LESOTHO GENERAL CERTIFICATE

OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education

Syllabus

Geography
0183

For examination in November 2020

National Curriculum Development Centre

in collaboration with
Examinations Council of Lesotho
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3

1. Aims of Secondary Education in Lesotho�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4

2. Rationale�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5

3. Scheme of Assessment�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6

4. Aims���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7

6. Assessment Objectives�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8

7. Specification Grid������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 9

8. Curriculum Content������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10

Guide to Enquiry Skills����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24

List of Command Words��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25

10. Grade Descriptions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28

Glossary of Geographical Terms������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 30

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INTRODUCTION

This Geography syllabus is designed as a two-year course to meet the needs of learners studying
Geography for the Lesotho secondary certificate. The syllabus builds upon the foundation laid by
the geography in the ten-year Basic Education Programme. The topics in this syllabus are mainly
related to Lesotho and Africa south of the Sahara and the SADC region in particular.

The Syllabus is organized into four sections. Each section addresses a specific issue. The scope
and content of each topic is presented as general and specific objectives. These objectives
also define the skills which learners are expected to have acquired after completing the course.
Some objectives also express attitudes and values that are required for moulding the learner as
a responsible citizen of Lesotho. To a large extent, the syllabus is linked to national development
priorities, especially those relating to sustainable development. Thus the syllabus, through
its content, adopts an integrated approach reflecting three pillars of sustainable development
(environment, economy and society). It is expected that teachers will stress the link among these
pillars at the level of school implementation.

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1. Aims of Secondary Education in Lesotho

Secondary education builds upon Basic Education and continues to prepare learners for further
education and training and the world of work. It takes two years of schooling after completion of
Basic Education.

Secondary education aims at:

I. building on Basic Education in preparing learners for higher learning locally and outside the
country;

II. equipping learners with knowledge, attitudes and skills which enable them to respond to socio-
economic and technological challenges;

III. providing learners with advanced entrepreneurial, vocational and technological skills for the
world of work and further studies;

IV. providing suitable opportunities for environmental exploration to promote socio-economic

development;

V. providing learners with moral and religious education for the development of a socially and
culturally acceptable character, promoting the spirit of co-operation and service to others;

VI. promoting advanced skills in literacy and numeracy for effective communication in all areas of
life;

VII. providing opportunities for learners to participate in activities promoting democratic principles,
human rights and emerging issues in a society.

VIII. Promoting scientific and technological skills in responding to socio-economic challenges; and

IX. promoting psycho-social skills to deal with personal and social developmental challenges.

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2. Rationale

Geography is an important subject in the Lesotho secondary school curriculum in that it enables
learners to study the physical and human environment. It is a multi-disciplinary science that deals
with the description and explanation of land, sea, atmospheric processes, and fauna and flora.

Geography is a study of the earth as the home of humans and of their interactions with nature and
its effects; it examines humans in their interdependent relationships with the earth. Geography
studies ways in which humans have adapted nature to meet their needs and requirements and
to what extent they are able to utilize the environment in a sustainable manner. Geography also
provides scientific knowledge about physical, environmental and human processes which form
the basis for cross-curricular education. Geography gives learners basic geographic skills and
techniques that will enable them to solve environmental problems.

It also aims at arousing learners’ interest and curiosity to analyse the relationship between the bio-
physical processes and human activities.Through the learning of this subject, learners will be able
to know their country in relation to other countries.

In studying Geography, learners are exposed to the social and physical realities of the world
they live in. They do not only develop environmental ethics, but also understanding of various
geographical principles and concepts influencing the spatial distribution of phenomena on the
earth’s surface.

Geography is a skills based discipline that encourages practical work. Through field work, learners
observe, collect, analyse, interpret and present data. In the process they acquire skills such as
graphicacy, problem solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.These are transferable skills
which learners can use in their everyday life and in the field of work. Moreover, learners are
exposed to emerging issues such as climate change, population dynamics, gender issues and the
effects of pandemics including HIV/AIDS.

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3. Scheme of Assessment

All learners should take both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Paper 1
1 hour 45 minutes
Learners should answer all the questions.
This paper consists of short answer questions divided in the following manner:
Syllabus Section A
Elements of Physical Geography
Syllabus Section B
Economic Geography
Syllabus Section C
Settlement, Population and Migration
Syllabus Section D
Basic techniques and inquiry skills
Questions on syllabus sections A, B, and C will total 25 marks, with a maximum of 10 marks for
each section. The mapwork questions will total 15 marks. The inquiry and presentation skills will
total 20 marks.
Total: 60 marks
Weighting: 37.5% of total marks

Paper 2
2 hours 15 minutes
This paper is divided into 3 sections, each consisting of two questions of 25 marks each:
Section A Physical Geography
Section B Economic Geography
Section C Settlement, Population and Migration
Candidates will be required to answer four questions, one from each of sections A, B and C and
one other question chosen from any section. Each question will include a part involving free
response writing.
Total: 100 marks
Weighting: 62.5 %

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4. Aims

This syllabus provides opportunity for a course of study which allows candidates to:

1. obtain knowledge and understanding of the basic geographical character of the local and
national area in which he/she lives;
2. acquire knowledge and understanding of the Geography of Lesotho in relation to that of Africa
south of the Sahara and the SADC region in particular;
3. develop an understanding of contemporary social, economic and environmental issues in
Lesotho and the world;
4. develop geographical skills that enable them to address socio-economic and environmental
challenges threatening sustainable development in Lesotho;
5. acquire relevant background knowledge and skills enabling them to choose appropriate career
or employment opportunities;
6. develop positive attitudes and values that will enable them to become responsible citizens.

