Geography MYP Study

Guide

Ms. McGovern
 IB Geography Syllabus:
• Global climate change: causes, consequences, and responses
• Impacts and management of natural disasters
• Impacts and management of tectonically active areas
• Sustainable management of natural environments: characteristics
and human impact on aquatic, deserts, forests, grasslands, and
Arctic/tundra. (2 biomes must be studied)
• Application of geographical information systems (GIS) to enhance
the understanding of geography.
 IB Geography Syllabus:
• Changing population: natural increase, structure and migration
• Sustainable management of urban systems and environment
• Globalization: trade, aid, exchange and flows
• Resource management: management of the extraction, production,
consumption of natural resources and their security
• Impacts and management of natural disasters
• Sustainable management of physical processes: river and coastal
environments
 How will the criteria be assessed?
Task Marks Main criteria Criterion marks
assessed
Investigating 26 A 6
B 20
Communicating 18 A 6
C 12
Thinking critically 36 A 8
C 8
D 20
Total 80
One of the most
common exam
mistakes, is not
paying attention to
the command term
and
therefore answering
the question in
correctly.
 Criteria A:

I. use a wide range of terminology in context

II. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content and concepts through developed descriptions, explanations and
examples.

Criteria B:

I. formulate a clear and focused research question and justify its relevance

II. formulate and follow an action plan to investigate a research question

III. use research methods to collect and record appropriate, varied and relevant information

IV. evaluate the process and results of the investigation.

Criteria C:

I. communicate information and ideas effectively using an appropriate style for the audience and purpose

II. structure information and ideas in a way that is appropriate to the specified format

III. document sources of information using a recognized convention.

Criteria D:

I. discuss concepts, issues, models, visual representation and theories

II. synthesize information to make valid, well-supported arguments

III. analyse and evaluate a wide range of sources/data in terms of origin and purpose, examining values and limitations

IV. interpret different perspectives and their implications

 Case studies: France (Pro-natal policy)

Chapter 2 - Population China (Anti-natal policy & overpopulation)

Syria and Mexico (Migration)

Content:
• Causes of population growth
• Impacts of population growth Key Terms:
• Causes of population decline - Birth rates
• Impacts of population decline - Death rates
• Features of population pyramids - Fertility rates
• Natural increase and natural decrease -Life expectancy
• Structure – population pyramids, DTM -Infant mortality rates
• Youthful population – pros and cons -Child mortality rates
• Ageing population - pros and cons - Economically active
• Migration – types, causes, pros and cons - Natural increase
- Dependents
Past paper sample question: - Pro natal policy
• Explain the possible benefits of an aging population. - Anti natal policy
• Explain the possible benefits of a youthful population.
• Evaluate the success of a pro-natal policy you have studied
• Evaluate the success of an anti-natal policy you have studied.
Chapter 3
Urban renewal Infrastructure Migration Urban decline
Key
- Urban Terms Urban
regeneration
Megacity Rural / Urban LIC / HIC /
NEE

Content:
•Megacities – How has the distribution of megacities changed over time. Case studies:
•Megacities – Opportunities and challenges • Masdar City /
•Rural to urban migration (Natural increase) Sustainable City
•How can urban areas be managed more sustainably? UAE
•How can urban areas be regenerated?
• Sao Paolo (Rural to
Past paper sample question: Urban Migration)
•Explain one positive and one negative effect of population growth in a • Jakarta (Megacity)
megacity.
• London Docklands
•Explain the benefits of migration for the origin / destination country.
(Urban
•Explain the negative impacts of migration for the origin / destination country.
Regeneration)
•To what extent does migration lead to a more connected world?
•Explain how urban areas can me managed more sustainably.
•Evaluate the success of one urban regeneration project you have studied.
 Case studies:
Chapter 4 Sustainable river management -Yangtze River, China

