AS 91189 annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

TKI Earth and Space Science assessment resources (external link)

Download all these exemplars and commentary [PDF, 193 KB]

For Excellence, the student needs to investigate comprehensively geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves discussing the link between plate tectonics and the rock cycle that have formed the rocks in a named locality, and linking this to the erosional forces that shape the current landforms in a named locality.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and explained how this rock was formed during plate tectonics (1). They have also given a comprehensive explanation as to how lahars are an erosional force on the shape of Mount Taranaki. There is a link between plate tectonic forces and erosional forces contributing to the final over steepened shape of Mount Taranaki (2).

For a more secure Excellence, the student could explain in depth how Mount Taranaki is a combination of plate tectonic forces and erosional forces, and explain the way in which they contribute to the final shape. For example, the student could talk about the high erosive nature of a lahar over steepening the high cone.

For Merit, the student needs to investigate in depth geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves explaining the plate tectonics and rock cycle processes that have formed the types of rocks in a named locality, and explaining the erosional processes that have shaped the current landforms in the named locality.

The locality investigated is Mount Taranaki.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and explained how this rock was formed during plate tectonics (1). There is also an explanation as to how the lahars are an erosional agent on Mount Taranaki (2).

To reach Excellence, the student could describe the link between the erosional force of lahars and plate tectonic forces in the formation of the volcano. These forces have combined to create the landscape features we see today at Mount Taranaki.

For Merit, the student needs to investigate in depth geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves explaining the plate tectonics and rock cycle processes that have formed the types of rocks in a named locality, and explaining the erosional processes that have shaped the current landforms in the named locality.

The locality investigated is Mount Taranaki.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and explained how this rock was formed during plate tectonics. (1) There is also a simple explanation as to how past lahars acted as an erosional force on Mount Taranaki (2).

For a more secure Merit, the student could explain in depth how lahars are formed and have contributed to the shape of Mount Taranaki that we see today.

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves:

• identifying the types of rock(s) found in a named locality
• describing how plate tectonics and rock cycle processes have formed the rocks found in the locality
• describing the erosional processes that have shaped the current landforms in the locality

The locality investigated is Mount Taranaki.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and explained how this rock was formed during plate tectonics (1). There is also description of how lahars are an erosional force on Mount Taranaki (2).

To reach Merit, the student could explain how a lahar is a major erosive force that has contributed to the shape of Mount Taranaki as we see it today.

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves:

• identifying the types of rock(s) found in a named locality
• describing how plate tectonics and rock cycle processes have formed the rocks found in the locality
• describing the erosional processes that have shaped the current landforms in the locality.

The locality investigated is Mount Taranaki.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and described how this rock was formed during plate tectonics (1). Lahars have also been identified as an important feature in Taranaki (2).

For a more secure Achieved, the student could describe how lahars act as important erosive agent contributing to the shape of Mount Taranaki.

For Achieved, the student needs to investigate geological processes in a New Zealand locality.

This involves:

• identifying the types of rock(s) found in a named locality
• describing how plate tectonics and rock cycle processes have formed the rocks found in the locality
• describing the erosional processes that have shaped the current landforms in the locality.

The locality investigated is Mount Taranaki.

This student has identified the key rock in the area, andesite, as an igneous rock, and described how this rock was formed during plate tectonics (1).

To reach Achieved, the student could describe any erosive agent that operates on Mount Taranaki. Stream erosion, freeze-thaw and lahars are possible examples.