AQA A-level Geography 7037: Command words and keywords

AQA A-level Geography (7037) uses command words from the AQA Geography command words resource. Definitions are from Ofqual’s official list. Extended questions use levels of response marking. Geographic terminology and use of resources (maps, data) are essential.

Command words

Command word	What to do	Common mistake
State	Short answer	Overwriting
Identify	Name or characterise	Adding explanation
Define	Precise meaning	Vague
Describe	Set out characteristics; give account of phenomena, patterns or distributions	Adding explanation
Explain	Set out causes and factors; requires understanding of processes	Only describing
Suggest	Apply to context	Textbook recall
Compare	Similarities and/or differences	Listing separately
Assess	Consider relative merits; weigh up; informed judgement	Description only
Evaluate	Consider for and against; conclusion with evidence	No conclusion
Discuss	Set out both sides; balanced conclusion	One-sided
To what extent	Judge degree of validity	No judgement
Analyse	Separate into components; identify characteristics	Only describing
Examine	Inspect in detail	Surface-level
Interpret	Explain meaning of data/diagram	Just stating

Geographical keywords

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Erosion	Wearing away	Deposition
Deposition	Dropping of material	Erosion
Weathering	Breakdown in place	Erosion
Urbanisation	Increase in proportion in urban areas	”Moving to cities”
Migration	Movement of people	Immigration only
CBD	Central Business District	”City centre”
Sustainability	Meets need without compromising future	”Green”
Deforestation	Removal of forest	”Cutting trees”
GDP	Gross Domestic Product	”Wealth”
Development	Improvement in living standards	”Growth”
Relief	Shape of the land	Climate
Drainage basin	Area drained by a river	”Catchment”
Meander	Bend in river	Oxbow lake
Flood plain	Flat land beside river	Levee

Tips for Geography 7037

1. Use the resource when the question refers to a figure, map or data
2. Assess/Evaluate—conclusion with justification
3. Describe—patterns, distributions, characteristics
4. Explain—causes and processes
5. Past papers + mark schemes show level descriptors

How Tutopiya helps

Tutopiya supports AQA A-level Geography. Explore A-level resources or book a free trial.

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Based on AQA A-level Geography 7037 specification. OxfordAQA International A-level Geography uses similar approaches.

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