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5. 2012 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre — Primary Industries

2012 Notes from the Marking Centre – Primary Industries

Contents

• Introduction
• Section II
• Section III
• Section IV

Introduction

This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 course in Primary Industries. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2012 Higher School Certificate examination, indicating the quality of the responses and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.

This document should be read along with the relevant syllabus, the 2012 Higher School Certificate examination, the marking guidelines and other support documents developed by the Board of Studies to assist in the teaching and learning of Primary Industries.

General comments

Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions that address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to respond by integrating their knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.

Candidates need to be aware that the mark allocated to the question and the answer space (where this is provided on the examination paper) are guides to the length of the required response. A longer response will not in itself lead to higher marks. Writing far beyond the indicated space may reduce the time available for answering other questions.

Candidates need to be familiar with the Board’s Glossary of Key Words, which contains some terms commonly used in examination questions. However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start with or contain one of the key words from the glossary. Questions such as ‘how?’, ‘why?’ or ‘to what extent?’ may be asked, or verbs that are not included in the glossary may be used, such as ‘design’, ‘translate’ or ‘list’.

Section II

Question 16

1. In the majority of responses, candidates provided at least one reason why the gully should be fenced, such as to prevent injury to stock.

2. In most responses, candidates correctly calculated the cost of plain wire, wire netting and prefabricated corner assemblies.
   
   In better responses, candidates calculated the cost of the steel line posts and the total cost of the all the material.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates did not correctly calculate the cost of the steel posts as they did not allow for the subtraction of the end assemblies, ie 72 – 4 = 68

Question 17

1. In the majority of responses, candidates outlined improvements to meeting procedures, for example the recording of minutes at the time of the request.

2. In the majority of responses, candidates provided strategies to resolve the situation, such as exchanging shifts.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates stated meeting procedures instead of strategies.

Question 18

1. In the majority of the responses, candidates identified hazards but were often unfamiliar with the machinery specified.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates did not distinguish between hazards and risks.

2. In the majority of responses, candidates described risks that were generally associated with a hazard identified in part (a). Most candidates listed similar risks with a degree of severity, for example a tractor could roll over causing broken bones or death to operator.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates indicated only one risk associated with the hazard identified in part (a)

3. In the majority of responses, candidates identified relevant control strategies to reduce risks associated with this activity. In some responses, candidates outlined a range of control strategies but failed to evaluate them. In a limited number of responses, candidates effectively evaluated, in detail, a number of relevant control strategies to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with the outlined activity.

Question 19

1. In most responses, candidates correctly calculated the distance from the front to X to determine the time taken.

2. In better responses, candidates clearly identified the likely effects on the production enterprise.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates identified the weather system rather than the effects on the specified production enterprise.

3. In better responses, candidates explained in detail a number of strategies to reduce the effects of the weather condition.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates outlined strategies with less detail or provided a limited number of strategies.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates simply listed strategies with no explanation.

Question 20

1. In most responses, candidates named one risk when using chemicals to control ryegrass infestation in the crop paddock.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates incorrectly named not wearing PPE as a risk.

2. In most responses, candidates listed strategies to reduce the risk identified.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates only listed one strategy to reduce the risk.

3. In better responses, candidates described two reasons why some plants were not destroyed by the spray.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates only listed reasons. Some candidates confused the term ‘immunity’ with ‘resistance’.

4. In better responses, candidates gave detailed descriptions of strategies to reduce the risk.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates gave a brief description of a strategy or an extensive list of the strategies.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided only one strategy or listed several strategies.

Section III

Question 21

In better responses, candidates approached this question in a logical and cohesive manner, addressing all areas of the question. Candidates provided a range of communication strategies and comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of these strategies in routine and emergency communication situations. They included industry examples.

In mid-range responses, candidates approached this question in a logical and cohesive manner, addressing most of the areas of the question. However, they lacked the comprehensive evaluation that was included in the better responses.

In weaker responses, candidates outlined or listed a range of communication strategies for either routine or emergency situations. In the majority of these responses, candidates concentrated on routine situations and failed to include emergency situations. They identified some reasons for using communication strategies in routine and/or emergency situations.

Section IV

Question 22

1. In the majority of responses, candidates identified two consecutive days and gave some reasons and justification for choosing these days in relation to personal safety, climatic considerations and work efficiency. In better responses, candidates gave detailed justification for their choice of days.
   
   In some weaker responses, candidates did not choose consecutive days.

2. In most responses, candidates identified emergency risks and control measures, but the majority of students did not identify or evaluate the requirements of a detailed emergency plan. In better responses, candidates recognised SOP, training workers and consultation with workers prior to commencing work.
   
   In the weaker responses, candidates simply identified risks and controls.