Year 8 Geog
Readings
For
Starter Sheets
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 1
Grid References
Use the map A to answer the following.
(1) Who lives in the small houses in B2 and C2?_________________
(2) How far would the church congregation have to travel after a
service to enjoy a barbecue in Royal Park?____________________
(3) Which railway line would have been the more expensive to build,
the the western line or the northern line? Give reasons for your
answer______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
(4) In which general direction does the River Tir flow? __________
(5) At which Area Reference do three roads meet up?
____________________________________________________
(6) What would be a good fishing spot in C5? __________________
(7) Which road does the council have plans to improve?
____________________________________________________
(8) What is the Grid Reference of a kiosk in the south west corner
of Royal Park?_________________________________________
(9) Is it true or false that the church is north of one railway line and
west of the other?_____________________________________
(10) Identify three natural physical features shown on the map.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Use the map B to answer the following questions
(1) If you travel from the church to the lake, in what direction would
you travel? __________________________________________
(2) Why are there no houses in the south west?________________
___________________________________________________
(3) What is the highest point in the area?_____________________
(4) Why do most residents live in the eastern region? ____________
____________________________________________________
(5) What facility that would help tourists is to the west of the town?
____________________________________________________
(6)What features may attract tourists to this area?
____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
A
B
C
D
E
F
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 2
Grid References
Plot
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
and join the following points:131 393 join to 209 469
131 469 join to 209 393
108 430 to 153 447 to
170 494 to 187 447 to
234 430 to 187 414 to
170 367 to 153 414 and back to 108 430.
139 441 to 131 469 to 158 461
181 461 to 209 469 to 201 441
201 419 to 209 393 to 182 401
159 399 to 131 393 to 139 419
11.
Now Label the compass you have made.
Remember
Never
Entertain
Sexy
Women
12.
13.
14.
15.
Year 8 Geog Skills No.3a
Introduced Species
Our early settlers introduced many European and domestic animals to Australia. These have caused great environmental
damage. Some compete with and kill native animals and cause soil erosion and changes in plant communities. The two main
villains are the rabbit and the fox. Attempts to control the rabbit plague with myxomatosis were successful at first but
the rabbits developed resistance. Foxes are believed responsible for the extinction of 11 small native mammals already.
They have also pushed several endangered species to the brink of extinction. Scientists from CSIRO are working on a
virus to prevent foxes from reproducing.
1 Which animals were introduced into Australia for:
a sport or hunting? _______________________________________________________
b food? _______________________________________________________________
c transport? ___________________________________________________________
2 a What is the most common method of attempted control?________________________
b Why is control of these animals described as 'attempted'?________________________
c Which animals are shot from helicopters?_____________________________________
3 Which feral animals are likely to be found in the following environments,
a tropical rainforests of North Queensland _____________________________________
b central Australian deserts ________________________________________________
c Kakadu wetlands _______________________________________________________
d sheep wheat farmlands __________________________________________________
e urban _______________________________________________________________
4 Mark true or false (T or F) for each of these statements:
a Rabbits are found all over Australia. _____________________
b Camels are restricted to the arid centre of Australia. _____________________
c Feral pigs can have up to 12 young a year. _____________________
d The red fox is not found in Western Australia. _____________________
e Angora goats were introduced for their mohair. _____________________
f Donkeys were not feral until 1866. _____________________
g Rabbits today are successfully controlled by myxomatosis. _____________________
h Foxes have caused 11 small mammal extinctions. _____________________
i Buffalo are shot for their meat and skins. _____________________
j Feral cats are found only around human settlements. _____________________
5. Choose any two animals (except rabbits and foxes) and explain why they are dangerous to
the environment. ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6 Name some other introduced animals not mentioned in the table.____________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7 It has been said that foxes cause the extinction of native animals species but rabbits
change the natural environment. Explain what this means. __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8 Which is the only Australian State that does not have the red fox.' Why? ____________
_____________________________________________________________________
9 aWhy are some councils considering curfews on domestic cats? ____________________
_____________________________________________________________________
b From an environmental point of view, why is it important to desex pet cats? ___________
_____________________________________________________________________
10 Several endangered mammal species are being bred in captivity and reintroduced into
their former habitat. Suggest ways that rangers can prevent these fragile populations from
being destroyed by feral animals. ___________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Year 8 Geog Skills No.3b
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 4
Biodiversity Graph Skills
Biological diversity' is the term used for the variety of life
on earth. It includes all species of plants, animals and micro
organisms as well as the ecosystems they create. Australia's
biodiversity is significant in two ways: (1) its contribution to
global (worldwide) biodiversity; and (2) the high percentage
of living things which are unique to Australia
1 a Which organisms are the most numerous in Australia?
