WAEC SSCE - Geography - 1996

Which of the following vegetation types is most common in Africa?

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The most common vegetation type in Africa is Savanna. This is a type of grassland with scattered trees and bushes. It covers approximately 50% of Africa's land surface and is found in areas with a pronounced wet and dry season. Savanna vegetation is characterized by tall grasses during the rainy season, and sparse, dry vegetation during the dry season. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including large herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, and zebras, as well as predators such as lions and cheetahs.

Which of the following soils is easily water-logged?

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The type of soil that is easily waterlogged is clayey soil. Clayey soil has tiny particles with less pore spaces that can hold water, making it less permeable and prone to waterlogging. When it rains, water can't drain quickly through the soil, and it accumulates on the surface, which leads to the soil becoming waterlogged. This condition can cause damage to crops because the roots will not have access to oxygen, which is necessary for their survival. Therefore, clayey soil is not suitable for certain crops that can't withstand waterlogging.

The Muturu type of cattle is reared mainly in the western highland region of Nigeria because

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The Muturu type of cattle is reared mainly in the western highland region of Nigeria because of its resistance to tsetse flies. Tsetse flies are insects that suck the blood of animals and spread diseases that can be fatal to them. The western highland region of Nigeria is known to have a high population of tsetse flies, making it unsuitable for rearing other types of cattle that are not resistant to them. However, the Muturu cattle are able to survive in this region because of their natural resistance to the flies, which makes them the most suitable breed for rearing in this area.

Diurnal range of temperature is the difference between the

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The diurnal range of temperature is the difference between the highest and the lowest temperature recorded in a station every day. It is also known as the daily temperature range. This means that it measures the temperature difference between the warmest part of the day and the coolest part of the day, usually during the night. The diurnal range of temperature can have an impact on various aspects of the environment, such as plant growth and animal behavior.

The green plants which serve as producer to other organisms in the ecosystem are called

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The green plants that serve as producers in the ecosystem are called autotrophs. Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food using energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis. These green plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy, which is stored in their tissues in the form of carbohydrates. Other organisms in the ecosystem, such as herbivores and carnivores, depend on these autotrophs for their food and energy, making them the primary producers in the food chain.

The basin system of irrigation in the Nile Basin is not reliable because

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The basin system of irrigation in the Nile Basin is not reliable because it depends on the flow of the Nile in a particular year. The amount of water flowing in the Nile River can vary greatly from year to year due to changes in weather patterns, such as drought or heavy rainfall. This variability makes it difficult to plan and manage irrigation using the basin system, as farmers cannot rely on a consistent and predictable supply of water. Additionally, the basin system may not be suitable for certain crops, and requires significant labor to construct and maintain. Overall, the unpredictability of the Nile's flow makes the basin system of irrigation less reliable than other methods of irrigation that do not rely on natural water sources.

The delta of the River Nile is best described as

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which of the following is a disadvantage of water transport?

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The disadvantage of water transport is that it is not flexible. This means that water transport schedules are not as frequent as those of road, rail or air transport. Water transport may have to wait for the goods to reach a certain amount or until the ship is full before it can leave the port. In addition, water transport is not as adaptable to changes in destination or sudden changes in the size and volume of goods being transported, as it can be costly to make changes to the ship's route or to transfer goods to another ship. Therefore, water transport may not be the best choice for businesses that require faster delivery times or greater flexibility in their shipping options.

One important consequence of the location of Nigeria between latitudes 4⁰ and 14⁰ North of the equator is that

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One important consequence of the location of Nigeria between latitudes 40 and 140 North of the equator is that some parts of the country enjoy a hot, wet, tropical climate throughout the year. This is because Nigeria is located within the tropical region of the earth, which is characterized by high temperatures and rainfall due to the direct overhead rays of the sun. The proximity of Nigeria to the equator also means that it receives a relatively equal amount of sunlight throughout the year, leading to a relatively stable climate in terms of temperature and rainfall. This is why some parts of the country, particularly the southern regions, experience hot, wet, and humid conditions throughout the year, which are favorable for the growth of vegetation and agriculture.

