WAEC Geography 1990 Past Questions

Question 1

The angular distance of a point of the earth surface measured in degrees from the centre of the earth is known as?

A.latitude
B.orbit
C.longitude
D.international date line
E.axis

Objective

Question 1

(a) State three reasons to show that the earth is spherical

(b) Describe three effects of the revolution of the earth

(c) Calculate the noon altitude of the sun at the Tropic of Capricorn on June 21

Theory

Question 2

When it is 9:00am in Munich, Germany(longitude 11°E), the time in Calcutta, India (longitude 96°E). is?

A.2.40a.m
B.4.20a.m
C.5.40a.m
D.2.40p.m
E.5.40p.m

Objective

Question 2

(a) What are the similarities and differences between the lines of latitude and longitude?

(b) An international cricket match between The Gambia and India is scheduled to start in Banjul (longitude 16°W) at 9.00a.m local time on 26th June. Calculate the time and day that listeners will have to tune to their radios for the start of the commentary at (i) Bombay (74°E) (ii) Pittsburg (89°W).

Theory

Question 3

What is the longitude of a place X whose time is noon when Greenwich meantime is 6p.m?

A.45°W
B.60°E
C.60°W
D.90°E
E.90°W

Objective

Question 3

(a) Describe the characteristics of any two of the following types of landforms
(i) delta
(ii) atoll
(iii) caldera

(b) Explain with the aid of diagrams the mode of formation of each of the landforms you have chosen

Theory

Question 4

Which of the following types of sedimentary rocks is paired with the wrong texture?

A.Clay - very fine particles
B.Sand-coarse and angular particles
C.Gravel - rounded larger particles
D.Breccia - coarse and angular particles
E.Silt - medium - grained particles

Objective

Question 4

Study the climatic table below and use it to answer the questions that follow Stations

Stations X	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Temp °C	21	21	20	17	15	13	13	13	14	16	18	20
temp °F	70	70	68	63	59	56	55	56	58	61	64	68
Precipitation (mm)	18	15	23	48	97	114	94	86	58	41	28	20
precipitation (inches)	0.7	0.6	0.9	1.9	3.8	4.5	3.7	3.4	2.3	1.6	1.1	0.8

(a)(i) What is the annual range of temperature for the station?
(ii) What is the annual rainfall?

(b) aye a brief description of the distribution of rainfall at the station

(c) Suggest, giving reasons, the type of climate that is represented by the climate table

(d)(i) Name the type of natural vegetation that is likely to be found around the station
(ii) Describe briefly the main characteristics of the vegetation

Theory

Question 5

Which if the following minerals is most likely to be absent in a region consisting mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks?

A.Gold
B.Coat
C.Tin
D.Copper
E.Diamond

Objective

Question 5

(a) Name three types of mountains and give a good example of each

(b) Describe the process of formation of any type of mountains

(c) In what four ways are mountains of great importance to man?.

Theory

Question 6

Which of the following combinations of processes is associated with the formation of a rift valley?

(i)Tension or compression forces

(ii)Resistance and faulting

(iii)Emergence of the middle crust of rocks

(iv) Submergence of the middle crust of rocks

A.i, ii and iii only
B.i, ii and iv only
C.i, iii and iv only
D.ii, iii and iv only
E.i and iii only

Objective

Question 6

(a)(i) Name two distinct types of soil erosion
(ii) Locate an area where each type is most common

(b) Outline any three factors that have been responsible for any one of the types of soil erosion named above

(c) Describe any three measures being taken to solve the problem of soil erosion in any one of the areas.

Theory

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the older fold mountains are much lower and less rugged than the newer ones?

A.The newer fold mountains are situated in areas of active earth movements
B.The effects of earth movements resulting in mountain building are much greater nowadays than they were during the period of folding
C.The newer fold mountains, in contrast to the older ones, are made up of more resistance rocks
D.the older fold mountains have been subjectd to the forces of denudation for longer, geological periods
E.Most of the newer fold mountains are situated in the interior parts of continents where they are free from constant sea erosion

Objective

Question 7

Explain the factors responsible for the very high population density in the

(a) North-East of USA

(b) Indus and Ganges deltas.

Theory

Question 8

All the following are characteristics of a limestone region except?

A.stony and broken surface
B.rugged topography
C.adequate luxuriant vegetation cover
D.absence of surface drainage
E.depression of varying sizes an d depths

Objective

Question 8

Show the similarities and differences between road and railway as major means of transportation

Theory

Question 9

The presence of gorges in the upper section of rivers is due to the fact that?

A.the rocks in the upper course are less resistant
B.the volume of the river is small
C.hanging valleys join the main valley as waterfalls to cause the gorges
D.the upper course has has a steep gradient
E.the water contains chemicals which dissolve the rocks

Objective

Question 9

Explain any six factors each which have favoured the development of any two of the following industries:

(a) Iron and steel industry in the Ruhr region

(b) Ship building in Japan

(c) Chemical industry in eastern United States of America

(d) Textile industries in Great Britain

Theory

Question 10

Rock pedestals are most likely to found in?

