NSW INDEPENDENT TRIAL EXAMS 2010

BIOLOGY Yr 11 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

MARKING GUIDELINES
Section I

1
D

2
C

3
B

4
A

5
B

6
D

7
A

8
A

9
C

10
B

11
A

12
B

13
A

14
D

15
C

16
B

17
A

18
B

19
C

20
C

Section II
Question 21
Criteria
Marks
6
Correctly constructs a timeline to outline the main events that occurred in the evolution
of life on Earth
Suggested answer: The basic timeline is a 4.6 billion year old Earth, with (very approximately):
4 billion years of simple cells (prokaryotes)
3 billion years of photosynthesis
2 billion years of complex cells (eukaryotes)
1 billion years of multicellular life
600 million years of simple animals
570 million years of arthropods (ancestors of insects, arachnids and crustaceans)
550 million years of complex animals
500 million years of fish and proto-amphibians
475 million years of land plants
400 million years of insects and seeds
360 million years of amphibians
300 million years of reptiles
200 million years of mammals
150 million years of birds
65 million years since the non-avian dinosaurs died out
2 million years of humans
Question 22(a)
Criteria
Marks
1
Correctly names ONE currently practicing Australian scientist
Answers: 2007 Australian of the year- Tim Flannery- Mammalogist, Environmentalist & palaeontologist.
Question 22(b)
Criteria
Marks
3
Correctly identifies the areas in which the named Australian scientist is currently
working (1 mark)
AND
Gives a brief outline of their research (2 marks)
Answers may include: Tim Flannery, Currently a global warming activist and author (incl We are the
weather makers) that summarises current knowledge of greenhouse/carbon induced global warming.
Previous work included documenting 16 new mammal species in Melanesia.
Question 23
Criteria
Marks
7
Justifies scientists suggestion of a possible alternative environment for the origin of
life on Earth
Suggested answer:
Compares deep vents to conditions of early earth i.e. the chemical and physical environment is thought to
be similar to conditions of early Earth (4 marks)
This discovery of life (chemotrophs) producing organic compounds provides an existing model and
evidence of how life could originate (2 marks) and eventually modify their surroundings (1 mark)
NSW Independent Trial Exams 2010 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 1

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Question 24(a)
Criteria
Marks
4
Correctly completes table:
o No marks for each named Australian animal
o 2 marks for each reproductive adaptation
o 2 marks for description of how adaptation increases chances of survival related to a
particular Australian environmental condition.
Answers eg.: Eastern Grey Kangaroo- able to delay the implantation and development of a fertilised egg
(blastocyst) until favourable conditions are located. This increases the chances of (joey) offspring survival
and thus species survival.
Question 24(b)
Criteria
Student explains the similarities and differences between internal and external
fertilisation.
Provides an Australian example of each.
Answers: Internal fertilisation, such as koalas males that mates with the female are likely to have his genes passed on to offspring
female is able to select a mate with favourable traits
resulting fertilisation is then protected within the females uterus, etc.
External fertilisation, such as the Corroboree frog relies on many (hundreds) eggs to increase the chance of survival of offspring
may have multiple males fertilise the eggs
no selection by the female, in terms of which male fertilise the eggs
open to predation by other species, or other individuals of the same species
Question 25(a)
Criteria
Names TWO abiotic variables that the student measured and the instruments that they
used to measure each of them
Answers may include: Availability of water, pH, salinity, temperature, oxygen availability.

Marks
4

Marks
2

Question 25(b)
Criteria
Marks
4
Student explains how the data that they obtained in their measurements affected the
distribution of organisms in the area i.e. relates cause and effect for the data of the
TWO abiotic factors on the distribution of organisms
Answers will vary depending on the factor selected. eg. thermometer (temperature), hydrometer (salinity),
pH meter (acidity).
Question 25(c)
Criteria
Draws correctly labelled food web with arrows in the correct direction (towards
consumer) showing trophic interaction between TWO organisms

Marks
3

Question 26(a)
Criteria
States conclusion that can be drawn from the trend shown in the graph
Suggested answer: As the size of the cube increases, the SA/V ratio decreases.

