GEOGRAPHY TOPICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is a rock?

1/3/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2001 Section B Question 7.

(a)(i) What is a rock?

A rock is a substance made up of a mineral / combination of mineral particle cemented together and forms the solid part of the earth’s crust.

(ii) Describe three ways through which sedimentary rocks are formed
Mechanically formed
Organically formed
Chemically formed

Mechanically Formed

These rocks are formed when eroded rock materials are transported by agents of erosion and deposited in layers either on land or in the sea

Organically formed

These rocks are formed when remains of previously existing plants or animals organizations are accumulated over a period of time forming layers

Chemically formed

These are formed when rocks are precipitated or when solutions of salt evaporate and particles accumulate in layers.

(b) Describe two process through which sedimentary rocks change into metamorphic rocks

When the weight of the overlying rock layers creates pressure on the lower layers it leads to change in structure/ grain alignment of the rocks. This process is known as dynamic
During volcanic eruptions, hot magma/ liquids may intrude into a sedimentary rock. The rock grains will re-crystallize due to heat to form new minerals. This process is known as thermal/ contact metamorphisms
In the mountain building process, sedimentary rocks are compressed and due to this pressure heat is generated. This heat modifies the structure of the original rocks.

(a)(i) What is a rock? (ii) Describe three ways through which sedimentary rocks are formed (b) Describe two process through which sedimentary rocks changer into metamorphic rocks (c) Give an example of each of the following types of igneous rocks (d) Suppose you were to carry out a field study of rocks within the vicinity of your school (i) Name three secondary sources of information you would use to prepare for the field study (ii) State four activities you would carry during the filed study

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Explain four problems, which Zambia experiences in the exportation of copper.

28/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2002 Section B Question 9.

Use the map of Africa to answer question (a) (i)

i) Name the minerals mined in the areas marked S, T and V.

S - Oil Petroleum
T - Bauxite/Gold
V -Diamond

ii) State two formation in which mineral ores occur.

Some minerals occur as evaporates
Other occur as evaporates
Some mineral occur as alluvial deposits/placer deposits
Some minerals are found in seams /beds

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Volcanic features found in the rift valley of Kenya

26/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2000 Section B Question 7 with Answers.

(a) Differentiate between plutonic rocks and volcanic rocks

Volcanic rocks

Form from lava
Formed in surface
Cools rapidly
Forms small crystals
Fine textured

Plutonic rocks

Form from magma
Formed deep inside the crust/intrusive/ Extrusive
Cools slowly
Forms large cry/course grained
Coarse textured

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Name the type of rocks which results from the metamorphism of: Granite and Clay

24/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2003 Section A Question 5.

a) Name the type of rocks which results from the metamorphism of:
(i) Granite
(ii) Clay

(i) Granite - Gneiss
(ii) Clay - slate

b) Give two reasons why sedimentary rocks are widespread in the coastal plain of Kenya.

The costal plain is a lowland, which has facilitated deposition of sediments
The shallow continental shelf has conclusive environment for he formation of coral rocks

a) Name the type of rocks which results from the metamorphism of: (i) Granite (ii) Clay b) Give two reasons why sedimentary rocks are widespread in the coastal plain of Kenya.

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The diagram below show the occurrence of petroleum in the earth’s crust.Use it to answer questions (a)

24/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2004 Section A Question 2.

The diagram below show the occurrence of petroleum in the earth’s crust. Use it to answer questions (a)

a) Name the substances in the areas labeled L. M and N

L – gas
M – Oil / petroleum
N – Water

b) Give two by-products obtained when crude oil is refined

Wax
Bitumen / tar / asphalt
Sulphur
Lubricants / grease
Resin / petrol – chemicals

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State two characteristics of sedimentary rocks

21/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2005 Section A Question 3.

(a) State two characteristics of sedimentary rocks

They occur in layers called strata
They contain fossils
They are not crystalline in nature but are composed of particles of pre-existing rocks.

(b) Give two examples of chemically formed sedimentary rocks

Rock salt
Gypsum
Flint
Travertine / trona
Limonite
Hematite

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The table below shows petroleum production in thousand barrels per day for countries in the Middle East in April 2006. Use it to answer question (a)

18/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2007 Section A Question 3.

The table below shows petroleum production in thousand barrels per day for countries in the Middle East in April 2006. Use it to answer question (a)

a) (i) What is the difference in production between the highest and the lowest producer

8,800 , 000 barrels

(ii) What is the total amount of petroleum produced in April 2006 in the region?

21,150,000 barrels.

iii)Calculate the average daily petroleum production for Kuwait for April 2006

2,550,000 ÷30 85,000 barrels.

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Explain three conditions necessary for the growth of coral polyps

18/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2007 Section B Question 7.

