geog

1. Revision of part A and B of Unit 2

2. Characteristics of weak and strong
Unit 2 responses
Weak Strong
•Ignoring the Figure, or using it partially or
imprecisely
•‘All I know’ case studies in the wrong places
i.e. the 15 mark F & R question (see CASE
STUDY example in pack)
•Pre-prepared F&R which is not adapted to the
specific question
•Lack of balance, with in relation to a Figure,
F&R or example
•Missing a key word in a question e.g. ‘impacts’
or ‘strategies’
•To much detail on one F or R method, and
therefore a lack of range
•Careful reference to Figure; use of data or
information with accuracy
•Appropriate range of fieldwork and research
methods; context provided
•Fieldwork and research linked specific places
(not general)
•Good understanding of processes illustrated
by strong terminology
•Range of examples with real world detail
when required
•Use of ‘qualitative’ / ‘quantitative’ (and other
technical language), but not endless
explanations of what the words mean!

3. What do I need to know?

4. • Sticking to the suggested timings on
the exam paper is crucial to success.
• The paper has 75 minutes in total, so
you need to spend about 35 minutes
on each question. These leave a few
minutes for final checking
• The 15 mark fieldwork and research
questions need the most time as they
carry the highest tariff and are time
for thinking as you will have to
organise thoughts for a specific
question focus.
• The data response and case study
style questions should be quicker to
do and therefore need less time.
• Think about quality not quantity.
• Practice parts of questions under timed conditions.
 There is no need to fill up all the space on the exam
paper
 Writing a short glossary as you go will be invaluable for
final revision
Section a (Resource: 10
marks) ~ 8-9 mins
Section b (Fieldwork +
Research: 15 marks) ~15-
16 mins
Section c (Case study: 10
marks) ~ 7-8 mins
LEAVE A COUPLE OF
MINUTES FOR A FINAL
READ-THROUGH AND
CHECK
Managing time on each question:
Time Management

5. Part A

6. Appreciating the different demands of the questions: Part
(a)
The part (a) questions are essentially about responding
to the resources which have been provided. Rehearsing
how to respond to photographs, data and maps is really
important prior to taking the exam (e.g. by using these
resources as starters at the beginning of lessons),
allowing candidates to deal with patterns, trends and
anomalies. It is also very important that students
establish whether the task is one of description or
explanation. It is certainly not a place to deliver detailed
or wide-ranging case studies.
20/70 marks = ~30%

7. Data stimulus skills
• Typically questions which use a
Figure contain these commands:
1. ‘Describe.....’
2. ‘Describe how…..’
3. ‘Comment on…….’
4. ‘Suggest how / reasons….’
• Answers needs to address these
different command words
• Different commands require a
different balance between using
the Figure, knowledge and
understanding.
• Misinterpreting the command
word risks a low mark.
Study Figure 1. (a) Comment on the possible social
and economic impacts of the variations in spring
rainfall shown on Figure 1. (10)

8. Map interpretation
• Identify scale quickly (right = easy, below = slightly
harder)
• Keys are very important – what does the map show?
• Patterns e.g. more even distribution of grass pitches
versus sports halls
• Anomalies e.g. right-hand map NW England
• Refer to map accurately in answer, using compass points
etc

9. Data and graphs
• Read keys, column headings, axes
labels etc very carefully before
doing anything else
• Use data from the Figure in the
answer – very important i.e.
precision
• Look for trends
• Look for anomalies
• Do not focus on only one part of a
graph or table, try to use most / all
of it
• An ‘overview’ is important, as in
some regard to the detail

10. Part A past examples

11. Study Figure 2.
• (a) Describe the
physical and
human features
of the coast
shown in the
photograph.
• (10)
• Jan 09

13. • (a) Describe
the factors
that have
made the
coastal
areas shown
so attractive
for
developmen
t.
• (10)

15. Mark Scheme

16. Part C

17. The final group of exam questions are those in which candidates are
encouraged to use a range of examples or case study information to
support their responses. By now they and their teachers should be aware
that such questions may be part (b) or part (c) items. Choosing the most
appropriate case study or examples is very important and can in itself
lead to success or failure. There are often options in terms of MDC or
LDC, rural or urban, economic and environmental. These questions often
ask for examples which can mean types or named places. Often key
words occur in these questions like (in this case) strategies, spectrum,
marginalised, and catalyst. Such technical terms are important and
almost always will come directly from the specification.
Appreciating the different demands of
the questions: Part (c)
20/70 marks = ~30%

18. Some examples
• See model answer

20. Question 2:
Crowded Coasts
2 Study Figure 2.
(a) Describe the factors that have made the
coastal areas shown so attractive for
development.
(10)
(b) Describe the fieldwork and research you
undertook to investigate pressure of human
activities at the coast.
(15)
(c) Using examples, explain how coastal
development can lead to environmental costs.
(10)