Unit 1 Exam Unit 1 Exam Question RevisionQuestion Revision

Understanding the Papers: Unit Understanding the Papers: Unit 11

Part APart AShort Answer Short Answer

QuestionsQuestions

What do I have to do? What do I have to do?

► 6 questions totalling 65 6 questions totalling 65 marks; each question marks; each question 10-12 marks split into 10-12 marks split into sub- parts ‘a’, ‘b’ etcsub- parts ‘a’, ‘b’ etc

► 3 on World at Risk3 on World at Risk► 3 on Going Global 3 on Going Global ► Maximum mark for a Maximum mark for a

sub-part 5-6 markssub-part 5-6 marks► Quality of written Quality of written

communication not communication not assessedassessed

► You have around 1 You have around 1 hour to complete hour to complete Section A. Section A.

Question types: Question types: Objective Objective Items Items

► There are a few - possibly totalling 5-6 There are a few - possibly totalling 5-6 marks, as in Jan 2009marks, as in Jan 2009

►Often they will be linked to a resource and Often they will be linked to a resource and will be data based. Read them carefully. will be data based. Read them carefully.

Questions types: Questions types: Quick-fire 2 Quick-fire 2 or 3-markers or 3-markers

► About 15 marks from About 15 marks from 2-3 mark questions. 2-3 mark questions.

► These often focus on:These often focus on:definitions / the definitions / the

meaning of key meaning of key terms terms

Listing factors , Listing factors , benefits, costs etc..benefits, costs etc..

Picking key information Picking key information from a resource. from a resource.

► The approach should The approach should be to use as few be to use as few words as possible ; words as possible ; there is no need to there is no need to spend time on nicely spend time on nicely structured writing structured writing style. style.

Question types:Question types: Longer Longer

► The majority of the Section A marks will The majority of the Section A marks will come from questions worth 4-6marks.come from questions worth 4-6marks.

► These will be a little more open:These will be a little more open:

►Write to the Write to the mark allocationmark allocation - 5 marks = 5 - 5 marks = 5 points etc. points etc.

►Don’t write too Don’t write too much.much.

► In January 2009 In January 2009 evidence some evidence some candidates spent candidates spent too long on some too long on some section A 4-5 section A 4-5 mark questions. mark questions.

Pitfalls 1: Pitfalls 1: Resources Resources

► Remember that Section A uses Stimulus Remember that Section A uses Stimulus resources – there will be 6 of these (Figures), resources – there will be 6 of these (Figures), one for each question. one for each question.

► They will be a mixture of:They will be a mixture of:► Maps Maps ► GraphsGraphs► Data tables Data tables ► PhotographsPhotographs► Diagrams / Cartoons Diagrams / Cartoons

► Figures have a nasty Figures have a nasty habit of tripping habit of tripping some candidates up, some candidates up, usually because usually because they are rushing they are rushing and:and:

► Don’t bother to Don’t bother to read the Figure read the Figure title title

► Ignore or mis-read Ignore or mis-read keys, scales and keys, scales and axes labelsaxes labels

► Ignore the Ignore the resource resource altogetheraltogether

Pitfalls 2: Pitfalls 2: Command Command Words Words

► DDescribeescribe and and explainexplain are sometimes confused are sometimes confused leading to answers which fail to score marks leading to answers which fail to score marks using the Section A points mark schemes. using the Section A points mark schemes.

► Make sure you don’t drift into explanation when Make sure you don’t drift into explanation when you have been asked to describe:you have been asked to describe:

Pitfalls 3: Pitfalls 3: Key words Key words ► Some key words and geographical terminology can Some key words and geographical terminology can

cause problems. cause problems. ► In January 2009 the word In January 2009 the word ecological ecological caused a few caused a few

difficulties with many candidates not quite difficulties with many candidates not quite grasping its specific meaning:grasping its specific meaning:

Pitfalls 4: Pitfalls 4: Range of Range of reasons reasons

► 4 and 5 mark questions require a 4 and 5 mark questions require a rangerange of points of points ►OR OR several extended pointsseveral extended points► This candidate hasn’t quite grasped extended pointsThis candidate hasn’t quite grasped extended points

► Extended points = 2 marks rather than 1Extended points = 2 marks rather than 1► adding an example, additional facts, or more adding an example, additional facts, or more

detailed explanation. detailed explanation.

