Get That Grade

Map questions often ask about land for leisure and the conflicts that arise over competition for the use of attractive land. You should aim to get high marks on questions like this. Don't take the easy way out. For example, supposing that you were asked the following question:

Study the area shown by the following grid lines.

Describe three features of the area that make it attractive for tourists.	(6)

A very low level answer might say:
1.	Mapledurham House is an old building.
2.	There is an old mill in Mapledurham village.
3.	There is a vineyard at Westbury farm.
This answer shows that the candidate can read. It also shows that he/she knows that place names written on a blue background show 'selected places of tourist interest'. This would not get more than 3 marks, even with a generous mark scheme.

Good geographers read maps; they do not just read words that are written on maps. A good geographer's answer might have read:
1.	The River Thames meanders across its flood plain here. This is probably very beautiful and peaceful.
2.	To the North from 650780 to 680760 there is a steep scarp slope, partly covered in woods. There will be good views of the valley from here.
3.	Mapledurham seems to be an attractive village, with the old Mapledurham House and the water-powered mill by the weir on the Thames.
This answer gains more credit because it looks at the contour pattern and sees the geographical features in that pattern. It is almost as if the writer could picture what the area was like. The answer showed a real 'sense of place'. It is possible to imagine a day out in that area from this description. The answer could have added a fourth attraction to the area. By reading the word 'marina' referring to the area of water at 668759 the candidate could have written: There is a marina at 668759, in Purley on Thames. This shows that there must be boats moored here, for cruising along the river and sightseeing in a very attractive and relaxing environment. This answer takes a word that has been read on the map, and then links that to other information seen on the map - the river, the hillside and the woods. These pieces of evidence are then linked together to give a real geographical interpretation of the area and its attractions. Try to piece together similar pieces of evidence to answer the following questions.

1	Study the area of the Thames flood plain in grid squares 7375, 7475, 7374 and 7474.
	(a)	What evidence is there that this area has been used for the extraction of material deposited on the floor of the river valley?	(3)
	(b)	Suggest what has been done to restore the landscape after the quarrying finished.	(3)
	(c)	Name the leisure facility that has been provided at 738745.	(1)
	(d)	Why is this a very suitable location for the leisure facility that you named?	(6)

Study the area of the Kennet flood plain between grid squares 6370 and 7070. Gravel is still being extracted from the eastern part of this area, but some of the other old gravel pits have already been reclaimed.

The planners want to make sure that, after the gravel extraction is finished, the area will be used for leisure activities. They want to make sure that the area caters for all ages, a variety of income groups and people with different interests. They also want to make sure that the area attracts as much wildlife as possible.

Suggest four different leisure uses for this area.
Suggest where each should take place.
Give reasons for your choice of activities and locations.

(10)

3	The Reading Ramblers are meeting in Goring Heath for a morning ramble. They want to have a walk of between 5 and 7 kilometres on a variety of paths, tracks and minor roads. It should not be too strenuous, but should have some fairly steep gradients. They want the walk to take them through varied types of scenery, and to return to the start point where they left their cars. They would like to be able to buy refreshments at the end of their walk.
	Write a brief description of a walk that they could take. Describe the route and the scenery they will see.	(8)