GEOGRAPHY TOPICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Differentiate manufacturing industries from tertiary industries.

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section B Question 10.

(a)Differentiate manufacturing industries from tertiary industries.

Manufacturing industries change raw materials into semi-processed / finished products while tertiary industries provide services to consumers.

(b)Explain why the Government of Kenya encourages the setting up of industries in rural areas.

It creates employment opportunities in rural areas thus reducing migration into urban areas/raising standards of living.
It leads to utilization of locally available raw materials that would otherwise be left idle.
It leads to improvement of transport / communication networks thus opening up rural areas for development.
It leads to improvement of social amenities thereby raising the standards of living of rural communities.
It enables the rural population to sell products / raw materials to industries thus earning income.
It leads to diversification of the economy thus reducing the over reliance of rural community on agriculture.

(c)Explain four factors that have contributed to the development of electronics industry in Japan.

Advanced technology / highly skilled labour has increased efficiency leading to mass production of high quality goods.
Highly developed sources of energy provide the power required in the industries.
A large population/high purchasing power provides a large local market.
Availability of capital has enabled entrepreneurs to set up / expand the industries.
The ruggedness of the land does not favour agriculture hence more concentration has been on industrialization.
Well developed transport network has enabled the movement of raw materials to the industries / finished products to the market.
Availability of large external market has led to more production.
Advanced scientific research led to adverse/high quality products.
Government emphasis on technical/science oriented education led to rapid development of idustries.
The industrious nature/entrepreneurship of the Japanese has led to sustained/high production.
A large population/high purchaing power provides a large local market.

0 Comments

Identify three sources of renewable energy.

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section B Question 9.

(a)Identify three sources of renewable energy.

Wind
Sun
Water
Tides / waves
Geothermal steam
Biomass
Wood/trees
Drought animals

(b)(i)Name three main hydroelectric power stations along the river Tana.

Masinga
Kamburu
Gitaru
Kindaruma
Kiambere

(ii)Apart from providing electric power, state four other benefits of the dams along the River Tana.

The reservoirs provide water for domestic use /industial use/irrigation.
The dams / reservoirs are tourist attractions.
The reservoirs are fresh water fisheries.
The reservoirs modify local climate.
The dams act as bridges across the river.
The dams and reservoirs control floods downsteam.

0 Comments

What is agriculture?

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section B Question 8.

(a)(i)What is agriculture?

It is the practice of cultivating crops and rearing of livestock.

(ii)Identify four characteristics of plantation farming in Kenya.

The holdings / farms are large/40 hectares and above.
Ownership is by individuals / groups.
Farming is scientifically managed.
It requires heavy capital outlay.
There is high yield per unit area.
There is growing of a single crop/monoculture.
Farms are highly mechanised.
The produce is for commercial purpose.
Some farms are labour intensive.

(b)Give four physical factors that influence the growing of tea in Kenya.

Undulating / gently sloping land / 1,500 to 2,400 metres above sea level/high attitude.
Deep well drained soils/volcanic soils.
Slightly acidic soils / pH of between 4 to 6.
High annual rainfall / 1000 to 2000 mm of rainfall.
Well distributed rainfall throughout the year.
Moderte to high temperatures / average temperatures of 21℃/15-30C/warm to hot climate.

0 Comments

Describe opencast method of mining.

6/2/2021

1 Comment

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section B Question 7.

The map below shows the location of some minerals in East Africa.

(a) Name the minerals mined in the areas marked J, K, and L.

J - Limestone
K - Soda ash / Trona
L - Diamond

(b)Explain how the following factors influence the exploitation of minerals.

Mode of occurrence of minerals

Minerals that occur in small quantities/ lodes/veins may limit exploitation since they are of low commercial value unless the mineral is of high value they will be exploited / large deposits are extracted as they are likely to be profitable / can sustain the mining process over a long time.
Minerals at or near the surface/alluvial deposits are easier/cheaper to extract / the deep seated minerals are expensive to extract.
Minerals close to the surface/beds/layers/seams are extracted using open cast method of mining/minerals that occur deep in the ground/veins/lodes are extracted using underground / shaft method.

Transport

Efficient transport links allow mineral products to be moved from the mining site to the ports / markets without delay.
Minerals that are bulky require railway/water/ cheap transport system to reduce the total cost of production.
Mineral deposits in remote areas/poorly developed transport system are less likely to be exploited.

Level of technology

Advanced technology has improved mining operations thus leading to high quality / large quantity mineral products.
High level technology allows for effective exploration of minerals leading to accurate location of minerals.
Advanced technology boost effectiveness in production hence reducing wastage.
High level technology in mining operations reduces the destruction of the environment /improves the health and safety of workers.
Low level technology limits exploitation/low quantity mined.

