Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91245 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to pick a real geographic problem or issue currently affecting New Zealand (like pollution, housing, water management, or land use) and explain it from multiple angles. You need to show what the issue is, why different groups care about it differently, how people's views have shifted, and what might be done to fix it.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91245?

Accepted Answer

1. Describe what the geographic issue is and why it matters now in New Zealand 2. Explain at least two different viewpoints people hold about the issue and what they believe 3. Show how at least one person's or group's viewpoint has changed over time and why 4. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different possible solutions to the issue 5. Recommend one course of action and give clear reasons why you think it's the best option

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91245?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You describe the issue, present different viewpoints, note how one viewpoint changed, list strengths and weaknesses of solutions, and suggest a recommendation with basic reasons. Merit: You explain viewpoints in detail with specific examples, clearly show how viewpoints changed over time, thoroughly compare the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, and justify your recommendation with detailed reasoning. Excellence: You fully explain viewpoints using specific information and connect them to underlying beliefs and values, use geographic terminology and concepts accurately, thoroughly explain how viewpoints shifted over time, comprehensively evaluate all solution options, and strongly justify why your recommended action is better than alternatives.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91245?

Accepted Answer

1. Picking an issue that isn't actually current or isn't really a geographic one — make sure it's about New Zealand, happening now or soon, and involves environment or place-based factors 2. Only presenting one side of the argument instead of genuinely exploring different viewpoints and groups who care about the issue 3. Failing to show that a viewpoint actually changed over time — students often describe what the viewpoint is now but don't explain how it was different before or why it shifted

NZ geographic issue

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