IGCSE Geography Paper 2: Mapwork

Overview of Paper 2

• IGCSE Geography Paper 2 is assessed in 2 sections:
• Mapwork Question (Question 1) worth 20/60 marks
• Short answer, evidence-based questions (Questions 2–6) worth 8 marks each, totaling 40/60 marks.
• Equipment allowed: pencil, rubber, ruler, protractor, calculator, string, and plain paper for measuring distances and cross-sections.

Question 1: Mapwork Question

• Assesses skills in:
• Four- and six-figure grid references
• Using 16-point cardinal directions
• Measuring distances and cross-sections
• Understanding and interpreting contour lines
• Identifying human and landscape features using the map key
• Identifying, describing, explaining, analyzing, and drawing inferences on physical and human landscapes (including patterns) using map evidence
• Giving brief descriptions of basic landscape features using geographical terms
• Drawing sketch maps illustrating patterns of both human and physical nature
• Questions worth the most marks typically involve:
  • Interpreting urban morphology on large-scale maps
  • Describing functions and services of settlements
  • Providing reasons for the site and growth of individual settlements
  • Recognizing communication networks in terms of their type and density related to physical and human features

Questions 2–6

• Questions are based on studied themes.
• Resources provided may include maps, graphs, diagrams, photos, sketches, and small paragraphs.
• Possible tasks include identifying features, describing figures, explaining occurrences, recalling facts, and comparing resources.

Structure of Questions

• Question types include:
• Map-based questions requiring description, explanation, and prediction
• Photo-based resources requiring identification and explanation
• Long answer questions asking for compare and contrast
• Diagram and graph-based questions to describe changes, distributions and patterns Rare question types include:
• Describing or drawing field sketches.
• Plotting data on a diagram (typically in Paper 4).

Topographical Map Skills

• Map skills build from basic to complex.
• Example: Four-figure grid reference of a tourist information center is 4733.
• Example: Six-figure grid reference of a tourist information center is 476334.

Compass Rose and Bearings

• Used to describe locations.
• The IGCSE requires direction on a 16 point compass.
• Bearings give direction in degrees, starting from north.
• North = 0° (or 000 bearing), East = 90° (090 bearing), South = 180° (180 bearing), West = 270° (270 bearing).
• Each sub-division on a compass is 22.5°.
• Direction is stated FROM and TO.
• Wind is named by the direction it blows from.
• Rivers flow from high to low land.

Maps - Contours and Gradient

• Contour lines connect points of equal altitude (elevation above sea level).
• Altitude is measured in meters from sea level.
• Contours appear at regular intervals.
• Spot heights (e.g., 398) are on trigonometrical points.
• Gradient is calculated as Vertical Interval (difference in height) / Horizontal Equivalent (horizontal distance).

Patterns of Contours

• Used to interpret map features

Distances

• Maps in IGCSE exams are at scales of 1:25000 or 1:50000.
• Scale is provided on the map and in the exam paper.
• Scale 1:25000 means 1 cm on the map equals 0.25 km in reality.
• Scale 1:50000 means 1 cm on the map equals 0.5 km in reality.
• Straight distances are measured using a piece of paper and the scale.
• Curved distances are measured using a piece of paper or string.

Describing an Area

• Include:
• General statement (location, direction, specific details).
• Physical features (contour, relief, spot height).
• Human features (land use, settlement).
• If contour lines go inward, there is a valley.
• Exotic forests are a human feature (introduced forest).

Cross-Sections

• Describe the following when interpreting a cross-section:
  • Concave or convex slopes
  • Steep or gentle gradient
  • Maximum height
  • Type of feature (hill, mountain, plateau etc.)
  • Characteristics (broad, flat)
  • Features the cross-section cuts through
  • Changes throughout the cross-section

Patterns and Features - Settlement

• Settlement patterns include isolated, dispersed, nucleated, and linear arrangements.
• Street patterns and residential types:
• Straight roads typically indicate terraced housing
• Curved roads and cul-de-sacs often represent suburban detached houses.
• Natural advantages for settlements: flat land, water source, coastal location, farmland, natural resources, defensive position.
• Human locational factors: good road links, schools, hospitals, jobs, leisure facilities.
• Natural features: bays, headlands, river valleys, mountains, mangroves, forests.
• Land uses: agricultural, residential, industrial.
• Area functions: tourism, educational, and fishing.
• Features promoting tourism: beaches, sea, mountain scenery, waterfalls, museums, historical buildings, water parks, golf courses, hotels and restaurants.

Describing Patterns - Terrain

• Terrain height and shape is based on spot heights, index and interval contours, and contour shape.
• Convex slope: contours are closer at the bottom.
• Concave slope: contours are further apart at the bottom.
• Uniform slope: contour decreases evenly.
• Depressions: height decreases towards the center.
• Valleys intrude, ridges protrude.

River Landscapes

• Associated features with river landscapes described

Field Sketches and Photos

• Field sketches are useful when:
• No map exists
• A map has excess or insufficient detail
• A camera is unavailable
• Unwanted detail needs to be removed
• Labels or annotations are required
• Description of photographs should include: structure, vegetation, and geographical features.

Graphs

• Graphs include:
• Line graphs for continuous data
• Bar graphs for related but non-constant data
• Pie charts for data out of 100%
• Divided bar graphs for data adding up to 100%
• Histograms are like bar graphs but for one data type
• Scatter graphs for the relationship between two variables
• Isoline maps for weather data
• Triangular graphs for three related pieces of data totaling 100%
• Radial (kite) graphs for related data scored out of the same amount
• Wind rose graphs for wind speed and direction
• Kite diagrams for transects such as river velocity change
• Flow (system) diagrams to show multiplier effects or complex relationships
• When describing graphs, consider:
• Trends (positive/negative correlation, constant, fluctuating data).
• Anomalies
• Start and finish figures
• Highest and lowest figures
• Figures (evidence) for support

Other Important Considerations

• Drainage density: the greater the number of streams, the higher the density.
• Stream patterns: dendritic, trellis, or radial.
• Area drained: many tributaries joining the main river.
• Direction of flow.
• Course of river: straight, meandering, braiding, width.
• Presence of river features (rapids, waterfall).
• Choropleth maps are shaded according to a pre-arranged key.