Examination Technique - This section contains files that will help your general examination technique, how to answers questions on graphs and maps - click here to download these files.
Understanding the Question - The key rule is to read the exam question carefully and answer the question that has been set - not the one that you hoped would be set! Therefore, read and interpret the question to work out exactly what is being asked. review the question through its key words (see the yellow box on the right).
Below is an extract from a question that has been interpreted using the key words. Part (a) about the resource stimulus has been left out. To download the full page click here.
Command and Key Words - Here is a list of the most common command words and key words - to download the PDF of all the command word click here. To review all the resources and activities on command words click here.
Account (for) - Give an explanation / reasons for. The matter being questioned may be complex and some clarification and description may be needed to reason why something happens in the way that it does .
Analyse - Separate information into components and identify their characteristics.
Annotate - Add labels, brief comments or notes to a diagram, photograph or map to aid description or explanation. Often used on landform formation questions, e.g. ‘use only an annotated diagram or diagrams.’
Assess - Consider the evidence presented and come to a reasoned judgement / make an informed judgement.
Compare - Describe the similarities and differences of at least two things, e.g. by using comparative words such as ‘it has similar height to’, ‘larger than’, ‘faster flowing than’ or ‘more vegetation than.’ Identify similarities.
Contrast (one thing with another) - Point out the differences between at least two phenomena. (Does not require coverage of similarities.) Identify differences.
Describe - Give the main characteristics of something or an account in words of a phenomenon which may be an entity, an event, a feature, a pattern, a distribution or a process. For example, if describing a landform say what it looks like, give some indication of size or scale, what it is made of, and where it is in relation to something else (field relationship). Set out characteristics /’what are the features of ”.
Discuss (using a case study) - Bring forward the important points of or set out both sides of an argument, for and against, and come to a conclusion. There should be some evidence of balance, though not necessarily of equal weighting. (Where use of a case study is expected, then specifics from the case study should be given to support the important points.) Present key points.
Explain (how / why / advantages & disadvantages etc.) - Give reasons why something happens. Answers should set out the causes of a phenomenon and/or the factors which influence its form/nature. This usually requires an understanding of processes. Explanation is a higher-level skill than description and this is often reflected in its greater mark weighting. Set out purposes or reasons.
Give - An alternative to ‘Identify/Name/State’ usually requiring students to supply a basic straightforward, possibly single word, response, e.g. ‘give the 4-figure grid reference for ’
Identify - Similar to ‘Give/Name/state’, which require candidates to answer briefly and are usually only worth 1 mark, e.g. for a question asking candidates to select one item or idea from a range of information provided. Name or otherwise characterise.
Justify - Give reasons for offering an opinion or reaching a conclusion / support a case with evidence
Outline (one way/why) - Provide a brief account of relevant information/summarise the main points of something. (Intermediate term between ‘State’ and ‘Describe’). Set out main characteristics.
State - An alternative to ‘Give/Identify/Name’ usually requiring students to supply a basic straightforward, possibly single word, response. Express in clear terms.
Suggest (why/give reasons for) - Similar to ‘Explain’ but sometimes there are varying reasons why something happens and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. More than one reason should be given (e.g. a farmer will grow a crop for a number of reasons; these could be physical or human). Used in questions based on application of Knowledge & Understanding in unfamiliar contexts – asking students to indicate reasons for something based on data given but which they would not necessarily have studied. Present a possible case.
Summarise - Give the main points briefly / present principal points without detail.
What Makes an Examiner Weep? - have you ever wondered why it's called 'exam performance' rather than 'exam achievement' or 'exam attainment? Perhaps because your work will be judged by a stranger who is an expert in the field you are competing in. In that sense, you're not a million miles away from those brave souls who put themselves forward as performers for the X Factor or Pop Idol. Follow the tips below and you might put in a winning performance - click here to read the full article.
Unit Check Lists - To download the physical and human check lists click on one of the following unitsCoasts, Tectonics, Settlement and Tourism.
Papers 1 and 2 Questions - To download PowerPoints containing past paper questions and word documents of quick fire questions for each of the following units click on one of the following units Coasts, Tectonics,Settlement, and Tourism.
Paper 3 (Part A) Questions - This section contains information that can be used to used answer the map skills and data response questions from the - (to be completed soon).
Paper 3 (Part B - DME) Questions - This section contains resources and tasks that can used to analyse the pre-release material in preparation for the summer DME questions - (to be completed soon).
