Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 Exemplar for Internal Assessment Resource Geography Level 3 Resource title: Water, water, everywhere? This exemplar supports assessment against: Achievement Standard 91432 Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale Student and grade boundary specific exemplar The material has been gathered from student material specific to an A or B assessment resource. Date version published by Ministry of Education December 2012 To support internal assessment from 2013 This task asks students to analyse global water accessibility and/or use. The annotations focus primarily on the aspect relating to the pattern, and factors and/or processes that contribute to the pattern. Resource 3.7B will focus more on the aspect relating to the social and economic significance of the topic for people. Crown 2012
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 1. Grade Boundary: Low Excellence To achieve this standard at Excellence the student needs to analyse comprehensively aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale. This involves: Fully explaining the factors and/or processes that contribute to the pattern. Evaluating the social and economic significance of the topic for people showing insight. The following aspects indicate work at the Excellence level. The understanding of how the factors are related and interact is shown in the extract from the planning diagram. The planning and the response demonstrate insight with the interaction of both natural and cultural factors and how they contribute to the global spatial pattern. By explaining water deficit and limited related infrastructure the argument continues to focus on access to safe water, not simple access to water [A]. Geographic terminology is used throughout and the concepts of interaction, location and accessibility are incorporated. a direct interaction between population pressure, infrastructure and available safe water contributing to the spatial concentrations of poor access to safe water in the arid regions. The discussion about the patterns of safe water access further emphasises the importance of development as a factor contributing to the pattern. There is both concentrated and dispersed patterns of high rates of access to safe water which are closely related to the more temperate regions and nations that experience higher rates of development [B]. Geographic terminology is effectively used. To more securely achieve at Excellence: geographic concepts could be developed further more specific statistical data could have been used especially related to climate and population factors. the factor of development could be extended beyond the rather narrow focus on infrastructure. The sample is part of the response that illustrates the comments above. Crown 2012
Student 1: Low Excellence Plan for factors and processes that contribute to the pattern; [A] There are many factors which contribute to the pattern of concentrations of poor access to safe water and more dispersal of areas with 100% of the population accessing safe water. Three factors that will be examined are key elements of climate, poverty and population growth or more specifically population growth to an extent that it puts pressure of available water supplies. The three major concentrations shown on the map are in Northern Africa, China and South East Asia ; each of these regions also experience extreme climatic extremes and high levels of poverty. There are obvious links between the climate zones shown on map 1 with the global patterns of access to safe water. Extreme climatic conditions like droughts and flooding clearly contribute to the spatial pattern of concentrations. The concentration in northern Africa, including Ethiopia, Chad across the Sahel region to Mauritania is a region that experiences infrequent precipitation; ranging from 200mm to 600mm a year In arid areas (steppe and desert) there is simply a shortage of water and people have to often survive off lake water, wells, and remaining shallow rivers etc. which do not provide safe water In some of the countries located in the arid regions irrigation systems and reservoirs have been built, but they are unable to provide safe water during the extended
periods of drought. A countries infrastructure can be a significant cause of the poor access to safe water. Chad for example is ranked in the top five counties in the world for this indicator. This area experiences low rainfall and suffers regular drought during the dry season. The people rely almost entirely on wells, but due to the extreme poverty of this country the quality of the wells is poor and consequently many contain unsafe water, if any at all in the dry season. Heavy reliance on ground water in some regions has depleted these sources of safe water. Early civilisations in the Sahara accessed the vast supplies of ground water through sophisticated well systems, but as population grew the demand outran the supply and the wells dried up. As the rainfall declined in the regions the underground water sources were not replenished. This example shows a direct interaction between population pressure, infrastructure and available safe water contributing to the spatial concentrations of poor access to safe water in the arid regions. When rain does occur it can be in isolated areas and very intense often causing flooding Much of Ethiopia experiences very low rainfalls with the lowlands receiving only 250mm annually. In an area that also receives high temperatures, often in excess of 30ºC much of the available water is evaporated. The interaction between these two climate elements, low rainfall together with high evaporation rates results in a lack of safe water A consequence of low levels of development and lack of investment