🔨 For Description Questions:

 

​Example:

Q: Describe how tectonic plates move. [3]

A: Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the mantle. [1] These currents are caused by heat from the Earth's core, which causes molten rock in the mantle to rise, spread out beneath the lithosphere/ crust, and sink again as it cools. [1] This movement drags the plates above, causing them to move apart, collide, or slide past each other. [1]

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🧱 For Explanation Questions (Explain/ Suggest How or Why):

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Use a Cause → Effect structure.
Add development by linking to the concept or a real example.

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Example:

Q: Using an example, explain why people choose to live near volcanoes. [4]

A: People may choose to live near volcanoes because volcanic soils are fertile and ideal for farming. [1] Over time, volcanic rocks weather into nutrient-rich soils that support the growth of crops. [1] For example, in Bali, Indonesia, rice farmers benefit from fertile volcanic soil near Mount Agung, which supports high-yield crops. [1]

 

Additionally, locals may gain employment by mining volcanic materials like ash, sand, and sulphur. [1] For instance, people living near Mount Merapi in Indonesia are employed to mine volcanic sand used in construction, providing a stable income. [1]

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🧠 For Evaluative Questions: 

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✅ Treat it like a structured question, not an essay.
✅ Provide two sides of the issue (benefits vs. limitations / strengths vs. weaknesses).
✅ Use clear examples and link back to the question demand.

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Example:

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Q: Evaluate the effectiveness of earthquake monitoring and warning systems in reducing disaster risk. [5]

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A: Earthquake monitoring and warning systems are effective in reducing immediate risk by providing advance notice seconds before seismic waves reach affected areas. [1] This allows people to take cover, stop machinery, and initiate emergency procedures, reducing injury and fatalities. [1 additional mark] In Japan, the Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system successfully halted bullet trains and shut down factories before the 2011 Tohoku earthquake’s shaking began, saving thousands of lives. [1] Such systems also help public agencies coordinate rapid response, improving rescue efficiency and minimising post-disaster chaos. [1 additional mark]

 

However, their effectiveness is limited in developing countries that lack the technological capacity, funding, or infrastructure to deploy and maintain such systems. [1] For example, Haiti had no early warning system during its 2010 earthquake, contributing to a much higher death toll and slower emergency response. [1 additional mark]

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🌱 For Levels Descriptor Questions (LDQ):

 

Key Points to Note Before You Start:

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✅ Two-sided argument required: You must present the given perspective and an alternative.
✅ No introduction paragraph: Start immediately with your first evaluative point.
✅ Use PEEL structure: Point → Explanation → Evidence → Link back to question.
✅ Conclusion must contain a clear stand and be supported by a relevant geographical concept.
✅ Use country-specific examples/ case studies.
⚠️ Avoid generalised or vague points (e.g. “International agreements is effective because it involves many countries”).

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Examples:

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Q: ‘Building hazard-resistant structures is the most important way to reduce the impact of tectonic hazards.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer with examples. [9]

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A:     Body Paragraph 1 – Agree (Given Perspective)

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• Point: Building hazard-resistant structures is one of the most effective ways to reduce the direct physical impacts of tectonic hazards.

• Explanation: Well-designed infrastructure reduces the risk of collapse during earthquakes and can withstand debris flows from volcanic eruptions.

• Evidence: In Japan, buildings like Tokyo Skytree and Taipei 101 use deep foundations, shock absorbers, and mass dampers to absorb seismic energy. These features prevented catastrophic structural failure during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

• Link: By preventing building collapse, these structures significantly reduce injuries, deaths, and economic losses, making them a vital strategy in hazard-prone urban areas.

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Body Paragraph 2 – Disagree (Alternative Perspective #1)

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• Point: Monitoring and early warning systems are equally essential, especially for short-notice hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.

• Explanation: These systems give people time to evacuate or take cover before ground shaking or tsunami waves arrive.

• Evidence: During the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan’s Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system automatically halted bullet trains and alerted schools and factories, saving thousands of lives.

• Link: This shows that hazard-resistant structures alone are not sufficient; warning systems are necessary to protect people outside of buildings and in transit.

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Body Paragraph 3 – Disagree (Alternative Perspective #2)

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• Point: Community-level planning and preparedness also play a critical role in reducing impacts.

• Explanation: Education, emergency drills, and appropriate land use help minimise exposure and improve disaster response.

• Evidence: In Indonesia, regular evacuation drills around Mount Merapi ensure that villagers can flee before eruptions. Similarly, Japan’s land use planning restricts building in tsunami-prone areas, and warning signs and evacuation routes are clearly marked.

• Link: These strategies reduce vulnerability and exposure even where hazard-resistant buildings or warning systems are not available.

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⚖️ Conclusion – Justified Stand

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• Stand: I agree to a large extent that building hazard-resistant structures is the most important way to reduce the impact of tectonic hazards.

• Justification: Structural safety is the first line of defence during earthquakes and eruptions, especially in densely populated urban areas. Buildings that remain standing during disasters prevent the highest number of fatalities and injuries. This directly reduces vulnerability, which is a key component of disaster risk.

• Geographical Concept: According to the disaster risk framework (Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability × Exposure), lowering vulnerability through structural design is often the most immediate and measurable way to reduce impact, especially in hazard-prone zones.

• Link: While monitoring systems and preparedness measures are important, they are only effective if people have access to safe spaces and shelters. Without hazard-resistant buildings, even well-informed and well-prepared communities remain at physical risk. Hence, structural resilience forms the foundation upon which other strategies can operate effectively, making it the most important component in reducing the impacts of tectonic hazards.

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Alternative conclusion

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• Stand: I agree to a small extent that building hazard-resistant structures is the most important way to reduce the impact of tectonic hazards.

• Justification: While hazard-resistant buildings can reduce physical damage and save lives during disasters, their effectiveness is limited to people who are inside those structures at the time of the event. In many low-income or rural areas, such infrastructure is unavailable or unaffordable. Furthermore, these structures do not address other key dimensions of risk such as poor governance, lack of warning systems, or community preparedness.

• Geographical Concept: A multi-pronged approach that includes monitoring, education, land use planning, and post-disaster recovery systems is more effective in reducing long-term impacts.

• Link: Therefore, while hazard-resistant buildings play a role in reducing disaster impacts, they are not the most important factor. The broader context of vulnerability and exposure must be addressed to significantly reduce the impact of tectonic hazards across different communities.

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