Cartoons in exams… … a guide!

S.Rackley (Apr 2008)A “Quizdom” Powerpoint

WALT/WILF

• How do we pick out information in cartoons?

• How do we use our geographical knowledge to analyse exam cartoons?

• Successful analyses of cartoons.

• Effective questioning and answering using a mark scheme.

• Recall of geographical knowledge.

First, a question…• How confident are you (5 = no worries) of getting FULL

MARKS from an exam question containing a cartoon?

1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 5

How much information can you spot?

• Look at this cartoon on the next slide. ‘Bet’ on how many pieces of information you think you can name.

• Be careful! If you think you can name more than anyone else, you’ll be asked to name them all!

How much information can you spot?

NAME THEM!

There are up to 13 possible messages in this one!

Drinking/drug taking causing illness (Cost of clear up? Hospitalisation?)

Excessive ‘binge’ drinking (Cheap booze?)

Littering & destruction/disrespect of the local habitat/area. (Cost of clean up? Sewage?)

Tourists, probably arrived by air (Cheap flights? Package holidays?)

Mediterranean location with attractive climate. Non-English.

People are leaving the area, suggested by air, maybe boat. (Why? Island…)

Younger generation (Loud? Irresponsible?)

Little clothing (For the climate? Disrespectful to locals?)

Older local generation leaving

Donkey, suggesting loss of traditional lifestyles/work.

Unhappy, resentful

Perhaps a long temporary move or emmigration/out-migration? (To where?)

Local traditional clothing

What’s the likely caption?“Some day, son, …”

What’s the likely caption?“Some day, son, …”

A) … you’ll have a job here!

B) … all this will be your problem!

C) … this will make you rich!

D) …you’ll thank me for this!

What’s the likely caption?What clues indicated this quote?

Well, the gas masks are a big hint!!! The father is clearly aware of the problem… but still in his suit and tie, maybe running the business.. What does that tell you!!?

Which of these topics would not fit in this cartoon?

A) Mobile phone use

B) Distracted driving

C) Road safety

D) All of the above do fit in this cartoon

Which of these topics would not fit in this cartoon?

A) Mobile phone use

B) Distracted driving

C) Road safety

D) All of the above do fit in this cartoon

All of the above fit! A cartoon may have more than one message. The bestthing to do is to LOOK AT THE TOPIC OF THE QUESTION! If the question is about Natural Hazards, the cartoon is bound to be about causes, effects or responses!!

Some advice…• Exam cartoon questions require that you carefully read each aspect

of the cartoon, including labels and captions. It is also very important to note different types of symbolism.

• After looking for all of these clues, put them together and try to make sense of it. You should ask yourself, “What is the message?”Regardless of content, the same strategy holds true for all political/geographical cartoons:

1) View the cartoon, paying particular attention to symbols, captions, and labels.

2) Read the question asked. 3) Look for the key command words in your question, make sure you

know exactly what the question is asking.4) Review the cartoon, try matching the clues with what is being

asked.5) Write the best answer based on your analysis and REFER to the

clues in the cartoon!

A past question• Get into two groups• In 2s or 3s within these groups,

answer the past exam question.• You may find it useful before

you start for your whole group to discuss the meaning of the command words and what the number of marks indicates about the detail required.

• After 5 mins, collect answers, and swap with other members in your group to be marked! >>>>

A past question

• Mark it, using the mark sheet

• Comment on it using the “Prompts for Peer Assessment” sheet which you have used before.

• When all done, give owners back their answers.

• Review your own work using these comments, do you agree/disagree with them? Why?

Write your own question!

• Your whole group is to select one of the cartoons.

• In your 2s/3s, each write a 6 MARK question for it (don’t forget appropriate command words).

• In 5 mins, collect and swap with the OTHER GROUP, and answer (5 mins)!

• Swap back and mark as before.

Lastly, a question…• How confident are you NOW (5 = no worries) of getting

FULL MARKS from an exam question containing a cartoon?

1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) 4 5) 5

Resources

• http://www.s-cool.co.uk/topic_index.asp?subject_id=20 – Good revision site with practise questions, some of them have cartoons.

• http://www.cartoonstock.com/ - Lots of cartoons! They can be political and biased, so be careful, but you can type in a keyword (e.g. deforestation), chose a cartoon and practise analysing it!