The location of the oil refinery at Kaduna is best explained by the

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Which of the following least influences the growth of settlements?

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The correct option is "Age" which least influences the growth of settlements. Age, as a factor, refers to the length of time a settlement has existed. However, the age of a settlement does not necessarily determine its growth or development. Instead, other factors such as climate, mineral resources, relief, and the presence of manufacturing industries play a more significant role in the growth of settlements. Climate affects agriculture and human habitation, mineral resources provide economic benefits, relief determines accessibility and land use, and manufacturing industries create employment and promote trade. Therefore, age is not as influential in the growth of settlements compared to these other factors.

The low level of trade among West African countries is mainly because

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Which of the geographical regions of Nigeria contains volcanic plugs, inselbergs and crater lake?

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The Westerlies and the North-East Trade Winds are similar because they both

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A major characteristic of the tropical woodland vegetation is that

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A major characteristic of local craft industry is that

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A major characteristic of the local craft industry is that it is mainly hereditary. This means that the skills and knowledge required to produce these crafts are passed down from generation to generation within a particular community or family. It does not require a specially built factory, but can be produced in small workshops or even in homes. The craft industry also typically relies on a relatively small labor force, with each artisan or craftsman specializing in a particular aspect of the production process. The products of the craft industry are often sold locally or regionally, and may be used by other industries or businesses, but are primarily created for their own unique artistic or functional qualities. Finally, while the raw materials for craft production may be sourced locally, they can also be imported.

In Africa, the veldt is located in the

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The veldt is a type of grassland located in southern Africa, particularly in the countries of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Therefore, the correct answer would be the southern part of Africa.

Monoculture is a term associated with

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Monoculture is a term associated with plantation agriculture. It refers to the practice of growing only one type of crop or plant species over a large area of land, usually for commercial purposes. Monoculture allows for the efficient and intensive use of resources such as labor, fertilizers, and pesticides. However, it also has several negative impacts on the environment, including soil depletion, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and loss of biodiversity.

Some plant diseases are checked during the fallow periods in the bush fallowing system of agriculture because the

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In the bush fallowing system of agriculture, farmers rotate the use of land between cultivation and fallow periods. During the fallow period, the land is left uncultivated and allowed to rest for some time. This fallow period allows the land to regenerate, and as a result, some plant diseases are checked. The humus accumulates during the fallow period, which increases soil fertility, and can suppress some soil-borne pathogens. Additionally, the disease organisms lose their hosts during the fallow period, and some pathogens die off. Therefore, the answer is "disease organisms lose their hosts and die."

All the following statements are true of the savanna vegetation in Nigeria except that the

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A specialized mode of transportation used in carrying coal from Enugu to Oji River is the

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Which of the following represents the first stage in the lumbering process?

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In Africa coral reef coasts are largely located in the

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Visibility usually decreases when a

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They are tropical and subtropical storms, occurring over land, they are funnel-shaped and violent, with winds of high velocity reaching up to 330kmph, which of the following winds is described above?

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The wind described above is a tornado. A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. It is often referred to as a twister or cyclone and can be very destructive, with wind speeds that can reach up to 330kmph. Tornadoes are usually formed over land and are most common in tropical and subtropical regions.

Africa has the largest potential reserves of hydro-electric power in the world due to

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Africa has the largest potential reserves of hydro-electric power in the world due to the abundant rainfall and waterfalls present in the continent. Many of the major rivers in Africa, such as the Congo, Zambezi, and Nile, have significant waterfalls that can be harnessed for hydro-electric power generation. Additionally, the rainfall in many regions of Africa is high, leading to the formation of large bodies of water and river systems that can also be used to generate hydro-electric power. Therefore, the combination of abundant water resources and waterfalls make Africa a prime location for the development of hydro-electric power, which can provide a reliable and renewable source of energy for the continent's growing population and economy.

