WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2012

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The Mediterranean vegetation is described as xerophytic vegetation because it is drought resistant. The Mediterranean region is known for its hot and dry summers, and mild and rainy winters. The vegetation in this region has adapted to the dry conditions by developing various mechanisms to conserve water, such as small and thick leaves, deep roots, and succulent stems. This adaptation allows the vegetation to survive the long periods of drought that are common in the Mediterranean climate. Therefore, the term xerophytic, which means "dry-loving," is used to describe the vegetation of the Mediterranean region.

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Steep sides and often dry valleys in the desert are called "wadis". Wadis are usually formed by water erosion and are characterized by a wide, flat bottom and steep sides. During the rainy season, water flows through wadis and creates a temporary stream. However, during dry seasons, wadis are often dry, and they are used as pathways for human and animal migration in the desert. The term "wadi" is used primarily in the Middle East and North Africa.

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The outer layer of the solid earth is called the crust. Think of the earth like an apple: the crust is the thin, outermost layer, while the core is the dense, central part. The crust is made up of solid rock and is the part of the earth that we live on. It is relatively thin compared to the other layers, only about 10-50 kilometers thick depending on where you are on the planet. The crust is also divided into several large pieces, called tectonic plates, which can move around and sometimes collide with each other, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity. Overall, the crust plays a crucial role in supporting life on earth by providing a stable surface for us to live and grow on.

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High population growth is when the number of births in a population exceeds the number of deaths. In other words, when the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population will continue to grow. This means that the population is increasing at a fast rate, which can have significant impacts on resources, infrastructure, and the environment. Therefore, option D, "the birth rate is higher than the death rate," is the best description of high population growth.

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A bedding plane is a characteristic of sedimentary rocks. It refers to the boundary between two layers or beds of sedimentary rocks, which are formed by the accumulation of sediment over time. These layers or beds are usually parallel to each other and can vary in thickness and composition. Bedding planes are an important feature for geologists as they provide clues about the environment in which the sediment was deposited and the history of the area. For example, the thickness and composition of the beds can indicate changes in the water depth, the type of sedimentary environment, or the occurrence of major geological events such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. In contrast, igneous and metamorphic rocks do not have distinct bedding planes as they are formed from molten materials and subjected to intense heat and pressure, which cause the minerals to recrystallize and fuse together into a solid mass. Volcanic rocks, on the other hand, may have distinct layers or bands of lava flows or ash deposits, but these are not considered bedding planes.

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The major advantage of plantation agriculture in East Africa is that it provides a regular supply of raw materials. Plantation agriculture involves the large-scale cultivation of a single crop, such as tea or coffee, on a large tract of land. These crops are grown primarily for export, providing a regular source of foreign exchange for the countries that produce them. The regular supply of raw materials is important for both the local economy and the global economy. In the local economy, it provides a reliable source of income and employment for the people who work on the plantations and in related industries. In the global economy, it ensures a steady supply of raw materials for manufacturers and consumers around the world. Overall, plantation agriculture has played a significant role in the economic development of East African countries, providing a reliable source of income and contributing to global trade.

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Of the given options, granite is an igneous rock. Igneous rocks are formed by the solidification of magma or lava. Granite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. Sandstone, chalk, and limestone are sedimentary rocks formed from the accumulation of sediment over time.

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The low population density in the middle belt of West Africa resulted from all the following except "inadequacy of food in the area." The other options - unfavorable climate, absence of heavy industries in the area, and inadequate infrastructure - may have contributed to the low population density in the middle belt of West Africa, but the lack of adequate food in the area is not one of the reasons. The region is known for its fertile soils, and agriculture is a major economic activity, with crops such as millet, sorghum, and cowpeas being grown in large quantities. Therefore, it is unlikely that the area would have a low population density due to inadequate food.

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The industry that is best located near the source of raw material is sugar refining. Raw sugar is extracted from sugarcane, which is grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Because of the high perishability of sugarcane, it needs to be processed into sugar as soon as possible after it is harvested. This means that sugar refineries need to be located near the source of raw sugarcane to minimize transportation time and costs, and to ensure the sugar can be processed quickly. Additionally, transporting raw sugarcane over long distances can result in spoilage and a reduction in sugar content. Therefore, the sugar refining industry is best located near the sugarcane fields to ensure the production of high-quality sugar at a lower cost. Other industries such as drug manufacturing, paint manufacturing, and watch making do not require raw materials that are as perishable or time-sensitive as sugarcane, so they may not need to be located as close to the source of raw materials.

