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General Information

Geography Leaving Cert


The Geography  syllabus aims to give students the oppurtunity to learn about the environment, social co-operation and the protection of the worlds natural resources. Students also develop skills such as map-reading, graph and aerial photograph interpretation and research skills.

The course is divided in core units and elective units. Students at ordicary and higher level must study the core units and one of the elective units however higher level students must also study one of the optional units.

Exam Structure

Marks: 400

Time Allocated: 2 hours 50 minutes

The paper consists of three parts.
 
Part 1- Short Questions carries 80 marks and consists of short questions students must answer ten out of the twelve questions asked. Each question carries 8 marks.
 
It is advised that students should spend no more than 25 minutes on Section 1.
 
Part 2 - Structured and essay questions. This section carries 320 marks.
 
You must attempt the Short Questions in Part 1 and FOUR questions, as follows:
                   -TWO questions from Section 1: CORE
                   -ONE question from Section 2: Elective
                   -ONE question from Section 3: Option (Higher Level only)
 
Section 1: Core - Physical Geography - Questions 1,2 and 3. Each question carries 80 marks. You must answer only ONE of these.
 
Section 1: Core - Regional Geography  - Questions 4,5 and 6. Each question carries 80 marks. You must answer only ONE of these.
 
Each of these questions has a:
                Part A  20 marks
                Part B  30 Marks
                Part C  30 Marks
 
Section 2: Electives - The electives include the following:
 
                                      patterns and processes in Economic Activities
                                      Questions 7  or 8  or 9
 
                                      patterns and processes in the Human Environment
                                      Questions 10  or 11  or 12
 
Students must answer:

                                     ONE question on Economic Activities. OR
                                     ONE question on Human Environment
 
                                  Each of these questions in has a:
                                                 Part A 20 marks
                                                 Part B 30 Marks  
                                                 Part C 30 Marks
 
Section 3: Options - Higher Level only
 
                    Students must answer ONE question from questions 13-24.
                    Students choose ONE question from ONE topic only:
 
                                                 Topic: Global Interdependence (Qs 13, 14, 15)
 
                                                 Topic: Geoecology (Qs 16, 17, 18)
 
                                                 Topic: Culture and Identity (Qs 19, 20, 21)
 
                                                 Topic: The Atmosphere – Ocean Environment (Qs 22, 23, 24)
 
“N.B. It is better to discuss three or four aspects of the theme in some detail, rather than to give a superficial treatment of a large number of points. Each question carries 80 marks.”

General Advice
  
Follow the advice given by your teacher, if in doubt:

Read the paper first and decide what questions you can answer before starting to write;
Stick firmly to your timings;
34 minutes approach per question;
Read the questions carefully;
Answer the Option Essay Question first;
This is marked on either 3 or 4 Aspects.  Best to pick 4 aspects if possible
34 minutes – 8 minutes per aspect
Then answer Core and Elective questions;
8.5 minutes for Part A (20 marks)
12.5 minutes for Part B
12.5 minutes for Part C
Answer Short Questions last
Bring a watch, calculator, ruler, pencil, eraser etc.
Don’t forget to draw frames around graphs, diagrams etc. and include titles.
Grid references/ photograph references when answering these questions.
Don’t be afraid to refer to/consider personal experience/relevant newspaper articles
Think SRP!
 
Topical this year – but no guarantees!
EU reform, Immigration,Nuclear power, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Climate Change, Water, MNCs, Development, Farming, , where relevant.


Did you know!

The new geography course was introduced in 2006 and over 27,000 students sat the 2011 paper, it is hugely popular. Up to 20% of the final grade is achieved before sitting the actual examination by completing a report on a geographical investigation, this can be very beneficial to students.

Did you know that TCD also accepts geography as a science subject for entry into both the science and pharmacy faculties!

Statistics
A total of 20184 students took Geography at Leaving Cert . 9209 girls took Geography at Leaving Certificate at higher level while 10975 boys did Geography at Higher Level in 2010.