Rivers & Oceans Coastal management case study: Tuvalu Islands

Content:
• Processes of erosion Key Terms:
• Processes of deposition Erosion
• Fluvial landforms (oxbo lakes and waterfalls) Deposition
• Causes of flooding Transportation
• Threats to rivers / coasts e.g. pollution Attrition
• How do humans interact with rivers / coasts?
Abrasion
• Should humans be allowed to interact with rivers / coasts?
Solution
Hydraulic action
Past paper sample question:
• Can humans use technology to counter the impact of their activities on Suspension
water systems? Saltation
• To what extent should sustainability be a key factor in managing river Traction
and/or coastal processes? Discharge
• How can rivers / coasts be managed sustainably for all to benefit? Drainage basin
• Evaluate the success of one management scheme on a river / coast line you Flood plain
have studied.
 Case studies:

Chapter 5 • Impacts of resource extraction and consumption (Palm Oil, Indonesia)

Economic Growth
• Impacts of TNCs in LICs and MICs (Nike)
• Linear Vs Circular Economy (Fashion and Technology)

Content:
•Consider the positive and negative impacts of each of the five
Key Terms:
stages (Extraction, Production, Distribution, Consumption, Disposal)
• Natural Resources
•How can resources be used more sustainably?
• TNCs
•How has globalization changed resource consumption?
• Primary Economic Activity
•How has technology impacted resource consumption?
• Secondary Economic
•What are TNCs? Advantages? Disadvantages?
Activities
• Impacts of TNCs in home country vs LEDCs
• Tertiary Economic Activities
• Linear Economy
Past paper sample question:
• Circular Economy
• To what extent can pioneering ideas and/or technology be used to achieve
• Extraction
sustainable development?
• Production
• How can we meet our global consumption levels in the future?
• Distribution
• Explain how a circular economic activity could be more sustainable than a
• Consumption
linear economic activity.
• Disposal
• Evaluate the impact of TNCs globally.
• E
• Discuss the impacts of resource extraction, processing and consumption.
 Case studies: You can study any 2 biomes in detail.
Chapter 6 - Tropical rainforest: The Amazon

Biomes - Arctic tundra: Greenland

Content: Key Terms:

• What is a biome and where can the different biomes be found? Abiotic
• What are the main factors affecting biome location? Biotic
• What are the main processes of a biome? Flora
• How do plants and animals adapt to various biome conditions? Fauna
• How do humans interact and survive in various biomes? Biome
• How has climate change impacted your chosen biomes?
Sustainable
Ecosystem
Past paper sample question: Food chain
• Explain how human activity has impacted any two biomes you have studied. Predator
• To what extent do you think that the management of biomes can be sustainable Secondary consumer
and equitable? Primary consumer
• A local TV channel has asked to interview you. Your interview should persuade Producer
people to sign your petition by explaining how natural environments are Adaptation
threatened by tourism and how they could be managed more sustainably.
 Case studies:

Chapter 7 • Coffee Trade

Globalisation
• TNC Nike – Outsourcing
• Aid (Case study will depend on country chosen in class)
Content:
• What is globalisation?
• How have TNCs made trade unfair?
• What is the pattern of global trade? Key Terms:
• Can global trade ever be fair for all? Globalisation
• What are the main types of international flows? (financial, labour and information)
NGOs
• What is aid?
• Can aid be used to end poverty?
TNCs
• Are cultural exchanges a positive or negative product of globalisation? Aid
Culture
Past paper sample question: Development
• Write a newspaper article that highlights how globalisation impacts cultural Interactions
exchanges. Flow
• You work for the advertising department of an international non-government Trade
organization (NGO) that educates people about the topic of trade. You have
been asked to create informative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will be
used on the NGO’s web page. The web page will be part of an awareness
campaign aimed at the general public to explain the topic of trade.
 Case studies:
Chapter 8 Eco tourism: Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya

Tourism Environmental impacts: Venice, Italy / Boracay, Philippines / Maya Bay,

Thailand

Content:
How has globalisation impacted levels of tourism?
Environmental impacts of tourism
Impacts of tourism on a country's economy
Does tourism always lead to the homogenisation of cultures? Key Terms:
How can countries manage tourism more sustainably? Tourism
Sustainable
Environment
Past paper sample question: Homogenise
• To what extent does tourism aid equality in a country? Culture
• How can tourism be made more sustainable?
• Is conserving areas such as the Galapagos islands of global interest?
Explain your answer.
 Case studies:
Chapter 9 Soloman Islands and Tuvalu – Sea level rise

