WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2019 (Practical and Physical Geography)
Question 1 Rapport
With the aid of diagrams, describe the mode of formation of the following features: (a) stack; (b) fold mountalin.
(a) Formation of a stack
A stack is a pillar or column of rock standing in the sea, detached from the coast. It is formed by marine (wave) erosion of a headland:
- Waves attack lines of weakness (joints or faults) at the base of a headland by hydraulic action, abrasion and solution.
- Continued erosion widens the weakness into a sea cave on the side of the headland.
- When two caves on opposite sides of the headland are eroded until they meet, a natural arch is formed through the headland.
- Further erosion and weathering enlarge the arch until its roof becomes too heavy and collapses.
- The collapse leaves an isolated column of rock standing in the sea, separated from the headland; this pillar is the stack. (When a stack is later worn down to a low stump it becomes a stump.)
Diagram should show, in stages: headland with cave, arch, and finally the detached stack.
(b) Formation of a fold mountain
Fold mountains are formed by the folding of sedimentary rocks under compression:
- Over a long period, thick layers of sediment accumulate in a large shallow depression in the earth's crust called a geosyncline, usually on the floor of a sea.
- The sediments are compacted and cemented into layers of sedimentary rock.
- Powerful horizontal compressional forces (caused by the movement of crustal/tectonic plates towards each other) squeeze the rock layers from opposite sides.
- The layers are crumpled and buckled into a series of up-folds called anticlines and down-folds called synclines.
- These folded and uplifted rock layers form the fold mountains, for example the Alps, Himalayas and Atlas Mountains.
Diagram should show folded strata with labelled anticlines (upfolds) and synclines (downfolds).
Détails de la réponse
(a) Formation of a stack
A stack is a pillar or column of rock standing in the sea, detached from the coast. It is formed by marine (wave) erosion of a headland:
- Waves attack lines of weakness (joints or faults) at the base of a headland by hydraulic action, abrasion and solution.
- Continued erosion widens the weakness into a sea cave on the side of the headland.
- When two caves on opposite sides of the headland are eroded until they meet, a natural arch is formed through the headland.
- Further erosion and weathering enlarge the arch until its roof becomes too heavy and collapses.
- The collapse leaves an isolated column of rock standing in the sea, separated from the headland; this pillar is the stack. (When a stack is later worn down to a low stump it becomes a stump.)
Diagram should show, in stages: headland with cave, arch, and finally the detached stack.
(b) Formation of a fold mountain
Fold mountains are formed by the folding of sedimentary rocks under compression:
- Over a long period, thick layers of sediment accumulate in a large shallow depression in the earth's crust called a geosyncline, usually on the floor of a sea.
- The sediments are compacted and cemented into layers of sedimentary rock.
- Powerful horizontal compressional forces (caused by the movement of crustal/tectonic plates towards each other) squeeze the rock layers from opposite sides.
- The layers are crumpled and buckled into a series of up-folds called anticlines and down-folds called synclines.
- These folded and uplifted rock layers form the fold mountains, for example the Alps, Himalayas and Atlas Mountains.
Diagram should show folded strata with labelled anticlines (upfolds) and synclines (downfolds).
Question 2 Rapport
The Table X above shows the number of farm units in three villages of Oju District in the year 2010. Use the data in Table X to answer the questions that follow.
(a) Using the map of Oju District provided on page 3 and radius of 1 cm to represent 3 farm units, Construct proportional circles to represent the data. (b) State two disadvantages of proportional circles.
