answering questions in geography - weeblycicgeocsec17.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/6/3/23630132/... ·...

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

IN GEOGRAPHY

CSEC GEOGRAPHY

OBJECTIVES

• Review the common key words used in questions for

CSEC Geography

• Review tips for answering questions

PROFILES IN

GEOGRAPHY

PROFILES IN GEOGRAPHY

There are THREE main profiles examined in CSEC Geography:

1. Practical Skills (PS)

2. Knowledge & Comprehension (KC)

3. Use of Knowledge (UK)

PRACTICAL SKILLS (PS)

This profile includes:

a) Map Reading skills (grid references, direction,

distance, etc.)

b) Diagrams, figures, maps (Sketching and analysing

patterns & trends)

c) Statistical Illustrations (construction and analysing

patterns & trends)

KNOWLEDGE & COMPREHENSION (KC)

• This profile includes:

a) Define terms and recall facts on a range of

geographical phenomena

b) Describing processes impacting on the development of

the natural and human environments

c) Describe the interaction between biotic and abiotic

factors in an area

USE OF KNOWLEDGE (UK)

• This profile includes:

a) Explain geographical processes

b) Disaggregate (separate) and organise information to

show inter-relationships

c) Interpret (explain the meaning of) and draw inferences

(a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and

reasoning) from geographical data

d) Making conclusions

KEY WORDS USED

IN

EXAM QUESTIONS

IMPORTANT!!

• It is very important that students are able to understand

the key question words to be able to provide an answer

that accurately meets the requirements of the question.

• In addition, the number of marks for the question must

also be taken into consideration when answering the

question.

NAME

LIST

IDENTIFY

STATE

"WHAT IS…"

DEFINE

• No explanation is requirement

• The number of marks award is usually between 1-4

marks (depends on the quantity of variables requested)

• Profiles tested: mostly KC (PS if the question is based

on an illustration/figure/map)

EXAMPLE

Name/List/ What are/State FOUR Plates adjacent to the

Caribbean Plate.

What is/Define/State what is an earthquake?

ACCOUNT

• Describe and explain reasons for something

• Usually ranges between 4-8 marks

• Profile tested: UK, sometimes KC

EXAMPLE

Account for the large number of persons living in Area A

on the map.

Account for the large area under banana cultivation on

the map.

Account for the occurrence of earthquakes are

subduction zones.

OUTLINE

• Brief explanation on main points, along with evidence to

support points

• Between 4-8 marks

• Profiles tested: UK

EXAMPLE

Outline the reasons volcanoes occur at plate margins.

Outline the reasons for limestone (karst) landforms in

Barbados.

DISCUSS

• Provide both points of view (for & against) and make a

conclusion based on the points presented

• Ranges between 5-9 marks

• Profiles tested: UK

EXAMPLE

Discuss the strategies used in a NAMED Caribbean

territory to reduce the impacts of natural hazards in the

country.

Discuss THREE ways flooding in a NAMED Caribbean

country can be reduced.

EXPLAIN

• State process/principle and elaborate how it works and

provide reasons for its occurrence

• Ranges between 4-9 marks

• Profiles tested: KC, UK

EXAMPLE

Explain THREE ways to reduce coastal erosion in a

NAMED Caribbean country.

Explain TWO types of river erosion.

DESCRIBE

• Description and diagram/sketch

• Ranges between 4-9 marks

• Profiles tested: KC

EXAMPLE

Describe the processes involved in the formation of

deltas.

Describe the occurrence of earthquakes at transform

fault margins.

ANNOTATE

• A diagram that is drawn and fully labelled

• Ranges between 4-8 marks

• Profiles tested: PS

EXAMPLE

Draw an annotated diagram of a volcano, showing the

following: crater, batholith, sill and dyke

LABEL

• Identify and show the various aspects of a

diagram/illustration/map

• Ranges between 4-8 marks (based on the number of

items to be labelled)

• Profiles tested: PS

EXAMPLE

Label the features/parts/items A-D….

