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Geography Quiz - Geographical Information Systems (Questions)

GCSE Geography now uses digital tools like GIS. This quiz explores how maps, data and technology combine to help geographers investigate places and solve real-world problems.

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Fascinating Fact:

A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer-based tool that stores, manages, analyses, and displays data linked to locations on the Earth’s surface.

In GCSE Geography, you use Geographical Information Systems to explore patterns on maps. GIS combines digital mapping with data from sources such as censuses, satellites and fieldwork surveys.

Key Terms

  • Digital map: A map shown on a computer or device that can be zoomed, searched and updated more easily than a paper map.
  • Attribute data: Extra information linked to a location, such as population, land use or average income for each mapped area.
  • Query: A question asked inside a GIS to select features that meet certain conditions, for example all roads within a flood-risk zone.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What do students learn about GIS in GCSE Geography?

In GCSE Geography, students learn how to use GIS to map data, spot spatial patterns, test ideas about places and support decisions in case studies such as flooding or urban change.

What kinds of data can be shown in a GIS map?

A GIS map can show many data types, including population, relief, land use, rainfall, traffic counts and environmental quality scores, all linked to specific locations or areas.

How is GIS different from a paper map?

GIS is interactive. You can switch layers on and off, zoom in, run queries and update data, whereas a paper map is fixed and cannot be analysed so flexibly.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. GIS stands for ...
[ ] Geodesic Information Series
[ ] Geodesic Information System
[ ] Geographical Information System
[ ] Geographical Information Satellite
2. A GIS can be used for ...
[ ] analysing geographical information
[ ] capturing geographical information
[ ] displaying geographical information
[ ] All of the above
3. The data for a GIS is usually stored in ...
[ ] a rich text file
[ ] a cupboard
[ ] a database
[ ] a cardboard box
4. How is the data displayed on a map by a GIS?
[ ] Using a pencil
[ ] As a single image
[ ] As a series of layers
[ ] As numbers
5. Which of the following is not an essential part of a GIS?
[ ] A smartphone
[ ] Computer hardware
[ ] A digital map
[ ] A geographical database
6. A GIS reveals ...
[ ] relationships between data sets
[ ] patterns in data sets
[ ] trends in data sets
[ ] All of the above
7. Which of the following is not a use of a GIS?
[ ] Construction and urban design
[ ] Navigating using a map and compass
[ ] Crime and surveillance
[ ] GPS mapping
8. Which of the following is not an advantage of using a GIS?
[ ] It is faster than traditional analysis methods
[ ] It does not work during a power cut
[ ] It can include a lot of data on one map
[ ] It improves communication
9. Which of the following data would you be least likely to obtain from a GIS?
[ ] The area of a parish
[ ] The population of a village
[ ] The services available in a town
[ ] The names and addresses of all the vicars in Cambridgeshire
10. There is a lot of geographical data contained in an atlas so why would you use a GIS instead?
[ ] To save having to have somewhere to keep an atlas
[ ] It takes up more room
[ ] The pages of the atlas could get accidentally ripped and lost
[ ] It is easier to add more data to maps
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Geography Quiz - Geographical Information Systems (Answers)
1. GIS stands for ...
[ ] Geodesic Information Series
[ ] Geodesic Information System
[x] Geographical Information System
[ ] Geographical Information Satellite
You will also see it written as 'geographic information system'
2. A GIS can be used for ...
[ ] analysing geographical information
[ ] capturing geographical information
[ ] displaying geographical information
[x] All of the above
It is also used for managing geographical data too
3. The data for a GIS is usually stored in ...
[ ] a rich text file
[ ] a cupboard
[x] a database
[ ] a cardboard box
Different systems can use different files but data is usually stored in databases or spreadsheets
4. How is the data displayed on a map by a GIS?
[ ] Using a pencil
[ ] As a single image
[x] As a series of layers
[ ] As numbers
The different layers can be switched on and off to help the user to spot patterns
5. Which of the following is not an essential part of a GIS?
[x] A smartphone
[ ] Computer hardware
[ ] A digital map
[ ] A geographical database
You could access and use a GIS via a smartphone but it is not essential. Whatever you use to access the GIS, you need the software to link the database information to the map
6. A GIS reveals ...
[ ] relationships between data sets
[ ] patterns in data sets
[ ] trends in data sets
[x] All of the above
A GIS is a powerful set of computerised tools that enables the user to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualise data in many ways
7. Which of the following is not a use of a GIS?
[ ] Construction and urban design
[x] Navigating using a map and compass
[ ] Crime and surveillance
[ ] GPS mapping
Navigating using a map and compass does not involve a computer, software or digital map
8. Which of the following is not an advantage of using a GIS?
[ ] It is faster than traditional analysis methods
[x] It does not work during a power cut
[ ] It can include a lot of data on one map
[ ] It improves communication
A GIS contains many different ways to present the data and can present complex information in a visual and easy-to-understand way
9. Which of the following data would you be least likely to obtain from a GIS?
[ ] The area of a parish
[ ] The population of a village
[ ] The services available in a town
[x] The names and addresses of all the vicars in Cambridgeshire
A GIS contains geographical data. Some of this will be relevant to human geography but will not identify individual people other than perhaps the owners of local businesses when the data was collected
10. There is a lot of geographical data contained in an atlas so why would you use a GIS instead?
[ ] To save having to have somewhere to keep an atlas
[ ] It takes up more room
[ ] The pages of the atlas could get accidentally ripped and lost
[x] It is easier to add more data to maps
In an atlas, each map contains only a limited amount of data, it is not easy for you to add or remove other data but with a GIS it is usually as simple as making a few clicks with a mouse (or taps on a screen). But that's only one advantage, for the exam, make sure you know some others too
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