AQA · A-Level · Geography
Course version: 7037 · Version from Sept 2018
Use and annotation of illustrative and visual material: base maps, sketch…
Full specification wording
Core skills: Use and annotation of illustrative and visual material: base maps, sketch maps, OS maps (at a variety of scales), diagrams, graphs, field sketches, photographs, geospatial, geo-located and digital imagery.
This includes interpreting base maps, drawing sketch maps, and analysing OS maps at various scales (such as 1:25,000 or 1:50,000) to identify spatial patterns.
Checked against the AQA 7037 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This includes interpreting base maps, drawing sketch maps, and analysing OS maps at various scales (such as 1:25,000 or 1:50,000) to identify spatial patterns. Annotation goes beyond simple labelling; it requires adding explanatory notes to diagrams, graphs, field sketches, and photographs to highlight key processes or features.
For example: Annotating a field sketch of a coastline should include explanatory text detailing the processes of erosion visible.
What earns the marks
- Extract precise geographical information from OS maps at different scales, using grid references, scale bars, and contour lines.
- Produce accurate field sketches and sketch maps that capture essential geographical features while omitting unnecessary background detail.
- Apply detailed annotations to photographs, diagrams, and graphs to explain underlying geographical processes, rather than merely providing descriptive labels.
- Interpret geospatial and digital imagery, such as GIS layers or satellite photographs, to identify spatial trends and geo-located phenomena.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing labelling with annotation.
Put it right: Ensure annotations include explanatory text detailing how or why a feature exists, rather than just naming it.
Ignoring the scale on OS maps or digital imagery.
Put it right: Check the scale (for example, 1:50,000) to accurately calculate distances and understand the spatial extent of features.
Overcomplicating field sketches with artistic details.
Put it right: Focus on drawing clear, simplified outlines of key geographical features relevant to the enquiry.
Exam tips
- When asked to annotate a photograph or graph in an exam, use clear arrows pointing directly to the specific feature and write concise, explanatory sentences.
- Practice converting distances on OS maps using the scale bar, remembering that 4 cm represents 1 km on a 1:25,000 map.
- Familiarise yourself with different types of digital imagery, such as Google Earth or GIS heat maps, as these frequently appear in resource-based questions.
Try the lesson
The start of the Core skills: Use and annotation of illustrative and visual material: base maps, sketch maps, OS maps (at a variety of scales), diagrams, graphs, field sketches, photographs, geospatial, geo-located and digital imagery. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following best describes the process of annotating a photograph in a geographical study?
Listen
This includes interpreting base maps, drawing sketch maps, and analysing OS maps at various scales (such as 1:25,000 or 1:50,000) to identify spatial patterns. Annotation goes beyond simple labelling; it requires adding explanatory notes to diagrams, graphs, field sketches, and photographs to highlight key processes or features. For example, annotating a field sketch of a coastline should include explanatory text detailing the processes of erosion visible. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Extract precise geographical information from OS maps at different scales, using grid references, scale bars, and contour lines. Produce accurate field sketches and sketch maps that capture essential geographical features while omitting unnecessary background detail. Apply detailed annotations to photographs, diagrams, and graphs to explain underlying geographical processes, rather than merely providing descriptive labels. Interpret geospatial and digital imagery, such as GIS layers or satellite photographs, to identify spatial trends and geo-located phenomena. A common slip: Confusing labelling with annotation. Instead, ensure annotations include explanatory text detailing how or why a feature exists, rather than just naming it. Exam tip: When asked to annotate a photograph or graph in an exam, use clear arrows pointing directly to the specific feature and write concise, explanatory sentences.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Annotation
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Geospatial technology
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Sketch maps
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OS maps
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See every definition
- Annotation
- Adding explanatory notes to diagrams, graphs, field sketches and photographs to highlight key processes or features, going beyond simple labelling.
- Geospatial technology
- Modern technologies used to interpret geo-located data and digital imagery such as satellite photographs or GIS outputs.
- Sketch maps
- Simplified drawings that capture essential geographical features while omitting unnecessary background detail.
- OS maps
- Maps analysed at a variety of scales, such as 1:25,000 or 1:50,000, to identify spatial patterns.
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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