___________________________________________
b Why don't scientists know the exact species numbers of
these organisms? _______________________________
2 Many plants and animals are unique to Australia.
a Using the diagram name the categories and the
percentage of species that are unique to Australia.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
b Give some reasons why this percentage is so high for most
plants and animals. _______________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
c Where else in the world would you find the same species
as those in Australia? _____________________________
______________________________________________
d Why are 30 per cent of Australian birds found elsewhere
in the world? (Hint: Some birds escape winter.) __________
______________________________________________
3 Rank Australia's biodiversity from highest to lowest
according to the number of species in each category.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Extension Questions
1 Some species are extinct over most of Australia but still
live in small, isolated areas called `refuges'. Why do these
refuge areas need conserving?_______________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2 Describe some land use activities that have caused
habitat loss. __________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
1 a How many Australian animals have
become extinct since the arrival of
Europeans, just over 200 years ago?
_____________________________
b Which categories of animals have
suffered extinction? _______________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
2 a How many animals are classified as
endangered?_____________________
b Which categories have endangered
animals? ________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
3 a Which type of animal is the most
vulnerable? ______________________
_______________________________
b How many mammals are regarded as
vulnerable?_______________________
4 Why would it be possible for the
numbers of extinct animals to be higher
than that listed? (Hint: Look at the key.)
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
1. Scientists (conducted) ________________
__________________________extensive
research on Antarctica.
2. Documentaries and movies about Antarctica
(became) _____________________________
popular.
3. The Australian government (placed)
____________________________ ___ many
research personnel in their facility in
Antarctica.
4. Scientists working in Antarctica are cut off
from the rest of the world during
winter, so they (got) ___________________
used to the isolation.
5. Many people (visited) _________________
_________________________Antarctica to
see its unique landscape
6. Some (left) ______________________
from Tasmania, while others (embarked)
__________________________ from South
America.
7. Many explorers (made) ________________
___________________________the trip to
Antarctica by helicopter.
8. In the Arctic the Inuit people (live)
_________________________
according
to their traditional ways.
9. Even today, the Inuit which means “the
people” (made) _______________________
their homes out of blocks of ice in the tundra.
10. Inuit mothers (told) ______________
_________________ ancient stories to their
children to keep the Inuit tradition alive.
11. The Inuit people (maintained)
____________________________________
a harmonious relationship with the environment.
12. Many individuals who want to experience a
pristine, natural environment (visited)
______________________________ the
fascinating polar regions of the world.
Change the verbs from past tense to is/are/am
___________ ing.
Year 8 Geog Skills 5
Text Types skills
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 6a
Land Degradation
The clearing of the native vegetation for crops and timber
has resulted in land degradation. This is one of the most
serious environmental problems in Australia. When land is
cleared of vegetation there is a rise in the ground water
level (the water table). This may then lead to salinity
(saltiness), either dry land salinity or irrigated land salinity.
When the soil is exposed it can be removed by wind and
water. This is called erosion. The decaying, organic protective
layer of top soil is called humus. When this is reduced, soil
structure is changed and fertility declines. Use of pesticides
and chemical fertilizers can lead to land and water pollution,
algal blooms and soil acidity. Vegetation degradation also
occurs with clearing and overgrazing by animals. Disturbed
areas are often invaded by weeds and introduced plants. The
graph in this unit shows the extent of degraded agricultural
land in Australia by State. About 70 per cent of Australia is
arid and only 30 per cent is farmed. The graph shows the
degradation of the 30 per cent of agricultural land, not of
the State as a whole.
Graph Skills
1 a Which State has the most land requiring treatment?
______________________________________________
b Give some reasons. (Hint: The length of time of settlement
and the climate will give you a clue.) ___________________
______________________________________________
2 a Which State has the least amount of degraded
agricultural land? _____________________________
b Give some reasons for this. _______________________
___________________________________________
3 a Estimate the % of land requiring treatment in:
i Northern Territory; _____________________________
ii South Australia.________________________________
b Estimate the % of land requiring no treatment in :
i Victoria; _______________________________
ii Western Australia._______________________
4 Rank the States and Territories from highest to lowest
according to the percentage of land requiring treatment.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
5Using a calculator, calculate the percentage of agricultural
land requiring treatment for the whole of Australia (the
totals of each of the eight States and Territories = 8).
______________________________________________
6What percentage of land required treatment as a result of
water erosion in:
a New South Wales?______________________________
b Australian Capital Territory?______________________
7 a Which State had the highest percentage of land with
vegetation degradation? ___________________________
b Give the percentage of land with vegetation degradation
for that State. __________________________________
8What percentage of land requires treatment for the
following:
a wind erosion in South Australia _____________________
b salinity in Victoria ______________________________
9Which States are affected by:
a wind erosion?__________________________________
b wind and water erosion?__________________________
c salinity?______________________________________
10 a Which type of degradation has the highest percentage
of land requiring treatment for all the States?
