AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development: extract and interpret information about resources from charts, graphs and tables
Resource data often appears as a bar chart of energy supply, a line graph of reserves over time or a table of extraction costs.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Resource data often appears as a bar chart of energy supply, a line graph of reserves over time or a table of extraction costs. To extract information, read the axes, units and key first, then locate the value or trend asked for. To interpret, describe the pattern and explain what it means for sustainability: a falling line of reserves suggests a finite resource being used up, while a rising share of wind or solar suggests a shift to renewable supply. Compare values by reading across rows or columns, and quote figures with units. Where a graph shows a projection, treat it as a prediction based on stated assumptions rather than a measured fact.
What earns the marks
- Reads axes, scales, units and keys correctly before quoting any value from a chart, graph or table.
- Extracts specific values, such as the energy supplied by one resource in a given year, with correct units.
- Describes trends, for example a steady fall in coal use or a rise in renewable electricity generation over time.
- Compares two resources by reading values from the same chart or table and stating which is larger or changing faster.
- Interprets the trend in terms of sustainability, linking a falling reserve or rising renewable share to finite or renewable classification.
- Recognises that projected data depends on assumptions and should not be treated as a measured result.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Reading a value from the wrong axis or ignoring the scale, such as treating each gridline as one unit when it represents ten.
Put it right: Check the axis label and count gridlines carefully before quoting a number.
Describing a trend without quoting any figures.
Put it right: Support each statement with a value and unit taken from the chart or table.
Treating a projected future value as a certainty.
Put it right: State that it is a prediction based on the assumptions given in the source.
Exam tips
- Quote figures with units and say which resource and year they refer to.
- Use comparative language such as higher than, lower than or increased by when describing trends.
- If asked to interpret, link the pattern to what it means for resource use or sustainability, not just what the graph shows.
Try the lesson
The start of the Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development: extract and interpret information about resources from charts, graphs and tables lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
The table shows the mass of different resources extracted from a mine over four years. | Year | Iron ore (tonnes) | Copper ore (tonnes) | Bauxite (tonnes) | |---|---|---|---| | 2018 | 4500 | 1200 | 3000 | | 2019 | 4800 | 1100 | 3200 | | 2020 | 4200 | 1300 | 3100 | | 2021 | 5000 | 1000 | 3400 | In which year was the extracted mass of copper ore the highest?
Listen
Resource data often appears as a bar chart of energy supply, a line graph of reserves over time or a table of extraction costs. To extract information, read the axes, units and key first, then locate the value or trend asked for. To interpret, describe the pattern and explain what it means for sustainability: a falling line of reserves suggests a finite resource being used up, while a rising share of wind or solar suggests a shift to renewable supply. Compare values by reading across rows or columns, and quote figures with units. Where a graph shows a projection, treat it as a prediction based on stated assumptions rather than a measured fact. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Reads axes, scales, units and keys correctly before quoting any value from a chart, graph or table. Extracts specific values, such as the energy supplied by one resource in a given year, with correct units. Describes trends, for example a steady fall in coal use or a rise in renewable electricity generation over time. Compares two resources by reading values from the same chart or table and stating which is larger or changing faster. A common slip: Reading a value from the wrong axis or ignoring the scale, such as treating each gridline as one unit when it represents ten. Instead, check the axis label and count gridlines carefully before quoting a number. Exam tip: Quote figures with units and say which resource and year they refer to.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Locate the value or trend asked for
- 2. Quote figures with units
- 3. Describe the pattern
- 4. Compare resources using values
- 5. Interpret: finite or renewable
- 6. Projection? Treat as prediction based on assumptions
- 7. Read axes, scales, units and key
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Extract
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Interpret
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Projection
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Compare
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Extract
- Read the axes, units and key first, then locate the value or trend asked for in a chart, graph or table.
- Interpret
- Describe the pattern and explain what it means for sustainability, such as a falling line of reserves suggesting a finite resource being used up.
- Projection
- A prediction based on stated assumptions rather than a measured fact, shown where a graph shows a projection.
- Compare
- Read values across rows or columns and state which resource is larger or changing faster, quoting figures with units.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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