Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91429 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to understand a real geographic environment and the issues it faces, using the right geographic concepts and tools to make sense of it. You need to describe the location and natural features of a place, explain what's causing problems there, and analyse what happens when something changes in that environment.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91429?

Accepted Answer

1. Describe the location and physical environment of the geographic area using specific details (not just general statements) 2. Identify and explain both natural and cultural factors that create challenges or issues in that environment 3. Analyse the geographic impacts of a change or intervention, using evidence to support your points 4. Evaluate the relative importance or strength of different impacts compared to each other 5. Make connections between different factors and processes to show deeper geographic understanding

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91429?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You describe the location and environment with some detail, identify natural and cultural challenges (though you may mix them up), and outline impacts of change with basic supporting evidence from provided materials. Merit: You describe both location and physical environment clearly using specific evidence, explain natural and cultural challenges as separate, connected ideas, analyse impacts systematically with detailed supporting evidence, and organise your response logically. Excellence: You describe the location and environment comprehensively, explaining connections between geographic position and features; explain challenges by linking related factors and processes; analyse impacts in detail while making judgements about which impacts are most significant; and conclude with an overall evaluation comparing the strength of different impacts.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91429?

Accepted Answer

1. Confusing natural and cultural factors or mixing them together in the same explanation instead of keeping them separate and clear 2. Only describing one aspect of the environment in detail while skipping over other important features, or describing biodiversity as lists instead of connected groupings 3. Not using specific evidence from the provided resource materials throughout your answer—only mentioning it once or leaving it out entirely

Geographic concepts

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