(a) Describe the following characteristics of minerals

(i) colour

All minerals have their specific characteristics colour. Some change colour when exposed e.g gold is yellow, copper oxides are blue or green e.t.c

ii)Cleavage

Minerals have distinct cleavages. They have patterns in which they split or divide e.g mica split into thin layers. Plant and glass has distinctive facture.

iii)Hardness

Minerals differ in hardness depending on their chemical constituents and mode of formation. E.g Talc is soft, quartz is moderately hard and diamond is the hardest.

(b) (i) Give two types of igneous rocks

Intrusive/plutonic rocks
Extrusive/hypabyssal rocks

(ii) Explain three conditions necessary for the growth of coral polyps

They require warm water 20°-30°C in order to live.
They require well oxygenated water for them to grow fast.
They require water that is free from sediments because silt interferes with their ability to gather food.
They require enough light in the water for the growth of plankton which is the food for polyps.
They require saline water from which the polyps extract lime to construct their skeletons.

(b) (i) Give two types of igneous rocks (ii) Explain three conditions necessary fro the growth of coral polyps (c) State four uses of rocks (d) You are planning to carry out a field study on the rocks within your school environment (i) Give two secondary sources of information you would use to prepare for the field study

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Explain four ways in which gold mining has contributed to the economy of South Africa.

17/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 2 2008 Section B Question 8.

a) The table below shows the quantity of minerals produced in Kenya in tones between years 2001 and 2005. Use it to answer questions (a) (i) and (ii).

i) Calculate the average annual production of soda ash over the 5 year 5 years period.

Soda ash average production for 5 years
=1668446 ÷ 5
=333689 .2 Tonnes

ii) Calculate the total mineral production for the year 2003.

Mineral production for the year 2003
=45369.2 Tonnes

iii) Give three uses of soda ash

It is a raw material for making glass
It is used in king detergents
It is used in some chemical industries /petroleum refining
It is used as a water softener/water treatment
It is in desulphurising steel
It is used in paper industries.

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Give two examples of non-metallic minerals.

16/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2008 Section A Question 3.

a) Give two examples of non-metallic minerals.

Coal, Nitrates, graphite, sulfur, potash.
Asbestors, Sodium, diamond, silicon.
Petroleum.
Fluorspar.

b) Why is industrial diamond used in shaping hard stones and metals?

Because it is the hardest mineral/it does not break easily.

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Differentiate between the processes of the formation of plutonic rocks and volcanic rocks

13/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2009 Section A Question 1.

(a) Differentiate between the processes of the formation of plutonic rocks and volcanic rocks

Plutonic rocks form from magma which cool’s slowly and solidifies within cracks and chambers in the earth’s crust while volcanic rocks form from the lava that cools fast and solidifies onto the surface of the earth.

(b) For each of the following sedimentary rocks, name the resultant rock that forms after metamorphism:

(i)Sandstone - Quartzite/ late
(ii)Limestone - Marble
(iii)Clay - Slate/ Schist

(a) Differentiate between the processes of the formation of plutonic rocks and volcanic rocks (b) For each of the following sedimentary rocks, name the resultant rock that forms after metamorphism: (i) Sandstone (ii) Limestone (iii) Clay

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What is a rock? .

11/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2010 Section A Question 4.

(a) What is a rock? .

Any naturally formed (solid) mineral aggregate/ a naturally occurring solid material that is composed of one or more minerals

(b) Give three characteristics of sedimentary rocks.

some sedimentary mocks contain fossils-
The rocks have cleavage/are foliated/have bedding planes.
The rocks form horizontal layers/are stratified.
the rocks are non-crystalline

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What is a mineral?

7/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2012 Section B Question 7.

(a) (i) What is a mineral?

Mineral is an inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition at/beneath the surface of the earth/a social inorganic substance occurring naturally.

(ii) Describe the following characteristics of minerals:
lustre;
colour;
density.

Lustre - minerals differ in their brightness depending on the nature of their reflective surfaces. Smooth surfaces are shiny whereas rough surfaces are dull.
Colour - different minerals display different colours. Minerals that have iron/magnesium have dark colours.
Density - minerals have different weight per unit volume of water/minerals have different specific gravity/some minerals are heavier while others are light.

(b) (i) Name two examples of extrusive igneous rocks.

Basalt - Rhyolite - Phonolite
Pumice - obsidian - Trachyte
Tuff - Andesite - Scoria
Tefra

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Describe opencast method of mining.

6/2/2021

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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.

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Name two types of hypabyssal rocks.

2/2/2021

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KCSE Geography Paper 1 2014 Section A Question 1.

Name two types of hypabyssal rocks.

Dolente
Porphyry
Diabase
Lamprophyre
Porphynite.
Granophyre

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