Using Figures & Resources in Answers

Almost every question in AQA GCSE Geography is accompanied by a figure — a map, graph, photograph, table, diagram or extract. Many students ignore or under-use these resources, losing marks that are specifically allocated for data reference. This lesson teaches you how to read, interpret and incorporate figures into your answers effectively.

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Types of Figures in the Exam

Figure Type	What It Shows	Common Questions
Ordnance Survey (OS) map	Topography, land use, settlements, rivers, roads	Grid references, distances, cross-sections, describing patterns
Thematic map	Distribution of a feature (e.g., population density, earthquake zones, rainfall)	Describe the distribution, explain the pattern
Line graph	Change over time	Describe the trend, explain the causes
Bar chart	Comparison of values	Compare, describe differences
Pie chart	Proportions of a whole	Describe, compare
Climate graph	Temperature and precipitation over a year	Describe the climate, explain seasonal variation
Photograph	A real-world location or feature	Identify features, describe the landscape, suggest causes
Table of data	Numerical information	Calculate, compare, describe patterns
Diagram	A process or model (e.g., water cycle, coastal erosion)	Describe the process, explain a stage
Written extract	Text from a report, article or stakeholder viewpoint	Identify arguments, use as evidence

Exam Tip: When you turn to a new question, read the figure before you read the question. This gives you context and helps you understand what the question is about.

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The Golden Rule: Always Refer to the Figure

If a question says "Using Figure X…" or "Study Figure X…", you must refer to the figure in your answer. Failure to do so means you cannot access the full marks.

What "Using the Figure" Means

What to Do	Example
Quote specific data	"According to Figure 3, rainfall peaks at 180 mm in July."
Reference locations	"The map shows that most earthquakes occur along the western coast of South America."
Describe visual features	"The photograph shows a steep cliff face with exposed rock layers and evidence of recent rockfall at the base."
Use compass directions	"The river flows from north-west to south-east."
Identify trends	"Figure 2 shows a steady increase in global temperature from 1900 to 2020, with a sharper rise after 1980."

Exam Tip: Even when a question does not explicitly say "Use Figure X", if a figure is provided alongside the question, referring to it will almost always improve your answer.

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Reading Maps

Ordnance Survey (OS) Map Skills

OS map questions appear on Paper 3 (and occasionally Paper 1 or 2). You need to be confident with:

Skill	How to Do It
4-figure grid reference	Identifies a grid square. Give the easting (along the bottom) before the northing (up the side). Remember: "along the corridor, up the stairs."
6-figure grid reference	Identifies a specific point within a grid square. Estimate the third digit by dividing the square into tenths.
Measuring distance	Use the scale bar. Place the edge of a piece of paper between two points, then measure against the scale. Convert to km if needed.
Identifying features	Use the map key to identify symbols — church with a tower, mixed woodland, contour lines, etc.
Describing relief	Use contour lines: close together = steep; far apart = flat. Spot values tell you exact heights.
Cross-sections	Plot height points along a transect line and join them to show the shape of the land.

Describing Distribution on a Map

When asked to describe a distribution, use this checklist:

1. General pattern — Where is the feature concentrated? Where is it sparse?
2. Compass directions — "The majority of settlements are in the south-east."
3. Named places — Refer to specific locations marked on the map.
4. Anomalies — Are there any exceptions to the general pattern?
5. Data — If the map has a key with values, quote them.

Exam Tip: Never describe a map pattern without using compass directions and place names. Vague answers like "it is more on one side" will not score well.

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Reading Graphs and Charts

Line Graphs

• Identify the overall trend (increasing, decreasing, fluctuating, stable).
• Note any turning points — where the trend changes direction.
• Quote specific values and dates from the axes.
• Example: "Global CO2 levels rose steadily from approximately 280 ppm in 1800 to 315 ppm in 1960, before increasing more sharply to over 410 ppm by 2020."

Bar Charts

• Compare the tallest and shortest bars.
• Identify the range (difference between highest and lowest).
• Group bars into categories if a pattern exists.
• Example: "China has the highest CO2 emissions at approximately 10 billion tonnes per year, more than double the USA's emissions of 4.7 billion tonnes."

Pie Charts

• Identify the largest and smallest segments.
• Estimate or state percentages.
• Compare segments where relevant.
• Example: "Fossil fuels account for approximately 80% of the UK's energy mix, with natural gas being the single largest source at 40%."

Climate Graphs

• Describe the temperature pattern — hottest and coldest months, range.
• Describe the precipitation pattern — wettest and driest months, total.
• Link to the type of climate or biome.
• Example: "The graph shows a tropical monsoon climate with temperatures consistently above 25°C throughout the year and a pronounced wet season from June to September, when monthly rainfall exceeds 200 mm."

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Reading Photographs

Photographs are often used in questions about physical landscapes, urban environments and fieldwork. Use this framework:

The FIDO Method

Letter	Focus	What to Look For
F	Foreground	What is in the front of the photo? (immediate features)
I	Intermediate	What is in the middle ground? (buildings, fields, landforms)
D	Distance / Background	What can you see in the background? (mountains, sky, horizon)
O	Other details	Scale, human activity, land use, evidence of processes

Example: Describing a Coastal Photograph

"In the foreground, there is a wave-cut platform of exposed rock, indicating marine erosion at the base of the cliff. In the middle ground, a steep cliff face approximately 20–30 metres high is visible, with horizontal rock layers and a visible overhang suggesting undercutting. In the background, the coastline curves away to the north, with further cliffs visible. There is no vegetation on the cliff face, suggesting active erosion."

Exam Tip: When describing a photograph, write as if you are describing it to someone who cannot see it. Be specific about what you observe, and use geographical terminology (e.g., "wave-cut platform" rather than "flat rocks").

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Reading Tables of Data

When working with data tables:

1. Read the column and row headings — what does the data show?
2. Identify the highest and lowest values — these are your key reference points.
3. Calculate differences or changes if the question asks you to compare.
4. Look for patterns — is there a trend over time? A correlation between variables?

Example Table