Map reading and fieldwork enquiry are skills-based geography topics, tested in some form on almost every syllabus: reading maps, photographs and graphs, and planning and evaluating a field investigation. Both reward precision — a bearing measured to the nearest degree, a distance read off the scale, a cross-section drawn true to the contours. Get the method right and the marks follow.
Scale and measuring distance
Scale links map distance to real ground distance. A scale of 1:50 000 means 1 cm on the map represents 50 000 cm on the ground, which is 0.5 km (500 m). To measure a real distance: measure the map distance in centimetres (using string or a ruler for curves), then multiply by the scale.
| Map scale | 1 cm on map = | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 000 | 250 m (0.25 km) | Large scale (more detail) |
| 1:50 000 | 500 m (0.5 km) | Standard OS scale |
| 1:100 000 | 1000 m (1 km) | Small scale (less detail) |
Compass bearings
A bearing is an angle measured clockwise from north, always written with three figures (e.g. 045°, 210°). To find the bearing of B from A: place the protractor's centre on A with 0° pointing to grid north (up the page), then read the angle clockwise to the line AB.
- Due east = 090°, due south = 180°, due west = 270°, north = 000° (or 360°).
- Always start from the point you are measuring from. The bearing of B from A is different from the bearing of A from B (they differ by 180°).
Gradient and cross-sections
Contour lines join points of equal height; they are close together on steep slopes and far apart on gentle ones. A cross-section is a side-on slice of the land along a line, drawn from the contours it crosses.
- Lay the edge of a strip of paper along the section line; mark where each contour crosses and note its height.
- Transfer the marks to a graph whose vertical axis is height and horizontal axis is distance; plot each height and join the points with a smooth curve.
- Gradient = vertical difference in height ÷ horizontal distance, given as a ratio such as 1 in 20. For example, a rise of 50 m over 1000 m is 50 ÷ 1000 = 1 in 20.
The fieldwork enquiry
A geographical enquiry follows a clear sequence:
- Hypothesis — a testable statement, e.g. "River velocity increases downstream."
- Data collection & sampling — choose a sampling method: random (every point has an equal chance, avoids bias), systematic (at fixed intervals, e.g. every 10 m), or stratified (in proportion to sub-groups). Record primary data fairly and safely.
- Presentation — show data with the right technique: bar/line graphs, pie charts, located proportional symbols, flow lines or choropleth maps.
- Analysis — describe the pattern and link it back to the hypothesis, using the data.
- Conclusion & evaluation — say whether the hypothesis was supported, then evaluate the method: what limited the reliability (small sample, weather on the day, human error) and how you would improve it.