Cartographic skills: AQA GCSE Geography questions

Every AQA GCSE Geography exam question on 3.4.1 Cartographic skills, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 76 questions on Cartographic skills, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q01.9 (1 mark): Label X on Figure 4 where Hurricane Ian became a Category 4 hurricane. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 1, Q02.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 5, name the second largest area of tropical rainforest. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 1, Q05.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 17, what is the length of the drumlin from point A to point B? [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.2 (1 mark): Which continent is expected to have the most new megacities in 2050? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.5 (2 marks): Complete Figure 3 using the following data. [2 marks]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.9 (1 mark): What is the straight line distance from the railway station to the level crossing at 884758? [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q04.2 (1 mark): Name one country where 60–79.9% of households could not afford a healthy diet in 2020. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q04.3 (1 mark): How many of the countries shown in Figure 13 had less than 20% of households that could not afford a healthy diet? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q05.2 (1 mark): Name one country which had medium-high water stress. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q05.3 (1 mark): How many of the countries shown in Figure 14 had low-medium water stress? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.2 (1 mark): Name one country where 5–9.9% of households could not afford to heat their home in 2021. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 2, Q06.3 (1 mark): How many of the countries shown in Figure 15 had 10–19.9% of households that could not afford to heat their homes in 2021? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 3, Q01.7 (1 mark): Name one country in Europe where the wind and solar share of electricity generation was 5–9.9% in 2021. [1 mark]
June 2025, Paper 3, Q04.1 (1 mark): What is the straight-line distance from Site A to Site F? [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 14, which one of the following grid squares shows a shingle beach? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 14, identify one method of hard engineering shown in grid square 9879. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q03.4 (2 marks): The area labelled X shows a coastal spit. Using Figure 14, describe the size and shape of the spit. [2 marks]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q04.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 16, measure the distance along the Old River Witham between point X and point Y. Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 16, identify one method of hard engineering shown in grid square 0970. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q04.4 (2 marks): Using Figure 16, describe the relief and drainage shown in grid square 0870. [2 marks]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 18, which grid square shows part of a ribbon lake? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 18, name one landform of glacial erosion shown in grid square 7112. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 1, Q05.4 (2 marks): Using Figure 18, describe the shape of the valley and measure the width of the valley floor between points X and Y. [2 marks]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.6 (1 mark): What is found at 298333? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.7 (1 mark): Using Figure 3 and Figure 4, what direction was the photographer facing when the photograph was taken? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q01.8 (1 mark): Using Figure 3, what is the straight line distance from point X to point Y (along the Holbeck Viaduct, a dismantled railway) to the nearest 500 m? Shade one cir
June 2024, Paper 2, Q02.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 7, which of the following statements is correct? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 2, Q02.5 (1 mark): You have studied a LIC/NEE country. Name of country Shade your chosen country on Figure 9 below. [1 mark]
June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.1 (1 mark): In which direction is the settlement of Paddock Wood from the proposed Tudeley Village development as shown on the Ordnance Survey map? Shade one circle only. [
June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.2 (1 mark): What is the approximate straight-line distance between Tonbridge railway station and the proposed Tudeley Village railway station? Shade one circle only. [1 mar
June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.3 (4 marks): Using the Ordnance Survey map, describe the physical geography (relief and drainage) of the area north of the Tonbridge to Paddock Wood railway line. [4 marks]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q02.5 (2 marks): Using Figure 8, describe the distribution of tropical rainforests. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q03.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 11, what is the straight-line distance between Hill of Crogodale, marked X, and Duncansby Head, marked Y? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 14, what is the approximate area of grid square 0495 covered by salt marsh? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q04.4 (2 marks): Using Figure 14 and Figure 15, describe two characteristics of an estuary. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 1, Q05.3 (1 mark): Figure 17 shows Cwm Idwal, an example of a glacial corrie. Give the six-figure grid reference for the part of the corrie marked X. Shade one circle only. [1 mar
June 2023, Paper 2, Q01.7 (1 mark): Which route would you use to travel south west from the bike park? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q01.8 (1 mark): How long would it take to cycle from the bike park to Evington Library? [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 5, give the direction from the Southampton Science Park in grid square 4018 to the university in grid square 4215. Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q02.2 (2 marks): Using Figure 5, complete the table to give two pieces of map evidence showing why the site in grid square 4018 is a good location for the science park. An examp
