Holy Innocents High School

ANSWER KEY for 2015 Sec 3E Elective Geog MY Paper

(a)

(i) One student thought that the air temperatures within the school
compound vary across different areas. State a suitable hypothesis to
test this idea and explain how it could be tested.
[3]

1m for a suitable hypothesis

(The basketball court has the highest temperature in the school compound.)
1m for measuring air temperature
(Student can use a digital thermometer to measure the air temperature)
1m for suggesting measuring air temperatures of different areas
(Student can measure the temperatures of different outdoor areas for comparison)

(ii) From studying the satellite map in Fig. 1, sketch the layout of the
different areas labelled. Include a title and key for the sketch map.
[3]
Sketch Map of Raffles Institution

Key:
Walkway
Trees

1m for correct and complete layout of labelled areas

1m for labels
1m key and title

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(b)

(i) Use the data in Table 1 to produce a graph on Fig. 2 (Insert 2). It
should show the wind speed and temperature of all areas.
[3]

Temperatures (C)

36

4.5

35

34

3.5

33

32

2.5

31

30

1.5

29

28

0.5

27

Wind speed (m/s)

Day 1 Temp
Day 1 Wind

1m for temperatures represented

1m for wind speed represented
1m for clarity of graph
(Accept other type of graph)

(ii) Suggest reasons for the varying temperatures in Table 1.

[2]

1m for each reason

(Garden has the lowest temperature due to vegetation and shade from Hostel A and B)
(Carpark A has the highest temperature due to the bare and dark ground absorbing heat)
(Carpark A has a higher temperature than Carpark B because it is located near to a swimming pool and
evaporation from the pool cools the air slightly)

(c)

Suggest improvements to the data collection method.

1m for each improvement
(The students should stay in the area for at least 1 min)
(The students should record multiple readings and take the average)
(The students should have multiple pocket weather trackers, and measured all areas at
the same time)
(The students should calibrate multiple pocket weather trackers before taking
measurements)

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[2]

2.

(a)

Describe and explain the patterns of Singapores relative humidity.

[3]

Singapore generally has high relative humidity throughout the year. [1m]
It experiences slightly lower relative humidity in February, March, and June to September [1m], as the warmer air
can hold more moisture, and because there is less rainfall and thus less evaporation. [1m]
Singapore experiences its highest relative humidity in the year in December [1m] as the rainfall is also highest,
and temperatures are lower, which causes the air to hold less moisture, thus increasing relative humidity. [1m]

(b)

Using Table 2, identify and describe the climatic characteristics of the

climate zone Singapore is in.
[3]

Singapore is in the tropical climate zone or equatorial climate [1m]

High precipitation more than 2000mm in the year. [1]
Almost constant temperature with small temperature range of 26C to 27.4 C [1]
Relative humidity Is high at more than 80% due to high temperatures leading to high evaporation rates. [1]
Small annual change of temperature of 1.4C. [1]
(Any 3 points)

(c)

Describe the greenhouse effect that is essential to life on earth, and

explain how it sustains life.
[4]

Without this effect, the Earth would be too cold to live in. [1]
The sun emits shortwave radiation to Earth.[1]
Earth constantly loses heat to space in the form of longwave radiation. [1]
Greenhouse gases absorb some of the longwave radiation emitted by earth to keep it warm. [1]

(d)

Using evidence from Fig. 3 and studies that you have made, explain one
success and one limitation of the Copenhagen Conference.
[4]

Award 1m for describing the limitation/success, and 1m for explanation how it is a success/limitation. Any one
limitation and one success.
Successes:
Copenhagen Conference successfully brought together a group of significant polluters to discuss the measures
that will address climate change effectively. [1m] This success can be seen in the drawing up of the Copenhagen
Climate Accord to agree on a long-term goal to keep increases of global mean maximum tempeartures to within 2
deg C of global temperatures from 1850. [1m]
OR
Targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions were successfully set during the conference. [1m] Developed
countries like US committed to reducing gas emissions and provide a total of US$30 billion to less developed
countries to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. [1m]

Limitations
However, the targets set are not sufficient to reduce emissions to within 2degC of temperatures before 1850 [1m],
therefore the conference will not cause a reduction of global temperatures. [1m]
OR
There was no agreement made on how the reduction of greenhouse gases will be carried out [1m], making it

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difficult for countries to take action and allowing countries to not take it seriously. [1m]
Many developed countries refused to sign the Copenhagen Accord guidelines [1m] thus the accord is not legally
binding, and were not treated seriously as a condition that must be fulfilled, causing many countries to not keep to
their targets. [1m]

(e)

The most significant anthropogenic cause of global warming is burning

of fossil fuels.
Discuss with relevant examples.