1 Comment

The table below shows the approximate population size of four districts in Nairobi in the year 2009. Use it to answer question (a).

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section B Question 6.

The table below shows the approximate population size of four districts in Nairobi in the year 2009. Use it to answer question (a).

(a)(i)Apart from pie-chart, name two other statistical methods that can be used to represent the data in the table.

Divided rectangles
Simple bar graphs
Compound bar graphs/cummulative/divided bar graphs
Proportional circles

Using a radius of 5 cm, draw a pie chart to represent the data above. Show your calculations.

0 Comments

Identify five measures used to control floods in Kenya.

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section A Question 5.

Identify five measures used to control floods in Kenya.

Constructing channels/ditches/furrows to drain off the water.
Constructing dykes / levees along river banks.
Dredging / widening of river channels.
Building of dams across rivers/earth dams.
Training / re-directing / straightening of rivers.
Planting trees in the catchment areas.

0 Comments

State two factors that lead to the development of nucleated settlement patterns.

6/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section A Question 4.

(a)State two factors that lead to the development of nucleated settlement patterns.

Availability of social amenities.
Presence of a natural resource / industrial plants.
Limitation of land for building.
Assurance of security / defence.
Government policy on settlement.

(b)Identify two differences in the functions of Nairobi and New York.

Nairobi New York

It is an inland / dry port. - It is a seaport.
It is a national capital. - It is a state capital.
It is a regional commercial centre.- It is an international commercial centre.

(a)State two factors that lead to the development of nucleated settlement patterns. (b)Identify two differences in the functions of Nairobi and New York.

0 Comments

Name two countries to which Kenya exports petroleum products.

5/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section A Question 3.

(a)Name two countries to which Kenya exports petroleum products.

Uganda
Rwanda
Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Southern Sudan
Tanzania
Comoros

(b)State four factors that influence external trade in Kenya.

Demand for goods/services.
Similarities / differences in the goods produced.
The purchasing power of the people/availability of capital.
Availability of transport / communication networks.
Political stability/relationships of trading partners.
International trade agreements / restrictions.
The level of technology.
Varying exchange rates.
Availability of aids to trade

0 Comments

State four effects of human encroachment into wildlife habitats.

5/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section A Question 2.

State four effects of human encroachment into wildlife habitats.

Leads to killing / dying of some animals.
Some animals / plants may become extinct.
Leads to wildlife predation / competition may set in.
Leads to fragmentation/reduction of the habitat.
Leads to increased human / wildlife conflicts.
Leads to migration of some animals.

0 Comments

Name the method of irrigation used in Perkerra irrigation scheme.

5/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 2 2013 Section A Question 1.

Name the method of irrigation used in Perkerra irrigation scheme.

Furrow / canal irrigation.

State three factors that influenced the location of the Perkerra irrigation scheme.

Availability of extensive land for irrigation.
Availability of water from River Perkerra.
The gently sloping land that allows mechanization/easy flow of water for irrigation by gravity.
Presence of fertile loamy/alluvial soils good for the growth of a variety of crops.
Dry conditions/semi arid/unreliable/low rainfall making it necessary to irrigate the area.
The area was sparsely populated.

Name the method of irrigation used in Perkerra irrigation scheme. State three factors that influenced the location of the Perkerra irrigation scheme.

0 Comments

Name two major deserts found in Africa.

4/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2013 Section B Question 10.

(a) (i) Name two major deserts found in Africa.

Sahara
Kalahari
Namib

The diagram below represents features resulting from wind erosion in a desert. Use it to answer question a(ii).

(ii) Name the features marked U and V.

U - Furrow
V - Ridge/yardang/zeugen

0 Comments

What is vegetation?

4/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2013 Section B Question 9.

(a) What is vegetation?

It is the total mass of plant life that occupies a given area.

(b) Explain how the following factors influence the distribution of vegetation:
(i) relief
(ii) soils.

(i) relief

High altitude areas have low temperature which encourage scanty / no vegetation / low altitude areas have moderate temperature which encourage dense vegetation.
Gently sloping areas are well drained hence encouraging dense vegetation growth I steep slopes experience excessive drainage that discourage plant growth.
Flat areas tend to be water logged hence covered by swampy plant species.

(ii) soils.

Fertile soils have a variety of nutrients which encourage the growth of dense vegetation/infertile soils have insufficient nutrients leading to scanty vegetation.
Medium textured soils are well drained thus support a variety of plants /dense vegetation / coarse / fine textured soils are poorly drained leading to scanty / no vegetation.
Deep soils enable the penetration of long roots thereby supporting trees / thin soils support vegetation of shallow roots thereby supporting grass vegetation.

