AQA GCSE Geography Student Revision Webinar: Key Skills

Keith Bartlett and Sarah Wheeler

Paper 1: Physical geography (35%) 1Hr 30

Paper 2: Human geography (35%) 1Hr 30

Paper 3: Geographical applications (30%) 1Hr 15

Natural hazards: tectonics hazards, tropical storms, extreme weather in the UK, climate change

Urban challenges: global patterns, two city case studies, urban sustainability

Issue evaluation: use of pre-release resources and DME

Living world: local ecosystems, tropical rainforests, one from deserts or cold environments

Changing economic world: global patterns, development, UK economy, country study

Fieldwork: two field investigations

Physical landscapes in the UK: two from Coasts, Rivers and Glaciation

Resource management: UK resources, global resources, one from water, food and energy

Outline of the course

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

• Section A: Challenge of natural hazards (tectonics, weather, climate change)

• Section B: Living world (ecosystems, tropical rainforests, hot deserts or cold environments)

• Section C: UK physical landscapes (UK physical landscapes; two from coasts, rivers and glacial)

• Geographical skills

• Section A : Urban issues and challenges. (Global urbanisation, LIC/NEE city, UK city, urban regeneration, sustainable urban living)

• Section B: The changing economic world. (Economic development, case study of a LIC/NEE, UK economy

• Section C: The challenges of resource management. (Global resources, UK resources, one of global energy, global food or global water

• Geographical Skills

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment

QUESTIONS

A range of different question types will be used within all examinations

1. Multiple-choice questions. You are required to select the

correct answer from a choice. Point marked 1 or 2 marks 2. Short Answers. Usually a single word, up to a couple of

sentences, for between 1 and 3 marks. Point marked 1,2,or 3 marks

3. Extended writing. Usually a few sentences or a short paragraph for 4 or 6 marks. Levels marked 4 or 6 marks 4. Extended writing . Questions which require an extended written argument and to draw well-evidenced and informed conclusions about geographical questions and issues for 9 marks Levels marked 9 marks

TOP TIP – Make sure you know which questions are point marked and which are levelled marked 1, 2, 3, or occasionally 4 marks are point marked 4 marks are levelled marked 1-2 marks = level 1 - basic 3-4 marks = level 2 - clear 6 marks are levelled marked 1-2 marks = level 1 - basic 3-4 marks = level 2 - clear 5-6 marks = level 3 - detailed 9 marks are levelled marked 1-3 marks = level 1 - basic 4-6 marks = level 2 - clear 7-9 marks = level 3 - detailed

LEVELS

Basic Simple points with no detail or reference to the maps, graphs

etc. Clear Linked statements with some use of examples, case studies or the

maps, graphs etc. but may be generic – these answers are often seen as the “geography of anywhere”

Detailed Answers the question in detail making use of specific case study or exemplar material if requested. Gives a clear conclusion.

Examples of answers at the 3 levels are included in the post conference pack

WHERE ARE THE 9 MARK QUESTIONS? (Based on the SAMs)

PAPER 1 NATURAL HAZARDS 1 X 9 MARKS +3 SPAG LIVING WORLD 1 X 9 MARKS PHYSICAL LANDSCAPES NO 9 MARK QUESTIONS PAPER 2 URBAN CHALLENGES 1 X 9 MARKS + 3 SPAG ECONOMIC WORLD 1 X 9 MARKS RESOURCES NO 9 MARK QUESTIONS PAPER 3 ISSUES EVALUATION 1 X 9 MARKS + 3 SPAG UNFAMILIAR FIELDWORK NO 9 MARK QUESTIONS FAMILIAR FIELDWORK 1 X 9 MARKS + 3 SPAG

Command word 1 2 4 6 9

Identify/state/name *

Define *

Calculate * *

Label * *

Draw *

Outline *

Compare * *

Describe * *

Explain * *

Suggest * * *

Assess *

To what extent * *

Evaluate *

Discuss * *

Justify *

Mark Allocation

Mark Tariff SAMs 1 SAMs 2 SAMs 3

1 30 15 30

2 54 56 52

3 6 15 12

4 (point marked)

4

percentage 36% 36% 37%

4 (levels marked)

24 24 20

6 72 72 72

9 54 54 54

SPAG SAMs 1 SAMs 2 SAMs 3

12 12 12

• Describe put into words what you can see, • Explain give reasons/ why/ ‘because’ • Outline brief summary of the key points • Suggest offer reasonable and sensible options • Compare give similarities and differences • Assess make an informed judgement • To what extent judge the importance or success of (strategy, scheme, project) • Evaluate judge from available evidence; weighing up the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages • Discuss Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea. • Justify give evidence for you answer

• http://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/geography/gcse/geography/teach/command-words

Command words

Compare the economic challenges associated with rural areas of population growth and

decline (6 marks)

What are the differences and

similarities?

What are the economic impacts?