Data read from Table X
| Village | Number of farm units |
|---|---|
| A | 81 |
| B | 100 |
| C | 64 |
(a) Constructing the proportional circles
In a proportional circle the area of the circle (not the radius) is made proportional to the quantity it represents. Since the area of a circle is \( A = \pi r^{2} \), the area is proportional to \( r^{2} \). Therefore, to make the area proportional to the number of farm units \( N \), the radius must be proportional to the square root of \( N \):
\[ A \propto N \quad\Rightarrow\quad \pi r^{2} \propto N \quad\Rightarrow\quad r \propto \sqrt{N} \]
Applying the given scale. The scale states that a radius of \(1\ \text{cm}\) represents \(3\) farm units. Taking the reference circle of radius \(1\ \text{cm}\) to stand for \(3\) farm units by its area, the area per farm unit is fixed, so:
\[ \pi r^{2} = \frac{N}{3}\,\pi \quad\Rightarrow\quad r = \sqrt{\frac{N}{3}} \ \text{cm} \]
Working for each village:
- Village A: \( r_{A} = \sqrt{\dfrac{81}{3}} = \sqrt{27} = 5.2\ \text{cm} \)
- Village B: \( r_{B} = \sqrt{\dfrac{100}{3}} = \sqrt{33.3} = 5.8\ \text{cm} \)
- Village C: \( r_{C} = \sqrt{\dfrac{64}{3}} = \sqrt{21.3} = 4.6\ \text{cm} \)
Notice that because the given values are perfect squares, the radii keep the neat ratio \( \sqrt{81}:\sqrt{100}:\sqrt{64} = 9:10:8 \), so village B has the largest circle, village A the middle one and village C the smallest.
Table of radii for drawing:
| Village | Farm units (N) | \( \sqrt{N} \) | Radius \( r=\sqrt{N/3} \) (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 81 | 9 | 5.2 |
| B | 100 | 10 | 5.8 |
| C | 64 | 8 | 4.6 |
Steps to construct on the map of Oju District:
- Locate the position of each village (A, B and C) on the outline map provided.
- Using a pair of compasses, set the radius to the calculated value and draw a circle centred exactly on each village’s position: A = \(5.2\ \text{cm}\), B = \(5.8\ \text{cm}\), C = \(4.6\ \text{cm}\).
- Shade or lightly tint each circle uniformly and label it with the village letter and its value.
- Provide a key/legend stating the scale (\(1\ \text{cm}\) radius represents \(3\) farm units) and give the map a clear title.
(b) Two disadvantages of proportional circles
- They are difficult to draw accurately: the radius of each circle must first be found from the square root of the value, so the calculation and the precise drawing of the correct radius are time-consuming and error-prone.
- Actual values cannot be read directly: the human eye cannot judge the area of a circle accurately, so a reader can only estimate, and one is forced to rely on written labels rather than reading the quantity from the size of the circle. (Large circles may also overlap and crowd nearby locations, hiding detail on the map.)
Détails de la réponse
Data read from Table X
| Village | Number of farm units |
|---|---|
| A | 81 |
| B | 100 |
| C | 64 |
(a) Constructing the proportional circles
In a proportional circle the area of the circle (not the radius) is made proportional to the quantity it represents. Since the area of a circle is \( A = \pi r^{2} \), the area is proportional to \( r^{2} \). Therefore, to make the area proportional to the number of farm units \( N \), the radius must be proportional to the square root of \( N \):
\[ A \propto N \quad\Rightarrow\quad \pi r^{2} \propto N \quad\Rightarrow\quad r \propto \sqrt{N} \]
Applying the given scale. The scale states that a radius of \(1\ \text{cm}\) represents \(3\) farm units. Taking the reference circle of radius \(1\ \text{cm}\) to stand for \(3\) farm units by its area, the area per farm unit is fixed, so:
\[ \pi r^{2} = \frac{N}{3}\,\pi \quad\Rightarrow\quad r = \sqrt{\frac{N}{3}} \ \text{cm} \]
Working for each village:
- Village A: \( r_{A} = \sqrt{\dfrac{81}{3}} = \sqrt{27} = 5.2\ \text{cm} \)
- Village B: \( r_{B} = \sqrt{\dfrac{100}{3}} = \sqrt{33.3} = 5.8\ \text{cm} \)
- Village C: \( r_{C} = \sqrt{\dfrac{64}{3}} = \sqrt{21.3} = 4.6\ \text{cm} \)
Notice that because the given values are perfect squares, the radii keep the neat ratio \( \sqrt{81}:\sqrt{100}:\sqrt{64} = 9:10:8 \), so village B has the largest circle, village A the middle one and village C the smallest.
Table of radii for drawing:
| Village | Farm units (N) | \( \sqrt{N} \) | Radius \( r=\sqrt{N/3} \) (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 81 | 9 | 5.2 |
| B | 100 | 10 | 5.8 |
| C | 64 | 8 | 4.6 |
Steps to construct on the map of Oju District:
- Locate the position of each village (A, B and C) on the outline map provided.
