0460_s03_qp_2 — 2003 May-June Geography 0460 Question Paper 2 · Cambridge CAIE IGCSE

Using vague vocabulary instead of precise geographical terminology

“Candidates frequently used vague terms such as 'stuff' or 'things' instead of precise geographical vocabulary appropriate to the topic.”— 0460 Paper 1, May/June 2023

How to fix: Replace vague words with geographical terms. Not 'stuff in the river' but 'sediment load'; not 'the weather gets bad' but 'precipitation increases'. Build a glossary of key terms for each topic and practise using them in sentences.

Using statistics from own knowledge when told to use the resource only

“When instructed to use the map or graph provided, candidates who introduced their own data or statistics could not be credited.”— 0460 Paper 2, May/June 2023

How to fix: When the question says 'using the resource' or 'from the graph', only use information visible in that resource. Quote actual figures from the graph, read actual values from the map. Your own statistics earn zero marks on these questions.

Repeating the question words in definitions instead of explaining the term

“Many candidates defined 'urbanisation' as 'when areas become urban' — this circular definition cannot earn marks.”— 0460 Paper 1, May/June 2025

How to fix: Never use a form of the word in its own definition. 'Urbanisation' is NOT 'when areas become urban'. It IS 'the increase in the proportion of a population living in towns and cities'. Practise definitions that explain the concept without using the root word.