Year 7 Cambridge Geography: Exam Skills and Marking Criteria | Year 7 剑桥地理：答题技巧与评分标准

📚 Year 7 Cambridge Geography: Exam Skills and Marking Criteria | Year 7 剑桥地理：答题技巧与评分标准

Geography exams at Year 7 are not just about recalling facts. They test your ability to interpret maps, graphs, and data, and to answer questions using specific command words. To succeed, you need to understand what examiners expect and how to structure your responses for maximum marks.

七年级地理考试不仅仅是回忆事实。它测试你解读地图、图表和数据的能力，以及使用特定命令词回答问题的能力。要想成功，你需要理解考官期待什么，以及如何组织你的回答来获得最高分。

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1. Understanding Command Words | 理解命令词

Command words are the instruction words in an exam question that tell you exactly what to do. Common command words include ‘describe’, ‘explain’, ‘compare’, ‘evaluate’, ‘justify’, and ‘calculate’. Each one requires a different type of answer, and mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes students make.

命令词是考题中告诉你具体该做什么的指令词。常见的命令词有 ‘describe’（描述）、’explain’（解释）、’compare’（比较）、’evaluate’（评估）、’justify’（论证）和 ‘calculate’（计算）。每个词都要求不同类型的答案，而混淆它们正是学生最常犯的错误之一。

Before you start writing, underline or circle the command word. Then think: what is this question really asking me to do? If it says ‘describe’, I must give details of what I see, not reasons. If it says ‘explain’, I must give reasons, using connectives like ‘because’.

在动笔之前，先画出或圈出命令词。然后想一想：这道题到底要求我做什么？如果命令词是 ‘describe’，我必须给出我所看到的东西的细节，而不是原因。如果命令词是 ‘explain’，我必须给出理由，使用诸如 ‘because’ 之类的连接词。

Command Word	中文	What You Must Do
Describe	描述	Say what something is like. Give observations and details from a photo, map or graph without judging or explaining.
Explain	解释	Give reasons why something happens. Use ‘because’ and link ideas together.
Compare	比较	Identify similarities and differences. Use words like ‘whereas’, ‘similarly’ and ‘however’.
Evaluate	评估	Weigh up advantages and disadvantages or strengths and weaknesses, then give your own judgement.
Justify	论证	Give reasons and evidence to support a choice or opinion.
Calculate	计算	Use numbers from a table or graph to find a result. Show your working.

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2. Describe vs. Explain: Two Key Skills | 描述与解释：两项关键技能

Many Year 7 questions focus on ‘describe’ and ‘explain’. A common error is to give a description when an explanation is needed, or to start explaining without describing the pattern first. Learn to separate these two skills clearly.

七年级的许多题目都围绕 ‘describe’ 和 ‘explain’。一个常见的错误就是在需要解释的时候给出了描述，或者还没描述规律就开始解释。学会清楚地区分这两种技能非常重要。

When you describe a graph or map, use words like ‘high’, ‘low’, ‘increasing’, ‘decreasing’, ‘steep’, ‘gentle’, ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘coastal’, and ‘inland’. Always mention key figures from axes and what you can observe. For example, to describe a rainfall graph: “Rainfall is highest in January at 120 mm and lowest in July at 20 mm. It decreases steadily from January to July, then rises again.”

当你描述一个图表或地图时，使用诸如 ‘高’、’低’、’增加’、’减少’、’陡峭’、’平缓’、’北’、’南’、’沿海’、’内陆’ 等词语。一定要提到来自轴线的关键数字和你观察到的内容。例如，描述一个降雨量图：”一月份降雨量最高，为120毫米，七月份最低，为20毫米。从一月份到七月份稳定下降，然后再上升。”

When you explain, go beyond what you see. Use connectives like ‘because’, ‘so’, ‘this leads to’, and ‘as a result’. For rainfall in a monsoon climate: “Rainfall is high in July because warm, moist winds blow from the ocean and rise over the land, causing condensation and heavy rain.” Here, you include a process or reason.

当你解释时，要超越你所看到的。使用诸如 ‘because’、’so’、’this leads to’、’as a result’ 等连接词。对于季风气候下的降雨：”七月份降雨量高，因为温暖潮湿的风从海洋吹来，在陆地上抬升，导致水汽凝结并形成大雨。” 这里你包含了过程或原因。

A good check: if you could write the answer just by looking at a picture or graph, it is probably description. If you need to use your geographical knowledge to say why, it is explanation.

一个很好的检验方法：如果你只需看图片或图表就能写出答案，那很可能就是描述。如果你需要运用地理知识来说明原因，那就是解释。

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3. Compare and Contrast | 比较与对比

When asked to compare two photographs, maps, graphs or places, you must identify both similarities and differences. Do not just describe one and then the other – the examiner wants to see you making direct connections.

