O Level Geography Practice Paper 5

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography O-Level

TuitionGoWhere Secondary School (AI)

Subject: Geography (2279) Level: O-Level Paper: PRACTICE - Map, Graph & Data Skills Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Total Marks: 60 Version: 5 of 5

Name: _________________________ Class: _________________________ Date: _________________________

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Instructions to Candidates

1. This paper consists of three sections (A, B, and C).
2. Answer all questions.
3. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
4. The use of an approved calculator is permitted.
5. Marks are indicated in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
6. You are advised to spend approximately:
   • Section A: 30 minutes (20 marks)
   • Section B: 30 minutes (20 marks)
   • Section C: 30 minutes (20 marks)

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Section A: Data Interpretation and Graph Skills

Answer all questions in this section. [20 marks]

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Question 1 (4 marks)

A group of Geography students measured the average monthly rainfall (in mm) at four locations (P, Q, R, and S) over a 12-month period. Their results are shown in the table below.

Month	Location P	Location Q	Location R	Location S
Jan	85	120	45	210
Feb	72	135	38	195
Mar	68	110	52	180
Apr	55	95	48	165
May	42	80	55	140
Jun	30	65	62	125
Jul	25	55	70	110
Aug	28	60	75	115
Sep	35	70	68	130
Oct	48	85	58	150
Nov	62	100	50	175
Dec	78	115	42	200

(a) Suggest how the average monthly rainfall at the four locations could be shown on one graph. [3]

(b) Explain one advantage of using this type of graph to display the data. [1]

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Question 2 (3 marks)

Study the climograph below, which shows the average monthly temperature and rainfall for City X.

[A climograph is shown with a line graph for temperature (left y-axis, 0–35°C) and bar chart for rainfall (right y-axis, 0–300 mm). The x-axis shows months from January to December.]

Month	Temperature (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	26	260
Feb	26	240
Mar	27	280
Apr	27	220
May	28	180
Jun	28	120
Jul	27	90
Aug	28	80
Sep	27	110
Oct	27	160
Nov	26	210
Dec	26	250

(a) Describe the relationship between temperature and rainfall shown in the climograph. [2]

(b) Identify the month with the highest rainfall and state the rainfall amount. [1]

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Question 3 (4 marks)

A student conducted a survey on residents' satisfaction with park amenities in a neighbourhood. The table below shows the responses for "Cleanliness of Toilets" on a 5-point scale.

Response	Number of Residents
Very Satisfied	12
Satisfied	18
Neutral	8
Dissatisfied	15
Very Dissatisfied	7

(a) Describe how the student could calculate a weighted satisfaction score for this amenity. [2]

(b) Calculate the weighted satisfaction score using the following values: Very Satisfied = +2, Satisfied = +1, Neutral = 0, Dissatisfied = −1, Very Dissatisfied = −2. Show your working. [2]

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Question 4 (4 marks)

Study Figure 1, which shows the global distribution of active volcanoes.

[A world map is shown with black triangles indicating active volcano locations. Volcanoes are concentrated along the western coasts of North and South America, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and in a mid-Atlantic belt.]

(a) Describe the distribution of active volcanoes shown in Figure 1. [2]

(b) Explain why volcanoes are concentrated in these regions. [2]

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Question 5 (5 marks)

A Geography class investigated pedestrian traffic flow at three locations in a town centre. They counted the number of pedestrians passing each location during four 15-minute intervals. The results are shown below.

Time Interval	Location A	Location B	Location C
08:00–08:15	145	210	88
08:15–08:30	162	235	95
08:30–08:45	178	198	102
08:45–09:00	155	180	90

(a) Calculate the mean number of pedestrians per 15-minute interval at Location B. Show your working. [2]

(b) Suggest one reason why Location B consistently recorded higher pedestrian counts than Location C. [1]

(c) Evaluate whether the timing of data collection (08:00–09:00) provides a reliable representation of pedestrian flow throughout the entire day. [2]

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Section B: Map Reading and Spatial Analysis

Answer all questions in this section. [20 marks]

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Question 6 (4 marks)

Study the topographic map extract (Figure 2) showing part of a coastal area.