- Using a pair of compasses, set the radius to the calculated value and draw a circle centred exactly on each village’s position: A = \(5.2\ \text{cm}\), B = \(5.8\ \text{cm}\), C = \(4.6\ \text{cm}\).
- Shade or lightly tint each circle uniformly and label it with the village letter and its value.
- Provide a key/legend stating the scale (\(1\ \text{cm}\) radius represents \(3\) farm units) and give the map a clear title.
(b) Two disadvantages of proportional circles
- They are difficult to draw accurately: the radius of each circle must first be found from the square root of the value, so the calculation and the precise drawing of the correct radius are time-consuming and error-prone.
- Actual values cannot be read directly: the human eye cannot judge the area of a circle accurately, so a reader can only estimate, and one is forced to rely on written labels rather than reading the quantity from the size of the circle. (Large circles may also overlap and crowd nearby locations, hiding detail on the map.)
Question 3 Rapport
Describe chemically formed sedimentary rocks under the following headings: (a) mode of formation; (b) three examples; (c) four importance.
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks
(a) Mode of formation
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks are produced from minerals that were dissolved in water. When water containing these dissolved minerals evaporates, or when the water becomes over-saturated, the minerals are precipitated (deposited) out of solution. The precipitated material accumulates and, over time, is compacted and cemented to form solid rock. This process commonly takes place in seas, salt lakes, lagoons and hot springs where evaporation is high, and in limestone caves where deposition forms stalactites and stalagmites.
(b) Three examples
- Rock salt (halite).
- Gypsum.
- Limestone (chemically formed) and potash.
(c) Four importance (uses)
- Rock salt is a source of common salt used for food, and in the chemical industry.
- Gypsum is used in making plaster of Paris, cement and fertilizer.
- Limestone is used for the manufacture of cement and as a building and road-making material.
- These rocks provide valuable raw materials that support industries and generate employment and revenue; some (potash) are used as fertilizers to improve agriculture.
Détails de la réponse
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks
(a) Mode of formation
Chemically formed sedimentary rocks are produced from minerals that were dissolved in water. When water containing these dissolved minerals evaporates, or when the water becomes over-saturated, the minerals are precipitated (deposited) out of solution. The precipitated material accumulates and, over time, is compacted and cemented to form solid rock. This process commonly takes place in seas, salt lakes, lagoons and hot springs where evaporation is high, and in limestone caves where deposition forms stalactites and stalagmites.
(b) Three examples
- Rock salt (halite).
- Gypsum.
- Limestone (chemically formed) and potash.
(c) Four importance (uses)
- Rock salt is a source of common salt used for food, and in the chemical industry.
- Gypsum is used in making plaster of Paris, cement and fertilizer.
- Limestone is used for the manufacture of cement and as a building and road-making material.
- These rocks provide valuable raw materials that support industries and generate employment and revenue; some (potash) are used as fertilizers to improve agriculture.
Question 4 Rapport
(a) What is a lake? (b) Describe the formation of lakes by wind erosion. (c) identify three benefits of lakes to man.
(a) What is a lake?
A lake is a body of water, usually fresh but sometimes salty, that occupies a hollow or depression in the surface of the land and is completely surrounded by land. It is inland and standing (still) water.
(b) Formation of lakes by wind erosion (deflation)
In hot desert regions, strong winds pick up and blow away loose, dry sand and dust from the surface in a process called deflation. Where the wind removes the loose materials continuously from a soft or unconsolidated area, it scoops out a shallow, rounded depression called a deflation hollow. Wind erosion may continue downward until the floor of the hollow reaches the level of the underground water table. Water then seeps into the hollow, or rain water collects in it, forming a small lake known as a deflation-hollow lake or oasis. Such lakes are common in desert basins.
(c) Three benefits of lakes to man
- Source of water: Lakes supply water for domestic use, irrigation and industry.
- Fishing: Lakes support fishing, providing food and employment.
- Transport, tourism and power: Lakes serve as inland waterways for navigation, attract tourists for recreation, and man-made lakes behind dams are used to generate hydro-electric power.
Détails de la réponse
(a) What is a lake?
A lake is a body of water, usually fresh but sometimes salty, that occupies a hollow or depression in the surface of the land and is completely surrounded by land. It is inland and standing (still) water.
