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Geography 2006-2009

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the purpose of the sample examination?

The sample examination shows the type and range of questions which teachers and students might expect to see on the VCE Geography examination. The VCAA does not publish answers to sample examination questions. Teachers may use the sample examination material in conjunction with past examination papers in various ways to suit the needs of their students.

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What is examinable in Geography?

The scope of the end of year examination is published on page 26 of the VCE Geography Study Design (PDF - 231KB). All outcomes in Units 3 and 4 will be examined. All of the key knowledge and skills that underpin the outcomes in Units 3 and 4 are examinable.

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What topics are suitable for study as the second global phenomenon in Unit 4, Global perspectives, Areas of Study 1 and 2?

Numerous examples of natural and human phenomena that may be covered in Unit 4 are given in the VCE Geography Study Design on p.23 (PDF - 231KB). Other examples of global phenomena are: global refugees, global warming, deforestation and pandemics.

Unit 4 states that students must study two global phenomena - human population and one other phenomenon. Therefore students can expect to answer questions in the exam on TWO global phenomena, ONE of which will be human population.

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What is the difference between School-Assessed Coursework descriptors and the examination criteria?

School-Assessed Coursework descriptors in the VCE Geography Assessment Handbook (DOC - 288KB) are designed to support consistent judgments by all teachers of Geography across the state on their students’ performance on each outcome in School-assessed Coursework.

Examination criteria are designed to enable the setting of exam questions which give all students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in Geography across a range of abilities. Examination questions are based on the key knowledge and skills in the Study Design. Examination criteria show what students will be expected to demonstrate when they respond to examination questions.

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How do the key knowledge and skills relate to the examination criteria?

The examination criteria cover all four outcomes in the Study Design and key knowledge and skills that underpin these outcomes. They are a guide to the level and spread of the examination.

For example, examination Criterion 3: ‘Analysis of impacts of resource development and use on people and environments, and of the impacts of global phenomena on people and environments’ addresses key knowledge and skills such as:

  • Unit 3 Outcome 1 ‘factors affecting patterns of water use in the Murray-Darling Basin region’ and ‘conflict over the use of water in the Murray-Darling Basin region’
  • Unit 3 Outcome 2 ‘positive and negative impacts of resource use on people and their environment at the local scale’
  • Unit 4 Outcome 1 ‘positive and negative impact of changes in the human population and one other global phenomenon on people and environments’
  • Unit 4 Outcome 2 ‘positive and negative impacts of global phenomena on people and environments’ and ‘factors which affect the future development of the human population and one other global phenomenon’.

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The Murray-Darling Basin region

Case study material in the examination may be drawn from any part of the Murray-Darling Basin region.

Examination questions will enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, regardless of which area of the Murray-Darling Basin region they have studied. See Sample examinations.

Geography students are expected to be familiar with a range of maps of the Murray-Darling Basin region, represented at various scales, and showing a range of information and themes, e.g. salinity, hydro-electrics, volume of water flow.

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If a question asks for location, what is expected? - Application of spatial concepts

Students should be able to describe both absolute and relative location. Students should be able to apply the language of spatial concepts in a range of ways, depending on the question in the examination.

Glossary

Teachers are reminded that there is a glossary of key terms on pages 29-35 of the VCE Geography Study Design  (PDF - 231KB).

For all inquiries about VCE Geography please contact Pat Hincks, Curriculum Manager, Humanities on (03) 9651 4439 or email hincks.patricia.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

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