Secondary 1 Geography Fieldwork Quiz

Secondary 1 Geography Quiz - Fieldwork

Answer Key

Section A: Understanding Fieldwork (Questions 1–5)

1. Fieldwork / Field study [1]

Marking note: Accept "field study" or "field investigation". Do not accept vague answers like "going outside".

2. Any one suitable reason: [1]

• It allows us to collect first-hand / primary data.
• It helps us understand real-world environments.
• It develops practical geographical skills.
• It allows us to observe geographical phenomena directly.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for any valid reason. Do not accept "it is fun" or overly vague answers.

3. Any one suitable piece of equipment: [1]

• pH meter / pH paper
• Thermometer (to measure water temperature)
• Dissolved oxygen meter
• Turbidity tube / Secchi dish
• Stopwatch (for flow rate)
• Measuring tape

Marking note: Accept any reasonable piece of equipment related to water quality testing.

4. Primary data is information collected first-hand by the researcher / data gathered directly from the field through observation, measurement, or surveys. [1]

Marking note: Key idea is that the data is collected directly by the student/researcher. Do not accept "data from the internet" or "data from books" (those are secondary data).

5. Any one suitable safety precaution: [1]

• Wear appropriate footwear (e.g., boots with grip).
• Do not enter the water / Stay at a safe distance from the water's edge.
• Work in groups / Never go alone.
• Inform an adult / teacher of the location.
• Wear a life vest if near deep water.
• Check weather conditions before going.

Marking note: Accept any reasonable safety precaution related to fieldwork near water.

Section B: Planning and Methods (Questions 6–10)

6. (a) Any one suitable aim, e.g.: [1]

• "To investigate how the number/diversity of plant species differs between a shaded area and a sunny area in the school garden."
• "To find out if plant species vary between areas with different levels of sunlight."

Marking note: The aim should relate plant species to light/shade conditions.

(b) Any one suitable method described, e.g.: [2]

• Use a quadrat (a 1 m × 1 m frame) placed randomly in each area. Count and identify the different plant species found within the quadrat. Repeat this several times in each area and calculate the average number of species.
• Lay a transect line from the shaded area to the sunny area. At regular intervals along the line, place a quadrat and record the plant species present.

Marking note: Award 2 marks for a clear description that includes: (1) a named method/equipment, and (2) what is recorded/measured. Award 1 mark if only one of these elements is present.

7. (a) Location E (on a concrete path) [1]

(b) Temperature at Location B − Temperature at Location A [1 for working] = 32°C − 27°C = 5°C [1 for answer]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct working and 1 mark for correct answer. Accept follow-through if student identified wrong location in part (a).

(c) Any one suitable reason, e.g.: [1]

• Concrete absorbs and retains more heat than soil/grass/trees.
• There is no shade at Location E, so it receives direct sunlight.
• Concrete is a hard, dark surface that heats up more quickly.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for a valid explanation linked to surface type or lack of shade.

8. (a) Diagram should show: [3]

• Two ranging poles placed on opposite banks of the stream (one on each side).
• A tape measure stretched across the stream between the two poles, perpendicular to the stream flow.
• Labels: "ranging pole", "tape measure", "stream", "width of stream".

Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct positioning of poles on opposite banks, 1 mark for tape measure shown across the stream, and 1 mark for appropriate labels (at least 2 correct labels).

(b) Any one suitable limitation, e.g.: [1]

• The tape measure may sag in the middle, giving an inaccurate reading.
• It may be difficult to stretch the tape across a wide stream.
• The water current may push the tape, making it hard to keep it straight.
• The method only works for narrow streams.

Marking note: Accept any reasonable limitation of the method.

9. Any two valid points, e.g.: [2]

• Memory is unreliable — details may be forgotten or confused after some time. [1]
• Recording immediately ensures the data is accurate and reduces errors. [1]
• Conditions in the field may change, so delayed recording may not reflect actual observations. [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark per valid point, up to a maximum of 2 marks.

10. Any one suitable method with a recording detail, e.g.: [3]

• Stand at the park entrance and count the number of people entering the park over a set time period (e.g., every 30 minutes) using a tally chart. Record the data in a table with columns for time interval and number of people.
• Use a clicker counter to count each person entering the park during a specific time period. Record the total count for each hour in a data table.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying a suitable method (e.g., counting at entrance, tally chart), 1 mark for describing how the method is carried out, and 1 mark for stating how data is recorded (e.g., table, tally chart).

Section C: Data Presentation and Analysis (Questions 11–15)

11. (a) Site 2 [1]

(b) 15 + 22 + 10 + 18 = 65 [1 for working, 1 for answer]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct addition and 1 mark for correct total.

(c) Plastic items at Site 2 = 22; Total items at Site 2 = 40 [1 for identifying values] Percentage = (22 ÷ 40) × 100 = 55% [1 for correct answer]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct working and 1 mark for correct answer (55%).

(d) Any one suitable conclusion, e.g.: [1]

• Plastic is the most common type of litter found at the beach.
• Site 2 has the most litter overall.
• Metal items are the least common type of litter.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for a conclusion that is supported by the data.