(b) Formation of lakes by wind erosion (deflation)
In hot desert regions, strong winds pick up and blow away loose, dry sand and dust from the surface in a process called deflation. Where the wind removes the loose materials continuously from a soft or unconsolidated area, it scoops out a shallow, rounded depression called a deflation hollow. Wind erosion may continue downward until the floor of the hollow reaches the level of the underground water table. Water then seeps into the hollow, or rain water collects in it, forming a small lake known as a deflation-hollow lake or oasis. Such lakes are common in desert basins.
(c) Three benefits of lakes to man
- Source of water: Lakes supply water for domestic use, irrigation and industry.
- Fishing: Lakes support fishing, providing food and employment.
- Transport, tourism and power: Lakes serve as inland waterways for navigation, attract tourists for recreation, and man-made lakes behind dams are used to generate hydro-electric power.
Question 5 Rapport
(a) Highlight four characteristics each of the following: (i) Time Zone (ii) International Dateline.
(b) lf two towns A and B are located on different time zones and the time ini town Ais 9.00am while the time in town B is 6.00pm the same day, calculate the longitude of town B if the longitude of town A is 30° W.
(a) Four characteristics each
(i) Time Zone
- A time zone is a belt or region of the earth that keeps the same standard time.
- Each standard time zone covers \(15^\circ\) of longitude, because the earth turns \(15^\circ\) in one hour (\(360^\circ \div 24 = 15^\circ\)).
- Places within one time zone use a common (standard) time based on a central meridian.
- Time increases (is ahead) eastward and decreases (is behind) westward from the Greenwich Meridian.
(ii) International Date Line
- It is an imaginary line drawn approximately along the \(180^\circ\) meridian.
- It runs roughly north-south from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean.
- It is not perfectly straight; it bends to avoid dividing land areas and island groups into two different dates.
- A traveller crossing it going westward gains a day (adds one day), while one crossing it going eastward loses a day (subtracts one day).
(b) Calculation of the longitude of town B
Time in A = 9.00 a.m.; time in B = 6.00 p.m. same day. B is ahead of A, so B lies to the east of A.
Time difference \(= 6.00\text{ p.m.} - 9.00\text{ a.m.} = 9\) hours.
Longitude difference \(= 9 \times 15^\circ = 135^\circ\).
Since B is east of A and A is at \(30^\circ\)W:
\[\text{Longitude of B} = 135^\circ - 30^\circ = 105^\circ\text{E}\](Starting from \(30^\circ\)W and moving \(30^\circ\) east reaches the \(0^\circ\) meridian, leaving \(105^\circ\) to be counted eastward.)
The longitude of town B is \(105^\circ\)E.
Détails de la réponse
(a) Four characteristics each
(i) Time Zone
- A time zone is a belt or region of the earth that keeps the same standard time.
- Each standard time zone covers \(15^\circ\) of longitude, because the earth turns \(15^\circ\) in one hour (\(360^\circ \div 24 = 15^\circ\)).
- Places within one time zone use a common (standard) time based on a central meridian.
- Time increases (is ahead) eastward and decreases (is behind) westward from the Greenwich Meridian.
(ii) International Date Line
- It is an imaginary line drawn approximately along the \(180^\circ\) meridian.
- It runs roughly north-south from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Pacific Ocean.
- It is not perfectly straight; it bends to avoid dividing land areas and island groups into two different dates.
- A traveller crossing it going westward gains a day (adds one day), while one crossing it going eastward loses a day (subtracts one day).
(b) Calculation of the longitude of town B
Time in A = 9.00 a.m.; time in B = 6.00 p.m. same day. B is ahead of A, so B lies to the east of A.
Time difference \(= 6.00\text{ p.m.} - 9.00\text{ a.m.} = 9\) hours.
Longitude difference \(= 9 \times 15^\circ = 135^\circ\).
Since B is east of A and A is at \(30^\circ\)W:
\[\text{Longitude of B} = 135^\circ - 30^\circ = 105^\circ\text{E}\](Starting from \(30^\circ\)W and moving \(30^\circ\) east reaches the \(0^\circ\) meridian, leaving \(105^\circ\) to be counted eastward.)
The longitude of town B is \(105^\circ\)E.
