BY SYDNEY NJABULO SITHOLE…Diplo in Edu.

(University of Zimbabwe)

Question and answer for Geography

questions, o level standard

Master Soul Studios Academy

2021
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1a. Describe and explain the climatic characteristics of a hot desert area. (5 marks)
1. High day time temperature due to high isolation/lack of cloud cover
2. Low night temperature due to excessive heat loss through nocturnal radiation
3. Low rainfall that is 250mm per annual
4. High intensity storms due to localized heating
5. Morning dew as a result of ground level condensation under anti-cyclonic conditions
6. Dust storms
7. Fog along coastal areas by cold ocean currents which causes advection cooling of
onshore wind etc.
8. Clear skies caused by anti-cyclonic conditions.
9. Relative humidity is very low
10. Very long dry seasons and short wet seasons
1b. Fig 2 shows the information recorded at a weather station for a week.

i)State the days with the highest humidity and lowest humidity and give reasons for your
answer (4 marks)

• Highest humidity is Tuesday because saturated air or same reading for dry and wet
bulb reading.
• Lowest humidity is Friday because of the wide difference in the thermometer reading.
ii) Describe the changes in the weather conditions at the station during the course of the
week (6 marks)

• Monday: temperature drop and cloud cover increases.

• Tuesday: temperature increases, overcast skies and rainy.
• Wednesday: temperature rises and thunderstorm
• Thursday: temperature rise steeply and cloud cover reduced.
• Friday: temperature continuous to rise or hotter than Thursday, clear sky
• Saturday: temperature drops and partly cloudy
iii) Explain the changes you have described in (b)(ii) above (3 marks)

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 • Monday temperature decreases due to increase in cloudiness
• An increase in humidity and cloud cover results in the reduction in temperature
• From Tuesday to Wednesday: thunderstorm due to increase in instability saturation
of air results in cloud formation and rainfall.
• From Thursday to Friday: reduction in humidity and cloud cover results in a steep rise
in temperature
1c. Suggest the measures which can be taken to reduce the effects of the following (7 marks)
i) Frost
1. Green house
2. Irrigation overnight
3. Artificial heating (smudge pots)
4. Covering crops
5. Shelter belts
6. Spraying crops with ashes
ii) Hailstorms
1. Cloud seeding or storm abortion
2. Insurance against hail damages
3. Weather forecast and early warning systems
4. Keep small livestock in shelters or indoors
5. Use of green house
6. Use of lightning conductors
7. Never seek shelter under trees and poll objects
2a. Fig 3 shows two instruments used to measure weather elements

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 Table 1

Wet-bulb depression (oC)

0 1 2 3 4 5
Dry bulb % % % % % %
22oC 100 90 82 73 65 60
24oC 100 91 82 74 66 62
26oC 100 91 83 75 67 64
28oC 100 91 83 76 68 65

(i) Name the instruments P and instrument S (2 marks)

• P is the Six’s thermometer (maximum and minimum thermometer) and it measure the
temperature in the atmosphere
• S is the hygrometer (wet and dry bulb thermometer) used to measure humidity in the
atmosphere
(ii) Describe how instrument P is used (4 marks)

• When it is hot the alcohol in the left arm expands and pushes the mercury down and
up the right arm of the Thermometer.
• This pushes the metal index upwards and the maximum temperature is read by
looking at the bottom of the metal index. In the right-hand limb vaporizes and occupy
space on the vacuum.
• When temperature drop, alcohol contract the alcohol on the bulb becomes liquid.
• It forces the mercury to flow down the right hand lift up the left-hand limp.
• The maximum temperature is read at the bottom of the metal index.
(iii) With the reference to in instruments S, what are the temperature readings for the dry
and wet bulb thermometers? (2 marks)

• Dry bulb reading is 28oC and the wet bulb is 25oC

(iv) Use instrument S shown in Fig 3 together with Table 1 go to work out the relative
humidity. You must describe how you got your answer (2 marks)

• Depression of wet bulb is 28oC – 25oC = 3oC

• Relative humidity using the bulb value and table = 76%
(b) For either the tropical rainforest or the savanna climate
(i) describe the opportunities and problems for human activities (7 marks)
Tropical rainforest
Opportunities