0 Comments

What is volcanicity?

4/2/2021

1 Comment

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2013 Section B Question 8.

(a) What is volcanicity?

It is the process through which gaseous / liquid / molten rock / solid materials are forced into the earth’s crust and / ejected onto the surface.

(b) (i) Apart from a sill, name three other intrusive volcanic features.

Dykes/dikes
Laccolith/laccolites
Batholith/bathyliths
Lopolith
Phacolith/phacolite

(ii) Describe how the following features are formed:
I a sill;
II hot springs;
III a caldera.

I a sill;

Below the earth’s crust the rocks are at very high temperature and high pressure. If the pressure becomes less, the hot, solid rock material may become semi-fluid / Magma under high pressure enters crustal rocks.
The semi-fluid rock / magma forces itself into horizontal cracks/fissures.
The magma cools and solidities in horizontal cracks or bedding plane.
This horizontal sheet/layer of igneous rock is called a sill.

II hot springs;

Rainwater enters the crustal rocks through cracks / fissures.
The water reaches a zone of hot igneous rocks.
The water is (super) heated.
The super heated water changes into water vapour.
The vapour is under high pressure and so forces its way up heating the ground water.
The heated water under pressure flows out continuously/to form hot springs.

III A caldera.

Lava pouring out of a central vent forms a volcanic cone.
The vent may be sealed when lava solidifies in it.
The solidified plug block the gases and steam beneath from escaping.
There is pilling up of pressure below the plug.
The pressure leads to a violent eruption that blows off the top of the cone forming a depression.
The resulting large circular depression on the top of the (now lower) volcano is called caldera.

OR
A subsidence caldera

Lava pouring out of a central vent forms a volcanic cone.
The magma resevoir below the crust is left empty/has a void/cavity.
With time the weight of rocks of the volcano exerts pressure on the crustal rocks below.
The pressure/earth movements cause cracks to develop making the volcano unstable.
Over time the middle portion of the volcano subsides/collapses into the void forming a depression.
The resulting large circular depression on the top of the (now lower) volcano is called caldera.

OR
Outward collapsing

Volcanic eruption of ash and cinder/pyroclasts through a central vent forms a volcanic cone.
Several eruptions results to a high, steep and unstable volcano.
The weight of the upper materials exerts pressure on the ones beneath causing instability on the lower part.
The material at the base begin spreading outwards.
The top of the volcano collapses inwards forming a depression.
The resulting large circular depression on the top of the volcano is called caldera.

1 Comment

Name the first two planets of the solar system.

4/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2013 Section B Question 7.

(a) Name the first two planets of the solar system.

Mercury
Venus

(b) Explain the origin of the earth according to the Nebula Cloud Theory.

The explosion of the stars led to the formation of a huge cloud of gases (hydrogen and helium), dust and ice particles.
This cloud whirled, cooled and condensed to a disc shape.
The gravitational attraction within the materials increased cause the particles to compact. Some particles broke from the edge of the disc and whirled.
The compacted particles swirled faster towards the centre of the disc in different directions. As they whirled they cooled or solidified to form the planets.
This swirling caused particles to collide losing a little energy at a time.
The middle of the spinning disc condensed to form the sun while the material spinning around condensed into large chunks of materials called planetoids.
The planetoids collided and coalesced into large bodies called planets.
The earth is one of the planets.
The centre of the disc formed the sun.

Use the map below to answer questions (c)(i)

(a) Name the first two planets of the solar system. (b) Explain the origin of the earth according to the Nebula Cloud Theory. Use the map below to answer questions (c)(i)

(c)(i) Name:

I the continent marked W;
II the ocean marked X;
III the line of longitude marked Y.

the continent marked W - Asia.
the ocean marked X - Atlantic.
the line of longitude marked Y - Prime/Greenwich meridian

0 Comments

Describe the distribution of the natural vegetation in the area covered by the map.

4/2/2021

0 Comments

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2013 Section B Question 6.

Study the map of Karatina 1:50,000 (sheet 121/3) provided and answer the following questions.
(a) (i) What is the four figure grid reference of the Technical Institute at Mathira?

8559

(ii) What is the bearing of Mount Kenya Campus at grid reference 932568 from the cattle dip at grid reference 990529?

304° ± 1° (303° - 305°)

(iii) Measure the distance of the railway line from the Level Crossing at grid square 8652 to the Southern edge of the map. Give your answer in kilometres.

13.3 km±0.1 -(13.2- 13.4km)

0 Comments

<<Previous