91�ȱ�

• Look at command words and key words to help you answer geography exam questions.
• Plan the structure of your answers to ensure you answer each question fully.
• Use evidence from case studies to succeed in exam questions.

There are a number of different types of question that could be asked in a geography exam or assessment. Each type needs a particular technique in order to answer it.

There are two important things you must focus on to succeed in an exam or assessment question in geography:

• reading the question
• structuring your answer

1. Make sure you read the question carefully. The wording of the question will include clues to help you answer it. For example, the question will start with a command word. Each command word has a different meaning and requires you to answer the question a different way. The table below shows some of the command words you may come across.

2. Read the question again and underline the key words. The key words will indicate what topics to discuss in your answer.

3. Look for any other important instructions. For example, if the question says 'using figure1', you must make sure you mention figure 1 in your answer. This might be a map, graph, photograph, diagram or some text. Use phrases such as 'as you can see in figure 1' or 'in the foreground of figure 1'. If the question says 'using a case study' or 'using an example', make sure you include things such as place names and statistics.

1. Plan how you will structure your answer. The structure will vary depending on the command word and how much you are expected to write. For a longer answer, it would be useful to include a short introduction and a conclusion as well as some well-developed points that link back to the question. Try to provide some balance but don't be afraid of giving your own opinion.

2. Think about how you will structure each paragraph. A useful technique is to use PEEL paragraphs. PEEL stands for:

• Point - make a point that is relevant to the question. This could be your opinion or naming a case study.
• Evidence - give evidence to support your answer. This might be statistics, such as the death toll from an earthquake or a quote from a figure.
• Explanation - explain what this evidence shows.
• Link - link your points back to the question to make sure that you have answered it.

Geographers are often faced with making difficult decisions and sometimes there are no perfect solutions. A decision-making exercise puts you in that position. You might be asked to make a decision or judgement based on resources given. These could include maps, graphs, photographs, diagrams, newspaper articles or quotes. You will have to link these resources to your own knowledge, sometimes about a number of different topics.