Level-marked assessment

Development

Name Class Date

The differences between LEDCs and MEDCs

The level at which I am currently working is

so my target level for this assessment is

because

Assessment task
This assessment is about how the differences between MEDCs and LEDCs are measured, and
what charitable organisations want to do about these differences. You will:
❚ use statistical and graphical data to show how economic development is measured;
❚ explain contrasts between selected MEDC and LEDC countries;
❚ draw comparisons between different development indicators to describe quality of life;
❚ consider the problems and issues surrounding Third World Debt, and find out about some of
the ways in which this issue is being addressed.

You will be given a table that contains economic data for selected countries at different stages of
development. You will also be provided with a range of website sources for further research.

Before you start work, make sure you understand the task and what you have to do. And look at
the success criteria on the next two pages, so that you know how to achieve your target level –
or better!

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 Level-marked
Success criteria: National Curriculum levels assessment

Level 3 • Your definitions for the development indicators are partially correct.
• You rank some countries in the table correctly.
• You show some understanding of the term ‘Third World debt’.
• You make some brief statements about the problems that may result from
such debt.
• You show an understanding of most of the terms used in the assessment.

Level 4 • You show an accurate understanding of most of the key words used in the
assessment, and recognise the difference between MEDC and LEDC nations.
• You understand how development is measured, and use data to show this.
• You have some simple ideas about the usefulness of certain development
indicators.
• You recognise a range of brief ideas about the problems of Third World
debt.
• You show a decent standard of literacy in your work.

Level 5 • As well as for level four, you offer some simple reasons to explain the
relationships between some economic indicators.
• You understand the term ‘Human Development Index’ (HDI) and its
significance to different organisations.
• You show some understanding about the causes of Third World debt.
• Your letter identifies a number of problems related to Third World debt, and
attempts to explain why these problems will become worse.
• You identify some simple ways of reducing Third World debt.
• You use a good range of appropriate terminology throughout your work.

Level 6 • You describe and explain accurately how economic development can be
measured.
• You understand the term ‘Human Development Index’ and explain how it is
used by charitable organisations.
• You recognise in detail the problems that LEDC countries face due to debt,
which you explain with clarity.
• You make some suggestions about how Third World debt could be tackled
at a range of scales (from international organisations to individual support,
for example).
• You use a good range of appropriate terminology and several different
presentation styles.

Level 7 • You meet all of the criteria for level 6 and are very confident with all of the
key terminology and with handling data from the statistical chart.
• You explain the relationships between economic indicators for at least two
sets of information.
• You understand the global implications of the Human Development Index.
• Your letter is clearly written with well expressed ideas about the problems
LEDC countries face and the cause of debt.
• You make some good suggestions about how these issues could be tackled,
showing evidence of some good research skills.
• You consider how LEDC countries should be able to help themselves in a
more sustainable way.

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 Level-marked
Success criteria: National Curriculum levels assessment

Level 8 • In addition to the descriptors for level 7, you describe and explain fully the
relationships between several economic indicators.
• You make highly effective use of research opportunities to illustrate the
problems of Third World debt and how MEDC nations have benefited from
it.
• In describing how the problems of Third World debt are being addressed,
you use suitable examples.
• You evaluate critically the effectiveness of measures to tackle Third World
debt.
• You consider in some detail, how the actions of individual people in MEDCs
can support the move away from debt in much poorer countries.

Exceptional performance
In addition to Level 8…
• You evaluate critically the sources of evidence given, and draw on
information beyond the assessment to inform your conclusion.
• You make comparisons between models of economic development and the
material provided in this assessment.

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 Level-marked
Resources assessment

Answer these questions on a separate piece of paper.

1 Look at Figure 1. It contains development statistics for ten countries.

Country GDP Life % of Doctors per

per capita Rank expectancy Rank population Rank 100 000 Rank
(US $) (years) undernourished people
UK 26 444 78 0 164
Norway 41 974 79 0 367
Bangladesh 351 62 32 23
Sierra Leone 150 43 50 9
Mexico 6320 75 5 156
Germany 24 051 79 0 363
Japan 31 407 81 0 202
Brazil 2593 71 9 206
USA 36 006 77 0 279
Burkina Faso 264 44 17 4

Figure 1 Development indicators for selected countries, 2004

a Provide a brief definition for each of the development indicators shown.

b Fill in the empty columns by giving each country a score (or rank) for each indicator (1 = high, 10 = low).
Cut out your table and stick it under your answer to 1a.

c Plot a scattergraph to show the ranks for GDP per 10

capita and life expectancy (use the frame
provided). 9
Cut out your graph and stick it under your answer
8
to 1b.
7
Ranked GDP per capita (US $)

d Describe and explain the relationship shown by

your scattergraph. What does this tell you about 6
the link between GDP per capita and healthcare
in different countries? 5

4
e What relationship would you expect to find
between the other two development indicators in 3
the table? Suggest reasons for this relationship.
2
2 Why is GDP per capita not always the best indicator
1
of economic development? (Hint: think about
comparing the prices of things in different countries!)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ranked life expectancy (years)

Figure 2 GDP versus life expectancy

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 Level-marked
Resources assessment

3 a What is meant by the human development index, or HDI?

b Find out the ten countries with the highest HDI, and the ten with the lowest. (Hint: lots of
websites have up-to-date statistics, try Country data on the geog.world subscription site if
your school has access.
Alternatively, type ‘human development reports’ into www.google.co.uk.)
c How do charitable organisations such as UNICEF, Oxfam and the Red Cross make use of
HDI statistics?

4 In this unit, you will have considered the problem of Third World Debt. Write a letter to the
World Bank with your thoughts and feelings on this issue, based on your understanding and
research. The Internet sources below are useful links for you to extend your knowledge.

Web address What they say

www.globalexchange.org
www.worldbank.org
www.makepovertyhistory.com
www.christian-aid.org.uk/
This human rights organisation has some interesting
articles on the subject. (Hint: type ‘third world debt’ into
‘find it’.
Statistical information from the World Bank.
They are asking for trade justice, for poor country’s debts
to be dropped, and for more and better aid.
They want to change the rules that keep people poor.

Figure 3 Internet sources for Third World Debt

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