______________________________________________
b Why would this type be more obvious to an observer
than salinity? ___________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 6b
Extension Questions
1. Classify the degradation problems of each state under the following headings: i. Minimal, ii Moderate, iii Serious
2. Draw 8 circles and construct pie graphs one for each state and territory showing the percentage of land requiring
treatment
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 6
Tourist planning Skills
Imaginary site for a tourist development on a Whitsunday island.
It is your job to plan a major tourist
centre in this area.
Facilities you should include in your
plan are:
• a large hotel with a swimming pool;
• an area of small residential chalets;
• guest houses run by local people;
• a quay for boats used in water skiing
• and fishing;
• a theatre for entertainments;
• a tourist trail through the old town
• and market;
• a footpath to a local vantage point,
• where a hilltop bar can be
• established;
• closed areas of the beach where
• tourists can sunbathe and swim;
• facilities fur tourists to visit the old
• plantation house:
• car parks and access roads where
• necessary.
b. Now consider the response of the local people to this development. What reaction would the following individuals have to
your plan? Give their reasons for liking or disliking your plan
1. a trader in the local market; _____________________________________________________________________
2. a fisherman in the village by the bay; _______________________________________________________
3. a worker on the sugar cane plantation; _____________________________________________________________
4. a local farmer producing fruit and vegetables;________________________________________________________
5. a garage mechanic in the town;___________________________________________________________________
6. an unemployed youth;__________________________________________________________________________
7. a school child;_________________________________________________________________________________
8. a wife in the fishing village.______________________________________________________________________
Code
FFF A
FFT F
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 7
Key Interpreatation
What do you get if you saw a comedian in half?
Above is a map with a key. The statements below are about
that map. Next to each of the statements write F if it is
false and T if it is true. Then use the code to find the
answer to the question above.
FTF H
FTT I
TTT L
TTF T
TFT U
TFF W
1 The headhunters live on the west side of the mountains.
2 The buried treasure is next to a palm tree.
3 There is a cave in the rainforest.
4 The shipwreck is on the west side of the island.
5 There are mountains across the middle of the island.
6 The signal fire is on the south side of the island.
7 The headhunters live south of the rainforest.
8 There is just one rainforest on the island.
9 The quicksand is on the northern tip of the island.
10 The buried treasure lies south west from the shipwreck
survivors' camp.
11 There are two caves on the island.
12 There are sixteen palm trees on the island.
13 The headhunters live east of the shipwreck survivors.
14 The signal fire is north of the shipwreck survivors' camp.
15 The signal fire is on the sandy beach.
16 The quicksand is on the south west corner of the island.
17 The caves are found to the east of the mountains.
18 The mountains run from the west to the east side of the
island.
19 The headhunters' village has four huts in it.
20 The swamp is north of the quicksand.
21 The buried treasure is in a swamp.
22 The shipwreck is next to the sandy beach.
23 The shipwreck lies to the south east of the shipwreck
survivors' camp.
24 There are palm trees on the south east corner of the
island.
1.Which town is higher above sea level, Amar or Erad? _________________
2.Which road, West Road or North Road, would have more hills?
____________________________________________________________________
3.Shade in blue the section of road tourists would enjoy.
4.What had to be done in the south and west of the region before roads could be
constructed?
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5.What approximate height above sea level is Aron?
_______________________________
6.If you went on a gentle hike of about 15 km to Erad from Aldo, show your route with a
green line.
7.Colour in red that part of North Road where there may be danger from falling rocks.
8.North Road follows part of an old caravan route. Why did the old camel routes go through
this part of the region?
_____________________________________________________________________
_
9.Mark with an X a point from which you would have panoramic views towards the east.
10. In what industry do people in the small SW settlements work?
__________________________________________________________________-
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 8
Map Interpetation
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 9
Key Skills
Almost all the petrol and other oil products Australia uses are made in the country's own refineries. The largest are at
Geelong (Victoria), Kurnell (Sydney), Kwinana (W.A.) and Altona (Melbourne). The biggest oilfields are Kingfish, Halibut and
Barrow Island. These and others can produce about two thirds of Australia's oil needs. The rest has to be imported. Study
the map below, then try to answer these questions
1. How many oil refineries does Australia
have?_________________________
2. Where do pipelines now carry crude oil
long distances to refineries?
________________________________
3. How long is the longest natural gas
pipeline now in use in Australia?
________________________________
4. Which capital cities now receive natural
gas by pipeline?