capital is that appropriate water storage is not available to prevent loss by evaporation resulting in loss of a valuable and limited resource. Arid climates with unreliable rainfall are a major factor contributing to the concentration in Northern Africa. Other areas experience monsoon climates where excesses of water lead to flooding and clean water sources become polluted. If infrastructure is not maintained to a high standard e.g. sewage systems, during flood events sources of safe water can become contaminated. In areas like Bangladesh and Cambodia where monsoonal flooding is a common occurrence, the flooding destroys wells, rivers carry a lot of debris and silt and the options for saving clean water are nil There is both concentrated and dispersed patterns of high rates of access to safe water which are closely related to the more temperate regions and nations that experience higher rates of development The Netherlands has 116,000 km of water pipes allowing 100% distribution of safe water to the entire country. They have a stable economy and can ensure that all water is sanitised The level of development is a primary factor contributing to the pattern of access to safe water evident throughout the developed world with concentrations in North America and Western Europe and more dispersed through parts of South America and the Pacific [B]
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 2. Grade Boundary: High Merit To achieve this standard at Merit the student needs to analyse in depth aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale. This involves: Explaining, in detail, the factors and/or processes that contribute to the pattern. Explaining, in detail, the social and economic significance of the topic for people This is a High Merit as significant natural and cultural factors are explained in detail using geographic terminology and concepts The interaction between these two climate elements Statistical evidence is incorporated to support the explanation. The concentration in northern Africa, including Ethiopia, Chad across the Sahel region to Mauritania is a region that experiences infrequent precipitation; ranging from 200mm to 600mm a year and receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year. This response was supported with annotated maps. The sample is part of the response relating to the climatic factors that illustrate the comments above. The student response also included an explanation of poverty and population growth, each of which could have been integrated. To improve to Excellence the student needed to show greater clarity of argument through the linking of factors and/or processes that clearly relate to each other, such as extremes of climate and poverty. The contribution of these factors to the pattern is significant, but their interaction is important to both the global pattern and the topic as a whole. This interaction would have demonstrated insight whereas separately they are only explained in detail. Crown 2012
Student 2: High Merit Factors/Processes There are obvious links between the climate zones shown on map 1 with the global patterns of access to safe water. Extreme climatic conditions like droughts and flooding clearly contribute to the spatial pattern of concentrations shown on the map. In arid areas (steppe and desert) there is simply a shortage of water and people have to often survive off surface water like lakes and ponds, wells, and remaining shallow rivers etc. which do not provide safe water In some of the countries included in the arid regions irrigation systems and reservoirs have been built, but they are unable to provide safe water during the extended periods of drought The concentration in Northern Africa, including Ethiopia, Chad across the Sahel region to Mauritania is a region that experiences infrequent precipitation; ranging from 200mm to 600mm a year. Much of Ethiopia experiences very low rainfalls with the lowlands receiving only 250mm annually. It has been experiencing a continued period of drought for the past 2-3 years and relies on trucked water from outside the region. In the Sahel region which also receives high temperatures, often in excess of 30ºC much of the available water is evaporated. When rain does occur in these arid regions it can be in isolated incidents and be very intense often causing flooding The interaction between these two climate elements, low rainfall together with high evaporation rates results in a lack of safe water Arid climates with unreliable rainfall are a major factor contributing to the concentration of unsafe water in northern Africa. Other areas experience monsoon climates where excesses of water lead to flooding and clean water sources become polluted. In areas like Bangladesh and Cambodia where monsoonal flooding is a common occurrence, the flooding destroys wells, rivers carry a lot of debris and silt and the options for saving clean water are nil Cambodia receives 75% and Bangladesh 80% of their annual rainfall during the monsoon wet season. Bangladesh s climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive 5,080 mm Bangladesh which is located in the Bay of Bengal, also gets cyclones which bring huge waves leading to the pollution of fresh water with salt. Surface water like ponds which are used for cleaning, cooking etc. are affected by salinization