Summary Summary

► Timing – spend no more than 1 hour on Timing – spend no more than 1 hour on section A section A

► Examine the resources carefully – look twice, Examine the resources carefully – look twice, answer once. answer once.

► Move through the 1-3 mark questions quickly Move through the 1-3 mark questions quickly and efficiently – do not spend long writing and efficiently – do not spend long writing

► Spot the command words – especially the Spot the command words – especially the difference between describe an explain difference between describe an explain

► Remember the mark allocation – 4/5 mark Remember the mark allocation – 4/5 mark questions require answers with a range of questions require answers with a range of points to gain full marks.points to gain full marks.

Part BPart BLong Answer Long Answer

QuestionsQuestions

What do I have to do? What do I have to do?

►One question from a choice of 4 – you One question from a choice of 4 – you should spend 30-35 minutes on thisshould spend 30-35 minutes on this

►Each question is worth 25 marks Each question is worth 25 marks ►The 25 marks is split into a 10 mark The 25 marks is split into a 10 mark

part ‘a’ and 15 mark part ‘b’part ‘a’ and 15 mark part ‘b’►There is a stimulus resource for the There is a stimulus resource for the

10 mark question 10 mark question

Choice of QuestionChoice of Question

► Questions Questions will be will be based based around 4 around 4 key key themesthemes

► you can you can expect to expect to have a have a genuine genuine choice: choice:

Mark schemes Mark schemes

► for the 15 mark for the 15 mark question they question they use 4 levels. use 4 levels.

► Like a flight of Like a flight of sets which you sets which you are trying to are trying to climb. climb.

► To go up a To go up a step, you need step, you need to add to add something new something new into your into your answer. answer.

Ticking the mark scheme Ticking the mark scheme boxes boxes

►can be a real challenge, but there are various can be a real challenge, but there are various tricks you can use to help write an impressive tricks you can use to help write an impressive answer. answer.

►This question is from January 2009 (Question This question is from January 2009 (Question 10b):10b):

► It uses the command word ‘explain’ and is It uses the command word ‘explain’ and is ‘open’.‘open’.

►The question does not directly ask for examples The question does not directly ask for examples to be used, but you should just assume you to be used, but you should just assume you should use them! should use them!

Command WordsCommand Words

Top Tips for extended writingTop Tips for extended writing

Structure Structure Organisation; logical order and sequencing Organisation; logical order and sequencing Consider a summative statement / very brief conclusion. Consider a summative statement / very brief conclusion.

Depth Depth Issues, problems, factors, explanations etc. need to be Issues, problems, factors, explanations etc. need to be examined and discussed in some depth examined and discussed in some depth

Examples Examples Need to be used as a matter of course, don’t wait to be Need to be used as a matter of course, don’t wait to be asked!asked!

Case Studies Case Studies If the question refers to a compulsory case study then If the question refers to a compulsory case study then considerable detail is expected considerable detail is expected

Up-to-dateUp-to-date Contemporary knowledge always shines more brightly than Contemporary knowledge always shines more brightly than the tired and datedthe tired and dated

Range Range Narrow answers, around one factor or explanation will Narrow answers, around one factor or explanation will rarely attain the top level of the mark scheme rarely attain the top level of the mark scheme

Facts Facts Factual data support – numbers, facts and figures, always Factual data support – numbers, facts and figures, always impress.impress.

Terminology Terminology Use of the correct geographical terminology increases your Use of the correct geographical terminology increases your answers currency answers currency

Evaluative style Evaluative style Some recognition that geographical issues are now always Some recognition that geographical issues are now always black and white, combined with some evaluative language. black and white, combined with some evaluative language.

BalanceBalance Especially in human geography, a recognition of costs and Especially in human geography, a recognition of costs and benefits, positives and negatives etc. benefits, positives and negatives etc.