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UPDATED TO 2022 SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE
GEOGRAPHY
(0460)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE SKILLS SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE GEOGRAPHY (0460)
1. Overview of Paper 2
1.1. Welcome to IGCSE Geography’s Paper 2 – Geographical
Skills
This paper is assessed in main 2 sections
1. Mapwork Question (Question 1); 20/60 marks,
2. short answer, evidence-based questions (Questions 2–6); 8 marks each, 40/60 marks.
You may use the following equipment in Paper 2:
Compass points for direction
Contours:
pencil, rubber, ruler, protractor, calculator and string
a sheet of plain paper will be provided to you in the exam room for measuring distances
or assisting with cross-sections on the large scale maps.
1.2. Question 1: Mapwork Question
In this question, you will be assessed:
four- and six-figure grid reference
16-point cardinal directions
measure distances and cross sections
understand, interpret and use contour lines
using the key to identify human and landscape features on the map
identify, describe explain, analyse and draw inferences on physical and human landscapes
(including patterns), using map evidence
give brief descriptions of basic landscape features using suitable geographical terms
draw sketch maps illustrating patterns of both human and 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
Measure from sea level in meters
Each contour is in regular intervals
Spot heights e.g. 398 on trigonometrical points
If contours wrap around in circles in increasing height, it is a hill/mountain
V ertical Interval (diff erence in height)
Gradient = Horizontal Equivalent (horizontal distance)
​
2.2. Calculating Distances
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 also in the exam paper.
A map with a scale of 1:25000 means that 1 cm on the map is 0.25km. Similarly, a scale of
1:50000 means that 1 cm on the map is 0.5 km.
You also may be asked how to convert units:
1.3. Questions 2–6:
These questions are based on the themes you have studied.
They may draw on:
maps
graphs and diagrams
photos and sketches
small paragraphs
etc.
They may ask you to:
identify features described,
describe what is shown in the figures,
explain why something occurs,
recall facts from the themes,
compare and contrast two resource given.
The structure of questions
Usually, there are at least one of each of the following types of questions:
map-based questions that ask you to describe, explain and predict,
photo-based resource that ask you to identify and explain,
long answer compare and contrast questions,
diagram and graph based questions that ask you to describe changes, distributions and
patterns
These questions are less common:
describing field sketches, or drawing field sketches,
plotting data on a diagram (usually examined in Paper 4).
2. Topographical Map Skills
2.1. Map
Walk before you run!
Four figure grid reference: e.g. Dot is at 4665‎
Six figure grid reference: e.g. Dot is at 463654‎
Measuring Distances
To measure straight distances, use a piece of paper and the scale given.
You will also be asked to measure curved distances. You can:
1. by using a piece of paper
2. by using a piece of string
This video teaches you how to measure curved distances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goCTtV7vLEc
Checking your distances & bearings
If you are extra good at math, you may use trigonometry (by setting up right-angled triangles)
to check your straight distances or the bearing measured.
Remember, SohCahToa and that bearings always start from the North.
2.3. The Compass rose and bearings
You will be asked to describe the location of features by giving directions.
The IGCSE requires you to give direction on a 16 point compass.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Brosen_windrose.svg/600pxBrosen_windrose.svg.png
(the 16 point compass)
Bearings are used to give the direction of a point in degrees, always starting from north.
This means that:
North would be 0° from north (or 000 as a bearing),
East would be 90° ( written as 090 for bearings),
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CAIE IGCSE GEOGRAPHY (0460)
South would be 180° ( written as 180),
West would be 270° (written as a bearing of 270).
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
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:
2.4. Important reminders about maps
Exotic forest are a human feature (introduced forest). • Describing an area: 1) general
statement (location on map, direction, place specific details: names etc) 2) physical features
(contour, relief, spot height etc), 3) human features (e.g. land use, settlement etc), Always look
for patterns: concentration, spread etc • If contour lines are going in, then it is a valley.
2.5. Cross-sections
This video explains how to take cross-sections:
https://youtu.be/c7gT8gU_pD8
Describing Cross-sections
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 a
‎ nd
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
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4. Field Sketches and Photos
Reasons you would make a field sketch:‎
No map of your study area exists
The map of your study area contains too much detail or not enough detail
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
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
Always use figures (evidence) to support your description
CAIE IGCSE
Geography (0460)
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