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 3. Grade Boundary: Low Merit Most of the evidence is quite promising for Merit, some detail is provided, but more specific detail is needed to convincingly achieve at this level. Two factors were examined by the student, climate and population growth. Some statistical data is incorporated to support the explanation and global evidence is used throughout. Much of Ethiopia experiences very low rainfalls with the lowlands receiving only 250mm annually. The factors are related back to the spatial pattern. Arid climates are a major factor contributing to the concentration in northern Africa. To be a more convincing Merit response more detail such as statistical data to support the case study evidence is needed e.g. percentages of people without access to safe water in the case study countries. The population factor was limited and was based on China; this could have included a detailed explanation for India. More discussion of some other arid regions would have demonstrated a more global understanding of the topic. The sample is part of the response that illustrates the comments above. Crown 2012
Student 3: Low Merit Factors/Processes Climate patterns can be seen to link with global patterns of access to safe water. Extreme climatic conditions like droughts and flooding clearly contribute to the spatial pattern of concentrations. In arid areas there is simply a shortage of water and people have to often survive off lake water, wells, and remaining shallow rivers which do not provide safe water The concentration in northern Africa, including Ethiopia, Chad across the Sahel region to Mauritania is a semi desert region that experiences very low and unreliable rainfall. Rainfall totals can range from 200mm to 600mm a year. When rain does occur it can be in isolated areas and very intense often causing flooding Much of Ethiopia experiences very low rainfalls with the lowlands receiving only 250mm annually. In an area that also receives high temperatures much of the available water is evaporated. Low rainfall together with high evaporation rates results in a lack of safe water Arid climates are a major factor contributing to the concentration in Northern Africa. The second large concentration shown is centred on Asia where both shortage of water and excesses of water are experienced. Parts of China have extreme desert conditions, but I will focus on China in the section looking at populations that outstrip the available water resource and India. Other areas experience monsoon climates where excesses of water lead to flooding and clean water sources become polluted. In areas like Bangladesh and Cambodia where monsoonal flooding is a common occurrence, the flooding destroys wells, rivers carry a lot of debris and silt and the options for saving clean water are nil Cambodia receives 75% and Bangladesh 80% of their annual rainfall during the monsoon wet season. Bangladesh climate is one of the wettest in the world. Most places receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive 5,080 mm Extreme climatic conditions clearly contribute to the spatial pattern of concentrations shown on the map
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 4. Grade Boundary: High Achieved To achieve this standard the student needs to analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale. This involves: Describing the pattern using geographic terminology. Explaining the factors and/or processes that contribute to the pattern. Explaining the social and economic significance of the topic for people. This is a High Achieved response as the description is indicative of the depth expected at Level 8 of the curriculum. The description of the pattern uses geographic terminology and demonstrates a clear understanding of the global spatial dimension. Variations in the concentrations are described, The size of the concentration in Africa varies. The responses include statistical evidence and global evidence. A spatial pattern visible on the map is the high concentrations and between the equator and 30ºN, however, this is not a true linear pattern [A]. Both natural and cultural factors are explained as contributing to the pattern. These included climate, (rainfall and drought), levels of development, population growth etc. the student is able to show relationships and cause and effect indicating insight into the factors contributing to the pattern in named areas. The extract relating to climate was the most detailed of those covered by the student. The factors are directly linked back to the pattern Arid climates are a major factor contributing to the concentration in northern Africa [B]. To improve to Merit the student needed to: Focus on fewer major factors, perhaps climate and levels of development or poverty, and develop these with more supporting evidence, rather than try to cover too many factors. Provide more detailed specific evidence in the explanation of development [C]. In this task combining the first two aspects, describing a global pattern and explaining the contributing factors/processes works well, allowing the student to develop a clearer more coherent response. The sample is part of the response that illustrates the comments above. Crown 2012
Student 4: High Achieved Pattern: 80% of humanity resides in areas where water security is threatened due to the highly unequal distribution of renewable freshwater resources. Many developing regions do not have access to a sustainable water source A spatial pattern visible on the map is the high concentrations of unsafe drinking water in Western and Central Africa including countries such as Chad and Ethiopia, and Asia including specifically Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia, China and India There is evidence of the pattern occurring between the equator and 30ºN however, this is not a true linear pattern as access to safe water is not such an extreme issue for Central America as it is for parts of Africa and Asia. 8-10 of the top ranked countries for limited access to safe water are in this zone. Patterns of access to safe water clearly show extremes ranging from countries where less than 50% of the population can access safe water (Afghanistan 