12. Any two valid points, e.g.: [2]

• As the number of oktas of cloud cover increases, the amount of rainfall also increases. [1]
• On Day 1 and Day 5, when cloud cover was low (2 and 3 oktas), there was no rainfall (0 mm). [1]
• On Day 3, when cloud cover was highest (8 oktas), rainfall was greatest (15 mm). [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for describing the general trend and 1 mark for using data from the table to support the trend. Maximum 2 marks.

13. Advantage (any one): [1]

• Questionnaires can collect data from many people quickly.
• They allow collection of people's opinions, perceptions, and experiences.
• Responses can be easily compared and analysed.

Disadvantage (any one): [1]

• People may not answer honestly.
• Some people may refuse to participate, leading to incomplete data.
• Questions may be misunderstood by respondents.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for a valid advantage and 1 mark for a valid disadvantage.

14. (a) The slope angle increases from 5° at Point X to 20° at Point Z. / The slope becomes steeper towards the top of the hill. [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for describing the change (increasing/steeper).

(b) Any one suitable reason, e.g.: [1]

• The upper part of the hill is naturally more steeply inclined due to the shape of the land.
• There may be less vegetation at the top, leading to erosion that steepens the slope.
• The hill may have a convex slope profile.

Marking note: Accept any reasonable geographical explanation.

15. Any one valid reason explained, e.g.: [2]

• The riverbank soil is very moist because it is located next to the river, so water from the river seeps into the soil and keeps it wet. [1] The hillside soil is dry because it is higher up and further from the water source, so water drains downhill away from it. [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying the proximity to water as the reason, and 1 mark for explaining the contrast between the two locations. Maximum 2 marks.

Section D: Evaluation and Conclusion (Questions 16–20)

16. (a) The car park would have the most surface runoff. [1] Reason: The car park has a hard, impermeable surface (concrete/tarmac) that does not allow water to infiltrate into the ground, so most of the rainwater flows over the surface as runoff. [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for correct prediction (car park) and 1 mark for a valid reason linked to impermeable surfaces.

(b) Any one suitable improvement, e.g.: [1]

• Repeat the measurements multiple times and calculate an average.
• Collect data over a longer period of time / on more than one day.
• Ensure all measurements are taken under the same weather conditions.
• Use the same equipment at each site.

Marking note: Accept any reasonable method to improve reliability.

17. Any two suitable pieces of evidence, e.g.: [2]

1. A tally chart or frequency table showing the number of each type of vehicle (cars, buses, motorcycles, etc.) counted during the observation period. [1]
2. The total number of vehicles counted and the number/percentage that were cars (e.g., "Out of 200 vehicles, 150 were cars, which is 75%"). [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark per valid piece of evidence. Evidence must be quantitative (numerical) to support the conclusion.

18. (a) Independent variable: Distance from the water body [1] Dependent variable: Air temperature [1]

Marking note: Award 1 mark for each correctly identified variable. Do not accept reversed answers.

(b) Any one suitable controlled variable, e.g.: [1]

• Time of day (all readings taken at the same time).
• Weather conditions (all readings taken on the same day / under similar conditions).
• Height at which temperature is measured.
• Type of thermometer used.

Marking note: Accept any reasonable variable that should be kept constant.

19. A well-structured evaluation should include: [3]

• The conclusion is not very reliable. [1]
• The student only collected data from one area of the park, so the data may not represent the condition of the entire park — other areas might have more litter. [1]
• The data was collected on a single afternoon, which is a very short time frame. The amount of litter may vary on different days or at different times (e.g., after a weekend or an event). [1]
• To improve reliability, the student should collect data from multiple areas across the park and on different days/times.

Marking note: Award 1 mark for stating that the conclusion is unreliable, 1 mark for identifying a limitation of the data collection (limited area or limited time), and 1 mark for explaining why this limitation affects the conclusion. Maximum 3 marks.

20. (a) Any one suitable aim, e.g.: [1]

• "To investigate how human activity affects the type and amount of vegetation in different parts of the nature reserve."
• "To find out whether areas with more human foot traffic have less vegetation than areas with less human activity."

Marking note: Award 1 mark for a clear aim that links human activity to vegetation.

(b) Any two suitable methods, e.g.: [4]

Method 1: Use a quadrat placed at regular intervals along a transect line from a high-human-activity area (e.g., near a footpath) to a low-human-activity area (e.g., deeper in the reserve). Record the number of plant species and percentage vegetation cover within each quadrat. [2]

Method 2: Take photographs of the vegetation at set points along the transect and compare the density and variety of plants in areas with different levels of human activity. [2]

Alternative methods accepted:

• Counting the number of trampled/damaged plants in areas near footpaths vs. away from footpaths.
• Conducting a survey/interview with park rangers about changes in vegetation over time.

Marking note: Award up to 2 marks per method. For each method: 1 mark for identifying a suitable technique, and 1 mark for describing how it would be carried out or what data would be collected.

(c) Any one suitable risk and management, e.g.: [2] Risk: Slipping on wet/muddy ground near the nature reserve. [1] How to manage: Wear appropriate footwear with good grip, and avoid walking on very wet or steep areas. Carry a first aid kit. [1]

Alternative risks accepted:

• Insect bites / insect repellent
• Getting lost / carry a map and stay in groups
• Dehydration / bring sufficient water
• Sunburn / wear sunscreen and a hat

Marking note: Award 1 mark for identifying a relevant risk and 1 mark for describing a practical way to manage it.

END OF ANSWER KEY