UNIVERSITY OF MALTA THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION INTERMEDIATE LEVEL GEOGRAPHY MAY 2015 EXAMINERS REPORT
IM GEOGRAPHY MAY 2015 SESSION EXAMINERS REPORT Part 1: Statistical Information Table 1 shows the distribution of grades for the May 2015 session of the examination. GRADE A B C D E F ABS TOTAL NUMBER 10 12 39 15 3 10 8 97 % OF TOTAL 10.31 12.37 40.21 15.46 3.093 10.31 8.247 100 General comments A total of 97 candidates registered for the Geography Intermediate exam in May 2015. Candidates got higher marks for questions in Section 3 (The Man-Environment Relationship). When reference to real life examples was asked for, most candidates showed lack of application skills. Part 2 Section 1: Physical Geographical Processes Question 1 18 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 11 out of 18 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (61.1%) The mean mark for this question was 9.8. (a) Most candidates recognised the low pressure area over the central Mediterranean region but quite a number wrongly mentioned the high pressure area over the eastern Mediterranean region. (b) Few candidates explained the origin of low pressure systems that enter the Mediterranean region. (c) Most candidates associated the low pressure area with cloudy and rainy weather. The amount of detail of the sequence of weather in a depression, however, varied greatly. (d) Most answers to this question were correct. Question 2 15 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 13 out of 15 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (86.6%) The mean mark for this question was 14.6. (a) Most candidates mentioned the supply of sand and winds although few mentioned that winds have to blow inland over a sandy beach. (b) Most answers to this question provided detailed descriptions of the characteristics of sand dunes that may develop across a beach. Descriptions of their formation tended to be less detailed. (c) All candidates gave Ramla l-ħamra as a local example of sand dunes but hardly any candidates gave a correct example of sand dunes in other countries. Question 3 51 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 33 out of 51 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (64.7%) The mean mark for this question was 12.6. This was the most popular question in Section 1. The mean mark for this question was 12.6
(a) Most candidates gave a correct definition of a hydrograph. (b) Most candidates could explain what rising limb, recession or falling limb and peak discharge show. Some candidates had difficulty explaining what lag time is. (c) Quite a number of candidates had difficulty identifying the hydrograph. (d) Most answers to this question provided detailed descriptions of the physical characteristics of the drainage basin that influenced the shape of each hydrograph. Quite a number of answers included labelled diagrams that assisted candidates in illustrating their description. Section 2: Human Geographical Processes Question 4 81 out of 89 candidates answered this question 55 out of 81 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 13 (a) Answers were clear and overall correct, mostly referring to the amount of people living in a specific area given per kilometre squared. Few candidates failed to distinguish between total population and population density. (b) Overall good explanations given with regards to human factors contributing to a high population density, namely referring to the economic factors. Some responses confused this term with migration pull factors. Quite a number of responses failed to name specific examples. (c) Again, good explanations given, with most answers referring to relief, climate and lack of resources as the main physical factors thata contribute to a low population density. (d) Most of the responses listed referred to overcrowding, unemployment and pollution as the main consequences of high population density. Question 5 19 out of 89 candidates answered this question 17 out of 20 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 15.1 (a) Responses were overall correct and specified a good explanation why people migrate giving the political and economic conditions as the main pull and push factors. (b) A good knowledge of Ravenstein claims for migration was evident. (c) An overall correct application of Ravenstein claims to the current situation in the Mediterranean Sea. A few responses failed to link these claims to the Mediterranean Sea and listed other world regions. Question 6 20 out of 89 candidates answered this question (22%) 9 out of 20 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 10.2 (a) A good description of a nucleated settlement, but some examples included linear rather than nucleated settlements. (b) Responses mostly specified that these settlements offer a sense of security and community cohesion. (c) A good description of dispersed settlements, but some examples listed nucleated areas. Most candidates limited their responses to a definition without giving a reason why these settlements might be dispersed. Section 3: The Man-Environment Relationship Question 7 36 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 22 out of 36 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 12.1.
(a) Some candidates wrote a short answer, without considering the ten marks assigned for this part but others explained extensively how tsunamis can lead to a great loss of life and can cause widespread devastation. (b) Most candidates answered well. Some candidates provided a very detailed answer such as tsunami warning systems, monitoring the coast, building tall structures where people can take shelter and emergency planning. Question 8 27 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 26 out of 27 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 14.4. (a) Most of the parts of this question were answered correctly with a good understanding of the terms municipal and hazardous waste. (b) Overall good answers were given. However, most of the answers could have been more detailed. Candidates provided examples and explained how municipal and construction waste is being disposed of in Malta. Reference was made to recyclable materials, bring in sites, organic waste and engineered landfills. (c) Candidates showed good knowledge of how locally generated waste can negatively impact Malta s terrestrial and marine environment. Most answers related to the leeching of contaminants from generated waste into the aquifers and sea, plastic and drainage in the sea. Question 9 68 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 56 out of 68 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 13. This was the most popular question in section 3. (a) Most candidates explained why it is estimated that developing countries will produce higher carbon dioxide emissions than MEDC. (b) Many of the candidates explained the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. Some candidates explained the causes of global warming but did not explain the relationship between carbon dioxide and global warming. Some candidates still confuse the depletion of the ozone layer with global warming. (c) Practically all candidates answered well. It is clear that the effects of global warming on coastal areas were understood, and well written reasons were provided such as a rise in sea level and extreme climatic instability (droughts, flooding, hurricanes, cyclones). (d) Candidates showed good knowledge of the attempts being taken to reduce the effects of global warming. Various measures were mentioned such as using renewable energy and gave examples on how to reduce carbon dioxide. A number of candidates mentioned the Kyoto protocol and the EU 2020 targets. Section 4: Fieldwork and Mapwork Skills Question 10 66 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 51 out of 66 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 12.2. This was the most popular question in section 4. (a) Most candidates gave a good description of the number of people migrating from one country to another. (b) Few candidates responded correctly. A number of candidates replied that it was a chloropleth map. (c) Most candidates replied that the map is easy to interpret and understand. Some candidates erroneously answered that the arrows show the number of migrants. Some candidates misunderstood the question and mentioned the advantages of migration.
(d) Many candidates mentioned correctly that the map can get very crowded with arrows and so the map may be difficult to interpret. Candidates also mentioned the fact that the legend does not indicate the actual number of migrant movement. Some candidates commented that no data was provided for the Maltese Islands. Some candidates did not read the question well and wrote about the disadvantages of migration. (d) Candidates mentioned that the number of migrants should be written next to the arrows. Some candidates were incorrect in their answer. These answered that a scattergraph could be used. Question 11 21 out of 89 candidates answered this question. 5 out of 21 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks The mean mark for this question was 7.9. (a) Most candidates limited their answers to defining the scientific method and hypotheses testing instead of explaining the importance of these concepts. (b) Most candidates could distinguish between random and systematic sampling. (c) Most answers showed lack of a clear idea of random or systematic sampling techniques in the investigation chosen. Question 12 11 out of 89 candidates answered this question (12%) 9 out of 11 candidates who answered this question scored over 10 marks (82% The mean mark for this question was 14.8 (a) Overall, most candidates completed this table correctly. (b) The graph was very well plotted and clear. (c) Most candidates used their plotted graph to work out this estimation, with slight variations in the final value. Marks were allotted to workings done on the candidates graph. (d) Most figures were correctly listed. Most candidates showed their workings both on the graph and also by listing the lower and upper quartiles. Marks were allotted to workings done on the candidates graph. (e) Candidate responses describing an advantage of using cumulative frequency diagrams were correct. Chairperson Examination Panel 2015