2020 HKDSEGeography Paper 1Level 5 Exemplar 2

Paper 1 Level 5 exemplar 2 comments

- The candidate demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the curriculum. He/ she

communicated ideas and expressed views logically.

- In Question 1, the candidate gave a systematic account of the merits and demerits of the ‘Urban Environmental

Quality Assessment Form’ and systematic sampling. However, he/ she overlooked the limitations of choosing

sampling sites on a straight line. The candidate described logically the processing of data from calculation to

presentation. Finally, the candidate gave quite a comprehensive account of data collection methods, including

using instruments and interviewing residents in part (d). However, he/ she should also have described clearly the

way to increase the field study sites.

- In Question 3, the candidate demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the locational factors

of the iron and steel industry and IT industry. He/ she interpreted the information and explained clearly the

factors affecting the location of the iron and steel plants at Urumqi and Shanghai. The candidate described and

explained multi-point production in the IT industry logically. Finally, the candidate discussed not only the

locational factors but also the nature of the iron and steel industry. He/ she could have performed even better if

he/ she had elaborated the effect of the production process on the mode of production.

- In Question 4, the candidate described and explained logically and concisely the characteristics of nomadic herding

and the physical and human settings of the Sahel region. In part (b), he/ she explained how government support

helped construct the irrigation system in California but he/ she should also have explained how irrigation increases

agricultural output. Finally, the candidate discussed only some general problems and limitations of increasing

food production by adopting farming technology in less developed countries.

- In Question 6, the candidate gave a clear and comprehensive account of the occurrence of volcanic eruptions and

earthquakes at convergent plate boundaries. He/ she gave some examples of earthquakes but did not discuss their

occurrence. In the second part of the question, the candidate demonstrated good understanding and knowledge

of the use of land use zoning in reducing loss. He/ she discussed and compared the effectiveness of the mapping

of hazard prone areas and the restrictions of development with reference to the spatial distribution and

predictability of the two hazards.

2020 HKDSEGeography Paper 2Level 5 Exemplar 2

Paper 2 Level 5 exemplar 2 comments

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

understanding using accurate geographical terminology and concepts.

- In Question 4, the candidate interpreted well the information in the question to compare the changes of different

air pollution indicators in the Zhujiang Delta Region from 2006 to 2018. However, he/ she did not mention the

change of pH value of rainwater in that period. The candidate was also able to describe the changes in the fuel

consumption pattern in the Zhujiang Delta Region and showed a clear understanding of the relationship between

the consumption pattern of fossil fuels and the amount of air pollutants in the region. The candidate also

explained clearly how the condition of acid rain improved because of the decreasing consumption of fossil fuels.

However, the candidate explained only briefly the relationship between the types of industry and the air quality in

the Zhujiang Delta Region in the last part of the question.

- In Question 8, the candidate gave a detailed account of the physical factors in the Zhujiang Delta Region and

explained briefly how these physical factors favoured agricultural development in the region. The candidate also

discussed the negative impact of rapid urbanisation on agricultural development in the region since the 1990s.

He/ she also mentioned briefly the positive impact of urbanisation, such as the demand for high-quality food.

However, he/ she mentioned the use of technology which is probably irrelevant to urbanisation.