[A topographic map extract is shown with contour lines, a river, a settlement, a main road, and a beach area. The scale is 1:50,000. Grid lines are marked.]

(a) State the six-figure grid reference of the temple located at the northern edge of the settlement. [1]

(b) Measure the straight-line distance, in kilometres, along the main road from the bridge (GR 342108) to the junction (GR 358115). [2]

(c) Identify the direction of the beach from the temple. [1]

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Question 7 (4 marks)

Refer to the same topographic map extract (Figure 2).

(a) Describe the relief of the area shown in the northeastern part of the map extract. [2]

(b) Using map evidence, suggest one reason why the settlement developed at its present location. [2]

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Question 8 (4 marks)

Study Figure 3, which shows a sketch map of a neighbourhood with the following features: a primary school, a community centre, a supermarket, a park, and residential blocks.

[A sketch map is shown with symbols for each feature. A scale bar indicates 1 cm = 100 m. The park is located in the centre, with the school to the north, supermarket to the east, community centre to the south, and residential blocks surrounding all features.]

(a) Using the scale bar, calculate the actual distance from the primary school to the supermarket if the map distance is 4.5 cm. Show your working. [2]

(b) Describe the spatial association between the park and the residential blocks. [2]

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Question 9 (4 marks)

A student created a land use map of a town centre by conducting a field survey. The results are summarised in the table below.

Land Use Type	Number of Units	Percentage (%)
Retail	45	37.5
Food & Beverage	30	25.0
Services	20	16.7
Residential	15	12.5
Vacant	10	8.3
Total	120	100.0

(a) Construct a pie chart in the space below to represent the land use data. Include a title and legend. [3]

(b) Identify the dominant land use type and suggest one reason for its dominance. [1]

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Question 10 (4 marks)

Study Figure 4, which shows a photograph of a coastal area with a sandy beach, rock outcrops, and vegetation.

[A photograph shows a wide sandy beach with gentle slope, dark rock outcrops at either end, and dense vegetation on the slopes behind the beach.]

(a) Describe two features of the beach shown in the photograph. [2]

(b) With reference to the photograph, suggest how the beach may have been formed. [2]

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Section C: Fieldwork Methodology and Data Evaluation

Answer all questions in this section. [20 marks]

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Question 11 (4 marks)

A group of students conducted a fieldwork investigation on the following hypothesis:

"The water quality of the river decreases as it flows through the urban area."

They measured water quality at five sites along a 10 km stretch of river: two sites upstream of the town, one site within the town, and two sites downstream of the town. At each site, they measured dissolved oxygen (mg/L), turbidity (NTU), and recorded observations of litter and odour.

(a) Suggest one other indicator of water quality the students could have measured. [1]

(b) Explain why the students measured water quality at two sites upstream and two sites downstream, rather than one site each. [2]

(c) State the independent variable in this investigation. [1]

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Question 12 (4 marks)

The students' results are shown in the table below.

Site	Location	Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)	Turbidity (NTU)	Litter Observed	Odour
1	2 km upstream	8.5	5	None	None
2	1 km upstream	8.2	8	Minimal	None
3	Town centre	5.1	45	Abundant	Slight
4	1 km downstream	6.3	28	Some	None
5	2 km downstream	7.0	18	Minimal	None

(a) Using the data, describe the relationship between dissolved oxygen and turbidity as the river flows from Site 1 to Site 5. [2]

(b) Do the results support the hypothesis? Explain your answer with reference to the data. [2]

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Question 13 (4 marks)

For the river water quality investigation described in Questions 11 and 12, evaluate the reliability of the data collection method. [4]

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Question 14 (4 marks)

Another group of students investigated the following hypothesis:

"Visitors to the nature reserve are more satisfied with the facilities than visitors to the urban park."

They conducted a questionnaire survey with 30 visitors at the nature reserve and 30 visitors at the urban park. The questionnaire asked visitors to rate their satisfaction with cleanliness, seating, signage, and toilets on a scale of 1 (Very Dissatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied).

(a) Identify one strength of using a questionnaire to collect data for this investigation. [1]

(b) Identify one limitation of the sampling method used (30 visitors at each location). [1]

(c) Suggest how the students could improve the reliability of their data collection. [2]

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Question 15 (4 marks)

A student conducted a fieldwork investigation on pedestrian movement in a shopping mall. She recorded the number of people entering and exiting through the main entrance during four 10-minute periods at different times of the day: 10:00, 13:00, 16:00, and 19:00.

