A Level H1 Geography Fieldwork Quiz

A-Level Geography H1 Quiz - Fieldwork (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 40

Section A: Research Design and Methodology

1. Hypothesis Statement [1]

• Answer: Infiltration rates will be higher in the vegetated park area compared to the dense urban area.
• Marking Note: Must indicate a directional relationship between land use and infiltration. Accept "Urban areas have lower infiltration rates than park areas."

2. Systematic vs. Random Sampling [2]

• Answer: Systematic sampling ensures even coverage along the transect (gradient) from urban to rural, allowing for the identification of trends/patterns across the change in land use. Random sampling might cluster points in one area, missing the transition zone.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for identifying even coverage/trend detection. 1 mark for contrasting with random sampling's potential clustering/gaps.

3. Controlled Variables [2]

• Answer: Any two of the following:
  1. Volume of water poured into the infiltrometer.
  2. Duration of time allowed for infiltration measurement.
  3. Depth of ring insertion into the soil.
  4. Antecedent soil moisture conditions (though hard to control, it is a variable to note).
• Marking Note: 1 mark per valid variable.

4. Risk Assessment [2]

• Answer:
  • Hazard: Snake/insect bites, slippery terrain/roots, heat exhaustion/dehydration.
  • Safety Measure: Wear covered shoes/long pants, carry first aid kit/epipen, bring sufficient water, work in pairs/buddy system.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for a relevant hazard in a tropical nature reserve context. 1 mark for a matching, practical safety measure.

5. Validity Definition [1]

• Answer: Validity refers to whether the method/instrument actually measures what it is intended to measure (e.g., does the infiltrometer truly measure infiltration capacity, or is it affected by surface runoff?).
• Marking Note: Must mention "measuring what is intended."

Section B: Data Collection and Presentation

6. Interval Limitation [2]

• Answer: A 50m interval is too coarse to detect micro-scale variations (e.g., a small patch of compacted soil or a drain) that occur over distances of less than 50m. This leads to a loss of detail and potential anomalies being missed.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for identifying the scale mismatch. 1 mark for explaining the consequence (missing detail/anomalies).

7. Manual vs. Automated Counting [4]

• Answer:
  • Advantage: Manual counting allows for the classification of pedestrian types (e.g., tourists vs. locals, age groups) which sensors might not distinguish easily without advanced AI. It is also low-cost.
  • Disadvantage: Prone to human error (fatigue, distraction), limited to short durations, and cannot operate 24/7.
• Marking Note: 2 marks for a clear advantage. 2 marks for a clear disadvantage.

8. Mean Calculation [2]

• Working: $(120 + 115 + 125 + 118 + 122) / 5$
• Sum: $600$
• Mean: $120$ mm/hr
• Marking Note: 1 mark for correct sum/setup. 1 mark for correct final answer (120).

9. Graphical Representation [1]

• Answer: C) Grouped Bar Chart
• Marking Note: Bar charts are best for comparing discrete categories (Site A vs Site B).

10. Subjectivity of Bipolar Survey [2]

• Answer: Perceived safety is based on individual feelings, experiences, and biases, not objective physical measurements. Different respondents may interpret the scale (1-5) differently based on their personal threshold for fear.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for linking to individual opinion/feeling. 1 mark for explaining the lack of objective standard.

Section C: Analysis and Evaluation

11. GIS Advantage [2]

• Answer: GIS allows for the overlaying of multiple data layers (e.g., land use, elevation, infiltration rates) to identify complex spatial correlations that are difficult to see on hand-drawn maps. It also allows for easy updating and precise area calculations.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for overlay/multi-layer analysis. 1 mark for precision/ease of update.

12. Physical Reasons for Infiltration Difference [4]

• Answer:
  1. Surface Permeability: Urban areas have impermeable surfaces (concrete, asphalt) which prevent water from entering the soil, leading to high surface runoff. Park areas have permeable soil.
  2. Vegetation/Root Action: Park areas have vegetation whose roots create macropores in the soil, increasing infiltration. Urban areas lack this biological enhancement.
• Marking Note: 2 marks per reason. Must explain the mechanism (e.g., impermeable surface blocks water; roots create pores).

13. Reliability Evaluation [3]

• Answer: Taking three readings improves reliability by allowing the calculation of a mean and identification of anomalies. However, in a heterogeneous environment, n=3 may still be insufficient to account for spatial variability. More repeats (e.g., 5-10) or a larger spatial sample would be better. Therefore, the claim is partially valid but limited.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for acknowledging the benefit of averaging. 1 mark for critiquing the sample size (n=3 is low). 1 mark for a balanced judgment.

14. Temporal Factor Limitation [3]

• Answer: Infiltration rates are significantly affected by antecedent moisture. During a dry spell, soil is dry and infiltration capacity is high. During monsoon seasons, soil may be saturated, leading to lower infiltration and higher runoff. Therefore, data from a dry spell overestimates infiltration capacity and underestimates flood risk for typical Singapore weather conditions.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for linking dry spell to high infiltration/low saturation. 1 mark for contrasting with wet conditions. 1 mark for concluding on generalizability/flood risk underestimation.

15. Sampling Bias [2]

• Answer: Distributing questionnaires only on weekday mornings excludes working adults and students who are at work/school. The sample will be biased towards the elderly, unemployed, or shift workers, who may have different risk perceptions or vulnerabilities compared to the general population.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for identifying the excluded group. 1 mark for explaining the resulting bias in perspective.

Section D: Extended Evaluation and Synthesis

16. Urban vs. Physical Fieldwork Challenges [4]

• Answer:
  • Agree (Access): Urban fieldwork often requires permission from private property owners, shopping malls, or authorities, which can be difficult to obtain. Safety concerns (traffic, crime) are also higher.
  • Disagree (Physical): Physical environments (e.g., mountains, rivers) present harsher physical conditions (weather, terrain) that can damage equipment and pose greater physical safety risks (drowning, falls), which can be more challenging than logistical urban access.
• Marking Note: 2 marks for a well-explained argument for. 2 marks for a well-explained argument against.

17. Sample Size and Statistical Significance [2]

• Answer: Increasing the sample size reduces the impact of outliers and random errors, making the mean more representative of the true population. This increases the confidence level in statistical tests (e.g., t-test), making it more likely that observed differences are statistically significant rather than due to chance.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for reducing outlier impact/representativeness. 1 mark for linking to statistical confidence/significance.

18. Statistical Test Selection [2]

• Answer:
  • Test: Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient.
  • Reason: It is used to test for a monotonic relationship between two sets of continuous/ordinal data (infiltration rate and compaction level) and does not assume a normal distribution. (Alternatively: Pearson’s Product Moment if normal distribution is assumed).
• Marking Note: 1 mark for correct test name. 1 mark for valid reason linking to data type/relationship.

19. Data Accuracy and Anomalies [2]

• Answer: Disturbing the soil surface artificially increases porosity or creates channels, leading to an inaccurately high infiltration reading (an anomaly). The students should treat this data point as an anomaly/outlier and exclude it from the mean calculation, or repeat the measurement at that specific point if time permits.
• Marking Note: 1 mark for explaining the effect (inaccurate/high reading). 1 mark for the correct handling (exclude/repeat).

20. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) [2]

• Answer:
  • Feature: Permeable Pavement / Green Roof / Rain Garden.
  • Explanation: Permeable pavement allows water to infiltrate through the surface into the ground below, reducing surface runoff. (Or: Green roofs absorb rainfall in vegetation/soil, reducing volume and speed of runoff).
• Marking Note: 1 mark for a valid SUDS feature. 1 mark for a correct explanation of how it mitigates flood risk/increases infiltration.