You must talk about both and say what is

different

No credit for social challenges or opportunities

Only a country area not a town

TOP TIP - Make sure you know what the command words mean Learn the command words not just the geography

• Identify the command word(s), the geographical content and the focus of the question

• Decide on your example/case study

• Make a plan • Decide on your position if asked and state it at the start

• Write a carefully constructed and reasoned answer

• Write a conclusion

An example of a plan is included in the post conference pack

Answering 9 mark questions

http://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/geography/gcse/geography/teach/command-words

Spot the mistakes!

2 marks

2 marks

Using Resources Based on the SAMS 1 Marks available using figures Not including spag

If the question says USING “FIG 3” you must refer to it. It might be a map, a graph, a table or a piece of written text If you do not you will be limited to level 1 on these questions.

TOP TIP – Start these answers with “AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE ……….” or “FIGURE 3 SHOWS……….”

MARK ALLOCATION

1 2 3 4 6 9 TOTAL MARKS

AVAILABLE

PERCENTAGE MARKS

AVAILABLE

PAPER 1 9 8 12 12 9 56 66

PAPER 2 6 12 3 8 12 41 48

PAPER 3 7 8 4 18 9 46 65

Exam Question: Using the photograph and your own knowledge give reasons for the location of science park such as this (4)

Using the map explain why Cambridge Science Park has been located there (4)

Exam question: Using the graph describe the changes in the industrial structure of the UK from 1961 – 2011 (4)

Example – “ a taxi carrying one passenger” e.g. Tourism in Tunisia – one idea in a country or place Case Study – “ a bus carrying many passengers” e.g. Lagos – the study of many aspects of an LIC City

Case Studies and Examples

Topic Case Studies/Examples Mine

Challenge of natural hazards

1. Tectonic hazard, two contrasting Example countries (effects and responses) 2. Tropical storm (effects and responses) Example 3. Recent extreme weather event in the Example UK (causes, impacts and management)

The living world

1. Small scale UK ecosystem Example 2. Tropical rainforest – causes of deforestation Case Study impacts and issues 3. Development opportunities and challenges Case Study in hot desert OR cold environments Case Study

Physical landscapes in the UK (two out of three from rivers, coasts and glaciation)

1. (2): Section of river valley, coastline, Example (x2) glaciated area (landforms of erosion and deposition 2. (2): River management, coastal Example (X2) management, tourism and management glaciation

Topic Case Studies/Examples Mine

Urban Issues and Challenges

1. Major City in an LIC or NEE Case Study 2. Urban Planning Example 3. Major City in the UK Case Study 4. Urban regeneration Example

The Changing Economic World

1. Growth of tourism in an NEE or LIC Example 2. One LIC or NEE Case Study 3. UK Economic Futures Example Industrial sustainability

The Challenge of Resource Management

1. Large Scale Agricultural Development Example 2. Local sustainable scheme Example to increase food supplies OR 1. Large Scale Water Transfer Scheme Example 2. Local Scheme to increase water supply Example OR 1. Non renewable Energy source Example 2. Local renewable energy scheme Example

Examples: Evaluate the effectiveness of an urban regeneration project. Use an example of City in the UK Examine the advantages and disadvantages of a small scale agricultural development you have studied Using a named example evaluate the primary and secondary effects of a tropical storm

TOP TIP - If the question says “ USING A CASE STUDY” or “USING AN EXAMPLE” You must use it If you do not you will be limited to level 1 on these questions. You can always use examples or case studies even if the question does not ask for it – it is often a way of Adding clarity to your answer

Physical landform questions

TOP TIP – Make sure you always refer to the sequence and processes when describing the formation of a physical landform

SEQUENCE means the order in which a landform was created PROCESS means the erosional or depositional processes which formed the feature

Get the order correct – write down the different stages of formation Example: Explain the formation of a stack Order - Crack – cave – arch - stack Explain how the processes have formed the feature Processes – hydraulic action, abrasion, solution Now use this sequence and the processes to write a detailed answer explaining how the processes form each stage of the sequence of the formation of the stack Practice planning other landforms from the coasts, glaciation or rivers topics Use diagrams with annotations if it is easier but make sure you number the diagrams so the “sequence” is clear

Timing

Papers 1 and 2 the time works out at 1 mark per minute so take care not to spend too long on each question This time includes reading the question, planning, looking at the resource material so be careful

TOP TIP – Try to keep to 1 mark a minute Do not over run on longer questions

Space

• Each mark on the exam paper is given 2 lines – so for example a 3 mark question will have 6 lines

• Try very hard to keep your answer in the space provided

• Always write in sentences try not to use bullet points

• If you run out of space you can use an extra booklet but if you are doing this you will probably run out of time as you may not be answering the question

• Short answers which have 1 or 2 marks do not need a long answer

TOP TIP – Try to keep to the space allocated for the question on the paper

Extra top tips

• Never Ever leave a blank space on the paper, have a go – have a guess on the multiple choice questions write something on the long questions – there are marks for spelling and grammar which you might get.

• Learn the facts and figures about your case studies

• Know which case studies belong in which unit – use the tables on this presentation

• Use diagrams/sketch maps - they will be marked

• Make sure all your notes are complete – if it’s not in your file or book you cannot learn it

• Practice exam questions – your teacher can help you with this

• Take care of yourself – get lots of sleep, take regular breaks and exercise and eat well