Time	People Entering	People Exiting
10:00	85	22
13:00	120	95
16:00	145	130
19:00	98	155

(a) Describe the trend in the number of people exiting the mall from 10:00 to 19:00. [2]

(b) The student concluded that "more people visit the mall in the afternoon than in the evening." Using the data, evaluate whether this conclusion is valid. [2]

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END OF PAPER

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This paper was generated by TuitionGoWhere for practice purposes. Content is derived from O-Level Geography (2279) syllabus patterns and exam evidence.

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - Geography O-Level

Answer Key and Marking Scheme

Paper: PRACTICE - Map, Graph & Data Skills Version: 5 of 5 Total Marks: 60

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Section A: Data Interpretation and Graph Skills [20 marks]

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Question 1 (4 marks)

(a) Suggest how the average monthly rainfall at the four locations could be shown on one graph. [3]

Answer:

• Use a line graph with months (January to December) on the x-axis and rainfall (mm) on the y-axis. [1 mark]
• Plot four separate lines, one for each location (P, Q, R, S), using different colours or line styles (e.g., solid, dashed, dotted). [1 mark]
• Include a legend to identify which line represents each location, and label both axes clearly with units. [1 mark]

Alternative acceptable answer:

• Use a grouped/compound bar chart with months on the x-axis and rainfall on the y-axis. Four bars per month, each representing a different location, with a legend to distinguish locations. [3 marks]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correct graph type (line graph or grouped bar chart).
• Award 1 mark for correct axes and plotting method (four data series on one graph).
• Award 1 mark for legend and labelling.
• Do not award marks for suggesting separate graphs for each location.
• Do not award marks for pie chart (inappropriate for time-series data).

(b) Explain one advantage of using this type of graph to display the data. [1]

Answer:

• A line graph allows easy visual comparison of rainfall trends and patterns across the four locations over the 12-month period. / A line graph clearly shows seasonal variations and allows identification of wet and dry months for all locations simultaneously. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for any valid advantage linked to comparison, trend identification, or visual clarity.
• Answer must reference the specific graph type chosen in part (a).

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Question 2 (3 marks)

(a) Describe the relationship between temperature and rainfall shown in the climograph. [2]

Answer:

• There is an inverse (negative) relationship between temperature and rainfall. [1 mark]
• When temperatures are higher (May–August, 27–28°C), rainfall is lower (80–180 mm). When temperatures are slightly lower (December–February, 26°C), rainfall is higher (240–280 mm). [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for identifying the inverse/negative relationship.
• Award 1 mark for supporting with specific data reference (months and values).
• Accept "rainfall decreases as temperature increases" or similar phrasing.
• Do not award full marks for vague statements without data support.

(b) Identify the month with the highest rainfall and state the rainfall amount. [1]

Answer:

• March, with 280 mm of rainfall. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for both correct month AND correct value.
• Award 0 marks if either is incorrect or missing.

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Question 3 (4 marks)

(a) Describe how the student could calculate a weighted satisfaction score for this amenity. [2]

Answer:

• Assign a numerical value to each response category (e.g., Very Satisfied = +2, Satisfied = +1, Neutral = 0, Dissatisfied = −1, Very Dissatisfied = −2). [1 mark]
• Multiply the number of residents in each category by the assigned value, then sum all the products to obtain the weighted score. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for describing the assignment of values/weights.
• Award 1 mark for describing the multiplication and summation process.
• Accept alternative scoring systems (e.g., +2, +1, 0, −1, −2 or 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) as long as the method is clearly described.

(b) Calculate the weighted satisfaction score using the following values: Very Satisfied = +2, Satisfied = +1, Neutral = 0, Dissatisfied = −1, Very Dissatisfied = −2. Show your working. [2]

Answer:

• Very Satisfied: 12 × (+2) = +24
• Satisfied: 18 × (+1) = +18
• Neutral: 8 × (0) = 0
• Dissatisfied: 15 × (−1) = −15
• Very Dissatisfied: 7 × (−2) = −14
• Weighted score = +24 + 18 + 0 + (−15) + (−14) = +13 [2 marks]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correct working (showing multiplication for each category).
• Award 1 mark for correct final answer (+13).
• If working is not shown but answer is correct, award 1 mark only.
• If working is shown but final answer is incorrect due to arithmetic error, award 1 mark for method.

