How to Answer a 9-Mark Question (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note
Exam code: 7037
What is a 9-mark question?
The 9-mark questions, often called 9-markers, are the third and fourth questions in Section C of both Paper 1 and Paper 2
They appear only in Section C, so you will answer two on each paper, with about 11 minutes for each
These questions carry 18 of the 120 marks (15%)
There are usually two types:
With a figure: the third question uses a figure and your own knowledge
Without a figure: the fourth question relies on your own knowledge
The question at a glance
Marks | 9 |
Where it appears | the third and fourth questions in Section C |
Suggested time | about 11 minutes |
Suggested length | about 220–260 words |
Assessment objective 1 | 4 marks |
Assessment objective 2 | 5 marks |
Command phrases and assessment objectives
These questions often use command phrases such as:
"assess"
"evaluate"
"to what extent"
"how far do you agree"
"discuss"
All of these command phrases need an argument that reaches a clear judgement
Past paper questions include:
“Using Figure 10 and your own knowledge, assess challenges in responding to this event.” (Paper 1, June 2024)
“How far do you agree that changes to the carbon cycle are leading to an increasingly uncertain future for coral reefs?” (Paper 1, June 2024)
“Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, evaluate the success of mitigation strategies used to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases.” (Paper 2, June 2024)
“Evaluate the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) as a strategy to manage water movement through urban catchments.” (Paper 2, June 2024)
The question tests two assessment objectives (AOs):
AO1 (4 marks): what you know, meaning knowledge and understanding of concepts, processes, interactions and change
AO2 (5 marks): what you do with it, meaning applying that knowledge through analysis and evaluation
How much should I write?
Spend about 11 minutes on each question, including about 1 minute of planning
Aim for about 220–260 words
Develop two or three points fully rather than covering many points briefly
A 9-marker usually needs about four or five short paragraphs
A focused answer that fits the answer space can score well
How is a 9-mark question marked?
This is a levelled response question, so each point you make doesn't equal a mark
The examiner reads your whole answer and decides which level it best fits
The examiner then places it within that level's mark range
The three levels
Level 3 (7–9 marks)
Detailed knowledge and understanding throughout
Detailed application, with fully developed connections between aspects of the topic
Detailed assessment or evaluation, well supported with evidence
Level 2 (4–6 marks)
Clear knowledge and understanding, with perhaps some minor inaccuracy
Clear application, with some relevant connections
Clear assessment or evaluation, supported with appropriate evidence
Level 1 (1–3 marks)
Basic knowledge and understanding, with limited relevance
Limited application, with basic connections
Basic assessment or evaluation, with limited evidence
What separates Level 2 from Level 3?
Level 2 answers make clear points and some judgement, but the detail is uneven
Level 3 answers use detailed knowledge and evidence throughout
Level 3 answers also weigh their points against each other and end with a supported judgement
How to answer a 9-mark question
Step 1
Read the question carefully and highlight the command phrase
"To what extent do you agree that the level of economic development is the main factor affecting the impacts of seismic hazards?"
"To what extent do you agree" means that you need to weigh up economic development against other factors and reach a judgement
Step 2
Highlight the key words
"To what extent do you agree that the level of economic development is the main factor affecting the impacts of seismic hazards?"
In this example, your answer must:
explain how development affects impacts
compare development with at least one other factor
use named seismic events as evidence
If the question has a figure, also highlight "Figure" and "your own knowledge", because you need to use both
Step 3
Spend about 1 minute writing a short plan
Decide your judgement first, so that every point can support it
A 9-marker structure for this question could be:
position: development is the main factor, but physical factors set limits
argument: development and building quality, using Haiti and Christchurch
counter-argument: magnitude and tsunami, using Japan
other factor: governance, using Türkiye
conclusion: a judgement that returns to "main factor"
Step 4
Write your answer, opening with a clear position on the question
Give each short paragraph one main idea that supports or challenges your position
Support each point with named evidence or, if there is a figure, with data from the figure
Explain what the evidence means for the question
Knowledge only: "The magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti in 2010 killed over 100,000 people, and the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 killed 185 people"
Knowledge and argument: "The Haiti earthquake was stronger, but the difference in deaths was far greater than magnitude alone suggests, which supports development as the main factor"
Finish with a judgement that draws together the points you have already made
What if?
You don't know a key term: write what you can about the rest of the question and still reach a judgement, as this can earn some credit
You've gone over 11 minutes: finish with a one-sentence judgement and move on, because the 20-mark essay is still to come
You can't remember a named example: use the most accurate detail you do know and keep making your argument
Worked Example
To what extent do you agree that the level of economic development is the main factor affecting the impacts of seismic hazards?
