Structure of the geography Mock exams
Your test will be 1hr 45 mins
- It will contain 3 sections
- You do not need to revise Coasts at this time. There will be an end of unit assessment for this in due course.
List of content to revise
| list_of_geog_content_to_revise_for_mcas.docx |
Case studies:
Population
Tectonics
Rivers
- Growth of population
- Population density and distribution (Canada)
- Over and under population (Bangladesh and Canada)
- Changing population structure (DTM and population pyramids- link to Japan for declining population and Gambia for growing population)
- Dependent populations (Ageing: Japan, Youthful: Gambia)
- Population control (China)
- The impact of HIV and AIDS on population structure(Botswana)
- Migration(International: Mexico- USA)
Tectonics
- Cause/ effects and management of volcanoes (Montserrat)
- Why do people live near volcanoes (Montserrat)
- Cause/ effects and management of an earthquake (Haiti)
- Why do people live in an earthquake zone? (Haiti and California)
Rivers
- Opportunities on Rivers (The Ganges Delta)
- Threats to coastlines (Flooding- Ganges )
- Management of coastlines (Bangladesh)
Revision booklets for each of the units that will be on the mid-course exams :
Population
| population_revision_booklet_igcse.pdf |
Rivers
| igcse_rivers_revision_book.pdf |
| river_landforms_revision_booklet.docx |
Tectonics
| tectonics-revision-booklet.pdf |
Sample 5 and 7 mark exam questions to practice
5 mark questions to practice:
For these questions you should aim to have 5 points (they could be bullet pointed but you should aim to specifically link the statement to answer the question).
Population
Rivers:
Tectonics
7 mark questions to practice:
For each of these questions identify which case study you would use a bullet point 3-5 specific details that you would use to make a 7 mark answer:
Population
Rivers
Tectonics
For these questions you should aim to have 5 points (they could be bullet pointed but you should aim to specifically link the statement to answer the question).
Population
- Suggest reasons why, despite these difficulties, many workers migrate to Qatar from LEDCs such as Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
- Explain why an increase in the percentage of old dependents may cause problems for a
- Explain why the percentage of old dependents in the world is increasing.
- Explain why countries with high child mortality are likely to have high birth rates.
- Suggest the likely difficulties which planners and city authorities face in urban areas with very high population densities.
- Explain why countries with high infant mortality are likely to have high birth rates.
- Suggest how the changes in the percentage of young and old dependents shown in could cause problems in MEDCs.
Rivers:
- Explain why both erosion and deposition are likely to occur on a meander.
- Describe the problems for people and the natural environment which may be caused by increased deforestation.
- Explain how the long profile and cross section of the valley of the river will change as the river flows towards the sea.
- Explain why many people live near to rivers even though it may be hazardous.
Tectonics
- Explain why the global distribution of earthquakes is uneven.
- Explain what can be done to reduce the impacts of earthquakes on local people.
- Explain why people live in areas where there are active volcanoes.
- Explain why living on or close to a coast can be hazardous.
- Suggest why people live in areas which experience earthquakes and volcanoes.
7 mark questions to practice:
For each of these questions identify which case study you would use a bullet point 3-5 specific details that you would use to make a 7 mark answer:
Population
- For a named country you have studied, explain why rapid natural population growth is taking place.
- For a named country you have studied, explain why the natural population growth rate is low.
- For a named country you have studied, describe the problems caused by an increasing percentage of young or old dependents.
- For a named country you have studied, describe a population policy which has been used to influence its population growth rate.
- Name a country you have studied and give reasons why people have migrated from it to another named country.
- For a named country you have studied, describe a population policy or policies which has been used to influence its growth rate.
- Describe the consequences of over-population for a named country you have studied.
Rivers
- For a named river you have studied, describe what has been done to reduce the risk of flooding.
- For a named river you have studied, explain the causes of flooding.
- Describe the opportunities of living near a named river you have studied.
- Describe the main natural features of a delta and explain how it is formed. You may use a labelled diagram or diagrams.
Tectonics
- For a named volcano you have studied, explain the causes of an eruption.
- Explain the causes of an earthquake in a named area you have studied.
- Describe the impacts of an earthquake in a named area you have studied.
- Describe the hazards created by a named volcanic eruption you have studied.
A selection of past Exam papers (with resources and markschemes):
Population
Population winter 2019- 11
| population_w19_qp_11.pdf |
| population_w19_ms_11.pdf |
Population winter 2019-12
| population_w19_qp_12.pdf |
| population_w19_ms.pdf |
Population winter 2019-13
| population_w19_qp_13.pdf |
| population_w19_ms_13.pdf |
Rivers
Rivers winter 2019-11
| rivers_w19_qp_11.pdf |
| river_w19_ms_11.pdf |
| rivers inset_w19_in_11.pdf |
Rivers winter 2019-12
| rivers_w19_qp_12.pdf |
| rivers_w19_ms_12.pdf |
Rivers winter 2019-13
| rivers_w19_qp_13.pdf |
| rivers_w19_ms_13.pdf |
| inset_w19_in_13-2.pdf |
Tectonics
Tectonics winter 2019- 13
| tectonics_w19_qp_13.pdf |
| tectonics_w19_ms_13.pdf |
Tectonics summer 2019-12
| tectonics_s19_qp_12-14-17.pdf |
| tectonics__s19_ms_12-.pdf |
| 0460_s19_in_12.pdf |
Other ways to revise ways to revise
A: MIND MAPS: Make mind‑maps or association maps rather than taking linear notes. Mapping your notes by radiating key words out in a pattern of links from a central point will make best use of your memory. If you use colour and images on the maps, you'll be harnessing the power of both sides of your brain ‑ creative and logical.
How to mind map:
- Start with the theme in the middle of the page.
- Then develop your main idea.
- Each branch must relate to the branch before it.
- Use only key words and images.
- Key words must be written along the branches.
- Printing your key words makes them more memorable.
- Use highlighters and coloured markers to colour code branches.
- Make things stand out on the page so they stand out in your mind. (This doesn’t show up well on a black and whole photocopied booklet! You should use a different colour for each main branch and all its sub-branches)
- Brainstorm ideas. Be creative.
- Design images you can relate to which will help you remember key information.
B: Highlight. Target key areas using colours and symbols. Visuals help you remember the facts.
C: Record. Try putting important points, quotes and formulae on tape. If you hear them and read them, they're more likely to sink in.
D: Talk. Read your notes out loud, it's one way of getting them to register.
E: Test. See what you can remember without notes, but avoid testing yourself on subjects you know already. Why not ask someone else to test you?
F: Time. Do past exam papers against the clock, it's an excellent way of getting up to speed and of checking where there are gaps in your knowledge.