当被要求比较两张照片、地图、图表或两个地方时，你必须找出相似之处和不同之处。不要只是分别描述其中一个和另一个——考官希望看到你做出直接的联系。

Use comparison language: ‘both’, ‘similarly’, ‘likewise’ for similarities; ‘whereas’, ‘on the other hand’, ‘however’, ‘in contrast’ for differences. For example: “Both sites are located near a river, but Site A has dense housing whereas Site B has open farmland.”

使用比较性语言：相似之处用 ‘both’、’similarly’、’likewise’；不同之处用 ‘whereas’、’on the other hand’、’however’、’in contrast’。例如：”两个地点都位于河流附近，但地点 A 有密集的住宅，而地点 B 是开阔的农田。”

A common pitfall is to write two separate descriptions. Avoid sentences like “Figure 1 shows a busy city. Figure 2 shows a quiet village.” Instead, structure your answer around one criterion at a time: population density, building type, transport, land use. This shows higher-level thinking and earns more marks.

一个常见的陷阱是写两个独立的描述。避免像 “图1显示一个繁忙的城市。图2显示一个安静的村庄” 这样的句子。相反，每次围绕一个标准来组织你的答案：人口密度、建筑类型、交通、土地利用。这展示了更高层次的思维，并能获得更多分数。

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4. Evaluate, Justify and Argue | 评估、论证与辩论

Higher-level questions may ask you to evaluate a statement, justify a decision or argue for and against an issue. For example: “Evaluate the view that building a new housing estate on farmland is a good idea.” This is not simply about listing pros and cons – you need to weigh them and finish with a clear, supported conclusion.

更高级的题目可能会要求你评估一个陈述，论证一个决定，或者为一个议题进行辩论。例如：”评估在农地上建造新住宅区是个好主意这一观点。” 这不仅仅是列出赞成和反对的理由——你需要权衡它们，并以一个明确的、有依据的结论结束。

Start by acknowledging both sides. Use phrases like ‘some people argue…’, ‘on the one hand…’, ‘on the other hand…’. Then, use evidence from the resource or your own knowledge to support each idea. Finally, state your judgement: “Overall, I believe the development is more sustainable if brownfield sites are used instead, because…”

从认可双方观点开始。使用诸如 ‘some people argue…’、’on the one hand…’、’on the other hand…’ 等短语。然后，用资源或你自身知识中的证据来支持每一个想法。最后，陈述你的判断：”总体而言，我认为如果改为利用棕地，这种开发将更具可持续性，因为……”

Justifying means you must back up every decision with a reason. Do not just say “I think Site A is best.” Say: “Site A is the best location for the new school because it is near residential areas, reducing travel time, and the land is flat, making construction easier. This is supported by the contour lines on the map.”

论证意味着你必须为你所做的每一个决定提供理由。不要只说 “我认为地点 A 最好。” 而要说：”地点 A 是新学校的最佳选址，因为它靠近居民区，减少了通勤时间，而且地势平坦，便于施工。这一点得到了地图上等高线的支持。”

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5. Map Skills: Reading and Annotating | 地图技能：阅读与标注

A large part of Year 7 geography involves using Ordnance Survey-style maps, sketch maps and atlases. You will be tested on grid references, direction, scale, symbols, relief and contour lines. Practise these skills regularly.

七年级地理的很大一部分内容涉及使用地形测量局风格的地图、草图和地图册。你会被考查网格坐标、方向、比例尺、图例、地势和等高线。要定期练习这些技能。

For grid references, remember the rule ‘along the corridor and up the stairs’: give the easting first (the horizontal number), then the northing (the vertical number). A 4-figure reference gives a square; a 6-figure reference pinpoints a precise location. Always state what feature is at that reference in descriptive questions.

对于网格坐标，记住 ‘沿着走廊走，再上楼梯’ 的规则：先给出 easting（东向值，水平方向的数字），再给出 northing（北向值，垂直方向的数字）。四位数字的坐标给出一个方格；六位数字的坐标可以精确定位一个点。在描述性问题中，始终说明在该坐标处有什么地物。

Direction should be given using the 16-point compass when possible (e.g., north-north-west, south-east). Never just say ‘up’ or ‘left’. Measuring distance requires using the scale line. Convert using the scale (e.g., 1 cm represents 2 km) and give your answer in both cm on the map and actual km or m.

