| Date | May 2013 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 13M.3.HL.TZ2.1 |
| Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
| Command term | State | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Bone tools found in the Swartkrans site in South Africa were thought to be used by Australopithecus robustus when digging for food. Using replica tools, researchers dug around plants for bulbs, dug in soil for larvae and dug in termite mounds for termites. They compared the scratch marks found on the replica tools with those on the original Swartkrans tool to predict the food eaten by A. robustus.
The graphs below show the ranges of angles from the vertical position of the scratch marks and the ranges of widths of the scratch marks on each tool. The solid line on each bar represents the mean value for the range.
State the greatest angle from the vertical of the scratch marks on the tool used on termite mounds.
Calculate the difference in the angle between the mean values for the Swartkrans tool and the tool used to dig for plant bulbs.
Compare the width of scratch marks on the tool used to dig for larvae with the Swartkrans tool.
Using evidence from the photographs and the graphs, suggest what the researchers’ main conclusion was.
A. robustus was thought to have coexisted with Homo habilis, both becoming extinct at the same time. State approximately how many years ago A. robustus became extinct.
Markscheme
11° (accept answers in the range of 10.5° to 11.5°)
6° (accept answers up to 7° ) (working not required)
a. mean/average of Swartkrans less than larvae;
b. range of Swartkrans less than larvae;
c. no overlap between the two in terms of widths of scratch marks / widest Swartkrans less width than the narrowest larvae;
Do not accept answers stating numerical values only.
from the photograph:
a. (A. robustus) ate termites because the pattern of scratch marks on the tool are of similar angle;
from the graph:
b. (A. robustus) ate termites because the ranges of widths/means of angles/widths are more similar;
1.4 to 1.8 million years ago (accept answers within this range)
Examiners report
Many candidates had difficulty to relate to the means when comparing the tools. References to photographs, if any, remained too vague to earn any mark in most cases. The vast majority of candidates ignored the approximate date of extinction of H. robustus.
Many candidates had difficulty to relate to the means when comparing the tools. References to photographs, if any, remained too vague to earn any mark in most cases. The vast majority of candidates ignored the approximate date of extinction of H. robustus.
Many candidates had difficulty to relate to the means when comparing the tools. References to photographs, if any, remained too vague to earn any mark in most cases. The vast majority of candidates ignored the approximate date of extinction of H. robustus.
Many candidates had difficulty to relate to the means when comparing the tools. References to photographs, if any, remained too vague to earn any mark in most cases. The vast majority of candidates ignored the approximate date of extinction of H. robustus.
Many candidates had difficulty to relate to the means when comparing the tools. References to photographs, if any, remained too vague to earn any mark in most cases. The vast majority of candidates ignored the approximate date of extinction of H. robustus.
