Using SOLO taxonomy to access long answer questions The specification The question The command words The hexagons Multi-structural example Relational example Extended abstract examples Student response to the question

FOUNDATION MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL UNI-STRUCTURAL Describe the structure of the Earth as a sphere with a thin rocky crust, a mantle and an iron core. Understand how the movement of tectonic plates results in volcanic activity and earthquakes. Recall that the movement of tectonic plates is very slow (about 2.5cm per year). Understand the timescales involved in the movement of continents. Recognise that: many theories have been put forward to explain the nature of the Earth’s surface. Earth scientists accept the theory of plate tectonics. MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL UNI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL UNI-STRUCTURAL

STANDARD MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL RELATIONAL Describe the lithosphere as the (relatively) cold rigid outer part of the Earth that includes the crust and part of the mantle. Describe the lithosphere as made of tectonic plates that are less dense than the mantle below. Explain the problems associated with studying the structure of the Earth: • crust is too thick to drill through • the need to use seismic waves produced by earthquakes or man-made explosions. Explain why the theory of plate tectonics is now widely accepted: • it explains a wide range of evidence • it has been discussed and tested by a wide range of scientists. MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL RELATIONAL

HIGHER MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL   Describe the mantle as the zone between the crust and the core which is: • cold and rigid just below the crust • hot and non-rigid at greater depths and therefore able to move. Describe the theory of plate tectonics: • energy transfer involving convection currents in the semi-rigid mantle causing the plates to move slowly • oceanic crust more dense than continental crust • collision between oceanic plate and continental plate leads to subduction and partial melting • plates cooler at ocean margins so sink and pull plates down. Describe in simple terms the development of the theory of plate tectonics: • Wegener’s continental drift theory (1914) • continental drift theory not accepted by scientists at the time • new evidence in 1960s – sea floor spreading • theory of plate tectonics slowly accepted by the scientific community as subsequent research has supported the theory. MULTI-STRUCTURAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL MULTI-STRUCTURAL RELATIONAL EXTENDED ABSTRACT

The Question Describe the theory of plate tectonics, what happens at plate boundaries and explain why Wegener's theory took so long to be accepted.

The Question COMMAND WORDS Describe the theory of plate tectonics, what happens at plate boundaries and explain why Wegener's theory took so long to be accepted. COMMAND WORDS

A detailed account. More simply – ‘Write down…’ Tell the examiner in your own words what/ how/ or why something happens; must use words precisely (in scientific subjects this means using scientific terms). DESCRIBE CONNECTIVES: and in addition as well as also too furthermore moreover apart from in addition to besides furthermore, what is more, in addition, not only .... but also another point is that for example another

EXPLAIN Give reasons for how or why something happens; you need to give examples. CONNECTIVES: cause because because of since so due to due to the fact that owing to owing to the fact that as consequence/effect  therefore so consequently this means that as a result such ...that thus too...for/to not enough...for/to so as to in order that accordingly due to this this is why for this reason that being so on account of this in that case giving reasons and grounds because … because for example, for instance, for one thing, this includes such as e.g.. (for example) i.e. (that is) expert opinion common knowledge considered plausible personal experience anecdotal

HEXAGON EXAMPLE: MULTISTRUCTURAL – SEVERAL IDEAS NOT LINKED

HEXAGON EXAMPLE: RELATIONAL – LINKING IDEAS TO EVIDENCE

HEXAGON EXAMPLE: RELATIONAL ABSTRACT – LINKING IDEAS TO EVIDENCE

STUDENT RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION HAVING USED HEXAGONS AS A PLAN