13%); to countries in Western Europe with 100% access The choropleth map which shows a larger range also confirms the concentration pattern, but also shows regions with moderate access to safe water such as the South American nations of Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia. This gives us more detail and it is possible to identify some influence of landmasses and climate patterns. The size of the concentration in Africa varies depending on the detail of the indicator used. Much of the continent could be included in the one concentration as few countries or even parts of countries have access to safe water. But within Africa there are three separate nodes or concentrations; one based around the arid regions (Sahara) to the north, Central Africa and South Eastern Africa. It is important to identify these areas separately as the reason for the poor access to safe water and degree of this problem varies The Asian concentration shown on the map. The pattern of concentration emphasises that countries with the least access to safe water are also linked to regions with high rates of poverty and in many cases they are also low rainfall zones. There is a close correlation between world maps of the human development index, poverty and access to safe water As a continent Africa dominates in having the lowest access rates to safe water, it also experiences the highest rates of poverty. [A]
Factors/Processes Climate zones show a link with the global patterns of access to safe water. In arid areas there is simply a shortage of water and people have to often survive off lake water and wells which do not provide safe water. Ethiopia experiences very low rainfalls with the lowlands receiving only 250mm annually. In an area that also receives high temperatures much of the available water is evaporated. Low rainfall together with high evaporation rates results in a lack of safe water Arid climates are a major factor contributing to the concentration in Northern Africa. Large areas of S.E. Asia experience monsoon climates where high rainfalls lead to flooding and clean water sources become polluted. In areas like Bangladesh and Cambodia where monsoonal flooding is a common occurrence, the flooding destroys wells, rivers carry a lot of debris and silt and the options for saving clean water are nil Cambodia receives 75% and Bangladesh 80% of their annual rainfall during the monsoon wet season. Most parts of Bangladesh receive more than 1,525 mm of rain a year, and areas near the hills receive more than 5,080mm [B] Selected countries within the concentrations of poor access to safe water also rank low on the human poverty index showing a link between these two factors. Within the Northern Africa concentration the following countries are examples that rank within the low group, Chad, Mali, Eritrea,.. In the Asian concentration there are Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia.. It cannot be a coincidence that low development characterises the areas of poor access to safe water, leading me to believe that levels of development contribute to the spatial pattern. Access to safe water requires networks of water pipes and methods of water quality control and improved sanitation. These developments require huge investment it set up and maintain. The nations in the concentrations rely on surface water (ponds or rivers) or wells for most of their water. Many of the people in some of these countries like Somalia, Ethiopia are in refugee camps where the pressure on safe water is limited.. In some Asian countries namely Cambodia and Bangladesh most of the people do not have piped water as they are in isolated village communities [C]
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 5. Grade Boundary: Low Achieved The student has met the requirements of the standard. A global spatial pattern has been described using geographic terminology global spatial pattern of access to safe water that shows both dispersal concentrations and it is supported with global evidence [A]. Several factors that contribute to the pattern are explained including wealth and climate, The distribution and availability of water around the globe is directly linked to the climate. There is also reference to other aspects of the pattern such as concentration in areas of high access to safe water clearly providing a global perspective. In the two concentrations of high access to safe water, North America and Western Europe, the countries are relatively wealthy and have invested in demonstrating that the student has an understanding of the geographic topic at a global scale [B]. To more securely achieve the standard the student needed to: Describe the global spatial pattern more clearly to demonstrate understanding of pattern rather than location. The characteristics of the concentrations identified (including variations) could be included. The dispersed pattern was identified but needed to be described using geographic terminology. Greater use of Geographic terminology is required at this level. The description must be indicative of the quality expected at Level 8 of the curriculum. Specific detail is needed about the factors/processes to clarify how they contribute to the global pattern. This sample is only extracts from the student response that illustrates the comments above. Crown 2012