[8]

The increase in global temperatures is caused mainly by human activities. Global warming happens when there is
an increased in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The increase results in more heat being
trapped on Earth, leading to global warming. One of the anthropogenic causes is burning of fossil fuels. However,
there are also other man-made causes that contribute the increase in concentration of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
Candidates may provide information about some of the following points.
Anthropogenic causes may be chosen from deforestation, changing land use. Students must discuss burning of
fossil fuels.
Main point
Deforestation
Loss of forest due to largescale clearing of trees
Need the land for other
purposes such as agriculture
or residential
Manufacturing of products
such as paper and furniture

Elaboration
Plants absorb carbon dioxide through
photosynthesis. With the felling of trees, less
trees are available to remove the carbon
dioxide in the air

Example
The net change in forest area in
the period 20002010 is
estimated at 5.2 million
hectares per year

Fallen trees that are burnt release carbon

dioxide
Fallen trees that are left to rot releases
nitrous oxide
Soil is also one of the largest carbon sink
Decomposition releases carbon into the soil
Deforestation exposes the soil leading to
carbon oxidation which releases carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere

Burning fossil fuels

Fossil fuels serve the following
purposes:
Electricity: The most common
use of fossil fuels is the
generation of electricity. Fossil
fuels like coal run most of the
power plants in the world that

The increase in nitrous oxide and carbon

dioxide will trap more heat on Earth, thus
increasing the global temperature
Combustion of fossil fuels combined with
nitrogen in the air produces nitrous oxide.

Burning of fossil fuels is the

largest energy source

Fossil fuels consist of mainly carbon, hence

producing carbon dioxide when burnt.

Most of Singapores electricity

is generated by fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse

gases.

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generate electricity.
Transportation: Most modes of
transport are powered by coal
and petrol. Though hybrid and
electric vehicles have made
inroads into our lives, fossil
fuels still power millions of
vehicles.
Industrial production: Fossil
fuels, especially coal and oil,
power most of the industries
throughout the world.
Kitchens: Nearly one-third of
world's population uses fossil
fuels like coal and biomass,
such as wood and dung for
cooking and heating.
Heating: During winters, fossil
fuels like coal, wood, and gas
serve as great heating
generators.
Changing land use
Agriculture padi fields, cattle
farming

Clearing of forested land for other land use

leads to deforestation.

Rice is the worlds second most

cultivated grain.

Use of machineries such as tractors which

run on fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide.

Cultivation of rice releases

around 25 million tonnes of
methane annually.

Industries manufacturing
Urbanization

Use of inorganic fertilizer releases nitrous

oxide.
Decomposition of organic matter releases
methane.
Bacteria in the flooded padi fields leads to
release of methane.
Many industries such as the manufacturing
industry, rely on burning fossil fuels for
electricity.
Cities contain many skyscrapers which emit
more greenhouse gases during the
construction process.
Cars and buses in the cities contribute to
greenhouse gases.

Level 1 (0-3 marks)

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At this level, answers will be generalised or with minimal support if any given at all. Reasoning rather weak and
expression may be unclear. A basic answer that has little development. Answers lack examples or other evidence,
or it is so sketchy that it adds little support to the answer.
Level 2 (4-6 marks)
Disagreement or agreement will be supported by appropriate detail. Or, both agreement and disagreement are
considered, but support is patchy so that the answer is not full. Good reasoning and logic in parts of the answer
with good expression in places. Some examples or other evidence are presented to supported answers in at least
one place in the answer.
Level 3 (7-8 marks)
At this level answers will be comprehensive and supported by sound knowledge. Both agreement and
disagreement are considered and well-supported. Reasoning is clear and logical with good expression of
language. Clear and logical link to question. Examples or other evidence to support answers will be extensive.
Examples include statistics such as The net change in forest area in the period 20002010 is estimated at 5.2
million hectares per year. OR specific examples such as Argentina has more than 55 million cows grazing in
Pampas grassland.
Student must indicate how increase in greenhouse gases will lead to global warming in the introduction.
Reasoning is clear with step-by-step clarification. Human causes Increase in population More food needed
Changing land use Forest which convert CO2 to O2 changed to agriculture land Rice releases methane
(greenhouse gas) + Cattle release methane (greenhouse gas) Increase in concentration of greenhouse gases
leads to more heat trapped Global warming
Difference between 7m and 8m answers:
Award 8m for answers with Introduction and Conclusion that DIRECTLY answer the question. The most
significant contribution to increased concentration of greenhouse gases comes from burning of fossil fuels
because they are our main source of energy. Large amount of energy is consumed every day for various human
activities. However, we must also recognize that there are also other anthropogenic causes to global warming.
Presence of this conclusion does not automatically qualify the child 8m. The answer has to fulfill the Level 3
criteria.

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