Research inquiry: Interconnections
Summary of task
Students were required to select one product that is purchased by their household and investigate how the production and demand for this product creates networks of trade and economic interdependence at and across different scales. The inquiry took place over four weeks during class time and students were asked to present their findings in a written report. Students were given the following questions to help them with their inquiry:
- Where is the product produced and/or manufactured?
- What is the supply chain for the product?
- What is the spatial distribution of production and consumption?
- How does the product connect places?
They were asked to design and investigate a further research question based on what they had learned.
Achievement standard
Annotations overview
In this sample, the student has developed geographically significant questions to frame an inquiry and presented answers in the form of a cohesive report. The student presents findings and explanations using a range of appropriate geographical terminology. The student demonstrates understanding of spatial patterns and networks of trade and appreciates the impact of global economic processes on people, places and environments at a range of scales. The student proposes valid strategies to address these issues and predicts the long-term consequences of their proposals.
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Identifies the location of coffee-growing regions in the world -
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Annotation 2
Constructs a thematic map to illustrate the spatial distribution of coffee-growing countries and regions -
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Annotation 3
Explains the relationship between the natural characteristics of places and coffee production -
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Annotation 4
Sources and analyses data to identify coffee-producing regions in the world -
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Annotation 5
Sorts data and constructs a column graph to show the top coffee-producing countries by country region
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Annotation 1
Explains in detail the network of people and activities at each stage of the coffee supply chain -
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Annotation 2
Draws a comprehensive supply chain to show how people and activities are interconnected in the cultivation, production, distribution and consumption of coffee -
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Annotation 3
Synthesises data to identify patterns of coffee distribution -
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Annotation 4
Constructs a pie chart to illustrate the distribution of coffee by country
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Annotation 1
Explains spatial variations between the production of and demand for coffee -
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Annotation 2
Represents the spatial distribution of coffee production and demand on a thematic map that complies with cartographic conventions -
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Annotation 3
Identifies and explains the relationship between income and the cultivation and demand for coffee -
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Annotation 4
Gives an explanation for variations in the spatial distribution of coffee production and demand -
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Annotation 5
Constructs a thematic map to represent the spatial distribution of different levels of economic development -
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Annotation 6
Uses appropriate shading and a legend to represent average values -
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Annotation 7
Cites a source of data
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Annotation 1
Identifies patterns and anomalies in the spatial distribution of coffee consumption -
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Annotation 2
Proposes an explanation for the spatial anomaly of Brazil as a coffee-consuming nation -
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Annotation 3
Constructs a column graph to illustrate the relationship between GDP per capita and coffee consumption -
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Annotation 4
Interprets and synthesises data from different sources to represent the relationship between different variables -
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Annotation 5
Gives a valid explanation for spatial variations in the production and consumption of coffee -
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Annotation 6
Synthesises information to draw reasoned conclusions
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Annotation 1
Sorts information to show relationships between location and characteristics of places, and their role in the supply chain -
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Annotation 2
Analyses the economic interdependence created by the coffee trade -
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Annotation 3
Explains how the coffee trade creates employment for people in different places at all stages of the supply chain -
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Annotation 4
Represents the complex networks created by the coffee trade at national, regional and international scales
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Annotation 1
Explains how local and national economies combine to create networks, movement patterns, transport routes and markets -
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Annotation 2
Represents the interconnections between places across different scales due to the flow of coffee
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Uses initial research to frame a geographical question to investigate -
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Annotation 2
Identifies trends in the consumption of coffee and predicts the need to address issues arising from these trends -
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Annotation 3
Identifies Fair Trade as a possible strategy to address the exploitation of small coffee producers -
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Annotation 4
Applies environmental, social and economic criteria to assess the merits of Fair Trade -
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Annotation 5
Identifies weaknesses in the Fair Trade strategy and suggests ways to make it more effective -
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Annotation 6
Predicts the long-term effects of proposed strategy to improve the reach of Fair Trade -
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Annotation 7
Identifies the need for extra strategies to address the exploitation of plantation labourers and proposes a strategy -
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Annotation 8
Explains changes to the way coffee is grown -
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Annotation 9
Gives an example of the ways that interconnections change places -
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Annotation 10
Identifies the environmental effects of sun-grown coffee -
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Proposes a strategy to address the environmental effects of sun-grown coffee -
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Identifies individual and collective action to promote sustainable coffee production -
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Annotation 13
Predicts the long term consequences of proposed strategy -
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Annotation 14
Synthesises information from a range of sources to form reasoned conclusions -
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Annotation 15
Draws reasoned and evidence-based conclusions
