Level 3 exemplar 1 and comments for Paper 1

Paper 1 Level 3 exemplar 1 comments

- In the structured questions, the candidate showed adequate understanding of the curriculum content, such as the
locational advantages as well as the problems faced by the iron and steel plant in the coastal region.
- The candidate was able to communicate his/her knowledge and make accurate use of geographical terminology,
such as when discussing the impact of cattle rearing on the physical environment of the Amazon Basin.
- The candidate’s discussion on the effectiveness of reforestation in conserving tropical rainforest lacked depth.
- In the short essay question, the candidate demonstrated the application of simple geographical knowledge to the
characteristics of the physical environment of the Sahel region, but failed to provide a detailed explanation for the
effectiveness of arable farming in increasing the food supply in the Sahel.
Level 3 exemplar 2 and comments for Paper 1
 Paper 1 Level 3 exemplar 2 comments

- In the structured questions, the candidate demonstrated adequate understanding of the curriculum content, such as
in his/her discussion of the locational advantages as well as the problems faced by the iron and steel plant in the
coastal region.
- The candidate was able to communicate his/her knowledge and make accurate use of geographical terminology,
such as in his/her discussion of the locational advantages of commercial land use in the Kowloon Bay area.
- The candidate was also able to describe geographical concepts but failed to explain some concepts such as the
socio-economic impact of the monorail and cruise terminal on East Kowloon.
- In the short essay question, the candidate demonstrated the application of simple geographical knowledge to the
impact of global warming on Hong Kong, but failed to provide a detailed discussion of the limitations on the
effectiveness of urban greening in alleviating the impact of global warming.
Level 3 exemplar and comments for Paper 2
 Paper 2 Level 3 exemplar comments

- The candidate was able to briefly analyse and interpret the data given in the structured question.
- The candidate was able to explain the environmental impact of reclamation.
- The candidate failed to identify the rock type at site X. Also, his/her discussion of rock cavern development
was brief and general.
- The candidate demonstrated adequate knowledge of the climatic conditions of North China. He/she accurately
identified inadequate rainfall as the major factor in the occurrence of sandstorms. The candidate could have
scored a higher mark if he/she had been able to discuss more clearly the relationship between drought, sparse
vegetation and sandstorms in North China.
- Some of the content in the discussion of human activities in the short essay question was irrelevant.