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 c