________________________________
5. Which producing oilfield is not
connected to a refinery by pipeline?
________________________________
6. Oil is a non renewable resource. What
renewable resources can be use to
produce energy. List as many as you can.
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 10
Australia and South East Asia
1. Colour the countries using the code .
Label the following places and oceans.
Darwin
Manila Colombo
Tokyo
New Delhi Seoul
Beijing
Hong Kong Jakarta
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
1. _____
Passes through the United States and Africa
2. _____
North Pole
3. _____
Passes through Canada, Europe, and the Soviet Union
4. _____
Passes through Australia, Africa, and South America
5. _____
Passes north of Antarctica, south of South America
6. _____
South Pole
7. _____
Passes through India and Africa
8. _____ Passes through the United States and Europe
9. _____ Passes through Greenland
10. _____ Circumference of the world
a. 60° N
b. 60° S
c. 15° N
d. 0°
e. 30° N
f. 90° S
g. 75° N
h. 45° N
i. 90° N
j. 30° S
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 11
Lines of Latitude
In order to locate places in the world, mapmakers place imaginary lines around the earth on
maps and globes. One set of these lines are called line of latitude. These imaginary lines run
east and west around the earth. The line of latitude at the earth's widest part (it's
circumference) is the equator. It is labelled 0 *(degrees). The lines that run east and west
and are north of the equator are labelled by their degree and direction. For example, there
are 30°N, 31 °N, 74°N. and 86°N. There is nothing beyond 90°N. The lines .that run east and
west and are south of the equator are labelled likewise. as in 45°S, 60°S, and 90°S.
F
F
T
T
Match the correct pairs.
90 º N. lat.
66º 30' N. lat.
23º 27N. lat
0º long.
180º East or West long.
Oº lat.
23º 27’S. lat.
66º 30' S. lat.
90º S. lat.
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Prime Meridian
Antarctic Circle
Equator
Tropic of Cancer
Arctic Circle
South Pole
North Bole
Topic of Capricorn
International Date Line
1. The prime meridian passes through Africa.
2. 90° W passes through the Soviet Union.
3. 180° is in the Pacific Ocean.
4. 30° W passes through Greenland and the Atlantic Ocean.
5. 120° E passes through Europe.
6. 150° E passes through the Soviet Union and Australia,
7. All of the lines pass through the South Pole.
8. 120° W passes through the United States and Canada.
9. If you stood at 30° E, you could be in the northern or southern
hemisphere.
10. If you stood at 180°, you could be in the Atlantic or Pacific
Ocean.
11. It you stood at the prime meridian and faced west, you would
be looking toward the Atlantic Ocean
Lines of longitude, like those of latitude, are imaginary. They circle the globe in a northsouth
direction. Unlike lines of latitude, lines of longitude meet. They meet at the poles. Lines of longitude
also help tell location. Zero degrees longitude is the meridian running through Greenwich, England. It
is labelled 0 *longitude and is called the prime meridian. The lines of longitude east of it are labelled
through 180 degrees. Thus there are 10°E, 45°E, 110°E, and 180°E. The lines west of it are also
labelled through 180 degrees. They become 10°W, 40°W, 90°W, and so on. The 180 degree line is
both east and west, just as 0° is both east and west.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 12
Lines of Longitude
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 13
Map References/Legends
Contour lines
Major road
Minor road
Embankment; cutting
Bridge
Cliff
Trig station; spot height
Windpump
Railway line;
Mine; quarry
station Track
Swamp
Building
Orchard or vineyard
Forest; scrub
School; church
Sand; water
State forest - pine
Rock ledge
Rock; lighthouse
Tank
Land subject to flooding
1.Describe what you can see in Area Reference :¬
8424__________________________________________
8425__________________________________________
2.Give Map References for the following:¬
Council Chambers _______________________________
Sale Yards ____________________________________
Factory _______________________________________
High School ____________________________________
Hospital ______________________________________
Primary school __________________________________
Olympic Pool ____________________________________
Post Office ____________________________________
3.Name the features at:¬
826246____________________________________
835248____________________________________
833276____________________________________
826251____________________________________
838253____________________________________
849252____________________________________
836245____________________________________
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 14
Key Skills
Statement True or False
(a) Bowen has a population of 600.
(b) Cloncurry has a population of 10 850.
(c) Cooktown has a population of 5856.
(d) Rockhampton and Toowoomba could have
similar populations
(e) Mt Isa is bigger than Mt Morgan.
(f) Gympie is bigger than Kingaroy.
(g) Mackay has a population over 20 000.
(h) Charleville and Cunnamulla are about the same
size.
(i) Mareeba has a population of 11 500.
(j) Roma and Emerald are about the same size.
