Geography Exam Techniques - How You Should Answer The Different Types Of Questions

Hi Everyone!

You will be sitting for your geography examination papers shortly, here are some exam tips that might be able to help all of you :)

UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTIONS

Here are some words that are commonly used in examination questions. Do you know exactly what the questions require you to do?

• Compare / Contrast - identify and write down the things that are the same and are different between the features or places in the question.
• Complete - you might be asked to finish off a diagram, map or graph.
• Define - describe or explain the meaning of something.
• Describe - write down things about what is shown on a map, table or graph. Say what you see in detail and quote the data.
• Discuss - usually requires a longer answer as you are describing and giving reasons or explaining arguments for or against.
• Do you agree - You are being asked to make a choice between the given answers/statement. Make a balanced argument by providing both the 'good' and 'bad' of the story.
• Draw / Annotate - you might be asked to draw a sketch or diagram with labels to explain (e.g. the formation of a feature)
• Explain (Account for) / Justify / Give a reason / Give detailed reasons / Suggest reasons / - give reasons for the location / appearance of a feature/ processes involved in the formation of a phenomenon
• Give your views - you might be asked to say what you think or what another person or group might think.
• Identify - name, locate, recognize or select a particular feature or features from a map, photograph or diagram.
• Locate - write down where a feature or place is.
• Name, state or list - write down accurate details or information.
• Study / Look at - look carefully at a map, diagram, sketch, table and think about what it shows.
• Using map evidence - you must give a 4 figure grid reference or 6 figure grid reference, and / or mention a place, name or feature taken from the map.
• With reference to (or refer to) - examples that you have studied - you need to give detailed and specific information about the case study when explain the reasons for a particular answer.
• With the help of or using the information provided - be sure to use and mention examples from the information (e.g. tables, graphs) in the paper to explain your answer.

How Are the Different Types Of Question Marked? 

There are two different types of questions in terms of the way your exam is marked

• Questions worth 1-3 marks are marked per correct point, so the more correct points you make the higher your mark will be

Example: Describe the climate of the given country [4] 

(To earn the full 4 marks, provide one point/observation for each mark)

•The amount of rainfall received each month is consistently low throughout the year, between 40 to 70mm.
•The annual rainfall is 700mm.
•The mean daily temperature range is 10°C.
•Highest recorded mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures were in July, while the lowest recorded were in January.

• Questions worth 4-8 marks will require longer answers! These answers are marked according to the 'level of response' that you give to the question. The examiner must first decide which level your answer falls into and then award you a mark within this level. If you do not meet the requirements of the higher level, the examiner cannot award you those marks. The higher your level, the higher your mark will be

Level 1: 

• Basic Knowledge of basic information 

• Simple understanding 

• Few links; limited detail; uses a limited range of specialist terms 

• Limited evidence of sentence structure 

• Frequent spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors  

Level 2: 

• Clear Knowledge of accurate information

• Clear understanding

• Answers have some linkages; occasional detail/exemplar; uses some specialist or geographical  terms where appropriate

• Clear evidence of sentence structure

• Some spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors

Level 3: 

• Detailed Knowledge of accurate information appropriately contextualised and/or at correct scale

• Detailed understanding, supported by relevant evidence and exemplars

• Well organised, demonstrating detailed linkages and the interrelationships between factors

• Range of ideas in logical form; uses a range of specialist terms where appropriate

• Well-structured response with effective use of sentences

• Few spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors

 Note: Your answer does not have to be perfect to score full marks. In fact, the mark scheme says that 'a perfect answer is not usually expected, even for full marks'. If you look at how many marks are available for the question this gives you some idea of how much you have to write and what to include. 

For example, you will have to include more detail for a 4 mark question than for a 2 mark question. For 4 mark questions, you will always have to develop/explain each point you make (usually 2) For 6 mark questions, it would be sensible to make 3 relevant points and give 3 good explanations to achieve full marks. 

Don’t include too many points as you will not explain them in enough detail. Use case studies or examples to back up the theory behind your answer. Mention facts, statistics, names and places as this will only show that you have detailed knowledge (level 3). Use words like because, as well as and therefore to highlight you are developing your points fully.

Other General Tips and Advice

• Always try to use geographical words, concepts - e.g. Subduction, Directions (i.e. North, South, East, West), 
• When asked to describe graphs:
mention any changes to the line (rising, falling, level) and how quickly these changes take place (slowly rising, falling quickly, stayed level for some years)
With a Bar or Pie chart compare the size of the different bars or sectors and mention the relative importance of each (e.g. housing takes up 60% of the area)
• Draw large, clearly labelled diagrams when asked to do so
• Spend more time answering questions with more marks, if you are unsure, MOVE ON and come back to the question later!
• When answering evaluative questions (i.e. Explain why... Discuss the advantages of....) Use the P.E.E.L format to structure your answer (i.e. Point, Explanation, Evidence, Link)

Example: Explain two factors that could affect weather in the 2 locations [6]

Latitude (Factor 1)
•Canberra is located at 35.31°S
•Gold Coast is located at 28.02°S

The weather is generally warmer in Gold Coast than at Canberra due to its latitude (Point)  

The can be seen from their latitudes which is 28.02 for Gold Coast and 35.31 for Canberra. (Evidence)
This could be due to the higher angle of incidence at Gold Coast, where the sun’s energy is concentrated over a smaller area, resulting in higher temperatures. (Explanation)
Therefore, because Gold Coast is closer to Equator where there is more concentrated sun energy, it leads to a warmer weather due to high temperatures (Link)

Distance from Sea (Factor 2)
•Canberra is located further inland
•Gold Coast is located near the coast

There is a difference in temperature range between the two locations due to their distance from the sea. (Point)
This can be seen in the figure where Gold Coast is located near to the sea in comparison to Canberra which is further inland. (Evidence)
Due to the maritime effect, the sea gains and loses heat slower than land, therefore temperatures may be cooler in the day and warmer in the night. This can be seen from the small temperature range of 8 °C between the highest and lowest temperature. (Explanation)
As a result of temperature range differences, the weather conditions are relatively constant in Gold Coast as compared to Canberra which fluctuates more. (Link)

Alright, that's all I have to share. 

Best of luck and may the force be with ALL of you ALWAYS!