GEOGRAPHY TOPICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Define the term environmental management.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 10.

(a) Define the term environmental management.

It is effective planning and control of the processes and activities that could cause the deterioration of the environment/improving resources in the environment.

(b) (i) Name two areas in Kenya that are prone to lightening.

The Lake Victoria region/Kisumu/Siaya/Homabay/Migori
West of the RiftValley/Westpokot/Kakamega/Vihiga/Busial Bungoma.
The highlands of Kisii, Kericho and Nandi, Nyamira, Uasin Gishu, Bomet.

(ii) State four problems caused by lightening.

It has killed many people/ animals
It has destroyed property /buildings / trees
It causes fires that may destroy vegetation
It has interrupted electricity cause power failures.
It has interrupted communication.

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Explain the following types of settlement patterns

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 9.

(a) Explain the following types of settlement patterns
Dispersed settlement pattern
Nucleated settlement pattern

Dispersed settlement pattern

Dwellings/structures are scattered
The dwellings may be separated from one another by physical features
The dwellings are found a distance apart.

Nucleated settlement pattern

The houses, shops and other buildings are close to each other/in one place.

(b) State four problems facing the city of Nairobi.

High rate of unemployment
Shortage of housing
Inadequate social amenities such as schools, water supply, health services and recreation facilities.
Traffic congestion during rush hours.
Increased crime rate.
Increased noise/ land/ air pollution.
Development of slums/unplanned settlement.
Street families.

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Apart from irrigation, give four methods of land reclamation in Kenya.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 8.

(a) Apart from irrigation, give four methods of land reclamation in Kenya.

Draining swamps.
Improving soil through the use of manure and fertilizer.
Controlling soil erosion.
By afforestation
Through controlling pests.

(b) Explain four physical factors which influenced the location of Mwea irrigation scheme.

Availability of extensive land which enables expansion of growth of rice.
Warm climatic conditions! high temperature suitable for growth of rice.
Presence of river Nyamindi and Thiba/murubara which provide water for irrigation throughout the year.
The area is gently sloping which allows mechanization flow of water by gravity.
Presence of black cotton) clay soil which is suitable for rice cultivation/water retention.
The low unreliable rainfall making irrigation the only alternative.

(c) (i) Name three crops grown in the polders in Netherlands.

Rye .
Wheat
Vegetables
Fruits
Barley
Potatoes
Oats
Beetroots
Flowers
Sugar -beet.

(a) Apart from irrigation, give four methods of land reclamation in Kenya. (b) Explain four physical factors which influenced the location of Mwea irrigation scheme. (c) (i) Name three crops grown in the polders in Netherlands. (ii) Describe the stages of reclamation of land from the sea in the Netherlands. (d) State four benefits of land reclamation in the Netherlands.

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What is beef farming?

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 7.

(a) (i) What is beef farming?

Is the rearing of cattle for meat.

(ii) Identify five factors that favour beef farming in Kenya.

Extensive flat land
Natural grass/ pasture.
Moderate temperatures/1 8-28°C/ warm-hot climate.
Availability of watering points/sites such as swamps.
Moderate rainfall / 500mm -999mm.
Availability of ranching schemes to control overgrazing/pests/diseases.
Cultural practices/local people that practice livestock farming as their livelihood.
Availability of marketing/ demand

(b) State six features of nomadic pastoralism in Kenya.

They keep large herds of animals/many kinds of animals/overstocking.
They keep animals as a sign of wealth/prestige.
Land in which the animals are kept is communially owned.
The animals are weakened by pests and diseases/have low value/unhealthy.
The animals are moved seasonally in search for pasture and water.
There is uncontrolled breeding of animals.
There is inefficient marketing system/walking for long distances to the market.
Animals are exposed to cattle rustling/frequent raids.
They rely on it for subsistence/ income
Dwell in temporal structures.

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The table below shows the number of visitors in ‘000 to selected national parks in Kenya for the years 2006 to 2008. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 6.

The table below shows the number of visitors in ‘000 to selected national parks in Kenya for the years 2006 to 2008. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

(a) (i) What is the difference in the number of visitors who visited the parks in 2006 and those in 2008.

(ii) Calculate the percentage increase in the number of visitors who visited Lake Nakuru National Park between 2006 and 2007.

(b) (i) Draw a compound bar graph to represent the number of visitors to selected national parks in Kenya. Use the scale of 1 cm to represent 100,000 visitors.

Compound Bar graph Representing visitors to selected National Parks in Kenya

(ii) State three advantages of using compound represent geographical data.