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6. Assessment Objectives

The syllabus for geography reflects the following assessment objectives:

A. Knowledge with understanding

B. Skills and analysis
C. Judgment and decision making

The following are descriptions of each assessment objective:

A. Knowledge with understanding

Learners should be able to:
1. show an understanding of geographical concepts, features and processes in different
environments;
2. describe and explain the causes and effects of geographical processes;
3. show an awareness of the spatial patterns of physical and human geography;
4. describe and explain the interaction of physical and human geography;
5. describe and explain how physical and human environments change over time and from place
to place.

B. Skills and analysis

Learners should be able to:
1. understand, describe and extract information from geographical data in various forms,
including maps, diagrams, photographs, graphs and tables;
2. analyse and interpret geographical data;
3. recognize patterns and deduce relationships from geographical data;
4. use a variety of graphical and drawing skills and techniques to present geographical
information.
5. Use a variety of techniques for data collection and geographical investigations.

C. Judgment and decision making

Learners should be able to:
1. make reasoned judgments (including conclusions) and decisions;
2. show an awareness of the part played by different attitudes and values of individuals and
groups, in the processes of evaluation and decision making;
3. show awareness of how different attitudes and beliefs impact on the environment;
4. propose, justify, and evaluate solutions to environmental, economic and socio-geographic
problems;
5. infer future trends and consequences related to environmental, economic and socio-
geographical problems.

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7. Specification grid

The grid shows the relationship between the assessment objectives and components of the
scheme of assessment and indicates how the marks will be allocated

Assessment Objective
Paper Acknowledge with B Skills and C Judgment and
understanding analysis decision making
1 27% 60% 13%
2 40% 36% 24%
Overall 35% 45% 20%

Distribution of Marks for Assessment Objectives

Paper 1
Section Knowledge with Skills and analysis Judgement and
understanding decision making
A, B and C 12 10 3
D 4 26 5
Total 16 36 8

Paper 2
Knowledge with Skills Judgment and
understanding decision making
Marks for each 10 9 6
question
Total for 4 40 36 24
questions

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8. Curriculum Content

The curriculum is divided into four sections which have been carefully designed to develop
an understanding of both the natural and human environments:

1. Section A: Physical Geography

2. Section B: Economic activities
3. Section C: Settlement, Population and Migration
4. Section D: Basic Techniques and inquiry skills

Resources

The majority of questions in both papers will be resource based. There sources offered may be
photographic, map extracts, drawings, diagrams, graphs, text extracts, statistics and tables of data.

Questions based on resources may be set on areas not named in the syllabus but will provide
sufficient information to enable learners to answer them without specific regional knowledge. The
resources used in the examination will assist learners to analyse and interpret them using general
principles they have studied.

Case Studies

The syllabus gives teachers an opportunity to select case studies to illustrate some themes.
Specified illustrations of case studies have been included in the syllabus.

Candidates are encouraged to name local examples where appropriate. Direction is drawn to the
value of outdoor field studies in providing candidates with memorable examples that can be used
in the examination where relevant. Direct questions on the field work will be set.

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SECTION A

TOPIC GENERAL SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES
Elements Learners should be Learners should be able to:
of Physical able to:
Geography
A.1 Plate ●● Show a basic ●● Describe the global pattern of Plates, their
tectonics understanding of structure, movement and effects as they occur
Plate tectonics and within the structure of the earth.
Resulting landforms. ●● Explain the forces of compression and tension
in relation to plate movements.
●● Describe the world distribution of earthquakes,
volcanoes. fold mountains and rift valleys in
relation to plate margins.
●● Explain how the following landforms resulted
from folding, faulting or volcanic activity.
Describe the main characteristics of these
landforms:
  the East African Rift Valley,
  a range of fold mountains,
  a basic lava shield,
  an acid lava dome,
  composite volcano (strato-volcano).
●● Name and locate the East African Rift Valley,
and an example of each of an earthquake,
range of fold mountains and volcano.
●● Describe the impacts of earthquakes,
volcanoes, the East African Rift Valley and fold
mountains on human activities.
A.2 Weathering ●● Show an ●● Distinguish between weathering and erosion
understanding of (weathering involves the breakdown of rocks in
weathering processes situ).
and resulting ●● Explain processes involved in mechanical
landforms. (freeze-thaw and exfoliation), chemical
(oxidation, hydration, carbonation and solution)
and biological weathering (both mechanical and
chemical effects).
●● Explain factors influencing the rate of
weathering (nature of the rock, climate,
vegetation cover) with particular reference to
Lesotho and the Equatorial and Tropical Desert
climatic regions.
●● Describe the results of weathering: scree
(debris slop), exfoliation domes and rounded
boulders and soil.

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 A.3 River ●● Show understanding ●● Explain and draw dendritic, trellis and radial
Processes and of river processes and drainage patterns.
landforms resulting features. ●● Identify the bed and banks of a river’s channel.
●● Describe and explain the processes of
river erosion (solution (corrosion), abrasion
corrosion), hydraulic action and attrition) and the
factors affecting them.
●● Describe the processes of river transport
(solution, suspension, saltation, traction) and
explain how they are influenced by the type of
load and velocity and volume of the river.
●● Explain the causes of deposition by a river and
where it occurs.
●● Describe and explain landforms that are a result
of erosion and deposition, with reference to
rivers in Lesotho where appropriate.
●● Describe the characteristics of the upper, middle
and lower causes of river valleys
●● N.B. A study should be made of the following:
forms of river channels and valleys, potholes,
rapids, waterfall, gorges, meanders, slip
off slopes, river cliffs, oxbow lakes, levees,
floodplains, delta, braided river.
●● Describe and explain the formation of an
arcuate delta.
●● Explain the socio-economic importance of river
landforms: waterfalls, flood plains and deltas.
●● Describe and explain causes and effects of river
flooding and possible solutions to river flooding.
A.4 Marine ●● Demonstrate an ●● Distinguish between constructive and
processes and understanding of destructive waves.
associated marine processes ●● Describe and explain the formation of the

coastal and resulting coastal following erosional landforms: cliff, stack, cave,
landforms features arch, wave-cut platform, bay, headland.
●● Describe and explain long shore drift.