方向应尽可能使用16方位罗盘（如北西北、东南）来表述。永远不要只说 ‘上面’ 或 ‘左边’。测量距离需要使用比例尺。根据比例尺进行换算（例如，1厘米代表2公里），并同时给出地图上的厘米数和实际的公里或米数。

When annotating a photograph or field sketch, add labels directly onto the image. Use arrows and precise geographical vocabulary, such as ‘meander’, ‘floodplain’, ‘CBD’ (central business district), instead of plain words like ‘bend’ or ‘shops’. Annotations should describe what is there and explain how it formed or why it is located there.

在对照片或实地素描进行标注时，直接在图像上添加标签。使用箭头和精确的地理词汇，如 ‘meander’（曲流）、’floodplain’（洪泛平原）、’CBD’（中心商务区），而不是像 ‘bend’（弯曲）或 ‘shops’（商店）这样平淡的词语。标注应描述那里有什么，并解释它是如何形成或为什么位于那里。

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6. Graph and Data Interpretation | 图表与数据解读

Geographers use climate graphs, population pyramids, bar charts, line graphs and pie charts to present data. You must be able to read values accurately, identify trends and extract patterns to answer questions.

地理学家使用气候图表、人口金字塔、条形图、折线图和饼状图来呈现数据。你必须能够准确地读取数值、识别趋势并提取规律来回答问题。

Always start by reading the title and both axes carefully. Note the units (e.g., temperature in °C, rainfall in mm, population in thousands). When describing a trend, mention the overall pattern first: “Overall, temperature increases from January to August and then decreases.” Then support with data: “It rises from 5°C in January to a peak of 28°C in August.”

始终从仔细阅读标题和两个数轴开始。注意单位（例如，温度用°C，降雨量用mm，人口用千人为单位）。在描述趋势时，先提及总体规律：”总体而言，温度从一月份到八月份上升，然后下降。” 然后用数据支持：”从一月份的5°C上升到八月份的峰值28°C。”

Do not simply list every value the question does not ask for that. Pick out the highest, lowest, and any anomalies. For a population pyramid, comment on the shape: a wide base suggests high birth rate; a narrow top suggests shorter life expectancy. Use the correct terms: ‘dependent population’, ‘economically active’, ‘age cohort’.

不要简单地把每个数值都列出来——题目没要求这样做。选出最高值、最低值和任何异常值。对于人口金字塔，要评价其形状：底部宽表明出生率高；顶部窄表明预期寿命较短。使用正确的术语：’dependent population’（受扶养人口）、’economically active’（经济活动人口）、’age cohort’（年龄组）。

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7. Writing Extended Answers: Structure Matters | 扩展答案写作：结构很重要

For questions worth 4 marks or more, you need to write a structured paragraph or two. A useful framework is PEE: Point, Evidence, Explanation. First, state your main point clearly, then back it up with evidence from the resource, and finally explain why it matters or how it links to geography.

对于分值在4分及以上的题目，你需要写一段或多段结构化的文字。一个有用的框架是PEE：观点（Point）、证据（Evidence）、解释（Explanation）。首先，清楚地陈述你的主要观点，然后用资源中的证据支持它，最后解释它为什么重要或如何与地理学相联系。

For instance, on a question about causes of flooding: Point – “Deforestation increases flood risk.” Evidence – “In the diagram, the area where trees were cut down shows more surface runoff after heavy rain.” Explanation – “This is because trees intercept rainfall and their roots absorb water. Without them, more water reaches the river quickly, causing it to overflow.”

例如，关于洪水成因的题目：观点——”森林砍伐增加了洪水风险。” 证据——”在示意图中，树木被砍伐的区域在大雨后显示出更多的地表径流。” 解释——”这是因为树木能截留雨水，树根能吸收水分。没有了它们，更多的水更快地流入河流，导致河水泛滥。”

Some teachers extend this to PEEL, adding a Link back to the question. For example, “Therefore, deforestation is a key human factor contributing to more frequent and severe floods.” This shows the examiner you are answering the question directly. Always read the question again after writing your answer to check you have addressed it fully.

有些老师将此扩展为PEEL，增加一个回到题目的链接（Link）。例如，”因此，森林砍伐是导致更频繁和更严重洪水的关键人为因素。” 这向考官表明你正在直接回答问题。写完答案后，一定要重读题目，检查你是否充分回应了问题。

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8. Applying Case Studies | 运用案例研究

In Cambridge Lower Secondary Geography, you will study real places and examples, such as a river in your country, a settlement, a natural hazard event or a tourism destination. These case studies are your evidence bank. Referring to a named example with specific facts and figures can lift your answer from a general one to a top-mark response.

