Geography
Study Guide
Geography makes up about 15% of the GED Social Studies test. You need to read maps, understand how geography affects human activity, and know key geographic concepts.
1Reading Maps
Maps use symbols, scales, and legends to represent geographic information. Know how to read a compass rose, scale bar, and map key/legend.
Examples:
•Compass rose: shows N, S, E, W directions
•Scale: shows the relationship between map distance and real distance
•Legend/Key: explains what symbols on the map represent
•Latitude: horizontal lines (measures N/S of equator)
•Longitude: vertical lines (measures E/W of Prime Meridian)
2Human-Environment Interaction
Geography studies how humans interact with their environment. People adapt to, modify, and depend on their environment.
Examples:
•Adapt: building homes on stilts in flood-prone areas
•Modify: building dams, clearing forests for farmland, constructing roads
•Depend: relying on rivers for water, fertile soil for farming
•Human activities can cause: deforestation, pollution, climate change
3Migration and Population
People move for push factors (reasons to leave) and pull factors (reasons to go somewhere). Population distribution is affected by geography, climate, and resources.
Examples:
•Push factors: war, poverty, natural disaster, persecution
•Pull factors: jobs, freedom, better climate, family
•Most people live near water sources and in moderate climates
•Urbanization: movement from rural areas to cities
Test-Taking Tips
GED geography questions often include maps — always read the title, legend, and scale.
Understand how geography affects history and economics (e.g., rivers enable trade, mountains create barriers).
Know the difference between latitude (horizontal, N/S) and longitude (vertical, E/W).
Think about push vs. pull factors when questions ask about migration.