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YOUR NOTES
IGCSE Geography CIE 

6. Extended Response Questions

CONTENTS
6.1 How to Answer a 7 mark Question
6.1.1 How to Answer a 7 Mark Question

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6.1 How to Answer a 7 mark Question YOUR NOTES


6.1.1 How to Answer a 7 Mark Question

Extended Response Questions

7 mark questions
Levelled response questions are the part of the final exams that many students find the
most challenging
The mark you achieve is based on the quality of your response to the question rather than
marks being awarded for specific points
Remember the examiners just want to see that you can apply your knowledge and
understanding of a case study to a specific question
The following guide will help you to express your knowledge and understanding in ways
which will enable you to achieve the highest marks
The 7 mark questions are in paper 1 at the end of each section
You are required to complete three 7 mark questions in total
There are 3 levels which can be awarded in a levelled response question. These are outlined
below:
Level Marks Response
Answer gives limited detail
1 simple statement (1 mark)
1 1-3
2 simple statements (2 marks)
3 simple statements (3 marks)
Answer includes a named example and includes developed statements
(If no named example is given or the example given is inappropriate the
highest mark which can be awarded is a 5)
2 4-6
1 developed statement (4 marks)
2 developed statements (5 marks)
3 or more developed statements with e.g. (6 marks)
Answer includes a named example. Comprehensive and accurate
statements are included in the answer and it includes place specific details
3 7
3 or more developed statements + named example with at least one
piece of place specific detail

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Answering the 7 Mark Question YOUR NOTES

Regardless of the topic, the type of question that you will need to answer will be broadly the 
same. You will be asked to describe and/or explain
‘For a named country you have studied, explain why the natural population growth rate is
low.’
Or
‘For a named urban area you have studied, describe the problems which are caused by
urban sprawl ’
Step 1
Read the question carefully and underline the command word. Are you being asked to
describe or explain or both?
‘For an area you have studied, describe how coastal erosion is being managed’
Describe - give details about, outline the characteristics
Explain - why something is the way it is or how it happens
Step 2
Underline the key words.
‘For an area you have studied, describe how coastal erosion is being managed’
In this example it is important that you focus on the management of coastal erosion rather
than on coastal erosion itself
You can mention erosion rates in the context of why coastal management is needed but it
should be no more than a sentence and should not detract from the main focus of the
question
Step 3
Plan the information you are going to include. This can be a short list of bullet points. For
example;
Brief definition of erosion and management
Describe the area you are writing about e.g. the Holderness coast
Where is it?
What is the rate of erosion?
Why is the rate of erosion so rapid?
Describe how the coastal erosion is being managed
Hard engineering - sea wall at Bridlington, groynes at Hornsea
Soft engineering - beach replenishment at Withernsea
Step 4
Write your answer
To achieve 7 marks you need to write at least 3 detailed statements with a named
example and place specific detail
Do not make general statements
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Be specific for example: YOUR NOTES

‘The sea wall at Bridlington is almost 5km long and extends along the town’s sea front. It is an 
example of hard engineering….’
Ensure that you include place specific details
Place specific detail is information which is specific to that particular area in this case
writing about the defences in named places along the Holderness coast is place specific
detail or accurate information about the rate of coastal erosion

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