Coastal (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The access the Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of coastal fact sheets click here.
a) Landforms resulting from erosion – characteristics and formation of bays and headlands and headlands.
b) Landforms resulting from deposition – characteristics and formation of beaches and Spits - Hurst Castle andBars - Slapton Sands.
c) A case study to illustrate the impact of coastal flooding - Maldives, (social, economic and environmental impacts).
d) A case study of recent or threatened cliff collapse - Happisburgh, (causes and impacts).
e) A case study of a coastal management scheme to assess its costs and benefits - Highcliffe - (to come).
f) A case study of a coastal habitat - Ainsdale , (vegetation characteristics , management and sustainability).
g) A case study of a coastal habitat - Keyhaven Salt Marsh.
Tectonics (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here
a) A case study of how tectonic landscapes provide economic opportunities and how people adapt to challenging physical conditions - Iceland, (economic opportunities and how people adapt to challenging physical conditions).
b) A case study of a major volcanic eruption - Iceland / Chaiten - Chile, (primary & secondary impacts, responses and how monitoring, prediction and preparation can reduce the impacts).
c) The causes of volcanic activity and the different features associated with it (different types of volcano, hot spot activity, hot springs).
d) An example of a super volcanoes - (characteristics and the likely effects of an eruption).
e) Case studies of two major earthquake - Haiti and Italy, (contrasting - primary & secondary impacts, immediate & long term responses, and how prediction, preparation and planning can reduce the impacts of earthquakes).
f) A case study of a tsunami – Japan, (its cause, effects and responses).
Settlement (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here
a) The causes of urbanisation in MEDC's and LEDC's - Cairo.
b) The characteristics and location of land use zones in MEDCs settlements - CBD, and the inner city and suburbs.
c) The causes, effects and management of air and water pollution.
d) A case study to show problems of traffic congestion and ways to reduce these problems - Nottingham.
e) A case study of an urban planning scheme that aims to regenerate & improve an inner city - Salford Quays.
f) A case study of a squatter settlement to show its characteristics, issues and solutions - Rio Janeiro.
g) A case study of planning & management practices that enable urban areas to become increasingly sustainable - Curitiba.
Tourism (Fact Sheets) - This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here.
a) A case study of a coastal resort - Blackpool - (to come).
b) A case study of a tropical mass tourist - Yucatan Peninsula Mexico, (attractions, impacts and management strategies).
c) A case study of one extreme environment - Antarctica, (attractions, impacts and management strategies).
d) A case study of ecotourism - Mountain Gorilla Tourism Rwanda, (benefits the environment, the local economy and the lives of the people, and contribute to sustainably).
Understanding the Question - The key rule is to read the exam question carefully and answer the question that has been set - not the one that you hoped would be set! Therefore, read and interpret the question to work out exactly what is being asked. review the question through its key words (see the yellow box on the right).
Below is an extract from a question that has been interpreted using the key words. Part (a) about the resource stimulus has been left out. To download the full page click here.
Command and Key Words - Here is a list of the most common command words and key words - to download the PDF of all the command word click here. To review all the resources and activities on command words click here.
Account (for) - Give an explanation / reasons for. The matter being questioned may be complex and some clarification and description may be needed to reason why something happens in the way that it does .
Analyse - Separate information into components and identify their characteristics.
Annotate - Add labels, brief comments or notes to a diagram, photograph or map to aid description or explanation. Often used on landform formation questions, e.g. ‘use only an annotated diagram or diagrams.’
Assess - Consider the evidence presented and come to a reasoned judgement / make an informed judgement.
Compare - Describe the similarities and differences of at least two things, e.g. by using comparative words such as ‘it has similar height to’, ‘larger than’, ‘faster flowing than’ or ‘more vegetation than.’ Identify similarities.
Contrast (one thing with another) - Point out the differences between at least two phenomena. (Does not require coverage of similarities.) Identify differences.
Describe - Give the main characteristics of something or an account in words of a phenomenon which may be an entity, an event, a feature, a pattern, a distribution or a process. For example, if describing a landform say what it looks like, give some indication of size or scale, what it is made of, and where it is in relation to something else (field relationship). Set out characteristics /’what are the features of ”.
Discuss (using a case study) - Bring forward the important points of or set out both sides of an argument, for and against, and come to a conclusion. There should be some evidence of balance, though not necessarily of equal weighting. (Where use of a case study is expected, then specifics from the case study should be given to support the important points.) Present key points.
Explain (how / why / advantages & disadvantages etc.) - Give reasons why something happens. Answers should set out the causes of a phenomenon and/or the factors which influence its form/nature. This usually requires an understanding of processes. Explanation is a higher-level skill than description and this is often reflected in its greater mark weighting. Set out purposes or reasons.
Give - An alternative to ‘Identify/Name/State’ usually requiring students to supply a basic straightforward, possibly single word, response, e.g. ‘give the 4-figure grid reference for ’
Identify - Similar to ‘Give/Name/state’, which require candidates to answer briefly and are usually only worth 1 mark, e.g. for a question asking candidates to select one item or idea from a range of information provided. Name or otherwise characterise.
