Sail Past
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Approach: Independent Level: Year 4 and year 8
Focus: Interpreting topographical maps
Resources: Map, 9 pictures
448Kb
Questions/instructions:  

A sailor saw this island in the distance. She took pictures of the island as she sailed around it.

[Illustrations sourced from:
Robinson, I. (1995). Mathscheck 6. Melbourne: Collins Dove.]
Click on map to enlarge.
NOTE: The wording and results for question 2 were incorrect in the printed version of the report which was originally despatched to schools. Consequently, some total scores were also incorrect but all are shown correctly here, along with the amendments to question 2.
% responses
2007 ('03)
y4
y8
1. Put the pictures in the order that they were taken as the sailor went round the island. The first one has been done for you.    
Picture 1 =
D
    
Picture 2 =
B
44 (37)
77 (78)
Picture 3 =
I
34 (32)
73 (75)
Picture 4 =
E
37 (38)
75 (78)
Picture 5 =
C
30 (29)
68 (72)
Picture 6 =
H
24 (25)
59 (58)
Picture 7 =
G
28 (29)
59 (58)
Picture 8 =
A
24 (23)
59 (58)
Picture 9 =
F
57 (62)
86 (90)
2. Which compass direction did the sailor come from?
West
31 (42)
49 (49)

Total score:
8–9
9 (8)
44 (42)
6–7
11 (11)
19 (20)
4–5
17 (15)
14 (18)
2–3
27 (28)
13 (12)
0–1
36 (38)
10 (8)
Subgroup Analysis [Click on charts to enlarge] :
Year 4
Year 8
Commentary:
The ability of students to interpret a topographical map improved greatly from year 4 to year 8. Most year 4 students had very limited success, whereas most year 8 students had little or no difficulty. Performance was similar in 2003 and 2007. Year 4 Pasifika students had more trouble than Mäori or Pakeha students, but the differences declined by year 8.