What Kinds of Geography Test Questions Generate Controversy? A Qualitative Analysis of 83 Videos from a Chinese Social Media Platform

This qualitative study analyzes 83 commentary videos posted by a Chinese social media account between March 2018 and January 2024, focusing on disputed geography questions from China's National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao). Employing a process of 'text organization - coding classification - system construction', the video content was analyzed to preliminarily construct a framework of dispute points in test questions. The study identifies two primary reasons for controversy: (1) inaccuracies in the question information that conflict with factual reality, and (2) the question content delving into areas beyond students' knowledge base. 'Inaccuracies in question information' can be further subdivided into: (a) discrepancies in scenario settings, (b) inconsistencies in answer keys for subjective questions, and (c) oversimplification of geographical processes leading to factual inconsistencies. Consequently, secondary school geography teaching should clarify the evaluative goals of the Gaokao, carefully select contextual content, optimize teaching processes and assessments, thereby cultivating students' thinking abilities and innovative spirit, and promoting the development of geographical core competencies.