Climate Change The Amazon – Forest fires

Australia – Bush fires

Content: Key Terms:

- What is climate change?
Fossil fuels
- What evidence is there that climate change is a reality?
- What are carbon sinks? Why are they important? Methane
- Human causes of climate change Carbon emission
- Physical/natural causes of climate change Carbon sinks
- Impacts of climate change on at least 3 locations Mitigation
- Examples of mitigation strategies undertaken by governments in these locations. Adaptation
- Examples of adaptation strategies used in these locations. Paris Agreement
COP26
Past paper sample question: Renewable energy
• Write a speech to motivate global leaders to take action against climate
Carbon footprint
change.
• Write a newspaper article to your school community informing them about the
global impacts of climate change.
 Case studies:
Chapter 9 Soloman Islands and Tuvalu – Sea level rise

Climate Change The Amazon – Forest fires

Australia – Bush fires

Content: Key Terms:

- What is climate change?
Fossil fuels
- What evidence is there that climate change is a reality?
- What are carbon sinks? Why are they important? Methane
- Human causes of climate change Carbon emission
- Physical/natural causes of climate change Carbon sinks
- Impacts of climate change on at least 3 locations Mitigation
- Examples of mitigation strategies undertaken by governments in these locations. Adaptation
- Examples of adaptation strategies used in these locations. Paris Agreement
COP26
Past paper sample question: Renewable energy
• Write a speech to motivate global leaders to take action against climate
Carbon footprint
change.
• Write a newspaper article to your school community informing them about the
global impacts of climate change.
 Chapter 10 - Hazards

Key Terms:
● Geophysical
processes
● Tectonics
Content: processes
● What are natural hazards and natural disasters? ● Geomorphological
● When does a natural hazard become a disaster? processes
● What is the global trend in natural disasters? ● Atmospheric
● How do natural hazards change in scale, magnitude and frequency? processes
● Why are some places more vulnerable than others? ● Vulnerability
● How can GIS be useful in terms of managing hazards?
● Exposure
● Is it ever possible to be prepared for natural hazards?
● Resilience
● Magnitude
● Prediction systems
● Evacuation
 Case studies:
Chapter 11 - Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2004

Tectonics
- Japan tsunami, 2011

Key Terms:
● Convection
Content: currents
- What causes tectonic activity? ● Convergent
What happens during an earthquake and volcanic eruption? boundary
- How can technology be used to manage tectonic events? ● Divergent
- What difference does the type of lava make to the style of volcanic eruption? boundary
- Explain the primary and secondary impacts of two tectonic case studies in
● Passive/ transform
contrasting areas of development.
- Explain how technology can help to predict and manage impacts of tectonic boundary
events. ● Subduction zone
● Focus (earthquake)
Past paper sample question: ● Magnitude
• Do tectonic processes have the same impacts in rich and poor nations? ● Richter scale
• How can technology be used to manage the impacts of tectonic events? ● Primary and
secondary impacts
Revision Questions:
• To what extent is GIS a tool for sustainability and future planning?
• What must be considered when managing the population of a country?
• Can urban areas ever be managed sustainably?
• Can humans use technology to counteract the impact of their activities on water
systems?
• How can we meet our global consumption levels in the future?
• Is it possible for the management of biomes to be sustainable and equitable?
• To what extent does tourism aid equality in a country?
• Why is it so difficult to have a sustainable response to climate change?
Possible Communication Tasks:

• News article
• School magazine article
• Speech
• FAQ on a topic
• Blog
• Script for a video
• Essay
Key Skills for Exam:

• Evaluating sources with O-P-V-L: Focus on what this

information could be used for and what information is missing.
• Create and justify a research question.
• Create a list of sub questions for your research.
• Suggest primary and secondary sources you could use to
gather data.
• Identify challenges that could arise in an investigation.
Useful Revsion Sites:
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