(k) The Gold Coast is bigger than Brisbane.
(1) Bundaberg has a population of 19 800.
(m) Cairns and Mt Isa could have populations of
about 32 000.
(n) Longreach is smaller than 5000.
(o) Ingham is bigger than Innisfail.
(p) Wyandra has a population of about 200.
(q) Goondiwindi and St George are about the same
size.
(r) Townsville has a population of 70 000.
(s) Charters Towers has a population of 10 300.
(t) Ipswich is bigger than Gladstone.
(u) Blair Athol has less than 1000 people.
(v) Winton has more than 5750 people.
(w) Blackall is half the size of Townsville.
(x)The Gold Coast is twice as big as Emerald.
(y) Cloncurry is a large city.
(z) Mackay is a small village.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 15
Apostrophes
An apostrophe and "s" are used to show ownership. eg engineer's computer
For a plural noun, the apostrophe comes after the "s“ eg ten engineers' computer
Use an apostrophe and s to rewrite these and show that these things belong together.
Australia oceans __________________________________________________
A nation/ identity __________________________________________________
All citizen / rights __________________________________________________
The world/ health __________________________________________________
A country / borders _________________________________________________
3 nation / problem __________________________________________________
An individual / rights ________________________________________________
A conservation group / actions__________________________________________
Draw a tick or a cross in the box if the apostrophe is correct.
1 . A good global citizen is well informed about the worlds'
2. All citizens should respect each other's
3. People cannot cross another country's
4. The worlds'
problems.
rights and property.
border without permission.
oceans are not owned by one particular country but are common shared areas.
5. There have been many disputes over some countrie's
use of oceans for whaling.
6. Many treaties and international agreements have been made to protect the world's
7. An individual citizens'
8. The United Nation's
they live.
ocean species from being depleted.
actions can help to promote global environmental issues.
Declaration of Human Rights sets out everyone's
9. A Geography student's
understanding of the world's
reading newspapers and watching relevant television programs.
10. International cooperation is needed to protect the Earth's
basic human rights, regardless of where
issues and problems should be continually updated by
environments.
• School children ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
• Ordinary people ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
• The government ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
• The local authority ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
• Farmers ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
For each of the following groups of people, say what they might do to help clean up the river.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 16
Sketch Thinking Skills
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 17a
Graphs
There are five main types of graphs: line graphs, column or bar graphs, histograms, pie graphs and pyramid graphs. Graphs
usually present quantitative information. They may be used to present changes over time, for example birch races, to show the
frequency of a particular variable by using a histogram, or to show the relationship between two variables such as height and
weight as in a line graph or a column graph.
Histograms, column graphs and line graphs have a vertical axis, often labelled the y axis and a horizontal axis often labelled the x
axis. The dependent variable is usually plotted on the y-axis and the independent variable is plotted on the x axis. Line graphs
In Fig. 2.3 the dependent variable is the number of criminal offences and the independent variable is time, as time is independent
of the number of criminal offences. This graph shows a variation in the number of criminal offences over a period of time. Line
graphs are useful for depicting changes over time but they must be read carefully to ensure chat the intervals on the graph have
not distorted the data. That is, by increasing the size of the vertical intervals the changes can be made to appear more dramatic
than they really are and similarly, by increasing the size of the horizontal intervals the changes in a variable over time will appear
less obvious.
Histograms
Fig. 2.4 is presented as a histogram. The x axis represents intervals in terms of age groups and the y axis represents the
proportion of non-family individuals living alone: those born in Australia; those born in English speaking countries and those born in
Non English speaking countries.
Column or bar graphs
These are similar to histograms and the x axis often has the variable of time.
Pie(Sector)graphs
A pie graph consists of a circle divided into parts; each part representing the value o component or
variable. The information is presented in a visual manner and is desirable to have the numerical
proportion presented as well.
Fig. 2.3 Line graph: Selected offences
becoming known to police and offences
cleared, 1972 73 to 1981 ,82.
Fig. 2.4 Histogram
TABLE 1 GROWTH OF
POPULATION OF NEW
SOUTH WALES
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 17b
Graphs
Draw Graphs in the spaces provided.
Table 1 Line Graph.
Table 2 Column Graph (leave a space
between the columns).
Table 3 Single Bar Graph.
TABLE 3 PROPORTION OF
POPULATION OF AUSTRALIA
(per cent), 1980
TABLE 2
SELECTED
AIRPORTS IN NEW
SOUTH WALES :
SCHEDULED
DOMESTIC
TRAFFIC CARRIED,
1980
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 18
Antartic Climate
Scientists and explorers have done much research on the weather and
climate of Antarctica. If we want to compare the weather of Antarctica
with our own, we shall need to understand how we measure the elements
of weather.