在剑桥初中地理课程中，你将学习真实的地点与案例，例如你所在国家的一条河流、一个聚落、一次自然灾害事件或一个旅游目的地。这些案例研究就是你的证据库。引用一个有名称的实例，并附上具体的事实和数据，可以将你的答案从泛泛而谈提升到高分回答。

Instead of writing “Flood defences can protect towns”, write “In the case of the River Thames, the Thames Barrier protects London from tidal surges. It was completed in 1984, and by 2020 it had been closed over 190 times to prevent flooding.” The specific detail shows deeper understanding.

与其写 “防洪工程可以保护城镇”，不如写 “以泰晤士河为例，泰晤士河防洪闸保护伦敦免受潮涌侵袭。它于1984年建成，到2020年已为防洪关闭超过190次。” 具体的细节展示了更深入的理解。

Always link the case study back to the concept in the question. If the question is about managing river flooding, use your example to illustrate both hard and soft engineering strategies. At Year 7, you are not expected to memorise dozens of statistics, but knowing a few key place names, numbers and dates makes a big difference.

始终将案例研究与题目中的概念联系起来。如果题目是关于管理河流洪水，用你的例子来阐述硬工程和软工程两种策略。在七年级，你不需要记忆几十个统计数据，但了解几个关键的地名、数字和日期会带来很大的不同。

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9. Time Management in the Exam | 考试中的时间管理

Before you pick up your pen, scan the whole paper. Look at the number of questions and the marks available for each. A rough guide is to spend about one minute per mark, but always leave 5 minutes at the end for checking. Do not spend 15 minutes on a 3-mark question while a 6-mark question is left unfinished.

在你拿起笔之前，先浏览整份试卷。看看题目的数量和每题的可用分值。一个粗略的指导是每1分花费大约1分钟，但总要留出5分钟在最后检查。不要在一个3分的题目上花费15分钟，而让一个6分的题目没有完成。

For multi-part questions, answer in order, but if you get stuck on a part, put a star next to it and move on. Come back to it later. Often, information later in the paper can trigger your memory. Keep an eye on the clock and allocate time according to marks.

对于多部分的问题，按顺序回答，但如果某一部分卡住了，在旁边标一个星号然后继续往下做，之后再回来。通常，试卷后面的信息能触发你的记忆。留意时间，并根据分值来分配时间。

For longer responses, briefly plan three or four key points in the margin before writing. This prevents you from going off-topic and helps you include all necessary PEE paragraphs. Even a one-minute plan can double the clarity of your answer.

对于较长的回答，在动笔前先在页边空白处简要地列出三到四个要点。这能防止你偏离主题，并帮助你包含所有必要的PEE段落。即使是一分钟的规划，也能让你答案的清晰度翻倍。

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10. Understanding the Marking Criteria | 理解评分标准

Cambridge Lower Secondary Geography assessments are marked against specific criteria. You are assessed on knowledge and understanding, geographical skills, and sometimes enquiry skills. Understanding what each level looks like allows you to aim higher.

剑桥初中地理的评估是根据特定的标准来评分的。你会被评估知识与理解、地理技能，有时还有探究技能。理解每个等级是什么样子，能让你瞄准更高的目标。

For a typical 6-mark ‘explain’ question, a basic answer (1–2 marks) might just state one or two simple reasons without linking them. A good answer (3–4 marks) gives several reasons with some evidence. An excellent answer (5–6 marks) provides a chain of reasoning, specific evidence, and uses geographical terminology accurately. For example, instead of “Rain causes floods”, an excellent answer would state “Prolonged heavy rain saturates the soil, so infiltration capacity is exceeded. This increases surface runoff, causing the river level to rise above bankfull and flood the floodplain.”

对于一个典型的6分 ‘explain’ 题目，一个基础的回答（1–2分）可能只是陈述一两个简单的理由，而没有将它们联系起来。一个好的回答（3–4分）会给出几个理由，并附有一些证据。一个优秀的回答（5–6分）则会提供推理链条、具体的证据，并准确地使用地理术语。例如，与其说 “雨水引起洪水”，一个优秀的回答会说 “长时间的强降雨使土壤饱和，因此下渗能力被超越。这增加了地表径流，导致河流水位升至满岸以上，并淹没了洪泛平原。”

Examiners also reward correct spelling of key terms and clear handwriting. If they cannot read your writing, they cannot award the mark. Practise writing neatly under timed conditions. Marks are often given for each valid point made, so make sure each sentence adds a new piece of information.

考官也会对关键术语的正确拼写和清晰的书写给予奖励。如果他们看不清你写的东西，就无法给分。在定时条件下练习工整地书写。通常，每一个有效的观点都能得分，所以要确保每句话都增加了新的信息。

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