Topic 1 of 6 · Form 1
Geographical skills and investigations
Topographic maps: four- and six-figure grid references, scale and distance (straight and curved), compass directions and bearings, contours and relief (cross-sections, gradient = vertical interval ÷ horizontal distance), recognising landforms, drainage and settlement patterns, and describing land use.
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Map skills
Topographic maps: four- and six-figure grid references, scale and distance (straight and curved), compass directions and bearings, contours and relief (cross-sections, gradient = vertical interval ÷ horizontal distance), recognising landforms, drainage and settlement patterns, and describing land use.
Worked example: On a 1 : 50 000 map, two points 4 cm apart differ in height by 100 m. Find the average gradient.
Horizontal distance = 4 × 50 000 cm = 2 000 m → gradient = 100 ÷ 2 000 = 1 in 20
Graphs and data
Line, bar, divided bar, pie, scatter, climate graphs, population pyramids, triangular graphs and choropleth maps; describing trends with figures and units.
Photographs and sketches
Annotate physical and human features; describe and explain patterns.
Geographical investigations
Hypotheses, methods of data collection (questionnaires, counts, measurements, sampling), data presentation, analysis, conclusions and evaluation (limitations and improvements).
Check yourself
- How many metres does 1 cm represent on a 1 : 25 000 map?
- What is a hypothesis?
- Give one way of improving the reliability of a traffic count.
Show answers
- 250 m
- A testable statement or prediction about a geographical relationship.
- Repeat counts at different times/days and calculate averages.
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