A list of the key weather elements would include items such as:
Precipitation
Sunlight Hours
Wind Speed
Cloud Cover
Wind Direction
Air Pressure
Humidity
Air Temperature.
Using the following tables, construct a graph comparing the weather of
Canberra or your city or town with that of Mawson Station.
Choose one or two factors to compare. For example, compare the mean
temperatures of Mawson and Canberra. (Compare too many factors and
the graph will be too crowded.)
CANBERRA
June
January
Mean
Temperature:
(C)
Maximum
Temperature:
(C)
Minimum
Temperature:
(C)
Mean Pressure:
(MB)
Mean Wind
Speed:
(knots)
Days Rain/Snow
Mean Daily
Sunshine Hours:
6.4
20.2
11.9
27.7
0.9
12.8
1020.1 IOU.
1
3.6
5.0
5.1
6.5
4.6
9.1
MAWSON STATION
June January
Mean
Temperature:
- 15.2 + 0.9
(C)
Maximum
Temperature:
- 2.4 + 5.9
(C)
Minimum
Temperature:
- 29.6 - 6.3
(C)
Mean Pressure:
(MB)
990.5 990.8
Mean Wind
Speeds: (knots)
17.0 20.8
Days
Rain/Snow:
Mean Daily
Sunshine Hours:
0.0 2.0
0.0 7.5
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 19
Graphs
A Climatic Graph (“Climograph”) contains both a line graph and a bar graph, the line graph (showing temperatures) always
being drawn about the bar graph (which shows rainfall).
Notice that the graph has a title. All of the axes are labelled, the rainfall bars are shaded in, and that the annual rainfall is
shown on the completed graph.
Diagrams (or Sector Graphs)
EXAMPLE:
Notice that the diagram has a heading and
that each of the sectors of the circle is
labelled. this could be done by using a key if
you wish.) The diagram could be further
improved by showing the percentage of
total ocean area each ocean represents.
The correct way to draw a pie diagram is to
start at 12 o'clock and then proceed
clockwise the largest first and in
descending order.
Comparison of Ocean Areas
TASK 1:
Draw a climatic graph for Adelaide using the
following temperatures and rainfall figures:
TASK 2:
Draw a pie diagram to show the
following information. Japanese
exports by areas
South and East Asia 30%
North America 25%
Europe 15%
Middle East 10%
Africa 10%
Australia and Oceania 5%
South and Central America 5%
Total Exports U.S. $55,000
million
(Hint: 10% will be represented
by an angle of 369 )
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 20
Climate Graphs
1.(a) Use the climatic data given in the table on the left
to draw a graph for Mawson.
i. Colour the column graph for rainfall in blue
ii. Draw the line connecting the temperatures in red
(b) Describe the climate of the area in as much detail as
possible.
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Year 8 Geog Skills No. 21
Text type: Recount
A sequence of events can be more difficult when the events are complicated. Sometimes you need to sort through a lot of
information to find the most important facts. This passage is about a geography field trip.
1. Read the passage.
2. Circle all the past tense words
3. Underline the sentences which contain important information.
Our Geography Field Trip.
Mr Wilson, our Geography teacher, told us about a field trip planned for all Year 9 Geography students. We were
going to the beach to study a coastal ecosystem, investigating damage humans may have caused.
On the day of the field trip our teachers checked off our names. We got on the bus, sang a few songs, ate some
junk food and in no time we were there. It was a beautiful sunny day, warm enough for a swim. However we had many things
to learn about before we could go into the water.
We made several field sketches of the beach features, including the shoreline, rock formations, and types of
grasses. We also noted the fine texture of the sand on the beach. We observed that parts of the path to the beach had been
eroded during a recent storm.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of rubbish on the beach. In our books, we noted the types of litter we saw,
including plastic bottles, cans, cigarette butts and food containers. Most of the rubbish seemed to be located near a storm
water canal. We concluded that during the storm, litter must have washed from the streets into the storm water canal and
then onto the beach.
After lunch, we had a game of beach volleyball and finally we were allowed to swim in the ocean baths. The water
was crystal clear because the recent high tides had cleaned the seaweed out. On the way home the teachers gave us an
observation quiz, with prizes for the winners. Our notes and diagrams were collected for marking.
The next day in Geography Mr Wilson asked everyone to form small groups and prepare a short presentation
about the field trip. Our presentation was titled "How pollution is destroying Australia's coastal environments and we got full
marks.
4. Write the sequence of events in point form.
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Year 8 Geog Skills No. 22
African Desert symbols
In general, the desert areas of the world have very few people living in
them, except where there is an oasis or other permanent supply of water.