●● Describe and explain landforms resulting from

wave deposition: spit, bar, tombolo, beach.

CASE STUDY: of a coastline or coastlines to
illustrate the scale and nature of the coastal
features.
●● Explain conditions that favour coral formation.

●● Describe feature of fringing, barrier and atoll.

●● Explain the importance of coral reefs, threats to

their existence and how they can be conserved.

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 A.5 Weather ●● Demonstrate ●● Describe and explain the use and siting of the
and climate understanding of following weather instruments: rain gauge,
elements of weather Six’s thermometer, hygrometer, barograph,
and climate. anemometer and wind vane.
●● Analyse and interpret weather statistics and
simple weather maps showing information in
pressure, frontal systems and wind patterns.
●● Describe and explain the characteristics, siting
and use of the Stevenson screen.
●● Estimate the extent of cloud cover and
describe the main types of cloud and their
associated weather (cumulus, cirrus, stratus,
cumulonimbus).
●● Describe the factors influencing temperature:
(altitude, latitude, cloud cover and pressure
systems, ocean currents, distance from the
sea).
●● Describe the distribution and formation of types
of rainfall (convectional, frontal (cyclonic), relief
(orographic).
A.6 ●● Describe the ●● Describe the chief characteristics of the
Characteristics characteristics of following climate regions: equatorial rainforest
of selected climate regions and tropical desert.
climate regions and explain the ●● Analyse and interpret climate graphs and
interrelationships explain the interaction between climate and
between natural other features of the equatorial rainforest and
vegetation and tropical desert ecosystem.
climate. ●● Describe the modifications caused by human
interference of natural vegetation in the climate
regions studied – the reduction in the area
of equatorial rain forest and the encroaching
deserts into tropical grasslands.
●● Assess strategies for conservation of the
●● Show an equatorial forests.
understanding of ●● Describe and explain the human causes and
climate change at impact of global climate changes on physical
global, national and environment, society and economy.
local levels ●● Explain the impact of global climate change on
the physical environment, society and economy
at local and national level.
●● Suggest ways in which local communities can
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and
describe how local communities can adapt to
the negative effects of climate change.
●● Analyse government policies related to climate
change.
●● Explain why international agreements are
needed to combat climate change.

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SECTION B

TOPIC GENERAL SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES
Economic Learners should be Learners should be able to:
activities and able to:
the use
B.1 Agricultural ●● Show an ●● Define the following types and methods of
systems in understanding of agriculture as practiced in Lesotho:
Lesotho different agricultural  Subsistence and commercial farming
systems in Lesotho.   livestock and arable farming
  extensive and intensive farming.
●● Describe the human (socio-economic, political)
and physical factors (relief, climate, soil) that
influence farming in Lesotho.
●● Describe the following types of farming in
Lesotho:
 Small-scale subsistence crop farming
 Intensive cash crop farming
 Mixed farming
 Commercial sheep and goat rearing
under the following headings:
 inputs
 outputs
 Scale of production
 activities involved
 uses and encountered
 solutions to the problems.
●● demonstrate an ●● Define irrigation.
understanding of the ●● Describe different irrigation methods used in
need for irrigation and Lesotho.
soil conservation in ●● Describe the importance of irrigation in farming.
Lesotho. ●● Evaluate the role of stakeholders (government,
NGO’s, private sector, local authorities and local
communities) in the sustainable use of water.
●● Define soil erosion.
●● Explain the agents of soil erosion
 Wind
 Water.
●● Describe types of erosion – rill, gully, sheet,
splash.
●● Outline causes of soil erosion in Lesotho.
●● Describe effects of soil erosion on the
environment and economy of Lesotho.
●● Suggest appropriate methods of reducing soil
erosion in Lesotho.

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 B1.1 ●● Show an CASE STUDIES
Agricultural understanding of the Compare agricultural systems in Lesotho with
systems in different large scale large plantation agriculture under the following
Africa South of agricultural systems headings:
the Sahara in Africa, South of the  inputs
Sahara.  outputs
 Scale of production
 activities involved (including land
clearance and irrigation methods)
 uses, market and importance
 problems encountered (including
environmental, social and economic
issues with land clearance)
 solutions to the problems.
●● Describe the human (socio-economic, political)

and physical factors (relief, climate, soil) that

influence these farming systems in Africa.
B.2 Mining in ●● Show an ●● Locate major diamond mines on a map of
Lesotho understanding mining Lesotho
activities in Lesotho ●● Describe the factors that influence the
and their contribution exploitation of diamonds in Lesotho:
to national  geological occurrence
development  accessibility of deposits
 mining cost
 transport
 market
 technology
 government policies
 labour.
●● Describe mining operations – extraction and
processing methods in Lesotho.
●● Explain ways in which mining is organized in
Lesotho.
●● Describe the use of diamonds.
●● Explain the importance of mining diamonds in
Lesotho
●● Describe the importance of sandstone and other
rocks quarried in Lesotho.
●● Assess the impact of mining and quarrying on
the environment.
●● Suggest ways in which the landscape could be
restored or used after mining and quarrying.

