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UPDATED TO 2022-2023 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
GEOGRAPHY
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE SKILLS SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE GEOGRAPHY

small paragraphs
etc.
1. Overview of Paper 2
They may ask you to:

1.1. Welcome to IGCSE Geography’s identify features described,

describe what is shown in the figures,
Paper 2 – Geographical Skills
explain why something occurs,
recall facts from the themes,
This paper is assessed in main 2 sections
compare and contrast two resource given.
1. Mapwork Question (Question 1); 20/60 marks,
2. short answer, evidence-based questions (Questions 2– The structure of questions
6); 8 marks each, 40/60 marks.
Usually, there are at least one of each of the following types
You may use the following equipment in Paper 2: of questions:

pencil, rubber, ruler, protractor, calculator and string or map-based questions that ask you to describe, explain
piece of paper. and predict,
a sheet of plain paper will be provided to you in the exam photo-based resource that ask you to identify and explain,
room for measuring distances or assisting with cross- long answer compare and contrast questions,
sections on the large-scale maps. diagram and graph based questions that ask you to
describe changes, distributions and patterns
1.2. Question 1: Mapwork Question These questions are less common:

In this question, you will be assessed: describing field sketches, or drawing field sketches,
plotting data on a diagram (usually examined in Paper 4).
four- and six-figure grid reference
16-point cardinal directions
measure distances and cross sections 2. Topographical Map Skills
understand, interpret and use contour lines
using the key to identify human and landscape features
on the map 2.1. Map
identify, describe explain, analyse and draw inferences on
physical and human landscapes (including patterns), Walk before you run!
using map evidence Four figure grid reference of the tourist information
give brief descriptions of basic landscape features using center is 4733.
suitable geographical terms Six figure grid reference of the tourist information
draw sketch maps illustrating patterns of both human and center is 476334.
physical nature

The following are usually worth the most marks:

interpret and describe features of urban morphology as

they are shown on large-scale maps
describe the functions of and services provided by
settlements
give reasons for the site and growth of individual
settlements
recognise communication networks in terms of their type
and density in relation to physical and human features

1.3. Questions 2–6:

These questions are based on the themes you have studied.
They may draw on:

maps
graphs and diagrams Compass points for direction
photos and sketches
Contours:

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The IGCSE requires you to give direction on a 16 point

compass.

Contour lines connect points of equal altitude (elevation

above sea level) on a map.
Measure from sea level in meters
Each contour is in regular intervals
Spot heights e.g. 398 on trigonometrical points
V ertical Interval (diff erence in height)
Gradient = Horizontal Equivalent (horizontal distance) ​

(the 16 point compass)

Patterns of contours:
Bearings are used to give the direction of a point in
degrees, always starting from north.
2.2. Calculating Distances
This means that:
In the IGCSE exams, maps are given at a scale of 1:25000 OR
1:50000. The scale of the map is given on the map itself and North would be 0° from north (or 000 as a bearing),
also in the exam paper. East would be 90° ( written as 090 for bearings),
A map with a scale of 1:25000 means that 1 cm on the map is South would be 180° ( written as 180),
0.25km. Similarly, a scale of 1:50000 means that 1 cm on the West would be 270° (written as a bearing of 270).
map is 0.5 km.
You also may be asked how to convert units: Remember:

1. Each sub-sub-division is 22.5˚

2. Direction is always given in the form of ‘FROM and TO’
statements.
3. Wind is always named as the direction it is blowing
from.
4. Rivers always flow from high to low land.
5. When taking compass directions: 0 ̊ must be facing

2.4. Important reminders about maps

Exotic forest are a human feature (introduced forest). •
Measuring Distances Describing an area: 1) general statement (location on map,
direction, place specific details: names etc) 2) physical
To measure straight distances, use a piece of paper and the features (contour, relief, spot height etc), 3) human features
scale given. (e.g. land use, settlement etc), Always look for patterns:
You will also be asked to measure curved distances. You can: concentration, spread etc • If contour lines are going in, then
it is a valley.
1. by using a piece of paper
2. by using a piece of string 2.5. Cross-sections
This video teaches you how to measure curved distances:
This video explains how to take cross-sections:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goCTtV7vLEc
https://youtu.be/c7gT8gU_pD8

2.3. The Compass rose and bearings

Describing Cross-sections
You will be asked to describe the location of features by
giving directions.

