O Level Geography Fieldwork Quiz

O-Level Geography Quiz - Fieldwork (Answer Key)

Total Marks: 40

Section A: Planning and Methodology

1. Identify two water quality variables. [2]

• Accept any two of: pH level, temperature, turbidity (clarity), dissolved oxygen, nitrate/phosphate levels.
• Marking: 1 mark for each correct variable.

2. Advantage of systematic sampling. [2]

• Answer: It ensures even coverage of the study area/river stretch [1], reducing the chance of bias that might occur if sites were chosen randomly or subjectively [1].
• Alternative: It is easier to organize and locate sites in the field compared to random coordinates [1+1].

3. Equipment for float method. [1]

• Answer: Measuring tape / Ruler / Range pole.
• Note: Stopwatch is excluded in the question.

4. Reason for measuring depth at multiple points. [2]

• Answer: River channels are rarely uniform; the centre is usually deepest while banks are shallower [1]. Measuring only the centre would overestimate the average depth and thus the cross-sectional area/discharge [1].

5. Hazard and Precaution. [2]

• Hazard: Slipping on wet rocks / Falling into deep water / Waterborne diseases. [1]
• Precaution: Wear sturdy footwear with grip / Wear life jackets or waders / Wash hands after fieldwork / Work in pairs. [1]
• Note: Precaution must match the hazard.

Section B: Data Collection and Processing

6. Conducting a pedestrian count. [3]

• Answer:
  1. Stand at a fixed point (e.g., corner of intersection) [1].
  2. Count every pedestrian passing a specific line or entering a zone [1].
  3. Conduct the count for a set duration (e.g., 15 minutes) at the same time of day/week to ensure comparability [1].

7. Calculate mean environmental quality score. [2]

• Working: Sum = (-2) + 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 4 [1].
  Mean = 4 ÷ 5 = 0.8 [1].
• Answer: 0.8

8. Describe the relationship. [2]

• Answer: As the distance from the city centre increases [1], the environmental quality score improves (increases) [1].
• Note: Must mention both variables.

9. Appropriate graph type. [1]

• Answer: Line graph.
• Reasoning: Both variables (distance and score) are continuous/numerical, and we are showing a trend/change over distance.

10. Consistency of anemometer height. [2]

• Answer: Wind speed varies with height due to friction with the ground/obstacles [1]. Keeping height consistent ensures that differences in readings are due to location, not height variation, making the data comparable [1].

11. Identify the anomaly. [1]

• Answer: 12.0 m/s.

12. Reason for anomaly. [1]

• Accept any reasonable cause: A sudden gust of wind [1], the student stopped the stopwatch late [1], or the float got stuck and then released [1].

Section C: Analysis and Evaluation

13. Interpretation of scattered scatter graph. [1]

• Answer: There is no clear correlation (or weak/no relationship) between the variables [1].

14. Evaluate float method vs flowmeter. [3]

• Answer:
  • Float Method: Less reliable/accurate because it measures surface velocity only, which is faster than average velocity [1]. It is also affected by wind and human reaction time [1].
  • Flowmeter: More reliable as it measures actual water flow at specific depths and is digital/precise [1].
  • Award marks for comparison: Float is cheaper/easier but less accurate; Flowmeter is accurate but expensive/complex.

15. Bias in "Do you like Singapore?" [2]

• Answer: It is a closed, subjective question that does not provide measurable data [1]. "Like" is vague and does not explain why or allow for statistical analysis of specific factors (e.g., cost, cleanliness) [1].

16. Improved question. [2]

• Answer: Use a Likert scale or rating system. E.g., "On a scale of 1–5, how satisfied are you with your visit to Singapore?" [1] OR "Which factor influenced your visit most? (Tick one)" [1].
• Note: Must yield quantitative or categorizable data.

17. Limitation of single-day data. [2]

• Answer: Weather conditions or river discharge can vary daily [1]. Data from one day may not be representative of typical conditions (e.g., it rained heavily that day, affecting water quality) [1].

18. Improvement to time strategy. [1]

• Answer: Collect data on multiple days / across different seasons / repeat the survey at different times of the day.

19. Disadvantage of pie chart for change over time. [1]

• Answer: It is difficult to compare two pie charts side-by-side to see small changes in proportions [1]. (Bar charts are better for comparison).

20. Secondary vs Primary data reliability. [4]

• Marking Rubric:
  • Level 1 (1 mark): Simple statement agreeing or disagreeing without justification.
  • Level 2 (2–3 marks): Identifies strengths/weaknesses of one or both types. E.g., Secondary data is collected by professionals with better equipment (reliable), but may be outdated. Primary data is specific to the hypothesis but prone to student error.
  • Level 3 (4 marks): Balanced evaluation.
    • Argument for Secondary: Large sample size, professional methodology, consistent standards [1].
    • Argument against Secondary: May not match specific research question, may be old/outdated [1].
    • Argument for Primary: Tailored to hypothesis, current data [1].
    • Conclusion: Secondary is often more reliable for broad trends, but primary is necessary for specific local investigations if conducted rigorously. Validity depends on the source and method [1].