They give clear visual impression.
They allow easy comparison.
They are easy to interpret/read.
They can be used to represent a wide range of data/varibles.

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Name two types of water transport.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 5.

(a) Name two types of water transport.

Inland/river/lakes /canals/waterways
Oceanic/marine/sea waterways

(b) Give three challenges facing railway transport in East Africa.

Competition from other means of transport which are faster.
High cost of railway network maintenance/inadequate capital to establish/expand railway network/purchase trains.
Mismanagement of rail services.
Use of different railway gauge makes interconnectivity difficult.
Vandalism/uprooting of railway line.

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State four disadvantages of solar energy.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 4.

State four disadvantages of solar energy.

Solar panels are expensive to manufacture.
Low energy production.
Solar batteries are cumbersome.
Solar energy has limited use.
Solar technology is new hence used by few people.

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List three traditional methods of fishing.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 3.

(a) List three traditional methods of fishing.

Basket method
Spear / arrow/harpooning
Use of barriers/traps
Use of herbs
Gill nets
Hook and line
Use of lamp and net/lampara

(b) Give three similarities of fishing in Kenya and Japan.

In both countries fresh water and marine fishing are practiced.
Inshore marine fishing is practiced in both countries,
Both countries practice fish farming.
Overfishing is a problem in both countries.
Both use fish as a raw material
Both use modern fishing technology
Both consume fish locally and export.
In both countries fishing is supported by the government.

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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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Identify three counties in Kenya where wheat is grown on a large scale.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2017 Section A Question 1.

(a) Identify three counties in Kenya where wheat is grown on a large scale.

Narok
Nakuru
Uasin Gishu
Nyandarua
Meru
Laikipia
Transzoia
Elgeyo Marakweti

(b) State three climatic conditions that affect wheat farming.

Frost
Drought/Unreliable rainfall/very heavy rainfall
Prolonged cold/hot seasons/high temperatures
Strong winds which cause soil erosion
Hailstones.

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What is soil structure?

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2017 Section B Question 10.

(a) (i) What is soil structure?

Soil structure is the way the individual soil particles are arranged into aggregate compound particles.

(ii) Explain how the following factors influence soil formation.
. Time
. Parent rock

Time

Where soil formation process takes a short duration, the soils are generally immature/where the process has taken a long period of time, soils are generally well developed mature.

Parent rock

The nature of rock influences the rate of weathering in that soft rocks weather fast, while hard rocks are resistant and weather slowly.
The parent rock determines the soil texture in that, large/course grained rocks produce large/course grained soils/small fine grained rocks produce small fine grained soils..
The type of minerals in the parent rock are transferred to the soil during formation.

(b) Describe the following properties of soil.
. Soil texture
. Soil porosity
. Soil colour

Soil texture

This is the degree of fineness or coarseness of the particles making up the soil.
It is the size of the soil particles.
The texture controls the size and spacing of the soil pores.
This effects the soil water content/the drainage/leaching/soil aeration

Soil Porosity

This is the amount of pore spaces in the soil.
The size of the pore spaces determine the water flowing in the soul sandy soils have high porosity hence allow water to pass through.
Clay soils have few pores hence retain water.

Soil colour

The soil have different colours influenced by parent rock/vegetation leaching processes.
Black/dark brown soils denote a lot of humus.
Grey soils are characteristics of poorly drained/water logged soils.
Whitish soils show high concentration of salts.
Reddish soils have high concentration of iron.

(a) (i) What is soil structure? (ii) Explain how the following factors influence soil formation. . Time . Parent rock (b) Describe the following properties of soil. . Soil texture . Soil porosity . Soil colour (c) State four negative effects of soil erosion. (d) You are planning to carry out a field study on soil around your school. (i) State four preparations that you will make for the study. (ii) Give reasons why it is important to study soils through field study.

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Define the term hydrological cycle.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2017 Section B Question 9.

(a) (i) Define the term hydrological cycle.

Hydrological cycle is the continuous movement of water from the air to the earth surface and back to the air.

(ii) Give three factors that influence the occurrence of surface runoff.

The amount of rainfall
The gradient of the land
The nature of the rocks/soil
The watertable
Vegetation

(iii) State the significance of the hydrological cycle.

Evapotranspiration increases water in the atmosphere
It helps to regulate the surface water/underground water and water in the atmosphere.
It provides underground water through percolation.
Large rivers drain into oceans and lakes to form water bodies.
Water evaporates from the ground causing drying up of water bodies/arid conditions.
It controls the elements of weather such as temperatures/humidity and rainfall.
Water vapour maintains the heat energy in the atmosphere
Moisture in the atmosphere influences both solar/ terrestrial radiation.