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Question 4 (4 marks)

(a) Describe the distribution of active volcanoes shown in Figure 1. [2]

Answer:

• Active volcanoes are concentrated in narrow belts/bands along the edges of continents and oceans. [1 mark]
• They are found mainly along the western coasts of North and South America, East Asia and Southeast Asia (the Pacific Ring of Fire), and in a mid-Atlantic belt. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for general pattern description (concentrated in belts/along plate boundaries).
• Award 1 mark for specific regional references (at least two regions named).
• Accept "Ring of Fire," "Mid-Atlantic Ridge," or "Alpine-Himalayan Belt" as regional references.

(b) Explain why volcanoes are concentrated in these regions. [2]

Answer:

• These regions are located along plate boundaries where tectonic plates meet. [1 mark]
• At convergent boundaries, one plate subducts beneath another, generating magma that rises to form volcanoes. At divergent boundaries, plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create volcanic activity. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for linking volcano distribution to plate boundaries.
• Award 1 mark for explaining the process (subduction → magma generation, or divergence → magma upwelling).
• Accept reference to "Ring of Fire" as a zone of subduction-related volcanism.

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Question 5 (5 marks)

(a) Calculate the mean number of pedestrians per 15-minute interval at Location B. Show your working. [2]

Answer:

• Sum of pedestrians: 210 + 235 + 198 + 180 = 823 [1 mark]
• Mean = 823 ÷ 4 = 205.75 pedestrians per 15-minute interval [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correct summation.
• Award 1 mark for correct division and final answer (205.75 or 206 if rounded).
• Accept 205.75 or 206 (rounded to nearest whole number).
• If working is not shown but answer is correct, award 1 mark only.

(b) Suggest one reason why Location B consistently recorded higher pedestrian counts than Location C. [1]

Answer:

• Location B may be near a major transport node (e.g., bus interchange, MRT station) generating higher pedestrian flow. / Location B may be on a main shopping street with more retail outlets attracting pedestrians. / Location C may be in a quieter area with fewer amenities. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for any plausible geographical reason.
• Answer must reference location characteristics (accessibility, land use, amenities).

(c) Evaluate whether the timing of data collection (08:00–09:00) provides a reliable representation of pedestrian flow throughout the entire day. [2]

Answer:

• The timing is not fully reliable because 08:00–09:00 represents only the morning peak period. [1 mark]
• Pedestrian flow varies throughout the day (e.g., lunchtime peak, afternoon shopping, evening leisure), so data from only one time period cannot represent the entire day's pattern. Data should be collected at multiple times (morning, midday, afternoon, evening) for a more reliable representation. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for stating that the data is not fully reliable (or has limitations).
• Award 1 mark for explaining why (temporal variation, need for multiple time samples).
• Accept answers that acknowledge the data is reliable for morning peak only but not for the whole day.

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Section B: Map Reading and Spatial Analysis [20 marks]

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Question 6 (4 marks)

(a) State the six-figure grid reference of the temple located at the northern edge of the settlement. [1]

Answer:

• GR 352123 (or any six-figure reference within the temple symbol)

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for a six-figure grid reference that correctly locates the temple.
• Accept any reasonable estimate within the temple symbol area.
• The exact reference depends on the map extract provided; marker should verify against Figure 2.

(b) Measure the straight-line distance, in kilometres, along the main road from the bridge (GR 342108) to the junction (GR 358115). [2]

Answer:

• Map distance measured: approximately 3.2 cm [1 mark for correct measurement]
• Actual distance: 3.2 cm × 0.5 km/cm = 1.6 km (based on 1:50,000 scale where 1 cm = 0.5 km) [1 mark for correct calculation]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for measuring the correct straight-line distance on the map (accept 3.0–3.4 cm).
• Award 1 mark for correct conversion to kilometres using the scale.
• If measurement is slightly off but calculation is correct for that measurement, award full marks.
• The exact distance depends on the map extract provided; marker should verify against Figure 2.

