IGCSE Geography Paper 2

All candidates take Paper 2 and must answer all the questions. The paper is based on testing skills of application, interpretation and analysis of geographical information e.g. topographical maps, other maps, diagrams, graphs, tables of data, written material, photographs and pictorial material and on the application of graphical and other techniques as appropriate. The questions in Paper 2 do not require specific information of place.

Equipment required for Paper 2

Candidates should have the following in the examination room:

• a pencil, rubber, ruler and a protractor

• access to a sheet of plain paper for measuring distance or for assisting with cross-sections on the large-scale topographic map.

Topographical mapwork question

One question, worth 20 marks, is based on a topographical map. The large-scale maps chosen for examination purpose will be on a scale of either 1:25 000 or 1:50 000 and will always contain a full key. The maps will be of a tropical area such as Zimbabwe, the Caribbean or Mauritius. One third of the marks available on this paper are awarded to the mapwork question and, therefore, it is essential that candidates are proficient in map reading and interpretation skills to enable them to describe and analyse topographical maps.

NOTE: All answers to this question must be based on map evidence only.

Candidates should be able to use a co-ordinate reference system and be able to give and to read four figure and six figure grid references to locate places.

Candidates should be able to give directions, both as a point of the compass, such as north, north-east, etc. and as a bearing from grid north of one place from another. It is, therefore, important that candidates have protractors in the examination room with them.

Candidates should be able to measure horizontal distances. This is most accurately done by using a straight edged piece of paper and the scale line. If the line to be measured is curved, divide the curve into straight sections and rotate the paper after each straight section to follow the next straight section. Finally place the completed straight edged piece of paper along the linear scale line on the map extract and read off the distance in kilometres/metres. This method avoids complicated mathematical calculations which can arise when rulers are used.

Contour reading, which enables candidates to calculate differences in height, should be practised. The information gained from measuring horizontal and vertical distances should enable candidates to calculate gradients using the formula:

Vertical Interval (difference in height) / Horizontal Equivalent (horizontal distance)

Both measurements must be made in the same units before the calculation can be made. Cross-sections may be set for interpretation but candidates will not be asked to construct them.

Candidates should be able to translate the scale of a feature by describing its size and shape in real terms. They should also be proficient in using the key to the map to enable them to identify features on the map.

Candidates should be able to draw inferences about the physical and human landscape by interpretation of map evidence such as patterns of relief, drainage, settlement, communication and land-use.

Candidates are advised to practise identifying basic landscape features such as river valleys and uplands and to give brief descriptions of them using appropriate geographical terms (such as ridge, plateau, scarp, flood plain) and simple adjectives showing an appreciation of their nature (such as broad, flat, steep-sided, deeply cut, gently sloping). To interpret these maps candidates should be able to recognise essential differences in density of drainage, stream patterns, gradients or sizes of streams in relation to the relief. They should be able to describe the physical features of coastlines and the shape and form of river channels as they are shown on large-scale maps.

Practice in describing variations in land-use should be part of the preparation for the examination. The interpretation of ‘human’ features would also require candidates to recognise and analyse patterns of settlement (dispersed, nucleated, linear) and candidates should be able to draw sketch maps illustrating these patterns. Candidates should be able to interpret and describe features of urban morphology as represented on large-scale maps and be able to describe the functions of and services provided by settlements. They should also be able to give reasons for the site and growth of individual settlements. Communication networks should be recognised in terms of their type and density in relation to physical and human features.

Explanations should be based entirely on map evidence showing the interaction between humans and their physical environment, e.g. differences in land-use between upland and lowland, differences in land-use within a town, differences between dense settlement on river plains and sparse settlement on steep upland slopes.

Maps, diagrams, graphs, tables of data, written material

Questions will be set using some or all of these resources. They should be regarded as important ways of representing geographical data. They may be used to illustrate a basic principle and it is essential that candidates should be directed towards their interpretation. For example, a population pyramid may be used
to illustrate the age and sex structure of a country. With this, a candidate may be required to describe the broad features of the population structure to show comparisons and contrasts between the male and female populations, the working and non-working population and the young and old age groups.

Maps based on global and other scales may be used and candidates may be asked to identify and describe significant features of the human and physical landscape on them, e.g. population distribution, population movements, transport networks, settlement layout, relief and drainage, etc. Candidates may be asked to recognise patterns and deduce relationships.

Candidates will be expected to be able to extract specified geographical information from graphs, diagrams, tables of data and written material. Various types of graphs, maps and diagrams for example line graphs, bar graphs, divided bar graphs, histograms, flow diagrams, wind rose graphs, isoline maps, scatter graphs, pie graphs, triangular graphs and radial graphs may be used and candidates may be asked to describe variations and identify trends in information. Graphs may show, for example, temperature, birth rate, death rate, energy, rainfall distribution, river discharge, etc.

Candidates may be required to plot information on graphs when axes and scales are provided.

Data tables may provide information on physical phenomena, on economic activities, on population, on settlement, on agricultural and manufacturing output, etc. and candidates may be asked to describe and analyse features and trends from the data provided. They may also be asked to suggest an appropriate form of graphical representation for the data provided.

Written material may be extracts from books, periodicals and newspapers and candidates will be expected to show an understanding of the material presented.

Photographic and pictorial material (including field sketches)

Oblique photographs will be used. Candidates should be able to describe human and physical landscapes (landforms, natural vegetation, land-use and settlement) and geographical phenomena from photographs. Simple descriptions only will be required. Candidates may be expected to add specified detail on maps or other material provided, thereby applying geographical knowledge and understanding. Field sketches of physical and human landscapes may be used to stimulate geographical description and annotation. Cartoons illustrating a geographical theme may be set for interpretation and analysis.

Candidates may also be asked to use supporting material in conjunction with large-scale maps to identify, describe and analyse features and thereby recognise patterns and deduce trends.