Student 5: Low Achieved Spatial pattern: There is a global spatial pattern of access to safe water that shows both dispersal and concentration. Major concentrations are in the continents of Africa and Asia One map shows Africa as one concentration but this is very general and the description could focus on three concentrations. The Asian concentration also has different nodes and some dispersal as Afghanistan isn t really part of the concentration including Cambodia, and Lao People s Democratic Republic These concentrations include many regions with extremely high poverty rates. The central African countries of Ethiopia and Chad are in the top five of countries ranked for population without sustainable access to improved water. Chad and Ethiopia are also countries that receive very low annual rainfalls. These countries are also ranked in the top 10 of highest human poverty index. China has a high percentage of their population unable to access safe water and they are a clearly part of the concentration in Asia The pattern seems to be mostly in the Northern Hemisphere from the Equator to around the Tropic of Cancer [A]
The highest incidence of limited access to safe water is in the Northern Hemisphere, or more accurately is between the tropics and occurs often in areas or unreliable rainfall like near the Sahara Desert The distribution and availability of water around the globe is directly linked to the climate. For example Morocco which is located in a hot dry climate has a high concentration of poor water availability. The northern African countries bordering on the Sahara desert experience semi-arid desert conditions leading to extreme water shortages people in these areas rely heavily on wells, but due to droughts and pressure on these resources the deeper the well the poorer the quality of water These semi desert areas often only receive 250-500mm of rain annually and without infrastructure to supply and store water these two issues (low rainfall/no infrastructure) clearly contribute to the concentration pattern in Northern Africa and Western China. The wealth of a country will also contribute to the availability of safe water. In the two concentrations of high access to safe water, North America and Western Europe, the countries are relatively wealthy and have invested in water systems to provide the population with safe drinkable water. Wealthy countries are able to construct the infrastructure to enable water to be distributed throughout the country ensuring that even areas that have water shortages are supplied. [B]
Exemplar for internal assessment resource Geography 3.7A for Achievement Standard 91432 6. Grade Boundary: High Not Achieved This sample shows that some of the evidence is at or nearly reaching the standard, but there is insufficient depth and quality overall to be indicative of work reflecting level 8 of the curriculum. This extract from the description of the global pattern shows understanding of a spatial pattern and use of appropriate terminology, A pattern we can see on the map showing poor water access is a high concentration in Central Africa. The description identifies key concentrations and also describes the other patterns of areas with access to safe water [A]. Appropriate factors contributing to the pattern are used, the climate one was as for Low Achieved (See student 5) and was incorporated with the pattern aspect. The following extract explains levels of poverty or wealth as contributors to the pattern. The level of poverty or wealth in a region contributes to the concentrated pattern of areas with or with our access to safe water [B]. To meet the standard the student needed to: Describe the global pattern more clearly; this would require identifying other concentrations of poor access to safe water. Examples from South East Asia are included in other parts of the work, but not mentioned in relation to the pattern. Reference to USA should more accurately be North America. Clearly explain how the factors contributed to the pattern. The explanation of poverty focused on it more as a consequence of the pattern not contributing to the global pattern. update their infrastructure, they would see an improvement in both their human poverty rate and gain better access to safe water. The sample is part of the response that illustrates the comments above. Crown 2012
Student 6: High Not Achieved A pattern we can see on the map showing poor water access is a high concentration in Central Africa and a high concentration in Asia. Only 50% of people living in Central Africa have access to safe drinking water. Poor access to safe water is also concentrated around the Sahara in Northern Africa A characteristic of many of the countries in this concentration are the low rainfalls annually [Discussion of climate as a factor contributing to the pattern occurred here.] Countries in these regions are very high on the human poverty index, especially Mali, Ethiopia and Niger all of which are within the top 8 poorest nations On the map there are also concentrations of areas with excellent access to safe water these are Western Europe and USA There are also scattered countries in this group such as Japan, Australia and N.Z [A] One of the reasons for the high percentage without access to safe water, as well as the high poverty rate in Asia, is the population density of countries such as China and India. The largest population without access to safe drinking water is in China The wealth of a country will also contribute to the availability of safe water, which will ultimately improve the economy Wealthy countries are able to construct the infrastructure to enable water to be distributed to areas of water shortage. Poorer nations that cannot afford to develop the necessary infrastructure often experience poor health among the people and food shortages as crops cannot be grown reliably due to unreliable supplies of water. If some countries in Africa and Asia improved their economic situation and were able to update their infrastructure, they would see an improvement in both their human poverty rate and gain better access to safe water. The level of poverty or wealth in a region contributes to the concentrated pattern of areas with or with our access to safe water. [B]