(a) Using specific examples, identify any three classes of settlements based on their functions

(b) Describe the characteristics of any two of the settlement types identified in (a) above. 
 

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Distinguish between the tropical grassland and temperate grassland under the following headings

(a) Location (b) Climate (c) Vegetation characteristics 

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Highlight the similarities and differences between latitudes and longitude
 

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 Write a geographical account of the Chad basin under the following headings:

(a) Relief and drainage

(b)Agriculture

(c) Problems of development

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 (a) On a sketch map of Nigeria, show and name the
(i) three climatic belts;
(ii) dominant air masses which influence the climate of Nigeria

(b) Outline three ways in which the Sudan savannah vegetation has adapted itself to the climate in Nigeria

(c) In what four ways is natural vegetation of economic importance to man in Nigeria?
 

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(a) What five benefits does Nigeria derive from being a member of the ECOWAS?

(b) Outline four problems facing the community 

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(a) Explain the following terms:
(i) Over-population;
(ii) Migration

(b) Describe any three factors which encourage the occurrence of each term in (a) above within a population group 
 

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(a) Draw an annotated diagram to show the relief of the ocean basin

(b) Describe the characteristics of any two of the relief features shown on your diagram

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With the aid of diagrams, describe the characteristic and mode of formation of any two of the following:

(a) Rock pedestal (b) Yardang (c) Mesa 

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(a) Draw an outline map of Africa and on it locate:
(i) Latitude 0° and longitude 20°E
(ii) one named ocean current along the Western coast and one along the Eastern coast
(iii) two named deserts (one in the North and the other in the South)

(b) Give three reasons for the presence of deserts in the north of Africa.

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(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name:

(i) the rail lines linking Lagos to Nguru

(ii) the railway line linking Port-Harcourt to Kaduna

(b) Explain any four ways in which rail contributed to the economic development of Nigeria

(c) Highlight any three problems of rail transportation in Nigeria 

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Compare and contrast the eastern scarplands and western highlands under the following headings;
(a) Relief (b) people and population (c) settlement pattern (d) Agriculture 

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Describe the practice of pastoral nomadism in EastAfrica under the following headings:

(a) Areas and people involved; (b) Methods (c) Problems (d) Economic importance

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(a) Give three reasons why air transportation may be preferred to the other modes of transportation

(b) State any three disadvantages of air transportation

(c) How can these disadvantages be overcome? 

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(a) Give an example of a
(i) light industry? (ii) heavy industry?

(b) Describe any four characteristics of each type of industry

(c) Explain any three favourable factors for the location of any one of the industries 

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Use the climatic data below to answer the questions that follow; 

(a) Calculate the
(i) mean annual temperature
(ii) annual range of temperature
(iii) total annual temperature

(b) Briefly describe the distribution of the precipitation for the station

(c) Identify the type of natural vegetation that could be associated with the climate data given above. Give two reasons for your answer
 

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 (a) What five advantages could be derived when countries trade with one another?

(b) Highlight four factors which influenced the trade between Nigeria and Canada. 
 

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(a) On an outline map of Africa, locate and name
(i) two areas important for fruit farming
(ii) two areas important for irrigation agriculture
(iii) one important town in each area

(b) What three problems face the cultivation of fruits in the area selected in (b) above? 

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(a) Explain the term natural environment

(b) Highlight four advantages and four disadvantages of man's intervention with the natural environment 

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(a) On an outline map of Africa, locate and name, outside Nigeria,
(i) two areas important for the mining of gold
(ii) two areas important for the mining of petroleum;
(iii) two areas important for the mining of copper
(iv) one town important for the mining of each of the minerals

(b) State any four contributions of minerals to the economy of African countries

(c) Identify any three problems associated with mining in Africa 

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(a) Explain any four problems facing Agriculture in Nigeria

(b) Highlight three effects of these problems on the economic development of Nigeria

(c) How can the problems in (a) above be solved?

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