"WITH THE AID OF A DIAGRAM/MAP,

ILLUSTRATE..."

• Draw an annotated diagram/sketch map/figure

• Ranges between 4-5 marks

• Profiles tested: PS

EXAMPLE

With the aid of a diagram/map, illustrate the

components of a fold.

With the aid of a diagram/map, illustrate a transform

fault.

"WITH THE AID OF A DIAGRAM/MAP,

EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE/DISCUSS.."

• In addition to an annotated diagram/map, provide an

explanation (usually referring to the diagram/map)

• Ranges between 4-9 marks

• Profiles tested: KC

EXAMPLE

With the aid of a diagram/map, explain/describe/discuss….

COMPARE

• Explain each feature/characteristics/ideas briefly and

show their similarities and differences

• Ranges between 4-8 marks

• Profiles tested: KC, UK

EXAMPLE

Compare the food processing industry in the Caribbean to

Singapore.

CLASSIFY

• Categorise the components into different classes

• Ranges between 4-8 marks

• Profiles tested: KC

EXAMPLE

Classify the types of folds shown in the diagram.

Classify the different types of slopes shown on the map.

PROVE

• Justify, using evidence, that something is true

• Ranges between 6-8 marks

• Profiles tested: UK

EXAMPLE

Using map evidence only, how can you prove that sea

level has fluctuated.

DRAW/SKETCH

• A labelled illustration (scaled or not) in a border and

with a title, key and scale (if applicable)

• Usually around 4 marks

• Profiles tested: PS

EXAMPLE

Draw a sketch map showing population density in a

NAMED Caribbean country.

THINGS TO

NOTE!

PARTS OF

QUESTIONS

KEY WORD/ QUANTITY/ CONCEPT [# of marks]

Tells you how to write and

how much information to

provide

The number of marks indicates

the number of points that need to

be presented

Based on the topic from

the syllabus, example

rivers, coats, limestone

TENSE OF THE QUESTION

• Some questions can asked for strategies, measures,

solutions that a country HAVE done, ARE doing or CAN

do. Responses to these questions MUST suit the

particular tense in the question.

• Example:

“ What strategies have Trinidad & Tobago used to reduce

the emission of greenhouse gases?”

“ What strategies are being undertaken in Trinidad &

Tobago to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases?”

“ What strategies can the government of Trinidad &

Tobago use to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases?”

IN A NAMED COUNTRY…..

• Questions can ask for responses to include examples

from countries. However, it is not enough to just say

the particular country; students also need to include

the areas/locations within the country.

• Example:

“Explain THREE factors that have led to the development

of agriculture in a NAMED Caribbean territory.”

• If you chose Trinidad, you must include the specific

reasons using areas like Paramin, Aranguez,

Chaguanas for farming. You cannot just say “In

Trinidad, farming is influenced by….”

WRITING ANSWERS

• Answers to questions MUST:

Flow-meaning that it goes in a sequential order and points are well presented

Thorough- points must be well discussed/explained, ensuring the key points are included (do not leave any point ‘hanging’

Make Sense- points that are confusing will not earn any marks.

Be legible- if the Examiner cannot understand your handwriting, then they will not be able to award any marks

Grammatically good- subject/verb agreement, proper punctuation, spelling

Include Geographical terms

DRAWINGS & SKETCHES

• Ensure all sketches, drawings, etc. are neat, tidy and

clear to read and understand

• Ensure to fully label items, features that are required for

the question

• All sketches and diagrams must have borders with a

title. Maps must have all conventional symbols

ERRORS

• Correctional fluid (white-off) is NOT ALLOWED for CXC

exams. As such, do not use for any internal exams.

• If you make an error in an exam, cross out the

word/sentence, using a ruler, and write above the

crossing or on the additional paper (if provided)

THE END