Geo 2026: Writing strong exam answers

Define: give the exact meaning of a term.
Identify / state: a short fact, no explanation.
Describe: say what something is like, using precise terms and data. No reasons needed.
Explain: give reasons: say why or how.
Assess / evaluate: weigh up both sides and reach a judgement.
See all the command words on the site's command words page.

A simple point gets 1 mark: 'Nissan chose Sunderland because of skilled workers.'
A developed point links on: 'Nissan chose Sunderland because shipyards and coal mines had closed, therefore many skilled workers needed jobs, leading to a ready and experienced workforce.'
Explain processes in sequence, such as crack, cave, arch, stack, stump, naming the process at each step (hydraulic action, abrasion).

Use specific examples: named places, dates and figures from your case studies (Mumbai, Curitiba, Nissan, Qatar, Nepal).
Use precise terms (longshore drift, differential erosion, energy security, informal economy) instead of everyday words.
Refer to the resource you are given (map, photo, graph, table) and quote from it.
Write developed answers that explain links rather than lists.

The hardest skill is turning a simple point into a developed point. A simple point states one fact. A developed point explains the link to a result, and that is what examiners reward in 'explain' questions.
Use a chain: point, then because, then therefore, then leading to.
Example on the informal economy: 'Many people in Mumbai work informally.' That is simple. Developed: 'Many migrants arrive in Mumbai from rural areas because they hope for work, but they have no formal qualifications, therefore they cannot get formal jobs, leading to work as street vendors or waste pickers in places such as Dharavi.'
Why does this work? Each link is a reason, and each reason can earn credit. Two well developed points usually beat a list of five simple ones.
Finally, match the command word: describe means what, explain means why or how, assess means weigh up and judge.

Describing when asked to explain: if the question says explain, every sentence needs a reason (because, so, therefore).
Listing instead of developing: two developed points beat a list of short ideas.
No named example: add a place from your case studies, such as Mumbai, Curitiba, Nissan Sunderland, Qatar or Nepal.
Ignoring the resource: if you are given a graph, photo or map, quote from it.
No judgement in assess questions: finish with a clear conclusion that answers the question.

The mark schemes on your class slides show exactly how examiners think.
'State one example...' (1 mark): one correct answer is enough, for example 'coal' or 'wind power'. Do not waste time explaining.
'Explain two ways...' (4 marks): 1 mark for each way identified and 1 more for expanding it, for example 'build more cycle lanes (1) to encourage greater use of bicycles instead of cars (1)'.
'Suggest one possible reason...' with a map (3 marks): AO1 (knowledge) gives 1 mark for a basic point or a piece of data; AO3 (using the resource) gives 2 more marks for extending it with evidence from the map.
Suggest means give a possible, reasoned explanation: you are not expected to know the exact answer, but your reason must be geographical and linked to the resource.
Mark schemes end with 'accept any other appropriate response', so a sensible, well-explained idea not on the list can still score.