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 B.2.1 Mining in ●● Demonstrate an ●● Study large scale mining industry from:
Africa South of understanding of Petroleum and natural gas in Nigeria and Gold
the Sahara other mining activities mining in South Africa, in terms of: geological
in Africa South of occurrence, accessibility of deposits, mining
the Sahara and cost and operations, transport, market, labour,
their contribution to extraction and processing methods.
national development.
B.3 ●● Develop an ●● Classify industries into primary, secondary,
Processing and understanding of the tertiary and quaternary sectors.
Manufacturing principles involved ●● Differentiate between processing and
Industries in in the establishment manufacturing industries.
Lesotho of processing and ●● Identify and locate processing and
manufacturing manufacturing industries in Lesotho.
industries in Lesotho ●● Describe factors that influence the location of
and major industrial milling and textile industries in Lesotho with
estates in Africa reference to raw materials, labour, capital,
South of the Sahara. transport, power, (both local and distant),
government policy. The uses of the products
should also be studied.
●● Describe the government’s role in the
establishment of industries.
●● Discuss the importance of manufacturing and
processing industries in Lesotho.
●● Discuss problems caused by the development
of industries.
●● Describe and explain the development and
growth of industrial estates in Lesotho and their
characteristics.
●● Describe and explain the nature and importance
of craft industries in Lesotho and the reasons for
their development.
B.3.1 ●● Develop an ●● Study motor vehicle assembly in South Africa
Processing and understanding of the and petroleum refineries at Port Harcourt,
Manufacturing principles involved Nigeria in terms of: components, labour, capital,
Industries in in the establishment power, transport, markets.
Africa South of of processing and ●● Describe problems caused by large scale
the Sahara manufacturing industries for society and environment and
industries and major possible solutions to them.
industrial estates in
Africa South of the
Sahara.

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 B.4 Power ●● Show an ●● Locate a hydro-electric power station in Lesotho
production understanding of and describe the factors that influence its
power production location.
using renewable ●● Describe the processes involved in the
and non-renewable production of hydro-electric power.
resources with ●● Describe the benefits and explain the problems
reference to Lesotho of generating hydro-power in Lesotho.
and South Africa. ●● Describe thermal power production in terms
of: factors influencing location, production
processes, benefits and problems encountered,
with reference to thermal power in South Africa.
●● Describe factors (physical and economic) that
influence the location of wind and solar power.
●● Describe wind and solar power in terms of their
benefits and problems.
B.5 Tourism Develop an ●● Identify and classify tourist attractions in
understanding of Lesotho in terms of historical, physical and
characteristics of human made features.
tourism and its ●● Describe the role that stakeholders
importance to the (government, NGO’s Private Sector, local
economy of Lesotho Authorities and local communities) make to
and SADC region develop the tourist sector.
●● Analyse the problems (e.g. lack of transport,
lack of marketing) facing the development of the
tourist industry in Lesotho and suggest possible
solutions to them.
●● Locate one example of wildlife park in South
Africa and describe its physical characteristics
and human facilities.
●● Explain why Namibia and Mauritius are major
tourist destinations.
●● Compare the scale of tourism in Lesotho and
South Africa in terms of numbers of tourists and
income and suggest reasons for the differences.
●● Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of the tourist industry on areas that receive
tourists.

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SECTION C

TOPIC GENERAL SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES
Settlement Learners should be Learners should be able to:
Population and able to:
Migration
C.1 Rural ●● Show an ●● Describe the patterns of rural settlements in
Settlement understanding of the Lesotho.
dynamic nature of ●● Draw sketch maps demonstrating different
rural settlements. settlement patterns in Lesotho.
●● Show understanding ●● Identify factors that influence siting, size and
of settlement growth of rural settlements in Lesotho (physical
hierarchy. and socio-economic).
●● Classify settlements by size and function.
●● Describe, and explain reasons for a settlement
hierarchy.

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 C.1.1 Urban ●● Demonstrate an ●● Give reasons for urbanization: increase in
settlement understanding of the population, population migration, development
development and of trade, industry, routes services.
dynamic nature of ●● Describe the functions of towns.
urban settlement ●● Describe the ‘sphere of influences’ of a town
(relationship of a town to the surrounding area)
and define the terms range and threshold of a
service.
●● Describe and explain the distribution of land use
zones in cities in LEDCs and MEDCs, namely;
the CBD (Central Business District), residential
areas, industrial areas and open space.
●● Describe and explain the influence of transports
routes on urban morphology.
●● Describe the effects of urbanization on the
environment; different types of pollution,
housing shortages; squatter settlements; traffic
congestion; shortage of services such as water
supply, power supply, education and health;
urban sprawl on surrounding areas.
●● Describe and evaluate the strategies used to
overcome the problems in urban areas.
●● Suggest and evaluate social problems resulting
from poverty in urban areas.
●● Describe Lesotho’s settlement policy.
CASE STUDY: Maseru City – Describe and
explain its historical evolution, ages and types of
buildings, morphology and functions.
CASE STUDY: Describe and explain the
morphology and functions of a coastal city in
South Africa: Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth.

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 C.2 Population Describe the growth of ●● Define the following concepts: population
dynamics population and its social density, population distribution, over-population,
and economic impact. under-population and optimum population,
population growth, population explosion,
population pressure.
●● Explain how population distribution and density
is influenced by the interaction of physical,
social and economic factors.
CASE STUDY: study the uneven distribution
and density of population in Lesotho and in the
Republic of South Africa and explanations for
them.
●● Explain factors influencing population growth
– birth rate, fertility rate and death (mortality)
rates, migration (push and pull factors). Draw
conclusions from such statistics.
●● Analyse and interpret population maps, graphs,
diagrams and statistical data.
●● Explain the significance of age-sex pyramids of
different shapes.
●● Suggest the impact of different population
growth on the economy, environment and
society in Lesotho.
CASE STUDY: Describe and explain the structure
of the population pyramids of Lesotho and of one
developed country. Account for the differences.
●● Describe and explain the different stages of the

Demographic Transition Model.