8.9 % of students got an A
30.6% of students got a B
37.7% of students got a C
20.9% of students got a D
1.6% of students failed
 


 

Exam Breakdown

Past Exam Breakdown Higher Level

Geography Leaving Cert Higher  
PART ONE – SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS – 80 MARKS
Attempt TEN questions
PART TWO –  STRUCTURED and ESSAY QUESTIONS – 320 MARKS
SECTION 1 - CORE You MUST attempt TWO questions: ONE from Patterns and Processes in the Physical Environment AND ONE from Regional Geography
           
YEAR 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Section A Part One Part one Part one Part one Part one
  Surface Processes Subduction Zone Earthquake Structure of the Earth Rainfall and Run-off
  Ordnance Survey Map Ordnance Survey Extract Ordnance Survey Map Ordnance Survey Map Employment Structure
  Types of Region Aerial Photograph & Ordnance Survey Types of Region Energy Consumption Earthquakes
  Aerial Photograph and Ordnance Survey Map Aerial Photograph Glacial Landforms Urban Population Growth Weather Maps
  Glacial Landforms Satellite Interpretation Aerial Photograph Concept of a Region Landforms
  Weather Chart Landforms Land-use Coastal Landforms Weathering
  Land-use Types of Regions in Ireland IRELAND'S CLIMATE Aerial Photograph Ordnance Survey map
  Location on the Aerial Photograph Coastal Landforms Faultlines Atlantic Weather Chart Regions
  Rock Type Rock Types Ordnance Survey Extract Population Pyramids Cross-section (OS maps)
  Satellite Interpretation Landforms Switzerland Slope Types Photograph Interpretation
  Irish Fishery Statistics Ireland – Population by Age, 2006 Street Survey Drainage Systems Aerial Photograph
  Graphical Interpretation Atlantic Weather Charts Landforms Ordnance Survey Maps Glacial Landforms
    Part Two Part Two Part Two Part Two
PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
  1.Ordnance Survey Map 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP 1 ROCK CYCLE:
  Landform Development PLATE MARGINS LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT PLATE BOUNDARIES LANDFORMS & ROCK TYPE
  Rocks LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT HUMAN INTERACTION WEATHERING HUMAN INTERACTION WITH ROCK CYCLE
  2.Karst Landscape 2. CRUSTAL PLATES 2. SEA FLOOR SPREADING 2. PLATE TECTONICS 2 COASTAL LANDFORMS
  Folding ROCKS VULCANICITY LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT
  Human Interaction HUMAN INTERACTION KARST LANDSCAPES INTERACTION WITH ROCK CYCLE HUMAN INTERACTION
  3.Earthquakes 3. THE ROCK CYCLE 3. ROCK TYPE 3. SATELLITE IMAGES 3 STRUCTURES OF DEFORMATION
  Human Interaction LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT ROCK TYPE AND LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES OF DEFORMATION PLATE TECTONICS
  Karst Landscape HUMAN INTERACTION EARTHQUAKES HUMAN INTERACTION VOLCANOES
    REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
  4.Irish Regions 4. THE CONCEPT OF REGION 4. IRISH REGIONS 4. IRISH REGIONS 4 .EUROPEAN UNION UNEMPLOYMENT
  Economic Activities PRIMARY ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ECONOMIC PROCESSES MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
  Culture HUMAN PROCESSES URBAN REGIONS PRIMARY ACTIVITIES URBAN GROWTH
  5.Irish Unemployment 5. IRISH REGIONS 5. ENERGY 5. CONCEPT OF A REGION 5. NON-IRISH EUROPEAN REGIONS
  Urban Regions EUROPEAN UNION TERTIARY ACTIVITIES SECONDARY ACTIVITIES CONTINENTAL/SUBCONTINENTAL REGION