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 1. Rapid growth of forests leading to the exploitation of these
2. High agricultural production due to climatic conditions that encourage plant growth
3. Hard wood for timber
4. Growth of wet/pad rice
5. Plantation agriculture
6. Variety of medication plants
7. Tourism
8. Wildlife
9. Fruits
Problems
1. Wet ground makes extraction of forests difficult
2. Trees have buttress roots making exploitation difficult
3. Absence of pure stands makes it difficult to get to trees of same types in one place
4. Erosion due clearing of forests for plantation and settlements
5. Leaching soils
6. Pests-diseases-enervating climate
7. Research by botanists (the scientific study of plants)
8. Too many weeds
9. Dangerous animals
10. Dense forests
Savanna
Opportunities
1. Growing variety of crops in summer season
2. Availability of grass for grazers
3. Large selection of wild animals
4. Encouraging tourism
5. Woodlands for timber
6. Fuel available from wood
7. Grass for thatching
Problems
1. Winter seasons-problems of frost in some areas
2. Problems of drought hence death of livestock and wildlife
3. Starvation
4. Less pastures
5. Many weeds and pests
6. Veld fires
(ii) suggest possible solutions to the problems identified in (b) (i) above (3 marks)
Tropical rainforest solutions
1. Use of caterpillars in muddy areas

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 2. Reforestation programmes
3. Use of pesticides and weedicides
4. Medical attention
5. Use of tarred roads
6. education
Savanna solutions
1. irrigation
2. technique to combat frost
3. destocking
4. drilling of boreholes
5. herbicides
6. fire guards
7. Education
(c) As a weather expert suggest measures that can be taken to deal with the effects of
tropical cyclones (5 marks)
1. In vulnerable areas, construct houses and buildings that can withstand the wind and
air pressure.
2. Cut back overgrown tress that may be close to buildings.
3. Clear the area of loose items that could be blown around during a storm and cause
even greater damages.
4. Be prepared with emergency kits containing communication system, food, water,
batteries and medicines.
5. Establish national, regional and local disaster reaction committees.
6. Storm abortion, storm drains, afforestation, dam construction, food provision and
education

3a(i) What is a wetland? (2 marks)

• Wetland is any land which is periodically or permanently water logged e.g. marshes
(ii) State the benefits of conserving a wetland (5 marks)
1. Growing of water loving crops
2. Source of water for domestic purposes and irrigation
3. Habitat of wildlife
4. Promotion of tourism
5. Fishing
6. Source of raw materials for craft industries e.g. reeds
7. Wetlands are a vital component of the hydrological cycle (regulating ground water
levels, evapotranspiration)
8. Research purposes
9. Slowing down flooding by soaking rainwater
10. Trapping of eroded soil

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 11. Biodivesity
(b) Table 2 and Fig 4 illustrates the climate and vegetation of a place in Africa
Table 2

J F M A M J J A S O N D
oC 26 26 25 23 20 17 17 19 22 26 26 27
mm 75 52 38 15 6 3 2 1 7 22 47 66
The total rainfall is 336 mm per annual.
(i) In which hemisphere is the place found? (1 mark)

• Southern hemisphere

Fig. 4
(ii) Describe the flora and fauna in Fig. 4 and explain how it is influenced by the climate
shown in Table 2. (6marks)
1. Springbuck
2. A bird like a Stork
3. Short dry grass
4. Umbrella shaped trees
5. Scattered trees
6. Scrub vegetation
7. A tree with dry leaves
Explanation how fig 4 influenced the climate shown in table 2
1. Not high rainfall during the rainy season, highest is 75mm received in January
2. There is low rainfall received that is 336 mm per annual
3. High temperature during the summers thus the grass and some trees are dry.