(a) (i) Define the term hydrological cycle. (ii) Give three factors that influence the occurrence of surface runoff. (iii) State the significance of the hydrological cycle. (b) Describe how the following lakes were formed. (i) morraine dammed lake (ii) oxbow lake (c) Explain ways in which lakes modify the climate of the surrounding areas. (d) Give four reasons why some lakes have fresh water.

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Apart from anticlinorium and syclinorium complex, name three other types of folds.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2017 Section B Question 8.

(a) (i) Apart from anticlinorium and syclinorium complex, name three other types of folds.

Simple symmetrical fold
Asymmettical fold
Over fold
Isoclinal fold
Recumbent fold
Overthrust nappe told

(ii) With an aid of a well labelled diagram, describe the formation of anticlinorium and synclonorium complex.

Land is subjected to minor compressional force resulting to formation of minor folds on the surface.
Greater compressional forces causes the land with minor folds to form large anticlines and synclines.
The upfolds/anticlines are called anticlinorium while the downfolds/synclines are called syclinorium.

(b) (i) Name the young fold mountains found in the following continents.
Africa
Europe
Asia
North America

Africa -Atlas
Europe - Alps
Asia Himalayas
North America — Rockies

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Apart from metamorphic rocks, name two other categories of rocks.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2017 Section B Question 7.

(a) (i) Apart from metamorphic rocks, name two other categories of rocks.

Sedimentary rocks
Igneous rocks

(ii) Describe the following processes of formation of metamorphic rocks.
. Dynamic metamorphism
. Thermal metamorphism

Dynamic metamorphism

Original rock is subjected to intense pressure.
Pressure is caused by compressional force when the crustal plates collide.
The great pressure alters the mineral line up in the rock] structure.
The rock changes their physical appearance and characteristics forming a new rock.

Thermal metamorphism

Rocks are subjected to intense heat.
Heat may be due to rocks being buried at great depths/due to contact with magma.
The hot magma melts the minerals of the original rock, they cool and solidify to form a totally different rock/recrystallize the rock grains.
New minerals may also be added into the rock by the intruding magma.
The new rocks change their physical appearance/chemical composition.

(b) Explain three ways in which rocks are significant to human activities in Kenya.

Rocks contribute to formation of different soils that are used for agricultural activities.
Some rocks contain valuable minerals/substances that can be used in industries/ for fuel.
Some rocks provide building/construction materials.
Some rock outcrops attract tourists such as granitic tors in Kakamega/Kisumu.
Some rocks are used for carvings such as the Kisii soapstones.
Some rocks provide raw materials for industries example limestone.
Some rocks act as underground water reservoirs to provide water for irrigation / domestic use.
Some rocks are used for educational purposes/research.
Provide salt licks as a source of minerals for livestock people.

(a) (i) Apart from metamorphic rocks, name two other categories of rocks. (ii) Describe the following processes of formation of metamorphic rocks. . Dynamic metamorphism . Thermal metamorphism (b) Explain three ways in which rocks are significant to human activities in Kenya. (c) You intend to carry out a field study on the types of rocks within the school locality. (i) Identify three items that you will carry during the study. (ii) State three activities that you will be involved in during the study. (iii) List three types of metamorphic rocks that you are likely to identify.

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Study the map of Oyugis 1:50,000 (sheet 130/1) provided and answer the following questions.

29/1/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2017 Section B Question 6.

Study the map of Oyugis 1:50,000 (sheet 130/1) provided and answer the following questions.
(a) (i) What type of map is Oyugis map extract?

Topographical map.

(ii) Give two scales that have been used in the map extract.

Representative fraction/ratio.
Linear

(iii) Measure the length of the township boundary shown on the map. Give your answer in kilometres.

5.9km(±O.1)

Study the map of Oyugis 1:50,000 (sheet 130/1) provided and answer the following questions. (a) (i) What type of map is Oyugis map extract? (ii) Give two scales that have been used in the map extract. (iii) Measure the length of the township boundary shown on the map. Give your answer in kilometres. (iv) Calculate the area covered by Kodera forest. Give your answer in square kilometres. (b)(i) Identify the methods that have been used to represent relief of the area covered by the map. (ii)Name the physical features found in the grid square 6842. (c)Describe the drainage of the area covered by the map. (d)(i) Apart from agriculture, name two other economic activities in the area covered by the map. (ii) Citing evidence from the map, give three reasons why the area covered by the map is suitable for agricultural activities.

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