Marks
1

Question 26(b)
Criteria
Marks
2
Discusses the implications of changes in the surface area to volume on organism size
Suggested answer: As the SA/V ratio decreases the rate of diffusion decreases. This limits the ability of cells
to obtain enough nutrients and gases for metabolism, as well as excrete wastes.
NSW Independent Trial Exams 2010 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 3

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Question 26(c)
Criteria
Marks
2
Explains how larger organisms overcome the problem of changes in surface area
Suggested answer: Larger organisms are able to specialise and have organs with increased surface area on
their membranes to allow for efficient diffusion. eg. lung alveoli, blood capillaries
Question 27(a)
Criteria
Identifies the gaseous exchange surfaces in a
Suggested answer: Gills, trachea, skin and lungs, lungs
Question 27(b)
Criteria
Names the biotic factor essential for the movement of gases across respiratory surfaces
in each of the listed organisms
Suggested answer: Water or a moist surface

Marks
4

Marks
1

Question 28
Criteria
Marks
4
Explains the importance of the study of past environments, such as the analysis of air
bubbles trapped in ancient ice, in predicting the impact of humans on present
environments
Suggested answer:
By analysing the air bubbles trapped in ancient ice, scientists are able to compare to present day levels. (1 mark)
Scientists are able to suggest whether this is a cyclical event. (1 mark)
Scientists can look at the types and abundance of organisms and make assumptions about the continued
increase on the present day ecosystems. (2 marks)
Question 29(a)
Criteria
Marks
2
Student identifies similarities (1 mark) and differences (1 mark) between named
Australian fossils that they have studied and living Australian organisms
Answers may include: Megafauna such as the Diprotodon vs modern marsupials such as the hairy-nosed
wombat. eg. size is smaller but structurally similar.
Question 29(b)
Criteria
Explains how the study of these fossils can contribute to our understanding of the
evolution of different species in Australia
Links between the features of fossils and the development of characteristics in present
day organisms
Must relate to changes in the Australian climate over time
Answers will vary depending on the fossils and species selected, but may include:
Gondwana and climate change data.
Question 30(a)
Criteria
Student names a species of Australian angiosperm that they have studied
Answers may include: Grevillea longifolia, Telopea speciosissima (waratah), Acacia etc.
Question 30(b)
Criteria
Draws a labelled diagram of a flower from the plant named in (a) to identify features
that may be adaptations for wind, insect, bird or mammal pollination
1 mark each for correct labels and identified adaptation

Marks
2

Marks
1

Marks
2

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2010 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 5

Answers will vary depending on the species selected. May include: brightly coloured, dust like pollen, seed
pods that are carried on the wind. etc.

NSW INDEPENDENT TRIAL EXAMS 2010

BIOLOGY Yr 11 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
MAPPING GRID
Question
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Mark
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
4
7
8
9
5
5
4
4
3

Outcomes
7
8
8
7
8
6
6
6
6
6
1, 10
3
10
1, 10
7, 9
6, 9
2, 11, 12
8
6
7
13
5
8, 10
9
8, 14
6, 14
6
10, 12
10
7, 9

Syllabus reference
8.2.1
8.2.2
8.2.2
8.2.2
8.2.2
8.3.1
8.3.2
8.3.3
8.3.4
8.3.5
8.4.2
8.4.3
8.4.4
8.5.1
8.5.2
8.5.3
8.5.4
8.2.2
8.3.4
8.4.4
8.4.2
8.12.e
8.4.3
8.5.3
8.2.1
8.3.2
8.3.4
8.5.4
8.5.2
8.5.3

NSW Independent Trial Exams 2010 Biology Yr 11 Preliminary Examination: Marking Criteria - Page 6