SDME 2014
NATURAL HAZARDS
This 1.5 hour exam is worth 25% of your final mark.
There is a Resource Booklet : The booklet will not be released until the day of the exam (so you wont see it). You will need to be able to understand each of the resources and how these link to the topic, as well as refer to them in your answers.
How does the exam work?
This information aims to help you to understand how the exam is going to be structured, the types of questions and how to get the timings right. There will be three sections to complete, A, B & C
Section A - The Background
Normally worth 10 marks and split into two or three questions worth between 1 to 4 marks per question. You should spend no more than 15 minutes on this section.
This will test you on your ability to interpret data from the resource booklet (probably the first two or three resources in the booklet). Expect 'describe' and 'explain' type questions and be prepared to comment on sustainability.
Section B - The Opinions.
Normally worth 14 marks and the questions are more complex. Expect two or three questions worth between 2 to 6 marks each. You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this section.
Experience of SDME examinations leads us to believe that this section will ask you to evaluate the viewpoints of the different stakeholders in this decision.
Expect questions that ask you to comment on the different sustainability aspect of S.E.E (Social, Economic, Environmental) related to the stakeholders (people involved) and the location.
Section C - The Decision
Normally worth 16 marks and you have one decision to make that could take up to two pages two write about. You need to spend the final 25 minutes on this section. It is really important that you don't overrun on the previous two sections as you will
not have enough time to get excellent marks here unless you have enough time. Watch that clock!
Example Scenario from the 2013 exam: (based on a fault line running through California)
1- Rebuild all important facilities such as hospitals, fire stations and power stations away from the fault line.
2- Make all new buildings meet existing strict building codes and make all older buildings earthquake proof.
3- Improve the awareness of people in the area about the risk of earthquakes and tell them how to prepare for an earthquake.
There is a Resource Booklet : The booklet will not be released until the day of the exam (so you wont see it). You will need to be able to understand each of the resources and how these link to the topic, as well as refer to them in your answers.
How does the exam work?
This information aims to help you to understand how the exam is going to be structured, the types of questions and how to get the timings right. There will be three sections to complete, A, B & C
Section A - The Background
Normally worth 10 marks and split into two or three questions worth between 1 to 4 marks per question. You should spend no more than 15 minutes on this section.
This will test you on your ability to interpret data from the resource booklet (probably the first two or three resources in the booklet). Expect 'describe' and 'explain' type questions and be prepared to comment on sustainability.
Section B - The Opinions.
Normally worth 14 marks and the questions are more complex. Expect two or three questions worth between 2 to 6 marks each. You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this section.
Experience of SDME examinations leads us to believe that this section will ask you to evaluate the viewpoints of the different stakeholders in this decision.
Expect questions that ask you to comment on the different sustainability aspect of S.E.E (Social, Economic, Environmental) related to the stakeholders (people involved) and the location.
Section C - The Decision
Normally worth 16 marks and you have one decision to make that could take up to two pages two write about. You need to spend the final 25 minutes on this section. It is really important that you don't overrun on the previous two sections as you will
not have enough time to get excellent marks here unless you have enough time. Watch that clock!
Example Scenario from the 2013 exam: (based on a fault line running through California)
1- Rebuild all important facilities such as hospitals, fire stations and power stations away from the fault line.
2- Make all new buildings meet existing strict building codes and make all older buildings earthquake proof.
3- Improve the awareness of people in the area about the risk of earthquakes and tell them how to prepare for an earthquake.