Paper 1 contains six questions. There are two questions from each theme of the three themes. Students have to answer three of the six questions:
Theme 1: Population and Settlement
Theme 2: The natural environment
Theme 3: Economic development and the use of resources
Population and Migration
Settlements
Plate tectonics
Rivers
Coasts
Weather, climate and ecosystems
Weathering
Agriculture
Industry
Leisure and tourism
Energy, water and the environment
Theme 1: Because there are only two topics in theme 1, both topics always come up (question 1 and 2 in the examination). It would be very unusual to get a whole question on migration, instead it will probably appear as part of a population question.
Theme 2: Because there are four main topics in theme 2, they are asked on a random rotational basis. It is impossible to predict which two topics will come up. Theme 2 topics are always questions 3 and 4 in the exam. Because the weathering topic is very small it is very unlikley that you will get a whole question on weathering. Instead it will normally appear as part of the four main topics.
Theme 3: Like theme 2, because there are four main topics, they will appear on a random rotational basis. Theme 3 topics are always questions 5 and 6 in the exam. Although topics are usually tested on there own, there is occassionally some overlap. For example there might be a few environment questions in an industry question.
All candidates take Paper 1. Questions on the paper are resource based. The resources are for analysis and interpretation in answering a question or part questions. Candidates will be expected to know the location of the continents. All of the other information required to answer these part questions is within the resource itself. No previous knowledge is needed of the particular illustration presented. What is required is that candidates use the data provided to illustrate their understanding of the particular concept being assessed.
The resources may be:
• photographic
• map extracts
• sketch maps
• drawings
• diagrams
• graphs
• text extracts
• statistics and tables of data.
Resource materials are selected from various world areas and, as a result, candidates may be dealing with world areas with which they are not familiar. The resources do not require specific regional knowledge. This should be stressed to the candidates as they may be influenced in their question selection by the nature/location of the resource included. Candidates should refer to appropriate case studies to illustrate the individual themes. Case studies could incorporate a number of concepts and assessment objectives and present candidates with an integrated approach to the study of curriculum content.
A case study may be selected because it relates to:
• the local school area;
• a contemporary development such as the occurrence of a natural hazard in part of the world;
• a particular illustration with which the teacher is familiar;
• a presentation in a newspaper, web pages, on video, film, a well documented illustration in a textbook, etc.
A case study may also be based on a field study undertaken as part of the work for Paper 3 (Coursework) or Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework). Specific questions will not be set in Paper 1 based upon fieldwork, but candidates may use this information to illustrate answers on these papers. Case studies should provide candidates with details of a particular illustration which can be profitably used in answers to certain questions on Paper 1. Some part questions on the paper request that reference is made to information from specific case studies made by candidates and opportunity is also provided for candidates to volunteer such details in answering other part questions.
Specific named illustrations of case studies have not been included in either the syllabus or these Study notes. This is to give teachers complete freedom in selecting examples which they feel are most appropriate for their candidates.
It is important that candidates comply with the instructions for Paper 1. Only three questions are to be selected. Sometimes within individual questions a choice is provided. It is very important that candidates make the correct choice and do not answer more than is required.
Candidates are also advised to note the sub marks printed on the question paper. These are included in order to guide candidates to the amount of detail and length of response anticipated and to manage their time effectively.
Case study questions are the most valuable questions. They are always marked out of seven and are level marked.
IGCSE Geography Paper 1
Paper 1 contains six questions. There are two questions from each theme of the three themes. Students have to answer three of the six questions:
Theme 2: Because there are four main topics in theme 2, they are asked on a random rotational basis. It is impossible to predict which two topics will come up. Theme 2 topics are always questions 3 and 4 in the exam. Because the weathering topic is very small it is very unlikley that you will get a whole question on weathering. Instead it will normally appear as part of the four main topics.
Theme 3: Like theme 2, because there are four main topics, they will appear on a random rotational basis. Theme 3 topics are always questions 5 and 6 in the exam. Although topics are usually tested on there own, there is occassionally some overlap. For example there might be a few environment questions in an industry question.
All candidates take Paper 1. Questions on the paper are resource based. The resources are for analysis and interpretation in answering a question or part questions. Candidates will be expected to know the location of the continents. All of the other information required to answer these part questions is within the resource itself. No previous knowledge is needed of the particular illustration presented. What is required is that candidates use the data provided to illustrate their understanding of the particular concept being assessed.
The resources may be:
• photographic
• map extracts
• sketch maps
• drawings
• diagrams
• graphs
• text extracts
• statistics and tables of data.
Resource materials are selected from various world areas and, as a result, candidates may be dealing with world areas with which they are not familiar. The resources do not require specific regional knowledge. This should be stressed to the candidates as they may be influenced in their question selection by the nature/location of the resource included. Candidates should refer to appropriate case studies to illustrate the individual themes. Case studies could incorporate a number of concepts and assessment objectives and present candidates with an integrated approach to the study of curriculum content.
A case study may be selected because it relates to:
• the local school area;
• a contemporary development such as the occurrence of a natural hazard in part of the world;
• a particular illustration with which the teacher is familiar;
• a presentation in a newspaper, web pages, on video, film, a well documented illustration in a textbook, etc.
A case study may also be based on a field study undertaken as part of the work for Paper 3 (Coursework) or Paper 4 (Alternative to Coursework). Specific questions will not be set in Paper 1 based upon fieldwork, but candidates may use this information to illustrate answers on these papers. Case studies should provide candidates with details of a particular illustration which can be profitably used in answers to certain questions on Paper 1. Some part questions on the paper request that reference is made to information from specific case studies made by candidates and opportunity is also provided for candidates to volunteer such details in answering other part questions.
Specific named illustrations of case studies have not been included in either the syllabus or these Study notes. This is to give teachers complete freedom in selecting examples which they feel are most appropriate for their candidates.
It is important that candidates comply with the instructions for Paper 1. Only three questions are to be selected. Sometimes within individual questions a choice is provided. It is very important that candidates make the correct choice and do not answer more than is required.
Candidates are also advised to note the sub marks printed on the question paper. These are included in order to guide candidates to the amount of detail and length of response anticipated and to manage their time effectively.
Case study questions are the most valuable questions. They are always marked out of seven and are level marked.