  Agriculture TERTIARY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY CULTURAL DIFFERENCES CULTURAL DIFFERENCES CULTURE
  6.European Regions 6. CONTINENTAL / SUB-CONTINENTAL REGION 6. NON-IRISH REGIONS 6. NON-IRISH REGIONS EUROPEAN UNION EXPANSION
  Irish Regions URBAN GROWTH IRELAND URBAN GROWTH TERTIARY ACTIVITIES
  European Regions SECONDARY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EUROPEAN UNION EXPANSION PRIMARY ACTIVITIES  
SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES
Patterns and Processes in Economic Activities
  7.Environmental Impact 7.ENERGY IN IRELAND 7.EU UNEMPLOYMENT RATES – JULY 2007 7.GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 7.GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
  Multinational Companies ORDNANCE SURVEY ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT SECONDARY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES
  Globalisation DEVELOPING ECONOMIES DEVELOPING ECONOMIES LOCAL & GLOBAL INTERESTS INDUSTRIAL LOCATION
  8.Economic Development 8.HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX 8.AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 8.EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE 8.ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP
  Developed Economy MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP LOCAL AND GLOBAL INTERESTS
  Conflicts of Interest ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GLOBALISATION & MNCs DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
  9.Ordnance Survey Map and the Transport Network 9.AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 9.ECONOMIC SECTORS 9.AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 9.EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE
  European Union Policy ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES SERVICE INDUSTRIES MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES
  Sustainable Development EUROPEAN UNION  GLOBAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES FOSSIL FUELS
    PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
  10.Population 10.Birth Rates 10.WORLD POPULATION GROWTH 10.WORLD HUNGER 10. POPULATION STRUCTURE PYRAMIDS - JAPAN
  Migration and Ireland SETTLEMENT PATTERNS URBAN FUNCTIONS URBAN FUNCTIONS TRAFFIC CONGESTION
  Historic Settlement DYNAMICS OF SETTLEMENT POPULATION DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OVERPOPULATION URBAN DEVELOPMENT
  11.Dynamics of Settlement 11. URBANISATION 11. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 11. FERTILITY RATES 11 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH
  Urban Problems PROBLEMS IN CITIES ARTIFICIAL LAND-USE - 1990 TO 2000 HISTORIC SETTLEMENT URBAN GROWTH
  Developing World Cities OVER-POPULATION MIGRATION URBAN CENTRES CHANGING LAND USE
  12.Population Change 12. Aerial Photographs 12. POPULATION 12. Aerial Photographs 12 MIGRATION
  Migration MIGRATION CENTRAL PLACE THEORY URBAN LAND USE OVER-POPULATION
  Central Place URBAN LAND USE URBAN FUTURE POPULATION MOVEMENT HISTORIC SETTLEMENT
SECTION 3 - OPTIONS
  Global Interdependence Global Interdependence Global Interdependence Global Interdependence Global Interdependence
  Geoecology Geoecology Geoecology Geoecology Geoecology
  Culture and Identity Culture and Identity The Atmosphere-Ocean Environment Culture and Identity Culture and Identity