This fact is clearly seen by looking at Africa's desert areas.
1 Carefully read the statements below and use the maps to help you tick the
ones you think are true.
• Many people live in area A.
• Area A has moderate rainfall.
• A few scattered settlements would be found in area A.
• Area A has heavy rainfall.
• It would be easy to survive in area A.
• Area A is a desert.
• Many cities would be found in area A.
• The people who live in area A would probably move around in search of
water.
• Very few people live in area A.
• It would be difficult to survive in area A.
• Area A has little rainfall.
2Carefully read the statements below and use the maps to help you tick the
ones you think are true.
• Many people live in area B.
• Area B has moderate rainfall.
• A few scattered settlements would be found in area B.
• Area B has heavy rainfall.
• It would be easy to survive in area B.
• Area B is a desert.
• Many cities would be found in area B.
• The people who live in area B would probably move around in search of
water.
• Very few people live in area B.
• It would be difficult to survive in area B.
• Area B has little rainfall.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 23
Place Location Oceans
In reality there is only one ocean, since all
the oceans are connected. However.
different sections of this ocean are given
different names. They also have different
characteristics. The Atlantic, for
example, is rough and cold compared to
the Pacific. Use the clues on this page to
label the oceans on Master 26.
1.The North Atlantic lies between Europe
and North America.
2.The South Atlantic lies between Africa
and South America.
3.The Mediterranean Sea lies between
northern Africa and southern Europe.
4.Northeast of the Mediterranean is the
Black Sea.
5.Southeast of the Mediterranean is the
narrow Red Sea.
6.Between Africa, India, and Australia
lies the Indian Ocean.
7.Between India and Arabia is the
Arabian Sea.
B.The Bay of Bengal lies between India
and Thailand.
9.The Coral Sea lies east and north of
Australia, but south of New Guinea.
Extra Activity: Find the following five bodies of
water in an atlas or encyclopedia and add them
to your map. Use a different color pen to label
these five. (1) Wendell Sea. (2) Yellow Sea, (3)
Gulf of Mexico, (4) Barents Sea, (5) North Sea.
10.The North Pacific lies between the U.S.S.R.
and North America.
11.The South Pacific lies between Australia and
South America.
12.The Arctic Ocean lies north of the U.S.S.R.
and Canada.
13.The Beaufort Sea lies north of Alaska and
Canada.
14.Baffin Bay lies between Greenland and
Canada.
15.The Baltic Sea lies between Sweden and
Poland.
16.The Sea of Okhotsk lies north of Japan,
surrounded by land of the U.S.S.R.
17.The Sea of Japan lies between Japan and
Korea.
18.The Bering Sea lies between Alaska and the
U.S.S.R.
19.The Caribbean Sea lies north of South
America and east of Central America.
20.Hudson Bay lies in eastern Canada, wholly
surrounded by Canadian territory.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 24a
Map Reading
Land Use
1.By the river the land is not well drained and the paddocks are grass. These are their
references. find them
and colour them green:
(a)1515
(e)2545
(i)2168
(m)3070
(q)4245
(b)3020
(f)2055
(j)2075
(n)3067
r)4535
(c)3030
(g)2550
(k)1555
(o)3060
(s)5235
(d)3040
(h)2263
(1)3078
(p)3555
and by the school
(t)6545
(u)6536
and the open spaces in the town.
2.The following are market gardens, find them and colour them purple:
(a)5344
(c)5348
(e)5038
(g)5055
(b)5346
(d)5350
(f)5042
(h)6045
3.This is moorland (yellow):
(a)6555
(c)1525
(e)1355
(9)1575
(b)6570
(d)1540
(f)1565
4.
The rest of the land is ploughed and should be brown,
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 24b
Map Reading
First complete this key with the symbols used in this map:
Churches
Signal Box
Pond
School
Railway
Embankment
Marsh Quarry
Lighthouse
Ferry Terminus
Map References
Notice that the straight lines on the map, called the grid, are numbered for reference. The end of the
jetty has the reference 4/1 as the bottom number should be read first. To be more accurate we can
imagine the space between the lines to be divided into tenths. The house marked 'Ho' will then have a map
reference 2.5/1.5 or, as it is more usually given 2515. The quarry at the top is 6775 (6.7/7.5) and the
railway station is 5040.
Write the map references of the following:
The signal box ______________The school._______________ The island _____________
The railway bridges ________________
Which objects are situated at these points ?:
6030______________
2667__________________ 5020 _____________
1838__________________5523______________ 5757_______________________
Distance
To measure distance fairly accurately use a pair of compasses and set them at 250m, using tie scale on
the map, then walk them along the road counting every step as 250m. What are the following distances by
road or track ?:
1. From the railway station to the quarry _________________________________
2. From the railway station to the village (5560) ____________________________
3. From the school to the house 'Ho'
(a) using the ferry ______________________________
(b) going by road _______________________________
Direction
Measurements for direction are in a straight line, not along roads. What are the following buildings?:
1. One km East of the farm 2030 __________________
2. Half a km North of the lighthouse________________
Exercise
.
