Week 10: Develop a question, sample answer and a marking guideline for an exam style question that is related to your slowmation.

Module Focus: 8.2 A local ecosystem

My slowmation was based on the dot point 8.2.2.2.8 - "Identify and describe in detail adaptations of a plant and an animal from the local ecosystem" (a nice coincidence that it matches the module focus for the week)

Exam Question: Describe how the bilby has adapted to survive in Australian desert environment (4 marks) Aimed at bands 2-6.

Sample Answer: The bilby has developed a number of adaptations that help it to survive in Australian desert environments. Bilbies have developed a number of nocturnal habits that help them survive. They forrage at night and hide in the day to avoid the heat of the sun and avoid the possibility of dehydrating in the hot sun.  They also dig burrows to hide in. These burrows are spiralled to make it difficult for predators to enter.  Being 1-2 meters underground allows bilbys to sleep in envonments that are much moister and 10 degrees cooler than the surface. The bilby has sharp clays and narrow pointed snout to aid this digging and forraging. Bilbys have large ears to help it to eliminate excess heat quickly and also to detect larve, spiders and other bugs that they forrage on. Bilby's have developed this diet to contain all the moisture he require, eliminating their need to drink and find water sources.


Marking Guidelines:
3-4 marks - A extensive and detailed understanding of how some of the physical and behavioural characteristics of the bilby increase its ability to survive in the australian desert
2 marks - A sound understanding of some of the physical and behavioural characteristics of the bilby and how this increases its ability to survive in desert environments.
1 mark - A basic knowledge of how some general features of the bilby relate to its ability to survive in a desert environment.
0 marks - No understanding of how the characteristics of the bilby relate to its ability to survive in Australian desert environments. 

The BOS has lots of great examples and resources for modelling exam questions, sample answers and marking guidelines (The 2011 biology examples are accessible through the links, complete list of 2011 exams here). However, one of the failings of the BOS site is the lack of material and resources for teachers pertaining to assessment of the preliminary modules of the HSC syllabus. This is a bit of an issue in this particular case where I am developing a question based on an element of the preliminary syllabus. A good reference for students with regards to exams (and most other information and content regarding Preliminary and HSC syllabuses) is the website bored of studies.