 

Past Exam Breakdown Ordinary Level

The other questions, from 2 to 18, are laid out in FOUR sections. These are Physical Geography, Social
PART ONE – SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS – 80 MARKS
Attempt TEN questions
PART TWO – STRUCTURED QUESTIONS – 300 MARKS
Candidates must attempt THREE questions, as follows:
• Two questions from Section 1 [Questions 1 to 6]
• One question from Section 2 [Questions 7 to 12]
 
Year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Section A Part One Part one Part one Part one Part one
  Cross-section of the Earth Coastal Landforms Glaciation Plate Tectonics Glaciation
  Ireland’s Climate Plate Tectonics Fishing in Ireland Karst Regions Coastal Features
  Regions Maps and Photographs Physical Features on Maps and Photographs Marine Processes Volcanoes
  Volcanic Landforms Limestone Features Ordnance Survey Map European Regions Satellite Imagery
  Ordnance Survey Map Ordnance Survey Maps Ordnance Survey Map Ordnance Survey Map Rock types
  Ordnance Survey Map Oil Prices Volcanoes Aerial Photograph Ordnance Survey Map
  Aerial Photograph and Ordnance Survey Map Aerial Photograph European Regions Weather Charts Ordnance Survey map
  Karst Landscape Physical features Aerial Photograph Energy Consumption in Ireland Aerial Photograph
  Coastal and Glacial Features Weather Charts Weather Maps Physical Features on Maps and Photographs Rivers
  World’s Religions Irish Population Figures. Population Dynamics Earthquakes Ireland
  Satellite Images Ordnance Survey Map Physical features Ireland’s Climate Regions
  River Landforms Economic Activities Satellite Images Landforms Features of Erosion
PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT    
  Part Two Part Two Part Two Part Two Part Two
  1. Plate Boundaries PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
  Surface Processes 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT 1 ROCK CYCLE:
  Human Interaction with the Rock Cycle Surface Processes SURFACE PROCESSES SURFACE PROCESSES LANDFORMS & ROCK TYPE
  2.Ordnance Survey Map Volcanoes HUMAN INTERFERENCE HUMAN INTERFERENCE HUMAN INTERACTION WITH ROCK CYCLE
  Earthquakes 2. Karst Landscape 2. Plate Tectonics 2. MECHANICAL WEATHERING 2 COASTAL LANDFORMS
  Human Interaction Rock Type Earthquake ROCK TYPE LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT
  3.Mass Movement and Weathering HUMAN INTERACTION Impact of Earthquakes HUMAN INTERACTION HUMAN INTERACTION
  Rocks 3. Earthquakes 3. Rock Cycle 3. HEIGHT OF VOLCANOES 3 STRUCTURES OF DEFORMATION
  Weathering Fold Mountains Karst Regions PLATE TECTONIC THEORY PLATE TECTONICS
    Plate Tectonics Karst Regions EARTHQUAKES VOLCANOES
REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY:
  4.Map Skills 4. Ireland – Regions 4. Ireland - Regions  4. IRELAND - REGIONS 4 .EUROPEAN UNION UNEMPLOYMENT
  Agriculture in Ireland European Region IRISH REGIONS IRISH REGIONS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
  Tourism Urban Regions in Ireland Tourism in Regions EUROPEAN REGIONS URBAN GROWTH
  5.European Union Policy 5. European Union Members 5. Map Skills 5. TRANSPORT IN IRELAND 5. NON-IRISH EUROPEAN REGIONS
  European Region Tourism in Ireland European Regions EUROPEAN REGIONS CONTINENTAL/SUBCONTINENTAL REGION
  Urban Regions Continental/Sub-Continental regions Manufacturing Industry NON-EUROPEAN CONTINENTAL/SUB-CONTINENTAL REGIONS CULTURE
  6.Ireland - Regions 6. Tourism in Europe 6. Visitors to ireland 6. EMPLOYMENT IN IRELAND 6. EUROPEAN UNION EXPANSION
  Continental / Sub-Continental Regions Cultural Regions Irish Regions TYPES OF REGIONS TERTIARY ACTIVITIES
  European Expansion and Ireland European Regions Primary Activities CULTURE WITHIN REGIONS  
SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES SECTION 2 - ELECTIVES
  PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Patterns and Processes in Economic Activities Patterns and Processes in Economic Activities Patterns and Processes in Economic Activities Patterns and Processes in Economic Activities
  7.Statistics 7.Ordnance Survey Map 7. Ireland’s Trading Partners 7.ORDNANCE SURVEY 7.GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
  Developing Economies Fossil Fuels and Global Warming ORDNANCE SURVEY EXTRACT MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES
  Multinational Companies European Union Policies Multi-National Companies [MNC] LOCATION OF INDUSTRY INDUSTRIAL LOCATION
  8.Ordnance Survey Map 8.Fish Catches 8.Ordnance Survey Map 8.HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 8.ORDNANCE SURVEY MAP
  Acid Rain MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES Renewable Energy in Ireland. EUROPEAN UNION LOCAL AND GLOBAL INTERESTS
  Economic Activities and Conflict Renewable Resources The Environment DEVELOPING ECONOMIES DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
  9. Economic Development 9. Statistics 9.Economies of countries 9.GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 9.EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE
  Aerial Photograph Ordnance Survey World Economies GLOBAL WARMING MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES
  Ireland and the European Union Developing Economies The European Union ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOSSIL FUELS
  PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
  10.Population Structure 10. Aerial Photograph 10.Population in Ireland 10.LAND USE 10. POPULATION STRUCTURE PYRAMIDS - JAPAN
  Migration Migration Ordnance Survey Map DEVELOPMENT OF TOWNS TRAFFIC CONGESTION
  Settlement Patterns Urban Sprawl Migration TRAFFIC CONGESTION URBAN DEVELOPMENT
  11.Population Dynamics 11. Population Dynamics 11. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 11. POPULATION 11 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH
  Development of Towns Population Growth Urban Studies MIGRATION URBAN GROWTH
  Growth of Cities in the Developing World Development of Towns – Ordnance Map Land Use Models MIGRANTS CHANGING LAND USE
  12.Land Use in Cities 12. Population Density 12. Population change 12. POPULATION STRUCTURE 12 MIGRATION
  Over-population Traffic Congestion Population Pyramids URBAN SPRAWL OVER-POPULATION
  Changing Urban Functions Ageing Population Traffic Problems ORDNANCE SURVEY HISTORIC SETTLEMENT

 

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