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Date November 2019 Marks available 6 Reference code 19N.1.SL.TZ0.2
Level SL Paper 1 Time zone no time zone
Command term Analyse Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Wildfire modelling

The fire control centre in the Kinakora National Park in New Zealand often has to cope with the natural phenomenon of wildfires. Staff have been collecting data about wildfires since 1970.

The size of each wildfire is measured, and the vegetation types affected are recorded. Data on the weather conditions is collected from sensors in the park. The staff at the fire control centre use this information to fight the wildfire.

A new computer modelling system is being developed using data collected from previous wildfires. This new system will improve the quality of the information available when fighting future wildfires.

The new system will also enable staff at Kinakora National Park to send information to tourists in the park to warn them when they are in danger from a wildfire.

Identify two measurements that could be taken by the weather sensors in Kinakora National Park.

[2]
a.i.

Identify two methods that could be used to train the staff to use the new computer modelling system.

[2]
a.ii.

Identify two methods of visualization that could be used to present information from the new computer modelling system.

[2]
a.iii.

Two methods for informing tourists about wildfires in Kinakora National Park are:

Analyse these two methods.

[6]
b.

Evaluate Kinakora National Park’s decision to use computer modelling to develop strategies for dealing with wildfires.  

[8]
c.

Markscheme

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying each measurement up to maximum of [2].

a.i.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying each method that could be used to train the staff to use the new modelling system up to maximum of [2].

a.ii.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying each method of visualization up to maximum of [2].

a.iii.

Answers may include:

Advantages of using SMS texting:

Disadvantages of using SMS texting:

Advantages of using the Kinakora National Park website:

Disadvantages of using the Kinakora National Park website:

 

Note: Many of the advantages of SMS text are automatically disadvantages of Kinakora National Park website or vice versa.

Keywords: connectivity, change, systems, values, ethics

b.

Answers may include:

Advantages of using computer models to develop strategies to deal with wildfires:

Disadvantages of using computer models to develop strategies to deal with wildfires:

 

In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance between the terminology related to digital systems and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.

Keywords: environment, monitoring, data, GIGO, model, modelling, simulations, algorithms, change, systems, values, ethics

 

Refer to SL/HL paper 1, part c markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials > Digital society markbands and guidance document.

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.i.
[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
a.iii.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Topic 3: Content » 3.1 Data
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