher the level of urbanisation of the site, the lower the infiltration rate in the site.” The following equipment were provided to measure infiltration rate at the two different land use sites: • A tin can, about 30cm in height and a diameter of 10cm, with both ends removed • A 1.5-litre bottle of water • A ruler • Hammer • Wooden plank • Stopwatch The investigation was conducted on a weekday afternoon in June. They were given 3 hours to complete their investigation, from 2 pm to 5 pm. At the respective sites, the tin can was driven into the soil to about 10cm deep by using a hammer onto a wooden plank placed on the rim of the can. A ruler was placed vertically inside the tin can to record the fall in water level. Water was poured to a depth of 20 cm. Measurements of the remaining depth of water was taken every 1 minute to compute the infiltration rate. At the same time, constant top-ups of water were carried out to maintain a regular head of water above soil. Resource 1 shows a map of Labrador Nature Reserve, which indicates the locations of Sites A and B. Resource 2 shows data collected on infiltration rates at Sites A and B. (a) Explain why the hypothesis crafted by the group is not suitable for the investigation at Labrador Nature Reserve. [2] Answer Guide: • Not specific – does not specify the sites delineated for investigation and/or the different land uses required • Not measurable – variations in land use cannot be measured by level of urbanisation Point-marked – 1m for identification of reason, and 1m for explanation of reason. (b) Explain how the impacts of the investigation could be minimised. [4] Answer Guide: • Minimisation of impacts on the ecosystem in the area , through measures such as: o Minimising the removal of vegetation when hammering the tin can into the soil to measure infiltration rates, especially at Site B o Avoiding littering at the park • Minimisation of social impacts in the nature park , given that it is a weekday afternoon in June where there might be members of the public in the area,

2018 JC2 H2 Geo Prelim – Paper 2 MARK SCHEME Page 2 of 14 AJC 2018 JC2 H2 Geography Preliminary Examinations – Paper 2 through measures such as: o Conducting investigation away from pathways, especially at Site A given that Site A is a road / next to a carpark o Reduce noise levels when conducting investigation, as the nature park is an area of leisure and recreation for members of the public. • Any other impacts & corresponding s uggestions – list is non-exhaustive Point-marked. (c) With reference to Resource 2, sketch a line graph to represent the infiltration rates for Site A and Site B over time respectively. Suggest one reason why this method may be better than the one depicted in Resource 2. [6] Answer Guide: • Sketch of line graph: o 2 marks for Site A and B respectively. Marks are allocated based on:  Accuracy of data points  Use of appropriate x- and y- axes • Possible reasons for line graph being an improvement over the table (1m for identified reason, 1m for explanation): o Easier visualization of change of infiltration rates over tine at each site o Easier comparison of difference in change in infiltration rates between Sites A and B o Any other appropriate reason accepted. Point marked. (d) With reference from Resources 1 and 2, account for the differences in infiltration rates between Sites A and B. [4] Answer Guide: • Infiltration rates at Site A are lower than at Site B. o Site A: Being located at a car park / road, the ground is therefore likely to be concretised and largely impermeable. This hence reduces infiltration rates at the area. o Site B: Being located directly within the gazetted nature reserve area in Labrador Nature Reserve, it is likely that vegetative cover is high. This means that soil will be more permeable owing to the presence of plant roots that provide fissures, thus enhancing infiltration rates. Point marked. (e) Evaluate the usefulness of the investigation in understanding the influence of land use on infiltration rates, and suggest how the investigation could be improved. [9] Answer Guide: Possible points for evaluation of usefulness of the investigation: • Arguments supporting the view that the investigation has been useful: o Does allow for a conclusion to be drawn that variations in land use do impact infiltration rates in the area. o Sites selected for investigation are very clearly of two different types of land use, contributing to the validity of the investigation in meeting its aims

2018 JC2 H2 Geo Prelim – Paper 2 MARK SCHEME Page 3 of 14 AJC 2018 JC2 H2 Geography Preliminary Examinations – Paper 2 • Arguments against the view that the investigation has been useful: o Accuracy of the investigation is unclear, given:  The use of a single-ring infiltrometer rather than a double-ring infiltrometer, which means that the lateral flow of water is not controlled in the investigation  Investigation was not repeated in the same session o Reliability of the investigation is unclear, given that:  Only one session of the investigation was conducted, and on only one day Possible suggestions on how to improve the investigation: • Improve reliability and accuracy of the investigation through: o Using a double-ring infiltrometer to control lateral flow of water during the investigation o Choice of more sites of different land uses to corroborate findings further o Repetition of investigation on the same day, near to Sites A and B respectively, and taking the average result o Having multiple sessions across several days and taking the average result. Levels marked using H2 Generic Level Descriptors for 9m DRQ on Theme 4.

2018 JC2 H2 Geo Prelim – Paper 2 MARK SCHEME Page 4 of 14 AJC 2018 JC2 H2 Geography Preliminary Examinations – Paper 2 Section B Theme 1: Tropical Environments Geomorphic Processes and Landscapes in Bohol, Philippines and Paracas, Peru 2 Resource 3 shows climographs for Bohol, Philippines and Paracas, Peru. Resource 4 shows Chocolate Hills, a limestone landscape in Bohol, Philippines, before and after an earthquake in 2013. Resource 5 is a map of ocean currents. Resource 6 shows landforms in Paracas National Park. (a) With reference to Resource 3, identify the climate classification of Bohol and Paracas. [2] Answer Guide: • Bohol – Am/ tropical monsoon climate • Paracas – Bwh/ tropical desert Point marked. (b) With reference to Resources 3 and 4, explain how the landscape in Bohol, before the 2013 earthquake, may have been formed. [8] Indicative content: • Landscape identification: cone and cockpit karst • Why the Am climate contributes to landscape formation: o An abundance of rainfall is required as water is a key agent for the chemical weathering processes of carbonation and solution, and a sufficient amount of water is required to dissolve part of the rock. This therefore allows intense vertical solution to occur. o Also supports dense vegetation, hence providing an abundance of humic acids from decaying vegetation. • Geological characteristics that fav our landscape development – the nature of limes