GEOGRAPHY TOPICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

State four characteristics of softwood forest in Canada.

27/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2000 Section A Question 1 with Answers.

State four characteristics of softwood forest in Canada.

The trees are conical in shape
They occur in pare stands
They grow tall and straight
They have needle- like leaves
They bear cones
The forests are evergreen
The forest have no undergrowth
The trees have thick barks
They have shallow roots

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List two factors that determine the distribution of forests in Kenya.

24/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2004 Section A Question 1.

a) List two factors that determine the distribution of forests in Kenya.

Climate / rainfall / temperature
Altitude Relief Aspect
Soils / edaphic factors
Animals Human Activities
Government policy

b) Give three economic uses of mangrove forests

Provide poles for construction / furniture making
Source of fuel
For aqua – culture
For export / earn foreign exchange / income
The bark / fruits are a source of tannin

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The diagram below represents zones of natural vegetation on a mountain in Africa. Use it to answer question (a) (i) and (ii)

19/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2006 Section B Question 9.

The diagram below represents zones of natural vegetation on a mountain in Africa. Use it to answer question (a) (i) and (ii)

a) (i) Name the vegetation zones marked W, X and Y.

W - Rain forest
X - Bamboo forest
Y - Health and moorland

(ii) Describe the characteristics of the savanna vegetation.

Savannah vegetation consist of trees and grass
Wetter areas/ near the forests the vegetation consists of tall scattered trees similar to those found in the forest/ woodland
The wetter areas also have fall thick grass
Gradually, away from the forest, the trees become fewer and shorter
The grass also becomes shorter
In drier areas the trees are short and more scattered
Some trees are deciduous type
Most of the trees are umbrella- shaped
The most common trees species are the acacia and other thorny trees.
Where rainfalls is lowest, grass is tufted and coarse/ scrub
There are scattered baobab trees and other drought resistant trees
Along river valleys there are tall trees/ riverine trees and thick bushes

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What is forestry?

18/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2007 Section B Question 8.

a) i) What is forestry?

It is the science of planting, caring and using trees/ forests and their resources
It is the practice of managing and using trees/ forests associated resources

ii) Explain three factors that favour the growth of natural forests on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.

The area receives high rainfall 1000- 22000 mm throughout the year which encourages continuous growth of trees.
The area has deep fertile volcanic soils that allow the roots to penetrate deep into the ground to support the trees
The area has well drained soil thus there is no water logging which can choke plants and interfere with their growth
The area has moderate cool condition/ climate are ideal for the growth of a variety of trees.
The area is a gazeted forest reserve/ settlement and cultivation are prohibited hence allowing forests to grow without interference
The steep slopes discourages human activities thus enabling forests to thrive well

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Give the difference between softwood forests in Kenya and Canada under the following sub-headings.

17/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2008 Section A Question 2.

Give the difference between softwood forests in Kenya and Canada under the following sub-headings.
a) Distribution of softwood forests

In Kenya, softwood forests are found mainly in the highlands while in Canada they are found both in highland and lowland areas.
In Kenya, softwood forests cover a small percentage of the total land area while in Canada they cover large tracts of land.

b) Transportation of the logs.

In Kenya, logs are transported by road/trucks while in Canada transport is mainly by water by rivers.
In Kenya, transportation is expensive while in Canada it is cheap.

Give the difference between softwood forests in Kenya and Canada under the following sub-headings. a) Distribution of softwood forests b) Transportation of the logs.

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Name two exotic species of tress planted in Kenya

15/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2009 Section A Question 1.

(a) Name two exotic species of tress planted in Kenya

Pine
Cypress
Blue gum /eucalyptus
Wattle
Kei-apple
Jacaranda
Bomb ax
Grevilea
Cedar

(b) State three reasons why it is necessary to carry out afforestation programmes in Kenya

To protect water catchment areas
To protect soil from erosion by wind/water
To ensure sustainable supply of forest products
To put more land under forest cover
To check the extinction of indigenous trees.
To regulate climate

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Name two forest reserves found in the coastal region of Kenya.

11/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2010 Section A Question 3.

(a) Name two forest reserves found in the coastal region of Kenya.

Shimba hills forest
Arabuko - Sokoke forest reserve
Boni/Dodori forest
Mangrove forests
Kaya forests

(b) State three ways in which the clearing of forests has affected the natural environment in Kenya.

It has led to reduced volume of water in the rivers/caused drying up of rivers
It has led to the destruction of the natural habitat for the wildlife/it has endangered some of the wildlife species it has led to changes in the rainfall pattern/desertification it has interfered with the beauty of the environment/lowered the aesthetic value of the environment.
It has disrupted the ecosystem
It accelerates soil erosion.

(a) Name two forest reserves found in the coastal region of Kenya. (b) State three ways in which the clearing of forests has affected the natural environment in Kenya.

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The map below shows some vegetation regions of the world. Use it to answer questions (a) and (b). coniferous forest

11/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2010 Section B Question 7.

The map below shows some vegetation regions of the world. Use it to answer questions (a) and (b). coniferous forest

(a) (i) Name the temperate grasslands marked D, E and F.

D - Prairies
E - Steppes
F-Downs

(ii) Describe the characteristics of the natural vegetation found in the shaded area marked G.