●● Describe and explain Lesotho’s position in the

Demographic Transition Model.

show an understanding ●● Describe the different types of population

of the causes and migration: internal, international, forced,

effects of migration at a voluntary, rural-urban, and explain their causes
variety of scales (push-pull factors).
●● Explain the impact of migration on migrants,

their place of origin and destination.

●● Compare the different types of migration in

LEDCs and MEDCs

●● Describe Lesotho’s government policies to curb

internal migration.
CASE STUDY: explain the causes and impact of
the migrant labour system between Lesotho and
South Africa.

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 C.3 HIV/AIDS in ●● Show an ●● Describe and explain the spread of HIV/AIDS in
Lesotho understanding of Lesotho.
the socio-economic ●● Interpret Lesotho’s HIV/AIDS statistics and
impact of HIV and account for its prevalence.
AIDS in Lesotho ●● Explain the socio-economic impact of
HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and its influence on
population structures, at the present day and in
the near future.
●● Describe efforts taken by the Lesotho
government and other stakeholders to address
the problems caused by HIV/AIDS.
●● Evaluate efforts taken by government of
Lesotho and other stakeholders to address the
problems of HIV and AIDS.

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SECTION D

TOPIC GENERAL SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES
Basic Learners should be Learners should be able to:
Techniques able to:
and Skills
D.1 Mapwork ●● Read and interpret ●● Locate places or geographical features using 4
topographical maps and 6 figure grid references.
with full keys from the ●● Use the key to identify features.
DADC region on the ●● Use the straight edge of pieces of paper and
scales of 1:50 000 scale line to measure horizontal distance.
and 1:25 000. ●● Calculate area and gradient.
●● State directions using compass points (N, NE,
SE, S, SW, W, and NW).
●● Give bearing from grid north using a
mathematical protector.
●● Locate feature on a drawn cross section by
adding labels to the profile.
●● Identify landforms on a map using contours and
conventional signs and symbols. Landforms to
be identified: valley, gorge, plateau, ridge, hill,
mountain, cliff, lowland, floodplain, Give further
description, such as flat, gentle slope, steep
slope, wide, narrow, deeply cut. The varied size
and scale of topographic features should be
noted.
●● Desribe drainage densities, drainage patterns
and features of the streams and rivers.
●● Describe human activities in relation to the
features on the topographic maps.
●● Analyse and draw inferences about patterns of
settlement (linear, dispersed and nucleated).
●● Give reasons for sites of settlements and for
areas of sparse or dense settlement.
●● Analyse and describe features of urban
morphology on maps.
●● Recognize different land uses in rural and urban
areas and on different types of relief.
●● Describe the type and density and patterns of
communications (routes) in urban and rural
areas and their relationships to physical and
human features.

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 D.2 Inquiry and ●● Interpret features of ●● Interpret information in photographs, maps
presentation physical and human diagrams, text and statistical forms.
skills geography presented ●● Describe and explain landforms, natural
in various forms. vegetation, land use and settlement shown on
photographs or in sketches.
●● Draw, describe and ●● Draw sketch maps, labelled diagrams and
analyse graphs, annotated sketches to illustrate the geography
diagrams and maps. of an area.
●● Analyse and present data in appropriate form
using maps, graphs (bar graphs, line graphs,
scatter graphs and pie charts) and tables.
●● Formulate hypothesis and guiding questions.
●● Collect data using questionnaire, observation,
counts, and measurement.
●● Present, interpret and analyse data in
appropriate forms using maps, graphs,
photographs and diagrams.
●● Draw conclusions and evaluate data collection
methods.

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A Guide to Enquiry Skills for Paper 1

1. Formulating aims and hypotheses

Learners should be familiar with hypotheses and guiding questions as statements that form
the basis of Coursework assignments. The hypotheses may investigate a geographical
concept e.g. ‘A CBD has the highest concentration of comparison shops’ how and why
wind direction affect the weather at area etc. Collecting relevant data, analysis and drawing
conclusions using the data as evidence can test these.

2. Enquiry skills to collect data

Questions on this paper will test knowledge and application of the methodology used in the
following range of data collection enquiry:

Data presentation techniques

●

Knowledge of the illustrative techniques to present data is required. This should include
various types of graphs, maps and diagrams (line graphs, bar graphs, divided bar graphs,
flow diagrams (proportional flow), wind rose graphs, isoline maps, scatter graphs, pie
graphs).

● Questionnaires

Questionnaires can be oral or written to gain information from an individual or a group of

individuals. Suitable themes in the syllabus where questionnaires may be appropriately
studied include spheres of influence, use of services, shopping habits, a factory or
industrial study, tourism, migration or attitude of the public to developments associated
with resource development. Consideration should be given to factors influencing the
successful design of questionnaires e.g. layout, format of questions, the appropriate
wording of questions and the number of question. The practical considerations of
conducting a questionnaire: the sampling methods (random, stratified, snowball), pilot,
survey and location of survey should also be discussed.

● Observation

Examples of using observations as an enquiry skill to collect data include the recording
of land-use in an urban area, observations of river feature and identifying features on a
photograph. Maps, recording sheets, field sketches and annotated photographs may all
be used to record learner observation.