[9 marks]
Model answer:
Economic development is the main factor affecting the impacts of seismic hazards, but physical factors limit what it can achieve. [Ap]
Wealthier countries can afford earthquake-resistant buildings, monitoring and well-equipped emergency services. [KU] The magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti in 2010 killed over 100,000 people, partly because building codes were weak and poorly enforced. [KU] In contrast, the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 killed 185 people. [KU] The Haiti earthquake was stronger, so this is not an exact comparison, but the difference in deaths was 500 times that in New Zealand far greater than magnitude alone suggests. [Ap]
However, physical factors can overwhelm wealth. Japan is a high-income country, yet nearly 20,000 people died or went missing after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and most of the deaths were from drowning. [KU] This shows that the type and scale of a hazard can matter more than preparation, particularly when secondary hazards exceed the planned level of protection. [Ap] Wealth also changes the type of impact rather than removing it, as high-income countries often have fewer deaths but greater economic losses. [Ap]
Development alone does not guarantee safety either. Poor enforcement of building regulations was widely blamed for building collapses in Türkiye in 2023. [KU] This suggests that governance decides how far wealth reduces risk. [Ap]
Overall, development is the main factor over time because it shapes vulnerability in every event, but its effect depends on governance and on the scale of the hazard. [Ap]
[9 marks]
Mark allocation
This is a 'levelled response' question. Each valid point made in the answer does not equal a mark.
[KU] shows knowledge and understanding (AO1, 4 marks)
[Ap] shows application through analysis and evaluation (AO2, 5 marks)
Commentary
This answer reaches Level 3 because it weighs up named evidence throughout:
Paragraph 1: gives a clear position on "main factor"
Paragraph 2: supports that position with two contrasting events and questions the comparison
Paragraph 3: challenges the position using a high-income country
Paragraph 4: adds governance as a further factor
Paragraph 5: reaches a qualified judgement without adding new evidence
A 9-mark answer using a Figure
Worked Example
Figure 1 shows UK electricity generation by fuel, and the UK's net import dependency for all energy, in 2010 and 2024.
Figure 1
2010 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
Coal (% of generation) | 28 | 1 |
Gas (% of generation) | 46 | 30 |
Nuclear (% of generation) | 16 | 14 |
Wind and solar (% of generation) | 3 | 34 |
Other renewables, including hydro (% of generation) | 4 | 16 |
Oil and other fuels (% of generation) | 3 | 4 |
Net import dependency for all energy (%) | 30 | 44 |
Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2025) UK Energy in Brief 2025. Percentages are rounded.
Using Figure 1 and your own knowledge, evaluate how far changes in the UK's energy mix have improved its energy security.
[9 marks]
Model answer:
Changes in the UK’s energy mix have made its electricity supply more secure, but they have improved its overall energy security only to a limited extent. [Ap] Figure 1 shows that coal and gas together fell from 74% to 31% of generation between 2010 and 2024, while wind and solar rose from 3% to 34% and nuclear fell from 16% to 14%, The UK imported most of its coal and some of its gas, so domestic wind and solar have replaced part of its imported fuel. [Ap]
Energy security means having a reliable and affordable supply, and wind and solar use domestic resources rather than imported fuel. [KU] However, wind and solar output varies with the weather, so during calm winter periods the UK still needs gas, storage or electricity imported through interconnectors. [KU] The UK has also diversified, as no single fuel now provides close to half of its electricity. [Ap] This is a clear gain because a problem with one fuel now has less effect on supply. [Ap]
However, net import dependency rose from 30% to 44%, so the UK relies more on other countries for its energy overall. [Ap] North Sea oil and gas production has declined since its peak around 1999, while oil and gas still dominate transport and heating. [KU] Changes in electricity therefore have only a limited effect on total energy security. [Ap] Gas also still provides 30% of generation, and the rise in global gas prices after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 increased UK energy bills. [KU] This shows that security is about price as well as physical supply. [Ap]
Renewable output also varies with the weather, so the UK needs backup such as gas, storage or imported electricity. [KU]
Overall, the new mix is more diverse and more domestic, so the electricity supply is more secure, but overall energy security remains limited while oil and gas dominate transport and heating. [Ap]
[9 marks]
Mark allocation
This is a 'levelled response' question. Each valid point made in the answer does not equal a mark.
[KU] shows knowledge and understanding (AO1, 4 marks)
[Ap] shows application through analysis and evaluation (AO2, 5 marks)
Commentary
This answer reaches Level 3 because it combines the figure with its own knowledge:
Paragraph 1: gives a clear position on "how far"
Paragraph 2: uses data from the figure, defines energy security and identifies a gain
Paragraph 3: challenges the gain using the figure and knowledge that it doesn't show
Paragraph 4: adds a further limit that comes only from own knowledge
Paragraph 5: reaches a qualified judgement
Common errors
Common errors that hold 9-mark answers below the top level include:
quoting a figure without applying any geographical knowledge
writing about the topic without using the figure, when the question includes one
making general points with no named places or events
using several case studies when the question asks for one
misunderstanding a key term in the question
leaving the judgement until the last line, with nothing leading up to it
Alternative content
The answers above are just two examples of responses to these questions. Other information that could be used in the answers includes:
Other seismic events, such as Nepal in 2015
Population density and the time of day as factors affecting impacts
New nuclear power as a way to provide low-carbon electricity that doesn't depend on the weather
Local opposition to new energy projects as a limit on change
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure that you know the exact terms in the specification, because the 9-mark questions often depend on one of them. Practise explaining terms such as "non-communicable" or "nuée ardente" in your own words.
Keep an eye on the time in Section C. These two questions come before the 20-mark essay, so don't let them run on, but give them more time than the 6-mark question before them. You should also check the links in the question, because these questions can connect your option to another topic, such as the carbon cycle.
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