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When interpreting a cross-section, you can describe

(whether)

slopes are concave or convex

the gradient is steep or gentle
the maximum height
the type of feature shown (eg. hill, mountain, mountain
range, flood plain, plateau etc.)
characteristics of a feature ( broad, flat, etc.)
the features which the cross-section cuts through
changes throughout the cross-section

3. Patterns and Features

3.1. Recognizing Patterns
Settlement patterns: isolated, dispersed, nucleated or
linear
Street patterns and residential types:
Straight roads normally indicate terraced housing
Curved roads and cul-de-sacs often represent
suburban privately owned detached ‎and semi-
detached houses.‎
Natural advantages of a settlement: on flat land, near a
water source, on the coast, near farmland, near natural
resources, defensive location
Human locational factors: good road links, schools,
hospitals, jobs, leisure facilities
Natural features: bays and headlands, river valleys,
mountains, mangroves and forests
Land uses: agricultural, residential, industrial
Areas main functions: tourism, educational, fishing
Features that may have promoted a particular function:
e.g. tourism may have been promoted by:
Natural features: beaches, the sea, mountain scenery,
waterfalls
Human features: museums, historical buildings, water
parks, golf course, hotels and ‎restaurants
Humans interaction with nature: building a dam on a river,
building groynes on a beach or draining ‎wetlands.‎

3.2. Describing Patterns

Relied is the height and shape (flat/steep) of the map
– (look for spot heights, index and interval contours, shape of
contour).

1. Convex slope – contours closer at the bottom

2. Concave slope – contours further apart at bottom
3. Uniform slope – contour decrease evenly.
4. Depressions – height decrease as go into circle.
5. Valleys intrude, ridges protrude:

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You do not have a camera to take a photograph

You want to remove some detail from the view you are
drawing
You want to labels or annotations to the view you are
drawing
Describing photographs:‎
Describe the structure (building) shown in the photo.‎
Describe the type of vegetation
Describe the geographical features shown

5. Graphs
Line Graph: Used for showing continuous data. Non-
variable data goes on the x axis and the variable data on y
axis.
Bar Graph: Used for showing data that is related but not
the same i.e. it is not constant. Normally the frequency
goes on the y axis and types of data on the x axis.
Pie Chart: Good for showing related data that is calculated
out of 100%. Usually the largest piece of data comes first.
Divided Bar Graph: Good for showing related data that
adds up to 100%.
Histogram: like a bar graph, but only show one type of
data
Scatter graphs: good for showing the relationship
between two pieces of variable data
Isoline maps: often used for showing weather data like
temperature
Triangular graphs: used for showing information where
three related pieces of data equal 100% e.g. primary,
secondary and tertiary data
Radial (kite) graphs: good for showing related data that
can all be scored out of the same score. e.g.
environmental index of different areas
Wind rose graphs: good for showing wind speed and wind
direction
Kite diagrams: good for showing transects e.g. velocity
change across a river’s cross section
River landscapes Flow (system) diagram: Can be used to show things like
the positive or negative multiplier effect i.e. on factor that
causes another factor. They can be also used to show
more complicated relationships like the hydrological
cycle.
When describing graphs:
Look for trends e.g. positive/negative correlation,
staying constant, or data fluctuating ‎
Look for anomalies: pieces of information that do not
fit the general trend
Mention the start and finish figure
Mention the highest and lowest figure
4. Field Sketches and Photos Always use figures (evidence) to support your
description

Reasons you would make a field sketch:‎

No map of your study area exists 6. # Other important things to
The map of your study area contains too much detail
or not enough detail note:

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Settlement patterns: dispersed, nucleated, linear. Describing landscape: ridge, plateau (elevated land with
Natural advantages of a settlement: flat land, near water flat top and steep sides), scarp, floodplain
source, on the coast, near farmland, near natural broad, flat, steep-sided, deeply cut, gently sloping
resources, defensive location. Drainage:
Human locational factors: good road links, schools, density of drainage: the greater the number of
hospitals, jobs, leisure facilities streams, the higher the density
tourism can be promoted by: beaches, sea, mountain, stream patterns: dendritic, trellis or radial
waterfalls, historical buildings, water parks, golf courses, area drained – many tributaries joining the main river
hotels and restaurants. etc.
Describing photos: structure, type of vegetation, direction of flow
geographical features. course of river: straight or meandering, braiding,
Describing relief: average height of relief and height of width
highest point presence of river features e.g rapids, waterfall
mountainous or hilly or part of a plateau Choropleth map: maps which are shaded according to a
state locations (grid reference) of any relief features pre-arranged key.
that stands out
slope: concave, convex, uniform, steep

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Geography

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