Unit 1 Exam Questions – Section A

Unit 1 Section A

Unit 1 Exam questions – Section A

Cameron Dunn, Chief Examiner

Unit 1 Section A

What do I have to do? • 6 questions totalling 65

marks; each question 10-12 marks split into sub- parts ‘a’, ‘b’ etc

• 3 on World at Risk• 3 on Going Global • Maximum mark for a sub-

part 5-6 marks• Quality of written

communication not assessed

• You have around 1 hour to complete Section A.

Unit 1 Section A

Question types: Objective Items • There are a few - possibly totalling 5-6 marks, as in Jan

2009• Often they will be linked to a resource and will be data

based. Read them carefully.

Unit 1 Section A

Questions types: Quick-fire 2 or 3-markers

• About 15 marks from 2-3 mark questions.

• These often focus on:definitions / the meaning of

key terms Listing factors , benefits,

costs etc..Picking key information

from a resource. • The approach should be

to use as few words as possible ; there is no need to spend time on nicely structured writing style.

Unit 1 Section A

Question types: Longer • The majority of the Section A marks will come from

questions worth 4-6marks.• These will be a little more open:

Unit 1 Section A

• Write to the mark allocation - 5 marks = 5 points etc.

• Don’t write too much.

• In January 2009 evidence some candidates spent too long on some section A 4-5 mark questions.

Unit 1 Section A

Pitfalls 1: Resources • Remember that Section A uses Stimulus resources –

there will be 6 of these (Figures), one for each question.

• They will be a mixture of:• Maps • Graphs• Data tables • Photographs• Diagrams / Cartoons

Unit 1 Section A

• Figures have a nasty habit of tripping some candidates up, usually because they are rushing and:

• Don’t bother to read the Figure title

• Ignore or mis-read keys, scales and axes labels

• Ignore the resource altogether

Unit 1 Section A

Unit 1 Section A

Pitfalls 2: Command Words • Describe and explain are sometimes confused leading

to answers which fail to score marks using the Section A points mark schemes.

• Make sure you don’t drift into explanation when you have been asked to describe:

Unit 1 Section A

Pitfalls 3: Key words • Some key words and geographical terminology can cause

problems. • In January 2009 the word ecological caused a few difficulties

with many candidates not quite grasping its specific meaning:

Unit 1 Section A

Pitfalls 4: Range of reasons • 4 and 5 mark questions require a range of points • OR several extended points• This candidate hasn’t quite grasped extended points

Unit 1 Section A

• Extended points = 2 marks rather than 1• adding an example, additional facts, or more detailed

explanation.

Unit 1 Section A

Summary • Timing – spend no more than 1 hour on section A • Examine the resources carefully – look twice, answer

once. • Move through the 1-3 mark questions quickly and

efficiently – do not spend long writing • Spot the command words – especially the difference

between describe an explain • Remember the mark allocation – 4/5 mark questions

require answers with a range of points to gain full marks.