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 4. There are dry winters with low temperatures
(iii) Suggest how people may cause the environment shown in Fig. 4 to deteriorate. What
are the likely consequences of such deterioration? (7 marks)
Causes of deterioration
1. Falling trees for construction and for farming (deforestation)
2. Overgrazing
3. Overcultivation
4. Mining e.g. gold panning
5. Use of fire
Consequences or effects of deterioration
1. Soil erosion
2. Silting of rivers (failing of water table)
3. Extinction of species
4. Low yields
5. Desertification
6. Migration of wildlife
7. Lower rainfall
8. Global warming
(c) Draw a labelled diagram to show the profile of a mature soil. (4 marks)

4a. The table shows climate figures for a station in Africa located 19o N

J F M A M J J A S O N D
oC 20 19 24 30 31 29 28 25 26 27 24 22
mm 0 0 3 10 69 117 206 310 142 13 0 0

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(i) What evidence suggest that this station has a tropical continental climate? (5 marks)
1. The station is located at 190N and the tropical continental climate is the Guinea
Savanna, located at Tropical rainforest, Southern part of Zaire Basin and Eastern Africa
rift valley.
2. The rainfall is during the summer, and the Summer in the Northern Hemisphere (Tropic
of Cancer) is from May to September as the sun is overheard of 21 June
3. The dry season are from October to April and they are low or no rainfall
4. The winter is from October to March as this month records low temperature (winter
maximum is 21oC is the Savanna climate)
5. The summer temperatures range 27oC to 31oC from the months of May to September.
6. The annual rainfall is 870 mm and rainfall in the Savanna Climate ranges from 400mm
to 1000 mm per annual.
7. The type of rainfall is convectional.
(ii) During which period should farmers at this station practice irrigation? Give a reason for
your answer (2 marks)

• From October to May because these months received low rainfall because it was the
winter season
(iii) Suggest measures to conserve the tropical Continental climate (7 marks)
1. Stiff penalties and imprisonment for poachers
2. Reforestation programmes
3. Growing drought resistant crops and plants
4. Construction of dams for drought seasons
5. Use of irrigations
6. Legislation
7. Education on the importance of conserving the Savana environment
8. Use of alternative sources instead of wood
9. Police patrols to implement measures
10. Frequently monitoring of land use system
(bi) Describe the main characteristics of the tropical rainforest ecosystem (4 marks)
1. High temperature throughout the year that ranges from 26-26oC
2. High humidity at 90% everyday due to high temperature and high evaporation
3. There is high rainfall throughout the year, all months are wet, the annual rainfall ranges
from 1500 mm to 3050 mm per year
4. The soils are good for vegetation growth and trees are 50 metres in height. The trees
are competing for sunlight
5. There is great flora of over 100 different species. The trees have deep roots
6. The fauna found includes Gorillas, Chimpanzees, monkeys, birds, snakes etc.

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(ii) Show how economic activities in tropical rainforest areas are influenced by the
Ecosystem (7 marks)

1. There are mining oil in the Niger Delta and in Coastal Gabon
2. Trees of economic value are exploited, for example, hardwoods used for flooring,
furniture, railway sleepers, and carving. These hardwoods include Mahogany, Iroko,
Wawa, Obeche, Ebony, Rosewood, Green heart and Baku.
3. There is Tourism attraction due dense forests and Fauna
4. There are banana and coffee plantations for economic purposes.
5. There are medical research centres, scientists pay huge money for medical research
purposes.
6. The forests are used for movie making.
7. High rainfall and high temperature support crop cultivation throughout the year.
8. The vegetation provides timber and fuel.
5a) The picture shows the position of the Cyclone

(i) Describe how this cyclone is formed (5 marks)

• The basic cause of cyclonic rain is the meeting of two or more winds (cold front and
warm front) or current of different temperatures. The warm air is forced to rise above
the cold air mass, causing cooling, condensation and rain
• Rainfall occurs along the Front (occluded Front)
• They give rise to torrential rainfall and strong winds.
• In the Southern Hemisphere they occur in the Summer. Examples are cyclone Eline
and Japhet.
• In Zimbabwe, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone brings cyclonic rainfall. Its
movements southwards in December, January and early February is often associated
with continuous rain