What direction is
1. The playground from the oval?___________11. The supermarket from the wharf? ______
2. The newsagent from the post office?_______12. The oval from the station? ________
3. The station from the houses? _________13. The station from the bank? _______
4. The library from the playground? ________14. The dentist from the garage? _______
5. The newsagent from the dentist? _________15. The bridge from the car park? ______
6. The bridge from the newsagent? ________16. The station from the chemist? _______
7. The oval from the car park? _________17. The oval from the post office? _______
8. The park from the library? ________18. The butcher from the garage? ________
9. The butcher from the supermarket? _______19. The bank from the playground? ______
10. The TAB from the post office? _________20. The baker from the barber? _________
The main points of the compass are north, south, east and west.
However, there are points between each of these. They are
north-east and south east, and north west and south west. They
are easily remembered as they are north of east, or north of
west, or south of east or south of west.
The angle between the four main points is 90 degrees; the angle
between the 8 points is only 45 degrees.
When doing this exercise always remember to start at the place
that is mentioned after the word FROM.
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 25
Direction
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 26
Topographical Maps
1. Write each of the letters on the map in the
appropriate space below.
What are the grid references of the places below?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
EXTENSION
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
House ________________________________
Main road _____________________________
Orchard or vineyard _____________________
Swamp _______________________________
Cutting _______________________________
Embarkment ___________________________
Dam _________________________________
Mine _________________________________
Pine plantation __________________________
Bridge ________________________________
What are the grid references of the places below?
Police station __________________________
School _______________________________
Post Office ___________________________
Dam _________________________________
Mine _________________________________
1Which is higher above sea level:
a The mine or the top of the railway cutting?
b The pine plantation or the church?
c The dam or the post office?
2What is the length of the section of railway shown on the map? _________________________________________
Exercise 2
What size is:
Paddock 3? ____________________
The garden?___________________
Exercise 3
a. These distances involve half a
centimetre which is a real distance
of 50 metres.
e.g. 2½ cm=250 metres and 11½
cm=1150 metres.
What is the distance from:1. Trough 4 to dairy?
_____________________________
2. Gate 4 to gate 2?
_____________________________
3. Gate 5 to car shed?
_____________________________
4. Trough 3 to trough 2?
_____________________________
5. Main gate to trough 2?
_____________________________
     
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 27
Scale
Exercise 1
How far is the shortest route from:
a. Trough 3 to trough 1?
___________________________
b. Trough 1 to trough 2?
___________________________
c. Paddock 5 to paddock 2?
___________________________
d. The main gate to the house?
___________________________
e. The garden to paddock 1?
___________________________
f. The house to the garden gate?
___________________________
g. The dairy to paddock 5?
___________________________
h. The house to trough 1?
___________________________
i. Gate 4 to trough 1?
___________________________
j. Trough 3 to trough 4?
___________________________
Year 8 Geog Skills No. 28
Map Jigsaw
Cut out the jigsaw and put it together.
Label what you can.
States cities, oceans and seas
C
Year 8 Geog Skills
No. 29
Map Jigsaw
Cut out the jigsaw and
put it together.
Label what you can.
States cities, oceans
and seas
Year 8 Geog Skills No.30
Graphs Interpretation
Look at the graph showing mobile phone use by age [8.8].
1. What does the graph tell you about mobile phone use and age?
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2.Which age group has the highest use? _______________________
3. Suggest reasons for this. ________________________________
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4.Which age group has the least use?__________________________
5.Suggest reasons for this. _________________________________
______________________________________________________
6.What is the total use of mobile phones between the age of 14 and 24?
______________________________________________________
7.What is the scale used on this graph? ________________________
Look at the graph showing Major Cities in Malaysia [9.17].
1.What is Malaysia’s largest city? ____________________________
2.What is Malaysia’s smallest city?____________________________
3.What is the total population of the 5 listed cities?
______________________________________________________
4.What is the difference in population between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling
Jaya?___________________________________________
5.Which city would likely to be the Capital of Malaysia? Why
________________________________________________________
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Extension Activity: Use the following Data, draw a column graph
Australia’s Population ‘By State
ACT
351
Northern
224
Territory
Tasmania
502
Western
Australia
2
237
& Territory June 2009 (‘000)
South Australia
1 622
Queensland
4 406
New South
Wales
7 099