The forests consist of mixed variety of tree species.
The trees shed their leaves at different times of the year/forests are evergreen.
he trees are tall straight with large trunks.
The trees have broad leaves/drip-tipped leaves.
The trees take long to mature.
The trees species are mainly hardwood.
The trees grow close to each other.
The forests have little or no undergrowth.
The trees have smooth parks
The forest has numerous lianas/climbing plants/epiphytes.
Some of the trees have buttress roots.
The forests have canopies.
The forest crowns form three distinct layers.

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What is agro-forestry?

7/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2012 Section B Question 7.

(a) (i) What is agro-forestry?

Is the deliberate growing of trees and crops/keeping of animals on a piece of land.

(ii) Give four reasons why agro-forestry is encouraged in Kenya.

To ensure continuous supply of wood fuel to conserve forests
Provides raw materials for industries.
To conserve soil.
To provide fruits /food for human consumption.
Trees are a source of income to farmers.
To provide fodder for animals.
Trees act as wind breakers/provide shade to young plants.

(b) Use the map of Kenya below to answer questions b(i) and (ii).

(i) Name the forest resources marked H, J and K.

H - Mt. Elgon
J - Mt. Kenya
K - Arabuko Sokoke

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Apart from coniferous forests, name two other types of natural forests.

3/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2014 Section A Question 2.

(a) Apart from coniferous forests, name two other types of natural forests.

Tropical hardwood forests! Equatorial forest.
Temperature hardwood forests / tropical monsoon forests.
Mixed forests.
Montane forests.
Mangrove forests.
Temperate decidous.
Mediterenean forests.
Warm temperate evergreen.

(b) State three characteristics of coniferous forests which favour their exploitation.

The tree are light in weight.
The trees occur in pure stand
There is little undergrowth.
The trees have straight trunk.
The trees are tall.
The trees are soft.

(a) Apart from coniferous forests, name two other types of natural forests. (b) State three characteristics of coniferous forests which favour their exploitation.

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Distinguish between forest and forestry.

1/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2015 Section A Question 3.

(a) Distinguish between forest and forestry.

A forest is a continuous cover of trees over a large area while forestry is a science of developing/managing forests.

(b) Identify three activities that may be undertaken in your school to conserve trees.

Planting trees/establishing a tree planting thy within the school calendar.
Establishing tree nurseries
Establishing tree planting/environmental clubs to create awareness on conservation
Using alternative sources of energy
Taking care/protection of young trees/watering/that mulching
Using energy save jikos/stoves
Using alternative sources of construction material
Pest/disease control

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Explain five factors that limit the exploitation of tropical rain forest in Africa.

31/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 1998 Section B Question 6.

Study the photograph below and answer question (a)

(a) (i) Draw a rectangle 16cm by 10 cm to represent then area of the Photograph

On the rectangle, show the following
- the railway line ( 1 mk)
- Cultivated land ( 1mk)

rectangle 16cm by 10 cm to represent then area of the Photograph

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Give the differences between softwood forests in Kenya and Canada.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 2.

Give the differences between softwood forests in Kenya and Canada.

Canada’s softwood forests are mainly natural whereas Kenya’s softwood are planted.
In Kenya softwood forests are found in the highlands while in Canada softwood forests are found in both highland and lowland areas.
In Canada softwood forests cover large tracts of land while in Kenya softwood forests cover a smaller area.
In Kenya softwoods mature faster than those in Canada.
Kenya has a low variety of softwoods while Canada has a wider variety.

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What is forestry?

28/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2018 Section A Question 8.

(a) (i) What is forestry?

Forestry is the science of developing and cultivating forests and utilizing them.

(ii) Apart from tropical hardwood forests, name two other types of natural forest.

Temperate hardwood.
Coniferous forests/temperate softwood.
Montane forest.
Mangrove forest.
Mixed forests.

(iii) State the problems experienced in exploitation of tropical hardwood forests.

Trees take long time to mature
Forests are dense! thick.
Trees do not mature at different times making harvesting difficult and expensive.
The forest have mixed tree species making exploitation difficult and almost impossible.
Tree trunks are huge, supported by buttress roots/presence of tree climbers/lianas hence difficult to exploit.
The trees are heavy /bulky making transportation difficult.
Impassable roads/some parts of the forests are inaccessible.

(a) (i) What is forestry? (ii) Apart from tropical hardwood forests, name two other types of natural forest. (iii) State the problems experienced in exploitation of tropical hardwood forests. (b) List the characteristics of planted forests in Kenya. (c) Explain three factors that favour forestry in Canada. (d) Give five measures that the government has taken to conserve and manage forests in Kenya.

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Give two reasons why hardwood tree species in Kenya are in danger of extinction

17/1/2021

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a) Give two reasons why hardwood tree species in Kenya are in danger of extinction (2mks)

High demand for hard wood has led to over – exploitation.
Population pressure on land has led to increased cutting of trees to provide land for farming and settlement.
The time taken for the hardwood trees to mature does not match the rate at which they are being exploited.
(Any 2 x 1 = 2 mks)

b) State two ways in which softwood forest in Kenya differ from those of Canada. (2mks)

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