gce model questions vol1 2019 geography | Essay

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Question 1 View Details
The map of a local area shows a river, a main road, a school, a hospital and a hill. The map scale is 1 cm : 200 m and a north arrow is provided. On the map the straight‑line distance between the school and the hospital measures 3.5 cm. The curved length of the river from point R to point S measures 5.2 cm. The hill is located 2 cm east and 1.5 cm north of the school on the map.
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the actual straight‑line distance between the school and the hospital in kilometres.
(b)
Estimate the actual length of the river in kilometres, assuming the measured curved length on the map approximates the real river length.
(c)
Determine the actual bearing from the school to the hill, giving the result as a compass bearing (for example, N 30° E).
(d)
If a footpath is to be built directly from the school to the hill, calculate its length in metres and state whether this footpath would be longer, shorter or equal to the straight‑line distance between the school and the hospital.
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Question 2 View Details
A coastal map is drawn at a scale of 1 : 50 000 (1 cm on the map represents 0.5 km). The map shows Town A, Town B, and a lighthouse L. Town A lies directly west of Town B. The measured distance between the two towns on the map is 6.8 cm. The road from Town A to the lighthouse measures 9.2 cm on the map and follows a gentle curve. The lighthouse is positioned 1.2 cm north and 0.9 cm east of Town B on the map.
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the actual straight‑line distance between Town A and Town B in kilometres.
(b)
Assuming the measured road length approximates the actual road length, calculate the road length in kilometres.
(c)
Determine the actual straight‑line distance between Town B and the lighthouse in metres.
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Question 3 View Details
The diagram shows a fictional coastal region with latitude lines from 5°N to 10°N and longitude lines from 3°E to 8°E at 1° intervals. Three locations are marked: City A at 6°N, 4°E; River mouth B at 7.5°N, 6°E; and Mountain C at 9°N, 5°E.
Question Parts
(a)
State the latitude and longitude of points A, B and C as shown on the map.
(b)
Using the coordinates, estimate the straight‑line distance between City A and the River mouth B. Assume 1° of latitude equals 111 km and the length of 1° of longitude equals 111 km × cos φ, where φ is the mean latitude of the two points.
(c)
Explain how the position of Mountain C relative to the coast is likely to influence its local climate compared with City A.
(d)
Discuss two advantages of using latitude and longitude for navigation in this coastal region.
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Question 4 View Details
The following weather observations were recorded at Lagos City over three consecutive days: Day 1: Temperature 30 °C, Atmospheric pressure 1012 hPa, Wind from the east at 12 km h⁻¹, Relative humidity 70 %. Day 2: Temperature 28 °C, Atmospheric pressure 1005 hPa, Wind from the southeast at 18 km h⁻¹, Relative humidity 80 %. Day 3: Temperature 26 °C, Atmospheric pressure 1000 hPa, Wind from the south at 22 km h⁻¹, Relative humidity 85 %. Using this data, answer the questions that follow.
Question Parts
(a)
Identify the type of weather front that is most likely responsible for the observed changes from Day 1 to Day 3, giving one piece of evidence from the table to support your answer.
(b)
Explain the physical processes that occur as this front passes over Lagos, linking the changes in temperature, pressure and wind direction.
(c)
Predict the likely weather conditions (temperature range, wind direction and humidity) for the next 24 hours, justifying your prediction with reference to the observed trend.
(d)
Discuss two possible impacts of this weather change on agricultural activities in the surrounding region.
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Question 5 View Details
West Africa experiences a range of climatic conditions that affect the livelihoods of its peoples. Answer the following questions.
Question Parts
(a)
Identify and briefly describe the principal natural factors that determine the climate of West Africa.
(b)
Explain how each factor identified in part (a) influences the distribution of rainfall and temperature across the region.
(c)
Recent climate data show a gradual increase in mean annual temperature of about 0.2 °C per decade and a 5 % decline in total annual rainfall over the Sahelian zone. Evaluate the likely impacts of these trends on agricultural productivity in West Africa and suggest two adaptation measures that could mitigate the adverse effects.
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Question 6 View Details
Rocks form the solid foundation of the Earth's surface and are vital to human activity. Answer the following questions.
Question Parts
(a)
Describe the processes that lead to the formation of igneous rocks, distinguishing between intrusive and extrusive types.
(b)
Explain how sedimentary rocks are formed, outlining the three main stages of the sedimentary cycle.
(c)
Outline the formation of metamorphic rocks, distinguishing between contact and regional metamorphism.
(d)
Discuss the economic significance of rocks in Nigeria, giving at least two examples of how different rock types support the national economy.
(e)
Identify two major environmental challenges associated with rock extraction in Nigeria and propose one mitigation strategy for each.
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Question 7 View Details
A cuesta is a distinctive landform found in many tropical regions where sedimentary strata are gently tilted. Discuss the processes that lead to the development of a cuesta, identify the characteristic features that would appear on a cross‑section of such a landform and evaluate how human activities can affect its stability and associated hazards.
Question Parts
(a)
Explain the geological processes that result in the formation of a cuesta, making reference to the role of differential erosion and the orientation of rock strata.
(b)
Using a typical cross‑section of a cuesta, identify the main landform features that would be visible and explain how each feature influences local drainage patterns.
(c)
Evaluate two human activities that are common in tropical cuesta regions and discuss the potential hazards that may arise from their impact on cuesta stability.
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Question 8 View Details
A river basin in the Sahel region covers an area of 12,000 km². The mean annual rainfall is 400 mm, of which 30 % infiltrates, 20 % is lost to evapotranspiration and the remainder contributes to runoff. The main river channel is 150 km long, the average basin slope is 0.004 and the drainage density is 1.2 km km⁻².
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the total annual runoff volume generated from the basin (in cubic metres).
(b)
Assuming the runoff is evenly distributed throughout the year, estimate the average discharge of the river in cubic metres per second (m³ s⁻¹).
(c)
Discuss how the basin’s climate, slope and drainage density influence the river regime, and evaluate two flood‑mitigation measures that would be appropriate for this semi‑arid basin.
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Question 9 View Details
Explain the theory of plate tectonics and evaluate its significance for understanding the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes.
Question Parts
(a)
Describe the main components of plate tectonic theory.
(b)
Using a world map, illustrate why earthquakes are concentrated along plate boundaries.
(c)
Assess two ways in which knowledge of plate tectonics aids disaster risk reduction.
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Question 10 View Details
A coastal city in Nigeria has experienced rapid population growth over the past 30 years.
Question Parts
(a)
Derive the exponential growth formula for population after t years given an initial population P₀ and an annual growth rate r.
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