Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460: Command words and keywords

Cambridge IGCSE Geography (0460) uses the standard Cambridge command words. Examiner reports emphasise that candidates must respond correctly to command words, use comparative language where needed, and employ accurate geographical terminology. “Using Fig. X only” restricts answers to that resource—answers must be based entirely on it.

Command words in Geography 0460

Command word	What to do in Geography	Common mistake
State	Short answer; one point per mark	Overwriting
Identify	Choose from map/photograph/diagram	Adding explanation
Describe	Give characteristics or features; no “why”	Adding explanation
Explain	Give reasons; developed understanding	Only describing
Suggest reasons	Propose possible explanations	One reason only
Compare	Use comparative language; similarities and/or differences	Listing features separately
Contrast	Differences only	Including similarities
Outline	Main points only	Too much detail
Evaluate	Judge; conclude with evidence	No conclusion
Assess	Judge importance; conclude	Description only
Discuss	Explore aspects; conclude	One-sided

Critical: “Using Fig. X only”

When a question says “Using Fig. X only”, your answer must be based entirely on that figure. Do not use knowledge from elsewhere. Examiner reports note that candidates often lose marks by introducing information not shown in the resource.

Geographical keywords examiners look for

Examiner reports stress that candidates should learn accurate meanings of geographical terms. When defining terms, do not repeat the word as part of the definition (e.g. “Urbanisation is when urbanisation happens”).

Physical geography

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Erosion	Wearing away of material	Deposition
Deposition	Dropping of material	Erosion
Transportation	Movement of material	Erosion/deposition
Weathering	Breakdown in place	Erosion
Meander	Bend in river	Oxbow lake
Flood plain	Flat land beside river; flooded	Levee
Tributary	Stream joining main river	Distributary
Drainage basin	Area drained by a river	Catchment (acceptable)
Relief	Shape of the land	Climate
Convectional rainfall	Heated air rises; cools; condenses	Frontal
Relief rainfall	Air forced over mountains	Convectional
Frontal rainfall	Warm meets cold air	Convectional
Sustainable	Meets need without compromising future	”Eco-friendly” (vague)
Deforestation	Removal of forest	”Cutting trees” (vague)
Soil erosion	Removal of soil by wind/water	Erosion of rock

Human geography

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Urbanisation	Increase in proportion living in urban areas	”People moving to cities” (process, not definition)
Migration	Movement of people	Immigration (one direction)
Commuter	Travels to work from home	Migrant
CBD	Central Business District	”City centre” (less precise)
Suburb	Residential area on edge of city	CBD
Squatter settlement	Informal housing; often illegal	”Slum” (can be offensive; use syllabus term)
Primary industry	Extraction of raw materials	Secondary
Secondary industry	Manufacturing	Primary/tertiary
Tertiary industry	Services	Secondary
Industrialisation	Growth of manufacturing	”Factories” (vague)
GDP	Gross Domestic Product	”Wealth”
Development	Improvement in living standards	”Growth” (different)
Trade	Exchange of goods/services	Aid

Map and graph skills

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Gradient	Slope; rise over run	”Steep” (vague)
Contour	Line of equal height	”Line”
Scale	Ratio of map to real distance	”Size”
Bearing	Direction in degrees from north	”Compass”
Grid reference	Four- or six-figure	”Location” (vague)

What examiner reports say

• Underline command words and identify context words (causes vs impacts, problems vs strategies, local vs global).
• Use comparative language for Compare questions—“both…”, “whereas…”, “unlike…”.
• Develop ideas—especially for final parts of questions; avoid vague, general statements.
• When defining terms—do not repeat the term in the definition.
• Use mark allocation and answer space as a guide for length and number of points.
• Process questions—explain using key terms and clearly sequenced ideas.
• Avoid vague statements—be precise and use geographical vocabulary.

Cambridge-specific tips

1. “Using Fig. X only”—stick to that resource; no extra knowledge.
2. Comparative language—essential for Compare questions.
3. Define without repeating—e.g. “Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of a country’s population living in urban areas” (not “Urbanisation is when urbanisation increases”).
4. Develop explanations—one sentence is rarely enough for 2+ marks.
5. Past papers + mark schemes + examiner reports are essential.

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Based on Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 syllabus and examiner reports. Check the latest syllabus for your exam series.