Counts
●

Pedestrian and traffic counts are two significant examples of this enquiry skill.
Appropriate methods for recording the counts should be discussed including the layout of
recording sheets, instructions and the necessary information required to identify the sheet
following the count (i.e. time, date, location and name of recorder)

● Measurement

When recording measurements, due consideration should be given to planning the layout
of the recording sheet, the location of instruments and the sampling methods adopted
to provide reliable data. Knowledge of the equipment used in measurement required,
such as the clinometer, ruler, tape measure, stop watch. Learners should be familiar with
river measurements of channel width, depth, speed of flow and the size and shape of
bed load, the size and shape of pebbles and learners should also be aware of weather
instruments, as stated in Section A5.

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4. Analysis
Learners should be able to describe the patterns in data presented in graphs and tables of
results. Reference to relevant geographical knowledge and understanding is often required in
the interpretation of the data.

5. Formation of conclusions
Using the evidence from the data, learners should be able to make judgments on the validity
of the original hypothesis or guiding questions. Reference is also required to the reliability of
collected data and a critical evaluation of the chosen data collection methods.

LIST OF COMMAND WORDS

The list of command words in this Syllabus are explained below. The list is to be used as a guide
and is not meant to be comprehensive. The meaning of a word will depend in part on its context.

Command Word Explanation

Annotate ●● Add notes of explanation
●● Label with short comments a diagram, map or photograph to describe or
explain
●● If asked ‘Using only an annotated diagram…’ only the diagram and
attached notes will be marked
Calculate ●● Provide a numerical answer
●● Show the working especially if two or more steps are involved
Compare ●● Provide a point by point account of the similarities and differences
between two sets of information or two areas
●● Use comparative adjectives (e.g. larger than, smaller than, more steep
than, less gentle than – or statements such as ‘X is wide whereas ‘Y’ is
narrow’ or
●● ‘both X and Y are …’)
●● Question may also be written as ‘List/State/Describe etc. the similarities
and differences between…’
●● Two separate descriptions do not make a comparison
Complete ●● To add the remaining detail or details required
Contrast ●● Identify clearly the point(s) of difference
●● Use comparative adjectives (e.g. larger than, smaller than, more steep
than, less gentle than or statements such as ‘X is long whereas ‘Y’ is
short’)
●● Question may also be written as ‘How are … different?’
Define ●● Give a relatively short answer, usually two or three sentences, with a
precise definition/meaning of a term
●● Question may also be written as ‘State/Explain the meaning of ’ or ‘What
is meant by’
Describe ●● Give a written factual account of the distinctive features of an item
●● Do not attempt to explain

© ECol 2019 25
 Command Word Explanation
Describe the ●● Describe what the feature looks like (e.g. for a landform – its shape,
characteristics of dimensions, composition, location)
Describe/Identify ●● In relation to a graph or a series of graphs
dates/time ●● Give an overall picture
elements ●● Do not focus on individual changes
●● Include individual changes only if they are major exceptions to an overall
trend
●● Quote relevant figures to support your description
Describe the ●● Give only the differences between two sets of data (see ‘Contrast’)
differences
between
Describe the ●● In conjunction with a map or a set of maps
location of/Where ●● Describe the locations of high concentrations of a variable together with a
are description of those areas with a lower concentration
●● Identify anomalous areas, or areas which go against an overall trend in
the distribution
Describe and ●● Give a description and make a judgment on the description, possibly to
comment on offer some explanation or to infer something which could be responsible
for, or develop from, the description referred to
Draw ●● Make a sketch of a geographical form
●● Include labels to the diagram
●● Question may be written as ‘Using a diagram’ or ‘Illustrate with a sketch’
Explain ●● Give a statement as to why something occurs
●● Show an ability to know or understand why or how something happens
●● Question may be written as ‘Account for’, ‘Give reasons for’, ‘Suggest
reasons for’ or ‘How might’
Give an ●● Provide a description of a feature together with an explanation for it
explanatory ●● Make linked statements to show this
account/Give a ●● A long piece of prose is expected
reasoned account ●● Give a logical account that is both relevant and well organised
How ●● Prove/demonstrate/show (depending on question) in what way/to what
extent/for what reason/by what means or method
Identify/Name/ ●● Give a short sentence or a single word answer
State/Give
Illustrating your ●● Account for by writing specific examples or diagrams
answers with ●● Include relevant words or terms to identify particular features
Label ●● Place specific names or details to an illustrative technique
List ●● Identify or name a number of specific features to meet a particular
purpose
Locate ●● Find the place

© ECol 2019 26
 Command Word Explanation
Match ●● Identify two or more statements or illustrative techniques in which there is
an element of similarity or inter-relationship
Name ●● State/specify/identify using a word or words by which a specific feature is
known
●● Give examples which illustrate a particular feature
Outline ●● Provide a brief description or explanation
Predict ●● Use your own knowledge and understanding along with information
provided to state what might happen next
Refer to/With ●● Write an answer which uses some of the ideas provided in an illustrative
reference to technique or other additional material such as a case study
●● Reference to stated materials is needed
State ●● Write in brief detail by a short statement or a single word
Study ●● Examine closely, pay special attention to, look carefully at and interpret
Suggest ●● Write down ideas on, or knowledge of a particular feature
●● Propose or put forward ideas for consideration
●● Give an explanatory statement referring to particular feature or features if
question is ‘Suggest why’ or ‘Suggest reasons for’
Use/Using the ●● Base answer on information provided
information ●● Refer to the stated materials
provided
Why ●● Provide the cause or reason
With the help of ●● Use some of the information provided as well as additional material
●● Refer to stated materials

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10. Grade descriptions
The scheme of assessment is intended to encourage positive achievement by all candidates.
Mastery of the curriculum is required for further academic study.

A Grade A candidate must show mastery of the curriculum and an outstanding performance on the
more academic problems.

