Assessment

You will be examined on the content that you have covered within the Alpine Environments unit only.

• There will be two sections to the test.

  • • • • The first will be comprised of questions which we classify as 'Short Answer Questions' (EAQ) which range from 1 mark to 6 marks.

        • The second section will be ask you to write an extended answer - the essay.

• You will be asked to define key subject-specific terms.

• There will be a series of data response questions (reading a graph/infographic/diagram).

• This relates to Criterion A - Knowing and understanding, Criterion C - Communicating and Criteria D - Thinking critically

Approaching the Test Questions

When you see questions to answer there  are various ways that you can approach them.  The key is to break down the question using either the BUG or KFC approach. These will help to remind you that it is important to understand what action is being required from the command term, along with exploring the focus of the question. But it is not just the decoding of the question that it is important but it is key to note how much the question is worth. By focusing on the points it will help you to understand how much you need to write and the depth you need to go into.  For example, if the question is worth one mark you should be writing about one sentence outlining one point. A three mark question will probably require three key points. Sometimes you will be given a box with lines in to write on and the formula is generally two lines for one point. 

Command Terms

Then consider what the command terms actually mean. The most common ones used in tests include - Classify, Define, Describe, Define, Explain,  Identify,  Discuss and Analyse. But what do all of those words mean? You could either do a quick search online, take photos of the 'Command Term' posters in the classroom or you could click on the 'Useful Resource' link below. Mr. Allaway also create a Kahoot to help test yourself on the command terms - thank you - the link is below.

Useful Resources

IB MYP Command Terms

Kahoot - Individuals and Societies Command Terms - geographyalltheway 

Content Covered

These are the different aspects of the course that we have covered. I would suggest that you review this list alongside your lesson notes to make sure that you haven't missed anything.

Content

• Importance of glaciers

• Glacial budget - zone of ablation, zone of accumulation, equilibrium

• Formation of a glacier

• Glaciers as an open system - inputs, stores, transfers and outputs

• Glacial movement

• Glacial erosional landforms

  • • • • Processes of erosion - abrasion, pluckin

        • Processes of weathering - freeze-thaw (frost shattering)

        • Landforms - cirque, arete, pyramidal peak, glacial trough, truncated spur, hanging valley

• Glacial depositional landforms

  • • • • Process of deposition

        • Landforms - terminal, lateral and medial moraines, drumlins, eratics. 

• Impact of climate change on Alpine Environments

• Potential solutions to a warming climate 

  • • • • Alpine solutions - tarps

        • Solutions in the Himalayas - Ice stupas

Skills

• • The interpretation of compound bar graphs, proportional circles, choropleth maps, bar graphs, line graphs, scatter graphs.

  • Interpretation of images.

  • When you describe a pattern or trend remember to do the following:

    • • Describe the obvious pattern or trend e.g. increasing/decreasing/fluctuating.

      • Then be specific - include data.

      • Are there any anomalies? Use data to be specific.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed using Criteria A - Knowledge and Understanding - both strands. Criteria C - Communicating - strands i and ii and Criteria D - Thinking critically - strands i and ii.

Exam Style Questions

Below are examples of test style questions:

• Identify one erosional landform from the diagram. [1 mark]

• Define the zone of ablation. [1 mark]

• Describe what a cirque looks like. [2 marks]

• Explain how a cirque is formed. [3 marks]

• Describe the changes in ice mass in figure x. [2 marks]

• Using examples, analyse the strategies designed to reduce the impact of climate change on ice mass. [10 marks]

Possible Ways to Review

There are many different ways that you could review your work but just reading through it never really works. There needs to be some form of active recall, this is when you test yourself, as it helps to 'drag' the information out of your head. This also helps the information to stick a little better in your long-term memory.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Go through 'geogalot' to make sure you have completed all of the tasks.

                  2. Glossary  - key subject-specific terminology and definitions. Perhaps create cue cards for the different terms you have learnt. This can also be done on anki.

                  3. Create a summary of the detailed examples we have studied by writing notes in bullet form on A6 paper.

                  4. You could see what is on Quizlet or make your own Quizlet tests. 

                  5. After reading through your notes try writing a series of questions to answer. It would be good to put these on ankiweb.

                  6. Maybe create a mindmap - use diagrams and coloured pens to help certain points to stand out.

                  7. You could create a giant online document from your class notes and then ask your friends/family to test you. You could even give yourself a treat e.g. chocolate if you get so many answers correct.

                  8. Some people like to revise to music and then to listen to that music before the test as it helps them to remember what they have learnt.

                  9. Mr. Allaway - geographyalltheway - has created a series of revision exercises that you could do to test yourself.