HOW TO - AQA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY PAPER 1
This is a guide of how to answer exam questions in AQA physical geography paper 1.
The purpose of this guide is not for information on the content of the questions, but the method
of how to answer questions.
SHORT QUESTIONS
For short questions (1-4) marks it is important to take note of how many marks the
question is e.g. if it is worth 2 marks you need to provide 2 pieces of information.
This method will avoid time wasting.
These questions focus on memory and recall of facts.
Q1: Water and Carbon Cycles
- Any valid points are worth a mark
1. What is the purpose of a flood hydrograph in simple terms e.g. “to track progress
of a storm in a drainage basin” and “By looking at previous hydrographs it is
possible to assess the likelihood of flood or dangerous events such as high flow
rates”
2. For the next marks you cannot repeat the fact of the purpose, as this gained you
mark one, you need to elaborate on what point one can show you e.g. “By
looking at previous hydrographs it is possible to assess the likelihood of flood or
dangerous events such as high flow rates”, or “This can help with planning for
developments such as sustainable housing and urban drainage systems”.
If you are looking at a mark scheme you will see points for (1) and (d), consider (1) as a
fact and (d) as a developed point. Show the examiner the factual answer to the question,
from memory of your text book, and then some developed points on how geographers
can use this information, this comes from your thinking and any valid point is worth a
mark.
This is a guide of how to answer exam questions in AQA physical geography paper 1.
The purpose of this guide is not for information on the content of the questions, but the method
of how to answer questions.
SHORT QUESTIONS
For short questions (1-4) marks it is important to take note of how many marks the
question is e.g. if it is worth 2 marks you need to provide 2 pieces of information.
This method will avoid time wasting.
These questions focus on memory and recall of facts.
Q1: Water and Carbon Cycles
- Any valid points are worth a mark
1. What is the purpose of a flood hydrograph in simple terms e.g. “to track progress
of a storm in a drainage basin” and “By looking at previous hydrographs it is
possible to assess the likelihood of flood or dangerous events such as high flow
rates”
2. For the next marks you cannot repeat the fact of the purpose, as this gained you
mark one, you need to elaborate on what point one can show you e.g. “By
looking at previous hydrographs it is possible to assess the likelihood of flood or
dangerous events such as high flow rates”, or “This can help with planning for
developments such as sustainable housing and urban drainage systems”.
If you are looking at a mark scheme you will see points for (1) and (d), consider (1) as a
fact and (d) as a developed point. Show the examiner the factual answer to the question,
from memory of your text book, and then some developed points on how geographers
can use this information, this comes from your thinking and any valid point is worth a
mark.
