This glossary pairs twenty-three Geography terms and question words with Bahasa Melayu, an example and a warning about what each is confused with. Use it beside your notes and check the first word of every question.
It supports the whole SPM Geography guide. For a wider word bridge that includes Chinese explanations, try the BM and English terminology bridge.
Map and graph terms
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | Skala | 1:50 000 means 1 cm on the map is 500 m on the ground | Distance, which is the measured result |
| Grid reference | Rujukan grid | Easting first, then northing: 4 squares across, 3 up | Bearing, which is an angle |
| Bearing | Bearing | A clockwise angle from north, written with three digits | Compass direction such as north-east |
| Contour | Kontur | A line joining points of equal height | Spot height, a single marked point |
| Relief | Bentuk muka bumi | The shape of hills and valleys in an area | Altitude, a single height |
| Gradient | Kecerunan | A rise of 20 m over 200 m is 1 in 10 | Height, which is only the vertical part |
| Cross-section | Keratan rentas | A side view drawn along a line on the map | Sketch map, a top view |
| Valley | Lembah | Contours form a V pointing uphill | Ridge, where the V points downhill |
| Ridge | Rabung | Contours bulge towards lower ground | Summit, the highest single point |
| Key or legend | Petunjuk | Explains the symbols used on the map | Title, which names the map |
Data and investigation terms
| English | Bahasa Melayu | Short example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothesis | Hipotesis | “The open field is warmer than under the tree” | Question, which asks rather than predicts |
| Variable | Pemboleh ubah | Air temperature is measured at each spot | Constant, which is kept the same |
| Sample | Sampel | 8 lamp posts chosen from 40 | Population, the whole set |
| Primary data | Data primer | Counts you collected yourself | Secondary data |
| Secondary data | Data sekunder | A published table you were given | Primary data |
| Correlation | Korelasi | Two maps show high values in the same districts | Cause |
| Limitation | Batasan | Counts were made on one day only | Mistake, an avoidable error |
| Trend | Arah aliran | Values rise steadily over 5 years | Anomaly, one odd value |
Question words and what they expect
| Question word | Bahasa Melayu | What the answer needs | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Describe | Huraikan | What the pattern looks like, with figures | Explain |
| Explain | Jelaskan | The reason, linked by because or which means | Describe |
| Compare | Bandingkan | Similarity or difference in the same sentence | List |
| Suggest | Cadangkan | A reasoned idea that fits the evidence | State a fact |
| Justify | Wajarkan | A choice with evidence for it | Explain |
How do I use this list?
Before writing, circle the question word and the measure it asks about. If the word is describe, quote figures from the data. If it is explain, add a reason.
Keep the list beside the practice sets and read each term aloud in both languages. For a teacher to check your understanding of terms in your own answers, see online one-to-one Geography tuition.