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Re-afforestation and planting of trees on windbreak is the method that will best help to check wind erosion. This is because the trees act as windbreaks by reducing the velocity of the wind, and hence its erosive power. As a result, the soil is protected from being carried away by the wind. Additionally, the trees also stabilize the soil by increasing its porosity and retaining moisture, which further reduces the susceptibility of the soil to wind erosion. Inter-cropping and contour ploughing, strip cropping and crop rotation, and contour ploughing and manuring are also useful techniques for soil conservation but are not as effective in checking wind erosion as planting of trees on windbreaks.

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Mechanical weathering due to changes in temperature occurs mainly in desert regions. This is because in desert regions, temperatures are very high during the day, and very low at night. This results in the expansion and contraction of rock surfaces, causing them to crack and break down. The daily temperature fluctuations cause repeated expansion and contraction, which leads to the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces. This type of mechanical weathering is called thermal stress weathering or insolation weathering. In wet equatorial regions, chemical weathering due to the action of rainfall and high temperatures is more common. In coastal areas and polar regions, other forms of mechanical weathering, such as abrasion and freeze-thaw weathering, respectively, are more prevalent.

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Isotherms are lines drawn on maps joining places having equal temperature. In other words, they connect points on a map that have the same temperature. They are useful in visualizing temperature patterns and variations across different regions, and are commonly used in weather forecasting and climatology. By looking at isotherm maps, we can see where the hottest and coldest areas are located, as well as the temperature gradients and fronts.

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Rainfall is not associated with human intervention. Rainfall is a natural process that occurs due to the water cycle in the atmosphere. It involves the evaporation of water from the surface of the earth, which rises into the atmosphere and condenses into clouds. The clouds then release water in the form of rain, which falls back to the surface of the earth. Mining, construction, and urbanization, on the other hand, are all activities that involve human intervention and can have significant impacts on the environment.

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When there are large scale horizontal earth movements and stresses in the Earth's crust, fold mountains may occur. These are mountains that form when rock layers are pushed up and folded due to the movement of tectonic plates. They often occur in areas of convergent plate boundaries, where two plates are pushing against each other, causing the rock layers to buckle and fold. Block mountains, on the other hand, are formed when large areas of the Earth's crust are uplifted and separated from surrounding areas due to faults or fractures in the Earth's crust. Volcanic mountains are formed by the accumulation of volcanic material, while residual mountains are formed by the weathering and erosion of existing mountains.

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The wearing away of the sides and bottom of a river channel is called corrasion. This process is also known as abrasion and involves the scraping and rubbing of rock material against the river bed and banks, which results in the erosion of the channel. The particles that cause corrasion include pebbles, sand, and boulders that are transported by the river. Corrasion is one of the major processes responsible for the formation of river valleys and the alteration of river channels over time.

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Precipitation refers to any form of moisture that falls from the atmosphere to the earth's surface. It includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Therefore, out of the options given, the correct answer is "dust." Dust is not a form of precipitation, but it can be suspended in the air and transported by wind currents. Dew and fog are not considered precipitation either, as they are formed through the condensation of moisture in the air rather than through the falling of moisture from the atmosphere.

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The satellite of the Earth is the Moon. The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth, meaning it is a celestial body that orbits around the Earth. It is the fifth largest moon in the solar system and the largest among planetary satellites relative to its host planet. The Moon is an important celestial object that affects the Earth's tides, provides a natural satellite for scientific study, and is the only celestial body beyond Earth that has been visited by humans.

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The term that describes a piece of land almost surrounded by water is called a peninsula. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides, while the fourth side is connected to the mainland. Examples of peninsulas include Florida in the United States, the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East. The word 'peninsula' is derived from the Latin words 'paene' meaning 'almost' and 'insula' meaning 'island'.

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The difference between the temperatures of the hottest and coldest months of a place is known as the "annual range of temperature". This refers to the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures experienced over the course of a year in a specific location. For example, a place that experiences very hot temperatures in the summer and very cold temperatures in the winter will have a larger annual range of temperature than a place where temperatures are more consistent throughout the year. Therefore, the correct option is "annual range of temperature".

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Convectional rains are typical of equatorial areas. Convectional rainfall occurs when the sun heats the ground, causing the air above to become warm and rise. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds. The clouds continue to grow until they can no longer hold the water droplets, which then fall as rain. In equatorial areas, where the sun's rays are most intense, the heating and rising of warm air is more common, leading to frequent and heavy convectional rainfall.