June 2023, Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Describe the pattern of the threat from locusts shown in Figure 12. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q05.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of countries which had a very low risk of water insecurity shown in Figure 14. [2 marks]
June 2023, Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of countries which produced 0–20% of their electricity from renewable sources in 2019. [2 marks]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q01.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 1, which one of the following statements is true? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q01.3 (2 marks): Using Figure 1, measure the distance travelled by Hurricane Dorian at hurricane force. [2 marks]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q02.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 5, which one of the following statements is true? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q02.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 5, name the continent with the largest area of savanna. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 1, Q05.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 17, complete Figure 18, a cross section showing the depth of ice between X and Y. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q01.8 (2 marks): Compare the distribution of the 10 highest and 10 lowest urban areas shown in Figure 5. [2 marks]
June 2022, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): Which of the following continents has the largest number of countries with a score of 0 – 0.57? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.2 (2 marks): Using map evidence, describe the physical geography of the area surrounding the proposed incinerator development. [2 marks]
June 2022, Paper 3, Q02.3 (1 mark): What is the approximate direct distance from the roundabout (470621) to the proposed incinerator site? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q02.2 (2 marks): Using Figure 5, describe the location of areas with low biodiversity levels. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 8, how long is the coastline between points X and Y? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.2 (1 mark): Using Figure 8, what direction would you be facing from the lighthouse at 676421 to the dunes at 690433? [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q03.3 (2 marks): Using Figure 8, describe one piece of evidence which suggests that Hunstanton is a tourist resort. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q04.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 12, identify a feature of the East Dart River at 627811. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q04.2 (2 marks): Describe the relief (height and shape of the land) in the highlighted grid square 6082. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q04.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 12 and Figure 13, which direction was the photographer facing when the picture was taken? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q05.1 (1 mark): Using Figure 15, what is the difference in height between the spot height at 556577 and the spot height at 532577? [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q05.2 (2 marks): Using Figure 15, describe the land use shown in the highlighted grid square 5456. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 1, Q05.3 (1 mark): Using Figure 15 and Figure 16, identify the grid square where point X is located. Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of the cities shown in Figure 1. [2 marks]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.5 (1 mark): Using Figure 3, give the four-figure grid reference for the park and ride. Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.6 (1 mark): Using Figure 3, what is the distance along the A944 from the junction at 854063 to the edge of the built up area at 890066? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.5 (1 mark): Using Figure 7, which trading group in South America has the most member countries? [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q01.6 (1 mark): Using Figure 4, which one of the following statements is true? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q01.11 (1 mark): Using Figure 5, which one of the following statements is true? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q02.7 (1 mark): Using Figure 10, give one feature of the pattern of wildfires in Brazil. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q04.1 (2 marks): Match the following descriptions of rivers in the UK with the correct letter shown on Figure 16. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 1, Q05.1 (2 marks): Match the following descriptions of glaciated uplands in the UK with the correct letter shown on Figure 20. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 2, Q01.9 (1 mark): What is the 6 figure grid reference for the point marked X? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 2, Q01.10 (1 mark): What is the straight line distance, to the nearest 100 m, from point X to the centre of the rail and bus station at 092288? Shade one circle only. [1 mark]
November 2020, Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of the countries which had 5 –14.9% of their population undernourished between 2016 and 2018 as shown in Figure 11. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 2, Q05.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of the countries which had a water footprint of 550 –1000 m3 per person per year as shown in Figure 13. [2 marks]
November 2020, Paper 2, Q06.2 (2 marks): Describe the distribution of the countries which had 75–100% access to electricity as shown in Figure 15. [2 marks]

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every AQA GCSE Geography paper.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.

611 questions