2018 HKDSEGeography Paper 1Level 5 Exemplar 2

Paper 1 Level 5 exemplar 2 comments

- In question 2, the candidate identified the coastal landforms correctly. He/ she showed a good understanding of

the coastal landforms by applying his/ her geographical knowledge appropriately to suggest the physical factors

favouring their formation. He/ she also used appropriate geographical terms to describe and explain clearly the

formation of the wave-cut platform. He/ she identified coastal management strategy R correctly and explained

clearly how it might protect the coast. Finally, he/ she referred to the present use of the coastal landform to

present a clear discussion of the adverse impacts of the coastal management strategy.

- In Question 4, the candidate described the global distribution of tropical rainforests in detail and explained their

location appropriately. He/ she used appropriate geographical terms to compare the characteristics of the

vegetation shown in the photographs. He/ she showed a good understanding of ecosystems and energy flow by

describing and explaining clearly the differences in energy flow brought about by the changes in trophic levels.

He/ she used the information in Table 4c appropriately to explain the decreasing rainforest area in Indonesia. He/

she referred to the information provided to discuss whether limiting the area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia

might help conserve tropical rainforests in the world.

- In Question 6, the candidate showed a comprehensive understanding of the famine problem in the Sahel region.

He/ she described the physical environment of Sahel in detail and stated accurately the major physical factors

causing famine in the region as being unreliable water supply and drought. He/ she discussed thoroughly the use

of genetically modified crops to increase food supply and the socio-economic limitations on the growing of such

crops.

2018 HKDSEGeography Paper 2Level 5 Exemplar 2

Paper 2 Level 5 exemplar 2 comments

- The candidate demonstrated sound knowledge of the curriculum and communicated his/ her knowledge and

understanding with accurate use of geographical terminology.

- In Question 2, the candidate demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the monsoon system in Hong Kong under

the influence of the pressure pattern in July. He/ she analysed systematically the information provided and gave

a detailed explanation of the favourable conditions for the formation of weather system P. He/ she also

understood clearly how weather system P affected the weather conditions. He/ she identified correctly the days

associated with weather conditions X and Y. However, he/ she described and explained only briefly the changes

in weather conditions in Hong Kong on these two days. He/ she described how weather system P changed the

weather conditions temporarily but without providing a proper explanation.

- In Question 6, the candidate interpreted logically a range of geographical concepts. He/ she demonstrated

comprehensive knowledge of the rainfall characteristics between northern and southern China. However, he/ she

did not mention the influences of other factors, such as that of the relief barrier, on the rainfall characteristics.

He/ she explained comprehensively how the water transfer scheme would alleviate the drought problem in

northern China but stated wrongly that the scheme could also alleviate the flood problem in southern China.