A Grade C candidate must show mastery of the curriculum plus ability in answering questions
which are pitched at a more academic level.

A Grade F candidate must show success in a majority of tasks set on the curriculum.
The grade descriptions are provided to give a general indication of the standards of achievement
likely to have been shown by candidates awarded particular grades.

The grade descriptions are provided to give a general indication of the standards of achievement
likely to have been shown by candidates awarded particular grades.

Grade F Grade C Grade A

Ability: For Grade F, the For Grade C, the For Grade A, the
candidate is likely to candidate is likely to candidate is likely to
have shown the ability: have shown the ability: have shown the ability:
in relation to to demonstrate an to demonstrate to demonstrate a
geographical elementary level of a knowledge of wide knowledge and
knowledge with knowledge of physical physical and human comprehension of
understanding and human geography geographical physical and human
and demonstrate a phenomena and geography, and a clear
comprehension of demonstrate a understanding of their
simple geographical comprehension of inter-relationships
ideas and simple important geographical
geographical ideas, concepts,
relationships generalisations and
processes
in relation to to describe inter- to analyse inter- to analyse inter-
geographical analysis relationships between relationships between relationships between
people and their people and their people and their
environment and environment and to environment, to
analyse them in simple recognise the dynamic recognise the dynamic
terms nature of changes in nature of these
these relationships relationships and how
and why they may
change through time
and space

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 Grade F Grade C Grade A
Ability: For Grade F, the For Grade C, the For Grade A, the
candidate is likely to candidate is likely to candidate is likely to
have shown the ability: have shown the ability: have shown the ability:
in relation to to recognise at an to make balanced to make balanced
judgement and elementary level judgements on judgements and to
decision making within the existence of economic, political, show an awareness
a geographical context differing systems environmental and of the different
of values which social issues which attitudes and priorities
influence economic, have a geographical of individuals and
environmental, dimension through groups, and hence the
political and social a recognition of problematical nature
issues which have conflicting viewpoints of the interaction
a geographical and solutions of people with the
dimension environment
in relation to (given specific (given general (given a minimum
geographical guidance at all stages) guidance) to plan and amount of
investigation to observe, record carry out effectively guidance) to carry
and attempt to classify a geographical out independently
geographical data, to enquiry using relevant geographical enquiry
use a range of source data from a variety in which appropriate
materials, including of primary and/or methodology
maps; to draw simple secondary sources; is applied; to
sketch maps and to apply geographical communicate
construct diagrams techniques, use effectively the
such as a bar graph, map interpretation at gathering processing
to communicate different scales, and and analysis of
information by brief a range of graphical, the information,
statements numerical and pictorial to recognise
information such as that solutions or
flowline diagrams, conclusions may not
simple census extracts readily be drawn from
and photographs the enquiry

© ECol 2019 29
GLOSSARY OF GEOGRAPHICAL TERMS
Acid lava dome a steep sided volcano composed of acidic lava
Acid rain rain water containing chemicals which come from burning fossil fuels
Alternative energy can be used instead of fossil fuels and are renewable (will never run out),
e.g. wind power, solar power
Arch a rocky opening through a headland
Attrition process of erosion when rocks and boulders, carried by rivers and waves,
bump into each other and break up into smaller pieces
Bar a ridge of sand or shingle deposited across the mouth of a bay attached to
land at both ends
Bay a wide curved coastal inlet
Beach an area of sand or pebbles along a coast
Birth rate the number of people born each year per 1000 of the population
Biological weathering The breakdown of rock by both mechanical wedging action of roots and
animal burrowing) and chemical processes resulting from the release of
organic acids
Braided river a river channel broken into sections by deposits
Brownfield site land which has been built upon before which could be cleared and used
again, often for a different purpose
Carbonation a chemical weathering process whereby calcium carbonate is converted to
a soluble form by carbonic acid in rainwater
Carbon footprint a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms
of units of carbon dioxide production
Central Business the middle of a town or city, with high land values, used mostly for shops
District (CBD) and offices
Climate the average weather conditions of a place over many years
Commercial farming when crops and animals are sold to make a profit
Composite volcano a volcano with alternate layers of lava and ash
Conservation protection of the environment
Convergent plate (destructive boundary or margin) where two plates are moving together
boundary
Corrasion process of erosion where the material carried by rivers or waves, for
example, rubs against river beds and banks or the coast, wearing them
away. Sometimes referred to as ‘abrasion’
Corrosion process of erosion where water reacts with soluble minerals in rocks and
dissolves them
Death rate the number of people dying each year per 1000 of the population

© ECol 2019 30
Deforestation large-scale clearance of trees
Delta a flat area of land, made up of layers of sediment deposited at the mouth of
a river over time
Deposition the laying down of material carried by rivers, waves or wind
Distributary a river channel which flows away from the main river in a delta
Divergent plate (constructive boundary or margin) where two plates are moving apart
boundary
Earthquake a sudden movement within the Earth’s crust, usually close to a plate
boundary
Ecosystem a community of plants and animals together with the environment in which
they live
Employment structure the proportion of people working in different types of jobs e.g. primary,
secondary, tertiary, quaternary
Energy consumption the amount of energy used
Environment the surroundings in which people, plants and animals live
Erosion the wearing-away of the land by rivers, waves or wind
Exfoliation the peeling of rock parallel to the rock surface as a result of diurnal
temperature change (when water is present)
Exfoliation dome a hill with a rounded outline as a result of exfoliation
Fold mountain highland resulting from tensional forces causing rock strata to be curved
Flood water covering land which is normally dry
Floodplain the flat area either side of a river that is regularly flooded
Fossil fuels fuels from the remains of plants or animals, e.g. coal, oil, gas
Freeze-thaw frost shattering of rocks caused by the freezing and thawing of water in
cracks. A form of mechanical weathering
Geothermal energy energy from heated rock within the Earth’s crust
Global warming increase in world average temperatures
Gorge a deep, narrow, steep-sided valley
Greenfield site land which could be built upon but which has never been built upon before
Headland part of the coastline that juts out into the sea
Hydration chemical weathering by the addition of water to a mineral causing it to swell
Hydraulic action process of river and wave erosion caused by the force of water
Hydro-Electric electricity produced from the flow of water
Power (HEP)
Infrastructure the basic network of transport links, and services such as electricity, water
and gas

