What you will be expected to do

• be prepared to use any sort of map. The most common are Ordnance survey maps at 1:50000 and 1:25000, but other types have been used such as road, street and tourist

• be able to use the key of the map to identify symbols

• use the scale of the map to measure distance

• use the compass to give directions

• use 4 figure grid references or 6 figure grid references

• use a transect / cross section to locate places and land uses on a map

• use your knowledge of the Human and Physical Environment to help you answer questions.

What you should be able to recognise

• contours, spot heights, flat land, steep or gently sloping land, rivers, river features, glaciated features ( u-shaped valley), land used for farming, forestry, recreation, settlement, industry and communications - railways, roads ( motorway, A class, B class, Minor)

• settlement patterns - CBD - Central Business District, Old Industrial areas (19th century), New Industrial Areas (20th century), Old Housing Areas (19th century), New Housing Areas (20th century)

• advantages and or disadvantages of one site for development compared to another

• advantages and or disadvantages of a site for development of housing, recreation, industry, roads.

How map work questions may be phrased

• Match a glacial feature with its grid reference with large features which fills the grid box. Give 4 figure grid reference e.g. - large meander. For smaller features like a waterfall use 6 figures.

• Using map evidence, explain the growth of ...... this evidence must include names of places or features on the map with grid references. • Describe the distribution of settlement......say where the settlements are located e.g. near rivers, avoiding lowland or highland, at bridging point , spread across the map. • Which type of farming is likely to be practised at farm Y – arable, sheep etc... • What are the advantages and disadvantages of ....... must give both.

Why is site X a good site for a new factory?

Look at the map for evidence to support the following:

large, flat, level site, with room for expansion, near houses for workers or shoppers and close to good transport links - motorway...

Use the following to say why a site is not a good choice:

small, hilly site, little room for expansion, far from house for workers and shoppers to get too, roads are poor giving poor access for large lorries...

Transects

These show landuse along a line.

Density Maps

To show amounts and distributions. Usually very generalised over large areas.

Labelled Field Sketches Use detailed labels to show and explain features on an 'informal' sketch done whilst actually observing what is being sketched at its location.

Diagrams

Use detailed labels to show and explain features on a more 'formal' diagram.

Sketch Maps

'Informal' sketches of maps (which are difficult to reproduce exactly) with detailed labels. The features sketched may well be of a certain kind (such as just the drainage features on a map) and are generalised.

Base Maps

To pick out certain features of a landscape.

Labelled Photographs

Used to show features and these are highlighted with detailed labels.

Overlays

To pick out certain features from photographs and maps. Overlays can be made from tracing paper, cut-up plastic transparent wallet files, etc.

An example of how NOT to label

This photo is poorly labelled. It shows the features and some of the actions of the sloth, but does not say WHY it has those adaptations or does what it does. It leaves too many questions unanswered. Why has it got hooked claws? Why does it hang upside down? Why does its fur grow upside down? This photograph is not labelled for the job it was put in an essay for. Below, a more effective way to label this photograph is shown.

An example of effective labelling

Bar Charts

To show the relative amounts of different datas. Good for comparing amounts.

Pie Charts

These show proportions of a whole. Drawn like a 'pie' being cut up into segments.

Line Graphs

These graphs should be used to show trends / patterns over time.

Scattergraphs

To show two or more lots of information and the correlation (links) between them.

Triangular Graphs

To show three pieces of information or data.

Flowline Arrows / Maps

To show amounts of something moving in a particular direction.