(c) Identify the direction of the beach from the temple. [1]

Answer:

• South / South-southeast (depending on exact map layout)

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correct compass direction.
• Accept cardinal or intercardinal directions (e.g., S, SSE, SE).
• The exact direction depends on the map extract provided; marker should verify against Figure 2.

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Question 7 (4 marks)

(a) Describe the relief of the area shown in the northeastern part of the map extract. [2]

Answer:

• The northeastern part shows steep/high relief with closely spaced contour lines. [1 mark]
• The land rises to over 200 metres above sea level, indicating hilly or mountainous terrain. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for describing the steepness (closely spaced contours).
• Award 1 mark for referencing height/elevation with specific values from the map.
• The exact description depends on the map extract provided; marker should verify against Figure 2.

(b) Using map evidence, suggest one reason why the settlement developed at its present location. [2]

Answer:

• The settlement is located near a river, which provides a water supply for domestic and agricultural use. [1 mark for map evidence + 1 mark for explanation]
• OR: The settlement is located along a main road, providing accessibility and transport links. [1 + 1]
• OR: The settlement is on flat/low-lying land (widely spaced contours), which is easier for construction and farming. [1 + 1]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for identifying map evidence (river, road, flat land, coastal location).
• Award 1 mark for explaining how this feature supports settlement development.
• Answer must reference specific map evidence from Figure 2.

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Question 8 (4 marks)

(a) Using the scale bar, calculate the actual distance from the primary school to the supermarket if the map distance is 4.5 cm. Show your working. [2]

Answer:

• Scale: 1 cm = 100 m [0.5 marks for identifying scale]
• Actual distance = 4.5 cm × 100 m/cm = 450 m [1 mark for correct multiplication]
• Answer: 450 metres (or 0.45 km) [0.5 marks for correct units]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correct working.
• Award 1 mark for correct answer with units.
• Accept 450 m or 0.45 km.

(b) Describe the spatial association between the park and the residential blocks. [2]

Answer:

• The residential blocks surround the park, which is located in the centre of the neighbourhood. [1 mark]
• This shows a close spatial association, as the park is easily accessible to residents from all directions, likely serving as a recreational space for the surrounding residential area. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for describing the spatial pattern (park in centre, residential blocks around it).
• Award 1 mark for explaining the relationship/association (accessibility, recreational function).
• Accept "positive spatial association" or "clustered around."

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Question 9 (4 marks)

(a) Construct a pie chart in the space below to represent the land use data. Include a title and legend. [3]

Answer:

• Title: "Land Use in Town Centre" or similar descriptive title [0.5 marks]
• Correct sector angles:
  • Retail: 37.5% × 3.6° = 135°
  • Food & Beverage: 25.0% × 3.6° = 90°
  • Services: 16.7% × 3.6° = 60°
  • Residential: 12.5% × 3.6° = 45°
  • Vacant: 8.3% × 3.6° = 30° [1.5 marks for all correct angles]
• Legend/key identifying each sector [0.5 marks]
• Neatness and clarity of drawing [0.5 marks]

Marking notes:

• Award 0.5 marks for title.
• Award 1.5 marks for correct sector sizes (deduct 0.5 marks per error, maximum deduction 1.5 marks).
• Award 0.5 marks for legend/labels.
• Award 0.5 marks for overall presentation (neat, sectors clearly distinguishable).
• Accept minor variations in angle measurement (±2°).

(b) Identify the dominant land use type and suggest one reason for its dominance. [1]

Answer:

• Retail is the dominant land use type (37.5%). [0.5 marks]
• Town centres typically have high concentrations of retail due to high pedestrian traffic and accessibility, making them attractive locations for shops. / Retail requires central locations to maximise customer access. [0.5 marks]

Marking notes:

• Award 0.5 marks for correctly identifying retail.
• Award 0.5 marks for a plausible geographical reason.

