Every question hides an instruction. Find the command word, underline it, then do exactly what it asks — no more, no less.
Name ...................... Class .......... Date ..........
Command words — what the examiner is actually asking for
StateOne sentence
Give a short, precise answer. No reasons needed — just the fact, then stop.
The main cause is … · It is located … · This is called …
CompareTwo or three sentences
Write about both things in the same sentence — what is similar and what is different.
Both … whereas … · Compared with … · The main difference is …
AnnotateLabel plus a why
Add notes onto a map, photo or diagram. A label names it; an annotation explains it.
This shows … · This is caused by … · This matters because …
ExplainA full PEEL paragraph
Give reasons why or how it happens. Build a chain: this causes this, which causes this.
This is because … · This means that … · As a result …
To what extentBoth sides, then decide
Say how far you agree. Argue one side, then the other, then give your verdict.
To a large / limited extent … · However … · Overall, I think …
PEEL — the shape of every good geography paragraph
P
Point
Make your main geographical point.
E
Explain
Say why or how it happens.
E
Evidence
Prove it with a fact, figure or place.
L
Link
Tie it back to the question.
Question: Explain one reason why flooding happens in cities.
One reason why flooding happens is increased surface runoff.
This is because rainwater cannot soak into the ground, so it flows quickly over the surface into the river.
For example, in cities such as Sheffield, concrete and tarmac cover most of the ground.
Therefore, building cities increases the risk of flooding.
PointExplainEvidenceLink
Watch out: “describe” tells the reader what you can see. “Explain” tells them why it is there. Mixing these two up is the easiest way to lose marks.
Check before you finish: does my answer do what the command word asked? Have I used “because”? Have I named a real place?