AO1 v. AO2 (1)
Understanding the difference between the Assessment Objectives.
This is the first of an irregular series of such pieces.
For A level Geography, there are two key Assessment Objectives (AOs):
AO1: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of places, environments, concepts, processes, interactions and change, at a variety of scales.
AO2: apply knowledge and understanding in different contexts to interpret, analyse, and evaluate geographical information and issues.
Knowing how to separate and use these two AOs is fundamental in answering examination questions. Consider the data stimulus question below. This is written in the style of AQA.
[To make it similar to other examination boards, delete the clause ‘and your own knowledge’]
The weighting of the AOs here is 2 marks @ AO1 and 4 marks @ AO2. Total 6 marks.
Students have approximately 7/8 minutes to answer this question. You will see an answer to the question given below in two formats:
a. Without AO indications – normal font.
b. With AO indications. AO1 is in italics; AO2 is in bold.
Using Figure 1, and your own knowledge, assess the degree to which overland flow could take place in this area. (6 marks)
Figure 1. A valley in North Yorkshire, England.
Answer 1
Overland flow occurs when the rate of precipitation is greater than the rate of infiltration in an area. On the left hand side of this photo there is a steep slope which is relatively light in vegetation cover. It seems to be mainly grass with a few trees. If it was to rain heavily in this area, the rain would infiltrate into the ground, through the soil, and also if the underlying rock was impermeable, then once the ground was saturated you would get overland flow. A number of rills would form and flow down the steep mountainside. Overland flow is very likely to occur here.
However, on the right hand side of the photo is a forest, which seems to be made up of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Here, the majority of the rain in a rainfall event (the same one as on the other side of the valley) would be intercepted by the vegetation. This would be greatest in summer when the deciduous trees have their full leaf cover, but there would also be some in winter due to the coniferous trees. Overland flow is very unlikely here.
Finally, the flat land in the foreground looks marshy in parts. Water may be ‘ponded’ on the surface here as the ground will be saturated. It is unlikely to flow due to the flatness.
So, the degree to which overland flow takes place varies according to the land and the land use.
Answer 2
Overland flow occurs when the rate of precipitation is greater than the rate of infiltration in an area. On the left hand side of this photo there is a steep slope which is relatively light in vegetation cover. It seems to be mainly grass with a few trees. If it was to rain heavily in this area, the rain would infiltrate into the ground, through the soil, and also if the underlying rock was impermeable, then once the ground was saturated you would get overland flow. A number of rills would form and flow down the steep mountainside. Overland flow is very likely to occur here.
However, on the right hand side of the photo is a forest, which seems to be made up of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Here, the majority of the rain in a rainfall event (the same one as on the other side of the valley) would be intercepted by the vegetation. This would be greatest in summer when the deciduous trees have their full leaf cover, but there would also be some in winter due to the coniferous trees. Overland flow is very unlikely here.
Finally, the flat land in the foreground looks marshy in parts. Water may be ‘ponded’ on the surface here as the ground will be saturated. It is unlikely to flow due to the flatness.
So, the degree to which overland flow takes place varies according to the land and the land use.
Note how each paragraph ends with a short statement of ‘degree to which’, and there is also a summative sentence.