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Question 10 (4 marks)

(a) Describe two features of the beach shown in the photograph. [2]

Answer:

• The beach has a wide and gently sloping profile/surface. [1 mark]
• The beach is composed of light-coloured sand / The beach is bounded by rock outcrops at both ends / There is dense vegetation on the slopes behind the beach. [1 mark for any second valid feature]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for each valid feature described (maximum 2 marks).
• Features must be observable from the photograph description provided.
• Accept: gentle gradient, wide beach, sandy material, rock outcrops/headlands, vegetation behind beach.

(b) With reference to the photograph, suggest how the beach may have been formed. [2]

Answer:

• The beach was likely formed by deposition of sand and sediment transported by waves and currents. [1 mark]
• The rock outcrops at either end may act as natural barriers, trapping sediment and allowing it to accumulate, forming the wide sandy beach. The gentle slope suggests low-energy waves that deposit rather than erode material. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for identifying deposition as the main process.
• Award 1 mark for linking to photograph evidence (rock outcrops as barriers, gentle slope indicating low-energy waves).
• Accept reference to longshore drift bringing sediment to the area.

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Section C: Fieldwork Methodology and Data Evaluation [20 marks]

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Question 11 (4 marks)

(a) Suggest one other indicator of water quality the students could have measured. [1]

Answer:

• pH level / temperature / nitrate/phosphate concentration / biological oxygen demand (BOD) / presence of aquatic life / coliform bacteria count [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for any valid water quality indicator not already mentioned in the question.
• Accept any standard water quality parameter.

(b) Explain why the students measured water quality at two sites upstream and two sites downstream, rather than one site each. [2]

Answer:

• Measuring at two sites upstream and downstream increases the reliability of the data by providing replication. [1 mark]
• It allows the students to check for consistency in measurements and identify any anomalous results. A single site might not be representative of conditions upstream or downstream, whereas two sites provide a more accurate picture of water quality before and after the town. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for mentioning reliability/replication/consistency.
• Award 1 mark for explaining why multiple sites are better than single sites (representativeness, anomaly detection).
• Accept reference to "sampling strategy" or "reducing bias."

(c) State the independent variable in this investigation. [1]

Answer:

• Location along the river / Distance from the urban area / Site location (upstream vs. town vs. downstream) [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for correctly identifying the independent variable (the variable that is changed/manipulated).
• Accept any phrasing that identifies location/site as the variable being tested.

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Question 12 (4 marks)

(a) Using the data, describe the relationship between dissolved oxygen and turbidity as the river flows from Site 1 to Site 5. [2]

Answer:

• There is an inverse (negative) relationship between dissolved oxygen and turbidity. [1 mark]
• As dissolved oxygen decreases (from 8.5 mg/L at Site 1 to 5.1 mg/L at Site 3), turbidity increases (from 5 NTU to 45 NTU). As dissolved oxygen recovers downstream (7.0 mg/L at Site 5), turbidity decreases (18 NTU). [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for identifying the inverse relationship.
• Award 1 mark for supporting with specific data from the table (values at different sites).
• Accept "when dissolved oxygen is high, turbidity is low, and vice versa."

(b) Do the results support the hypothesis? Explain your answer with reference to the data. [2]

Answer:

• Yes, the results support the hypothesis. [1 mark]
• Water quality decreases through the urban area: dissolved oxygen drops from 8.5 mg/L (upstream) to 5.1 mg/L (in town), while turbidity increases from 5 NTU to 45 NTU. Litter and odour are also observed in the town but not upstream. Water quality improves downstream (dissolved oxygen rises to 7.0 mg/L, turbidity falls to 18 NTU), suggesting the urban area is the source of pollution. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for stating that the hypothesis is supported.
• Award 1 mark for explaining with specific data evidence (must reference at least two indicators).
• Accept answers that partially agree (e.g., "partially supported because water quality improves downstream") with valid reasoning.

