AS 91433 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.

Download all exemplars and commentary [PDF, 8.7 MB]

TKI Geography assessment resources (external link)

For Achieved, the student needs to apply spatial analysis, with consultation, to solve a geographic problem.

This involves:

• collecting and presenting spatial data relevant to the geographic problem
• completing manipulations of the spatial data to produce a layout related to the problem
• explaining the manipulations
• proposing a solution to the geographic problem.

Spatial data has been collected and presented relating to the problem of where to create a new police station in Hamilton. The spatial evidence presented follows most geographic conventions, and data transformations are appropriate. These include the creation of buffer zones and time/distance zones and hotspots, relating to both the existing police stations and two potential stations.

The different data manipulations used have been simply explained, demonstrating understanding of the strategy and what information they wanted from the data. For example, “Each of the stations have a 2km buffer that shows the area of service”, and the time-distance manipulation “takes into consideration roads unlike the buffers and provides a clearer view of the area easily covered from each police station”.

A solution to the geographic problem has been proposed, using supporting evidence from the layout: “A strength of this location is it services lots of different areas like Flagstaff, Huntington and Chartwell” and “it does not interfere with any of the three existing police stations.”

For Merit, the student could collect spatial data relating to residential zones and proposed growth areas, as this is a key argument for the proposed solution. The use of a key would improve the accuracy of the layout and provide additional data, such as the numbers of crimes in the hotspot shading. A detailed explanation of the manipulations is also needed for Merit.  

For Merit, the student needs to effectively apply spatial analysis, with consultation, to solve a geographic problem. 

This involves:

• collecting sufficient spatial data to address the geographic problem
• completing manipulations of the spatial data to produce an accurate layout related to the problem
• explaining the manipulations in detail
• justifying the solution to the geographic problem. The justification demonstrates why the chosen course of action is better than the alternatives. 

The student has produced a layout which indicates that sufficient spatial data has been collected and manipulated to address the geographic problem of how to inform people in the Hutt Valley about the risks of tsunami and flooding. The maps are technically accurate, but greater clarity could be achieved by displaying the key beside, rather than on, the map. The production of a layout demonstrating the skills of selecting spatial data, manipulating it and displaying it in a way that supports problem solving, is a critical aspect of this standard.

The evidence explains the manipulations in detail with reference to the data. The detailed explanation shows clear understanding of several techniques for manipulating spatial data that have improved access and supported problem solving. These include altering transparency, changing symbols and adding a new coordinate system, etc.  

An appropriate solution has been proposed and justified. The options listed in the introduction are considered and the preferred solution justified.  

For Excellence, the manipulations to the spatial data need to be evaluated. While this is hinted at when making the decision to create Map 2 showing tsunami risk zones which were unclear on Map 1, and in the reasons for colour or transparency changes, at Excellence evaluative statements will be developed further, providing evidence of how manipulations strengthened or weakened the displayed data to support problem solving.  

A full justification for the chosen solution will enable a more in-depth response. This could be achieved by discussing how the solution could support the community, civil defence, planning bodies, etc. Alternatively, further explanation of how the weaknesses of the alternatives could be solved by implementing the chosen solution. 

For Excellence, the student needs to comprehensively apply spatial analysis, with consultation, to solve a geographic problem. 

This involves:

• evaluating the manipulations 
• fully justifying the solution to the geographical problem. The full justification is an in-depth response that uses clarity of argument and holistic understanding to demonstrate why one course of action is better than the alternatives. 

Indicators in this exemplar that support a comprehensive spatial analysis include a clear geographic problem, identification and use of parameters to effectively use the spatial data, and the appropriate use of different manipulation techniques to display the spatial data with accuracy.  

The student has addressed the problem of where to locate a new police station. The manipulations have been evaluated following an explanation of what was done and why. For example, the first map effectively uses buffer zones to show “the areas within 2 km from each existing police station, this manipulation has made it easier and clearer to figure out the minimum distance my new police station can be from the existing stations.” This map is developed further by using “the proximity tool to create a drive time area on the ‘Existing Police Stations in Hamilton’ layer. It more precisely shows the areas of Hamilton that are catered for by the stations.” 

The use of hotspots “gave me a clear idea of what parts of Hamilton are affected most by crime and further helped to inform my decisions of where the new station is needed.” This layer continues to be refined by “added pinpoints on the darker areas of colour, to represent the crime hotspots. This is to make the manipulation clearer than the last map.” 

Slide 9 shows the layers created to display spatial data for the first three parameters and “Although there is a lot of information on this map, this step was effective in helping me solve the problem of where to put the police station.” 

A solution to the geographic problem is provided and fully justified through evidence from the spatial data. The strengths and weaknesses of two potential sites are considered and assessed based on the spatial data for four key parameters. A final decision is made, with supporting data and reference to why alternative B was not chosen.  

The evidence for this aspect provides a viable solution to the geographic problem which is fully justified, clearly argued and supported with detailed spatial data. The solution shows holistic understanding of both the problem and the city’s needs.