WAEC Geography 1988 Past Questions

(a) Distinguish between
(i) Latitude and Longitude
(ii) Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time

(b) If the Greenwich Mean Time is 10:00am, 5th July when Local Time in a place X is 4:48am, 4th July, find the longitude of place X. 
 

(a) Define the term sedimentary rock and describe any two processes of its formation

(b) Discuss any three ways in which sedimentary rocks are important to man 
 

(a) Identify and explain any four factors which determine the direction of flow of ocean current

(b) Using specific examples, discuss the effects of ocean currents on the climate of the adjacent coastal area. 
 

Use the rainfall and temperature data below to answer the questions that follow temperature(°C) Rainfall (mm)

(a) Draw a combined rainfall and temperature graph for the station

(b) Identify the climatic type represented by the data.

(c) Give four reasons for your answer in (b) above 
 

(a) Draw a labelled diagram of a simple soil profile

(b) Describe the characteristics of any two of the zones in the soil profile drawn in (a) above. Give reasons for each characteristic 
 

(a) Differentiate between permanent drought and seasonal drought, giving an example of each

(b) Highlight any two main causes and two effects of drought

(c) Suggest any two methods of minimizing the effects of drought. 
 

(a) Explain how each of the following has affected world population:
(i) Improved medical care
(ii) Advanced technology and industry

(b) Highlight four factors which account for the high density population in Java
 

(a) Name any two types of urban settlements

(b) Outline the characteristic features of each type

(c) Describe any four problems facing urban centres. 
 

(a) Describe three advantages and three limitations of water transportation

(b) Explain how the limitations identified in (a) above can be overcome 
 

Give reasons for the high volume of trade between Nigeria and Japan 
 

(a) Name three broad classes into which manufacturing industries can be grouped and one important area in the world where an example of each is located

(b) Describe three main characteristics of each class of industry named in (a) above. 
 

 (a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name
(i) the four climatic belts
(ii) one important town in each belt

(b) Describe the seasonal pattern of rainfall in either southern or northern Nigeria

(c) Explain the effects of the seasonal pattern of rainfall on farming activities in the area chosen in (b) above. 
 

Write a brief account of fishing in Nigeria under the following headings:
(a) areas
(b) methods
(c) types of fish
(d) importance 
 

 (a) (i) On an outline map of Nigeria, show the area that is mostly affected by desert encroachment
(ii) Locate an name two important towns within the area

(b) Describe the major causes of desertification

(c) Explain two possible ways of combating this hazard. 
 

(a) Name one cottage industry and o manufacturing industry in any one of the zones shown on your map

(b) Account for the location of each of the industries named in (a) above.
 

(a) Explain any four factors which limit the rate of development in the southern coastlands of Nigeria

(b) In what four ways can the development of the region be enhanced? 
 

 (a) On a sketch map of Africa, mark and name
(i) one forest belt
(ii) one tropical grassland belt
(iii) one major town in each belt

(b) Highlight the characteristics of any one of the vegetation belts shown on yo map

(c) Describe the importance of the vegetation belt chosen in (b) above to man 
 

(a) On an outline map of Africa, mark and name
(i) one area important for gold in Ghana
(ii) one area important f petroleum in Libya
(iii) one area important for copper in Zaire
(iv) one important town in each area

(b) Using specific examples, show how mining has contributed to economic development in West Africa

(c) In what four ways has mining posed a problem to the environment in WestAfrica? 
 

(a) On an outline map of Africa, show and name
(i) latitude 20°N
(ii) the prevailing winds in July
(iii) one cold oce current in the north
(iv) one warm ocean current in the south

(b) Describe the effects of prevailing winds and oce currents on the climate of any one part of Africa. 
 

Give an account of irrigation agriculture in the Nile Basin under the following headings

(a) need for irrigation (b) areas (c) methods (d) crops growth (e) importance 
 

Write explanatory notes on lumbering in Zaire under the following headings

(a) areas (b) factors (c) importance (d) problems (e) possible solutions