A.regions where river erosion has taken place
B.arid areas where wind abrasion has modified rocks of reisitance
C.region where wave hydraulic action has taken ace
D.arid area where wond deflation has scooped out the suraface
E.region where a river has disposited a large load of sediments

Objective

Question 10

(a) With the aid of appropriate diagrams, describe the distinguishing characteristics of any three types of urban settlements

(b) Discs any four problems of urbanization

Theory

Question 11

When the root of a coastal cave collapsed it forms?

A.a doline
B.an estuary
C.a gorge
D.a lagoon
E.a geo

Objective

Question 11

(a) With specific examples give four reasons why countries exchange goods and services

(b) Account for the low volume of trade between Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

Theory

Question 12

Which of the following is not typical submarine relief feature?

A.Roche moutonnee
B.Continental shelf
C.Deep sea plain
D.Continental slope
E.Ocean deep

Objective

Question 12

(a) On an outline map of Nigeria locate and name:
(i) one important sea port and one important river port
(ii) The road or railway serving each of the ports in (i) above
(iii) one international airport and one domestic airport

(b) What four factors have helped the development of any one of the ports?

(c) What two factors have limited the use of any one of the ports?

Theory

Question 13

Most warm ocean current?

A.are found in the atlantic ocean
B.flow towards the equator
C.are foind in the pacific ocean
D.flow on the western the side of the contients
E.flow towards towards the high latitude

Objective

Question 13

(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria to show any three vegetation belts.

(b) Describe the effects of climate on the vegetation of any one of the belts

(c) Name any two resources found in the vegetation belt shown in (a) above and describe any two uses of each.

Theory

Question 14

Isothermal maps give information about?

A.pressure
B.temperature
C.wind
D.rainfall
E.sunshine

Objective

Question 14

(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria, and on it mark and name
(i) one area of high population density
(ii) one area c population density
(iii) one town in each area shown

(b) Give four reasons in each case for the type of population density shown on your map.

Theory

Question 15

The instrument used for recording the direction of the prevailing wind of a place over a period of one month is called?

A.a wind vane
B.an anemometer
C.speedomoter
D.a wind rose
E.a hygrometer

Objective

Question 15

(a) On a sketch map of Nigeria, mark and name the following
(i) the Western Uplands, the Udi Hills and the North Central Plateau
(ii) one important river basin
(iii) one natural lake and one man-made lake

(b) Explain with specific examples the importance of river basin in the development of Nigeria

(c) What three factors are limiting the use of river basins in Nigeria?

Theory

Question 16

A rain gauge is kept in an open place in the observatory because?

A.it is much more easily accessible to the observer
B.rain drops get into the funnel without any obstruction
C.rain falls heavily in the open space
D.rain drops are deflected by the wind in an open place
E.the funnel is easily filled with rain water

Objective

Question 16

(a) Draw an outline map of Nigeria and on it show and name:
(i) one area each for oil palm, cotton and cocoa cultivation
(ii) one forest belt and one savanna belt

(b) Explain any four ways in which any one of the crops named in (a) above is important to the economy of Nigeria

(c) What three problems does the cultivation of the crops named in (b) above face?

Theory

Question 17

Foliage is ever green with thin undergrowth,the leaves are small, thick, leathery and needle-shaped. This description is that of the?

A.tropical rainforest
B.temperate woodland
C.coniferous forest
D.temperate grassland
E.deciduous forest

Objective

Question 17

(a) On an outline map of West Africa show and name:
(i) two countries important for the production of rubber
(ii) one important town in the rubber producing area in each country
(iii) two countries important for the production of groundnuts
(iv) one important town in the groundnut producing area in each country

(b) Describe the process of production of either rubber or groundnuts, in the country shown on your map

(c) Explain any three factors which hinder the large scale production of either rubber or groundnuts in WestAfrica.

Theory

Question 18

The soil in a typical natural rainforest remains fertile and suitable for arable agriculture because?

A.the vegetation is luxuriant
B.there is abundant supply of sunshine and rainfall which leach the soil
C.the soil nutrient is continously being replenished y the decay of the dense undergrowth and fallen leaves
D.there is absence of plant cover
E.the soil is well-drained

Objective

Question 18

(a) On an outline map of Africa show and name
(i) three countries notable for lumbering
(ii) one town in each country important for saw milling
(iii) one seaport in each country important for the export of timber and lumber products

(b) Explain any three ways in which lumbering is of importance to West African countries

(c) Discuss any three problems resulting from the exploitation of timber resources in West Africa.

Theory

Question 19

Which if the following crops below requires the following conditions for successful cultivation?
i Heavy rainfall of between 1270mm (50 ins) and 2000mm (80 ins) during the 4 to 6 months growing periods.
ii High mean temperature of 18° to 27°C (65° to 80°F) no cold season.
iii A warm, dry period for harvesting.
iv Loamy or clayey soil and an almost level ground.
V Cheap and abundant labour.