The exam will be a Quiz on Canvas
The exam will be 1.5 hours . It will include multiple choice and short answer (2-3 sentences or a paragraph or two) questions.
The Exam is NOT open book. ANY cheating, use of notes, text, or communication during the exam will result in a “0” on the exam and an “F” in the course.
In order to prevent cheating, but in order to provide supervision, I will set up a Zoom call and send you a link. Please use a separate device for Zoom that shows your workspace (desktop) and YOU, yourself. 🙂
During the exam, please have your camera turned on, so I can make sure you are not using other study materials.
I will NOT ask you anything that is only in the text, but not in your notes!
The exam covers everything SINCE the midterm: textbook chapters 16 to 18, online notes 16-18, plus the online eolian, desert, and theological issues notes.
It does NOT cover chapters/notes 1, 12-15. These were on the midterm.
- A few things you should definitely review (not an exhaustive list!):
- coastal landforms (tombolos etc)
- glacial landforms (various moraines, cirques, etc)
- soils – the sand/silt/clay triangle (know how to use it – I’ll give it to you though)
- coral reefs
- periglacial (arctic) landforms (pingos etc)
- tides – what causes them/high and low tide
- soil orders – know basic info about them
- groundwater (artesian wells etc)
- wave motion and beach sorting
- eolian erosion – how wind sculpts landscape
- desert landscapes – how sand dunes form
- soil profiles – how they work
- How to Study …
- The College provides study resources. Check them out.
- Read over the online notes. The exam is based on them.
- Make your own notes based on what you read.
- Quiz yourself.
- Use the questions at the end of each chapter in the text as a guide to study
- Make up your own questions to test yourself
- Use flashcards for key terms and concepts
- As you read the notes, do use the figures in the text (an online resources) as references. The figures/pictures really help you visualize what you’re studying.
- Review the chapters in the text. Note that I will NOT ask you anything that is only in the text, but not in your notes
- Check out the resources at www.masteringgeography.com. There are review questions and practice quizzes on the site (if you don’t have access it’s not essential, but it may be useful).
- On the day of …
- Make sure you are in a quiet, private place.
- You DO need a device with a webcam or equivalent for Zoom. Ideally this will be a second device (like your phone) so it can show your workplace and you, yourself.
- Do NOT bring your text or notes (sorry, this exam is not open book!)
- You do NOT need a calculator or ruler
That’s about it! Study hard! I know there is lots to know and lots to memorize (the plague of any introductory science course!), but go at it!
Try to remember that this is God’s creation we are studying (it’s one of the symptoms of the Fall that studying divine artistry seems like drudgery!). As you study the Earth-Atmosphere system, you are studying God’s handiwork!
You are doing theology (learning about God)! Hard though it is, try to keep that perspective going …
God bless,
Bruce
Extra note on the soil texture triangle from Chapter 18 / Lab 6
What you need to remember is the numbers are always in the order: sand, silt, clay (drill it in to tour memory: sand, silt, clay … sand, silt, clay… sand, silt, clay ..)
So if your sample is 20/70/10
So, start with sand. In this example, the % sand is 20. So, go along the bottom from right to left to 20. Your sample will be along that 20 “line” somewhere.
Next go to silt — 70%. Silt is along the right hand side. Go down from the top to 70. When you find 70 on the silt axis (edge), your sample will be along that line.
Last, go to clay — 10%. Clay is along the left side. Go to 10. Clay is the easiest because the white lines go horizontally, so you go across on the 10 line.
And you’re there! A beautiful SILT LOAM!
It is a bit confusing! The key is to remember it’s always SAND-SILT-CLAY! And to make sure you are using the correct side. I will give you the identical diagram as above in the exam (I’ll just cut and paste it).
Hope that helps. B