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Intensive farming farming with high inputs and outputs per land area, usually small areas
which use either many people or a lot of capital
Internal migration the movement of people within a country
International migration the movement of people from one country to another
LEDC less economically developed country, which tends to have a low income
Levee a natural or artificial bank along a river
Longshore drift zigzag movement of sand and pebbles along a coast
Malnutrition poor diet, often lacking protein and vitamins, leading to poor health
Meander large bend in a river
MEDC more economically developed country, which tends to have a high income
NICs newly industrialised countries where manufacturing has grown very rapidly,
leading to economic development
Nuclear power energy released from uranium and plutonium
Optimum population where there is a balance between the number of people and resources in
an area to enable everyone to have a good standard of living
Overpopulation NNO not having enough resources to support the population living in an area
Oxbow lake semi-circular lake formed when a meander is cut off from the main river
Oxidation chemical weathering by the addition of oxygen to a mineral
Plantation farming large farms often growing a single crop which is sold for cash
Plateau an area of highland which is flat or very gently sloping
Plate boundary where two plates meet
(margin)
Plate tectonics the theory that the Earth’s crust is made up of a series of huge plates which
move slowly
Population pyramid a horizontal bar graph that shows the age and sex structure of a population
(age-sex pyramid)
Population structure the division of the population into selected age groups (usually young
dependents, elderly dependents and economically active) and the
proportion of males and females within them
Pothole a circular depression in a rocky river bed resulting from abrasion as a
pebble is swirled round in it.
Primary industry takes natural resources from the land or sea, e.g. farming, fishing, forestry
and mining
Quality of life how content people are with their lives and their environment
Quaternary industry provides information and expertise, e.g. research and development
Range of a service/ how far people will travel to obtain the service or good
good

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Rapids a turbulent, fast flowing part of a river over an uneven bed where the rocks
are of different resistances to erosion
Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air in relation to how much water
vapour that the air is able to hold. Relative humidity varies with temperature
and is expressed as a percentage
Residential area an area where people live, land mainly used for housing
Rift valley a steep sided valley with faulted sides
River channel the depression in which the river flows consisting of a bed and banks at
either side of the bed
River cliff the steep, eroded outer bank of a meander
Saltation a process of river transportation in which small particles jump or bounce
along the river bed
Scree a heap of angular rocks at the foot of a slope resulting from rockfall after
weathering
Secondary industry making goods, usually in a factory, e.g. steelmaking
(manufacturing)
Service centre a settlement that provides goods and services for people living in that place
and nearby
Settlement function the main activity of a place
Shield volcano wide-based volcano with gently sloping sides, composed of basic lava
Site the land on which a settlement, farm or factory is located
Situation the location of a settlement in relation to its surrounding area
Slip off slope the gently sloping bank where deposition takes place on the inside of a
meander
Soil erosion the removal of soil by wind and water
Solar energy energy from the sun
Solution process of chemical weathering whereby minerals are dissolved and of
river transport where dissolved materials are carried in the water
Sphere of influence the area served by a settlement, service or shop
Spit a long narrow ridge of sand or shingle that extends from the mainland into
the sea
shanty town area where poor people live in poor-quality housing on land they do not
officially own
Stack pillar of rock surrounded by sea
Suspension process of river transport in which small particles are carried along without
touching the river bed
Sustainable using resources no faster than natural processes can replenish them

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Sustainable farming farming systems that allow farm production to continue indefinitely, e.g. soil
erosion
Sustainable the forest is not destroyed, so forest resources and products can continue
management of to be used by people in the future
forests
Sustainable tourism tourism that has a good future because neither the environment nor the
way of life of local people upon which it depends is being destroyed
Synoptic chart a map on which isobars and weather at weather stations is shown by
symbols for a particular time
TNC trans-national corporation (multinational) a company with branches in more
than one country
Tertiary industry provides services (not goods), e.g. banking, teaching
Threshold of a service the minimum number of people needed to use a service for it to be set up
Tombolo a ridge of deposited sand or shingle which joins the mainland to an island
Traction process of river transport in which boulders roll along the river bed
Transform plate (conservative boundary or margin) where two plates are sliding past each
boundary other
Transportation the movement of material by rivers, waves or wind
Tsunami a huge ocean wave triggered by a submarine earthquake, volcanic eruption
or landslide
Thermal power station produces electricity by burning fossil fuels
Tributary a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or river
Typhoon a violent tropical storm characterised by low pressure, heavy rainfall and
(or hurricane or extremely strong winds
tropical cyclone)
Under population when there are too few people in an area to use the resources available
efficiently
Urban growth the increase in size and population of towns and cities
Urbanisation the growing proportion of people living in towns and cities
Volcano a mountain formed from volcanic material ejected from a vent in a central
crater
Waterfall a point on a river where waterfalls vertically
Wave-cut platform an area of gently sloping or flat rocks at the foot of a cliff exposed at low
tide
Weather the day-to-day conditions of temperature, precipitation, cloud, sunshine and
wind
Weathering the breakdown of rocks in situ

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