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 • Apart from such big cyclonic or depression areas, occasional cyclones sweep around
Zimbabwe from the Mozambique channel westwards
(ii) Outline the effects of the Cyclone on the lives of the people in Zimbabwe (6 marks)
1. Heavy rainfall
2. Landslides
3. Mudflows
4. Destruction of houses, dams, bridges, farms, infrastructure.
5. Death due to lightning, heavy winds and floods
6. Destruction of the vegetation and animals
b) Suggest measures which should be taken to help the victims of floods (7 marks)
1. Plan and develop settlements in a way that makes them less vulnerable to flooding.
2. Use dams and weirs to store water and manage the flow of water downstream during
the times of high runoff.
3. Build local houses in a way that make the wall strong and resistance to flooding.
4. Build strong structures by using reinforced steel or fired bricks that cannot easily be
destroyed by the pressure of water during a flood.
5. Build houses on stilts above the flood plain in low lying places such as the Zambezi
Valley.
6. Put flood warning system in place and train people in heeding them.
7. Create emergency response teams and systems including plans for evacuation and
rescue operations during a flood.
8. Donate clothes, blankets, food and medical kits for the affected
9. Build them temporary settlements like tents until they have proper homes.
10. Counselling for the traumatized.
11. Relocate the affected to flood free places
ci) List any four components of the soil (4 marks)
1. Mineral manner
2. Water
3. Air
4. Organic matter
(ii)Draw an energy flow diagram of a simple food chain (3 marks)

6ai) Match the following weather elements with instruments used to measure them:

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Elements: windspeed, wind direction, humidity, and atmosphere pressure
Instruments: Hygrometer, wind vane, barometer and cup anemometer
1. Wind speed – cup anemometer
2. Wind direction – wind vane
3. Humidity – hygrometer
4. Atmosphere pressure - barometer
(aii) Outline the characteristics of the Mediterranean climate (3 marks)
1. The average temperature in summer in 21oC and there are very low temperatures
during the winter that ranges at 0oC
2. The rainy season is during the winter, from May to August
3. The annual rainfall ranges from 400mm-650mm per year
4. The soil is good for grapes plantation, oranges plantation and domesticating cattle and
pigs
b) The photography shows an ecosystem in the rural areas of Zimbabwe.

(bi) Identify any four different inputs of the ecosystem shown (4 marks)
1. Summers are very hot with temperature averaging 32oC. They are hotter than the
Equatorial and Guinea Savana because cloud cover and rainfall are less.
2. Winters are cool to warm, with an average temperature of 20 oC.
3. The annual rainfall ranges from 400mm to 1000mm per annual and the type of rainfall
is Conventional

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 4. Summers are very hot with temperature averaging 32oC. They are hotter than the
Equatorial and Guinea Savana because cloud cover and rainfall are less.
5. Winters are cool to warm, with an average temperature of 20 oC.
6. The soil types are good for trees and grass growth.
7. Humidity is high during the summer period
(bii) Describe and explain how human activities have interfered with the ecosystem shown
(4 marks)
1. Cutting of trees and burning grass has led to widespread soil erosion and scarce of
vegetation.
2. They have destroyed the vegetation by establishing a dusty road.
3. They cut down grass for home thatching and a stock feed for their livestock
4. Keeping of livestock making this vegetation a grazing land thus there is short grass and
even livestock feed on leaves
5. There is widespread destruction of trees and grass through farming and grazing
activities.
6. Veld fires by burning grass.
(c)Describe how Parklands Savanna vegetation have adapted to the environment (7 marks)
1. Tall grasses and scattered trees where sufficient underground water is available.
2. Grasses have underground stems, rhizomes (a horizontal underground stem of some
plants that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes) for protection against ground
fires, and are able to survive dry winters.
3. There are drought resistant species such as the Mopani trees in Zimbabwe.
4. Plants are able to store water and nutrients in the body tissues e.g. Baobab trees.
5. Plants such as acacia (Muwunga) have thorns for protection against browsing and
evapo-transpiration loss of water.
6. Trees are spaced to reduce competition for sunlight
7. Thin leaves to reduce water loss
8. Rough barks to reduce water loss
9. Long tap roots, to tap the underground water
10. Shed leaves during winter
11. Umbrella shaped trees to protect the trunk from direct heat from the sun.
(d) Propose benefits of tree planting to the physical ecosystem (3 marks)
1. Trees are habitants to the species of beds
2. They provide fruits and berries
3. Medicine purposes e.g. tree barks, roots and leaves
4. They provide oxygen for the humans.
5. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that leads to global warming.
6. The trees are wind breakers and protects the soil from erosion.
7. Trees leaves acts as manure and humus.
8. Tree leaves are food to animals
9. They provide shades from the sunshine

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 10. Firewood as fuel, timber for furnisher making

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