Justify - Give reasons for offering an opinion or reaching a conclusion / support a case with evidence
Outline (one way/why) - Provide a brief account of relevant information/summarise the main points of something. (Intermediate term between ‘State’ and ‘Describe’). Set out main characteristics.
State - An alternative to ‘Give/Identify/Name’ usually requiring students to supply a basic straightforward, possibly single word, response. Express in clear terms.
Suggest (why/give reasons for) - Similar to ‘Explain’ but sometimes there are varying reasons why something happens and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. More than one reason should be given (e.g. a farmer will grow a crop for a number of reasons; these could be physical or human). Used in questions based on application of Knowledge & Understanding in unfamiliar contexts – asking students to indicate reasons for something based on data given but which they would not necessarily have studied. Present a possible case.
Summarise - Give the main points briefly / present principal points without detail.
What Makes an Examiner Weep? - have you ever wondered why it's called 'exam performance' rather than 'exam achievement' or 'exam attainment? Perhaps because your work will be judged by a stranger who is an expert in the field you are competing in. In that sense, you're not a million miles away from those brave souls who put themselves forward as performers for the X Factor or Pop Idol. Follow the tips below and you might put in a winning performance - click here to read the full article.
Unit Check Lists - To download the physical and human check lists click on one of the following unitsCoasts, Tectonics, Settlement and Tourism.
Papers 1 and 2 Questions - To download PowerPoints containing past paper questions and word documents of quick fire questions for each of the following units click on one of the following units Coasts, Tectonics,Settlement, and Tourism.
Paper 3 (Part A) Questions - This section contains information that can be used to used answer the map skills and data response questions from the - (to be completed soon).
Paper 3 (Part B - DME) Questions - This section contains resources and tasks that can used to analyse the pre-release material in preparation for the summer DME questions - (to be completed soon).
Coastal (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The access the Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of coastal fact sheets click here.
a) Landforms resulting from erosion – characteristics and formation of bays and headlands and headlands.
b) Landforms resulting from deposition – characteristics and formation of beaches and Spits - Hurst Castle andBars - Slapton Sands.
c) A case study to illustrate the impact of coastal flooding - Maldives, (social, economic and environmental impacts).
d) A case study of recent or threatened cliff collapse - Happisburgh, (causes and impacts).
e) A case study of a coastal management scheme to assess its costs and benefits - Highcliffe - (to come).
f) A case study of a coastal habitat - Ainsdale , (vegetation characteristics , management and sustainability).
g) A case study of a coastal habitat - Keyhaven Salt Marsh.
Tectonics (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here
a) A case study of how tectonic landscapes provide economic opportunities and how people adapt to challenging physical conditions - Iceland, (economic opportunities and how people adapt to challenging physical conditions).
b) A case study of a major volcanic eruption - Iceland / Chaiten - Chile, (primary & secondary impacts, responses and how monitoring, prediction and preparation can reduce the impacts).
c) The causes of volcanic activity and the different features associated with it (different types of volcano, hot spot activity, hot springs).
d) An example of a super volcanoes - (characteristics and the likely effects of an eruption).
e) Case studies of two major earthquake - Haiti and Italy, (contrasting - primary & secondary impacts, immediate & long term responses, and how prediction, preparation and planning can reduce the impacts of earthquakes).
f) A case study of a tsunami – Japan, (its cause, effects and responses).
Settlement (Fact Sheets) This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here
a) The causes of urbanisation in MEDC's and LEDC's - Cairo.
b) The characteristics and location of land use zones in MEDCs settlements - CBD, and the inner city and suburbs.
c) The causes, effects and management of air and water pollution.
d) A case study to show problems of traffic congestion and ways to reduce these problems - Nottingham.
e) A case study of an urban planning scheme that aims to regenerate & improve an inner city - Salford Quays.
f) A case study of a squatter settlement to show its characteristics, issues and solutions - Rio Janeiro.
g) A case study of planning & management practices that enable urban areas to become increasingly sustainable - Curitiba.
Tourism (Fact Sheets) - This section contains links to individual fact and case study sheets - to access these sheets click on the links below. The Google Drive Folder containing the complete set of fact sheets click here.
a) A case study of a coastal resort - Blackpool - (to come).
b) A case study of a tropical mass tourist - Yucatan Peninsula Mexico, (attractions, impacts and management strategies).
c) A case study of one extreme environment - Antarctica, (attractions, impacts and management strategies).
d) A case study of ecotourism - Mountain Gorilla Tourism Rwanda, (benefits the environment, the local economy and the lives of the people, and contribute to sustainably).