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The correct answer is "weathering". Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments or particles through physical, chemical, and biological means. These broken-down rock particles remain in place and do not get transported away. Weathering can occur through a variety of mechanisms including freeze-thaw cycles, chemical reactions, and plant root growth. It is an important process in the formation of soil and can also lead to the development of unique landforms.

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Deciduous trees are those that generally shed their leaves during one season of the year. This is usually in autumn or fall, before winter, in response to changes in the length of daylight and temperature. Shedding their leaves allows the tree to conserve water and energy during the winter months when there is less sunlight and lower temperatures. In contrast, evergreen trees do not shed their leaves at any season of the year and retain their leaves throughout the year.

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A ginnery is a place where cotton is processed to take out the seed. Cotton from the farm is brought to the ginnery, where it undergoes a process called ginning. During ginning, the seeds are removed from the cotton fibers, leaving only the fiber which can be spun into yarn or thread. After ginning, the cotton is then baled and transported for further processing or storage.

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The most valuable products of equatorial forests are cocoa, rubber, and oil palm. These crops are well-suited to the hot, humid climate of the equatorial regions and are important exports for many countries. Cocoa is used to make chocolate and is in high demand all over the world. Rubber is a versatile material used in the production of various products such as tires, rubber gloves, and footwear. Oil palm is a source of edible oil and is also used in the production of biofuels. While tea, bananas, oranges, cassava, plantain, rice, ginger, coffee, and sisal are also grown in equatorial regions, they are not considered to be as valuable as cocoa, rubber, and oil palm. These crops may be important for local consumption, but they do not have the same level of international demand and economic impact as the three primary crops mentioned above.

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Deltas are landforms formed at the mouth of a river where it meets an ocean, sea, or lake. Therefore, they are not associated with the upper course of a river. Meanders are bends or curves in a river channel that form as the water flows. While they can occur in any part of a river, they are most commonly found in the middle and lower courses. Therefore, they are not associated with the upper course of a river. Rapids are sections of a river where the water flows rapidly over rocks or a steep gradient, creating turbulence and white water. They are typically found in the upper course of a river, where the gradient is steeper and the water flows faster. Gorges are narrow, steep-sided valleys that form as a river cuts through hard rock. They are also commonly found in the upper course of a river, where the gradient is steeper and the river is more erosive. Therefore, the pair associated with the upper course of a river are II and IV, which correspond to gorges and rapids, respectively.

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A vertical section of soil through all its horizons is called a soil profile. It is a representation of the layers or horizons of soil from the surface downwards to the bedrock. The soil profile helps to provide information about the soil's properties, including its texture, structure, nutrient content, and depth, which is important for agricultural and environmental purposes. By examining the soil profile, scientists can understand the physical and chemical characteristics of different layers and how they interact to support plant growth and other ecological functions.

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Winds blow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. This is because air moves from a region of higher air pressure to a region of lower air pressure, resulting in the movement of air, which we perceive as wind. The greater the difference in pressure, the stronger the wind. Therefore, the statement that is true of winds is that they blow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The other statements are not true.

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The environmental lapse rate is a decrease of temperature by 6.50°C for every 1,000 meters of ascent. This means that as you climb higher in the atmosphere, the temperature decreases by approximately 6.50°C for every 1,000 meters you ascend. This phenomenon occurs because as you move away from the surface of the earth, there is less heat available from the sun to warm the air. Additionally, the air at higher altitudes is less dense and can hold less heat, leading to a decrease in temperature. The environmental lapse rate is an important concept in meteorology and helps us understand how temperature changes with altitude.

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Convectional rains are typical in equatorial areas. This is because in equatorial areas, there is a lot of solar radiation that heats the ground surface, which in turn heats the air above it. The heated air rises and as it rises, it cools, condenses and forms clouds. These clouds lead to convectional rainfall. This type of rainfall is common in equatorial areas which experience high temperatures and humidity throughout the year.

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The option that is not a characteristic of the rainforest is "it has deciduous trees and aerial roots." Explanation: A rainforest is a dense forest characterized by high annual rainfall, high humidity, and high biodiversity. One of the notable features of a rainforest is that it has tall trees with buttress roots and evergreen broad leaves that form a dense canopy. The trees in the rainforest are also arranged in different heights and layers of canopies, which is necessary to absorb sunlight. Additionally, some trees in the rainforest are climbers, creepers, and epiphytes. However, deciduous trees and aerial roots are not typical of the rainforest. Deciduous trees shed their leaves during the dry season, which is uncommon in the rainforest, while aerial roots are more common in mangroves and swamps, which are different from the rainforest ecosystem.

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