LEVEL 3: Demonstrate understanding of a given environment(s) through
selection and application of geographic concepts and skills
At this level you will not be asked specifically to do a skill but to use a skill to interpret information.
You should understand the following L2 skills. Traffic light these to check:
TOPOGRAPHIC SKILLS AND MAP INTERPRETATION
 Direction using 16 point compass
 Using a linear scale for measuring
 Using a ratio scale and how it changes with scale
 Use of scales apart from distance ie time
 Using grid references
 Identifying natural and cultural features
 Working out heights of points
 Identifying patterns – linear,clustered,concentric,random,peripheral
 Identifying features on a weather map
 Using longitude and latitude to degrees, minutes and seconds
 Calculating area
DRAWING MAPS
 Drawing précis maps
PICTURE INTERPRETATION
 Photograph interpretation
 Cartoon interpretation
USING TABLES
 Identifying patterns from tables
 Finding the mean and average
 Converting single items into percentages
 Working out percentage change
DRAWING GRAPHS
 Line graphs – single and multiple
 Column or bar graphs – single and multiple and compound
 Pie and percentage graphs
 Climographs
 Scattergraphs
 Population pyramids
 Pictograms
 Cumultative graphs
 Triangular graphs
 Postive/Negative graph
 Statsitical mapping
OTHER
 Using a continuum
 Recognising values
In Addition you will be expected to interpret the following:
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Topographic and other maps to show natural and cultural features
Topographic and other maps to show an understanding of concepts (ie interaction,
enviornment, accesibility, location, process, pattern, change)
Satellite images to show concepts
Satellite images and how they relate to topographic maps in terms of what they show
(identify features) and scale.
Photographs and how they relate to topographic maps in terms of what they show
(identify features) and scale.
A climate graph
An age-sex pyramid
A wind rose
A complex choropleth map such as heat / soil types/ migration trends
Selection and Application of Skills:
At this level you will not be asked to use a specific skill but be expected to draw on your knowledge
of skills to interpret geographic information. For example:
If a question asks you to interpret the natural environment of a location from a topographic map
you will need to refer to the shape from contours, heights from spot heights and trig stations,
approximate area of high land/ plains, reference specific land use like forests using a grid reference
or distance and direction from another geographic point. Look for rivers and any patterns they show
and the direction they flow in.
The aim is to show your application of skills so you do not have to cover all of these but enough to
show your understanding of these skills.