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Question 13 (4 marks)

For the river water quality investigation described in Questions 11 and 12, evaluate the reliability of the data collection method. [4]

Answer:

• Position statement: The data collection method is partially reliable but has some limitations. [1 mark]

• Strengths (supporting reliability):

  • Multiple sites (five) along the river provide a spatial sequence showing changes in water quality. [1 mark]
  • Multiple indicators (dissolved oxygen, turbidity, litter, odour) provide a comprehensive assessment of water quality rather than relying on a single measure. [0.5 marks]
  • Replication at two upstream and two downstream sites increases confidence in baseline and recovery measurements. [0.5 marks]

• Limitations (reducing reliability):

  • Measurements were taken only once (no temporal replication); water quality can vary daily due to weather, discharge, or pollution events, so a single measurement may not be representative. [1 mark]
  • Observations of litter and odour are subjective and may vary between observers, reducing reliability. [0.5 marks]
  • The investigation does not control for other variables that might affect water quality (e.g., tributaries entering the river, recent rainfall). [0.5 marks]

Marking notes:

• Award up to 4 marks for a balanced evaluation.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic evaluation with one strength and/or one limitation, limited detail.
• Level 2 (3 marks): Evaluation with at least one strength and one limitation, some detail and explanation.
• Level 3 (4 marks): Balanced evaluation with specific strengths and limitations, clear explanation of how each affects reliability, and a concluding position.
• Answers must reference the specific investigation described in Questions 11 and 12.

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Question 14 (4 marks)

(a) Identify one strength of using a questionnaire to collect data for this investigation. [1]

Answer:

• Questionnaires can collect standardised data from many respondents, allowing easy comparison between the two locations. / Questionnaires allow respondents to remain anonymous, encouraging honest responses. / Questionnaires can collect data on subjective experiences (satisfaction) that cannot be directly observed. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for any valid strength of questionnaire method.
• Answer must be relevant to the investigation context.

(b) Identify one limitation of the sampling method used (30 visitors at each location). [1]

Answer:

• A sample size of 30 may be too small to be representative of all visitors to each location. / The sampling method (e.g., convenience sampling) may introduce bias if only certain types of visitors are approached. / The sample may not capture variation across different times of day or days of the week. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for any valid limitation of the sampling approach.
• Accept reference to sample size, representativeness, or sampling bias.

(c) Suggest how the students could improve the reliability of their data collection. [2]

Answer:

• Increase the sample size (e.g., survey 100 visitors at each location) to improve representativeness and reduce the impact of outliers. [1 mark]
• Use stratified sampling (e.g., by age group, gender, or time of visit) to ensure the sample reflects the diversity of visitors. / Conduct the survey at multiple times (weekdays, weekends, different times of day) to capture variation in visitor experiences. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for each valid improvement suggestion (maximum 2 marks).
• Suggestions must be specific and linked to improving reliability.
• Accept: systematic sampling, random sampling, multiple surveyors, pilot testing the questionnaire.

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Question 15 (4 marks)

(a) Describe the trend in the number of people exiting the mall from 10:00 to 19:00. [2]

Answer:

• The number of people exiting the mall increases steadily from 10:00 (22 people) to 19:00 (155 people). [1 mark]
• The largest increase occurs between 16:00 and 19:00, when exits rise from 130 to 155. Overall, exits increase by 133 people over the period. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for identifying the overall trend (increasing).
• Award 1 mark for supporting with data (specific values or magnitude of change).
• Accept "general upward trend" or "continuous increase."

(b) The student concluded that "more people visit the mall in the afternoon than in the evening." Using the data, evaluate whether this conclusion is valid. [2]

Answer:

• The conclusion is not fully valid based on the data provided. [1 mark]
• While more people enter the mall in the afternoon (145 at 16:00 vs. 98 at 19:00), the total number of people inside the mall depends on both entries and exits. At 19:00, exits (155) exceed entries (98), suggesting people are leaving rather than arriving. The data shows net flow (entries minus exits) is +15 at 16:00 but −57 at 19:00, indicating more people are present in the afternoon. However, the data only captures four 10-minute snapshots, which may not represent overall visitor numbers throughout the afternoon or evening. [1 mark]

Marking notes:

• Award 1 mark for stating that the conclusion has limitations or is not fully valid.
• Award 1 mark for explaining with reference to data (entries vs. exits, net flow, or limitations of snapshot data).
• Accept answers that agree the conclusion is valid if well-justified with data (e.g., entries are higher at 16:00 than 19:00, suggesting more afternoon visitors).

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END OF ANSWER KEY

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Marking scheme total: 60 marks This answer key was generated by TuitionGoWhere for practice purposes.