Geography Paper 1 Questions and Answers - KCSE 2021 Past Papers

SECTION A
Answer all the questions in this section.

1.        
   1. Apart from dew, name three other forms of precipitation (3 marks)
   2. State two conditions necessary for the formation of dew, (2 marks)
2. The diagram below represents crustal rocks that have undergone the process of faulting. Use it to answer question 2 (a).
   
   
   1. Name the parts marked R, S, and T(3 mks)
   2. Give two processes by which rift valleys are formed. (2 marks)
3.      
   1. Name the two layers of discontinuity in the internal structure of the earth. (2 marks)
   2. Give three characteristics of the SIMA layer. (3 marks)
4.      
   1. What is an iceberg? (2 marks)
   2. List three erosional features found in glaciated lowlands. (3 marks)
5.      
   1. Identify two types of soil by texture. (2 marks)
   2. State three ways in which humus contributes to the quality of soil. (3 marks)

SECTION B
Answer question 6 and any other two questions from this section.

6. Study the map of Nyeri 1:50,000 (sheet 120/4) provided and answer the following questions.
   1.         
      1. Identify the two types of scales used in the map. (2 marks)
      2. Give the six figure grid reference of the trigonometrical station 120TT27 in the North Western part of the area covered by the map. (2 marks)
   2. Measure the length of the all weather road loose surface (E583) from Easting 57 to Easting 66. Give your answer in kilometres.
      (2 marks)
   3. Draw a rectangle 12 cm by 16 cm to represent the area enclosed by Eastings 64 and 67, and Northings 51 and 55. (1 mark)
      On the rectangle, mark and name each of the following:
      1. Nyeri hill forest (1 mark)
      2. River Chanya (1 mark)
      3. Trigonometrical station 120T 19
      4. Kagundu School  (1 mark)
   4. Describe the distribution of natural vegetation in the area covered by the map (8 marks)
   5. Citing evidence from the map, identify three economic activities carried out in the area covered by the map. (6 marks)
7.    
   1.         
      1. Give three components of the solar system. (3 marks)
      2. State three weaknesses of the Passing Star theory. (3 marks)
   2.        
      1. What is the local time at Kinshasa 15°E when the local time at Malindi 40°E, is 12.00 noon? (3 marks)
      2. Give two reasons why the earth has a spherical shape. (2 marks)
      3. State three effects of revolution of the Earth around the Sun. (3 marks)
   3.      
      1. Apart from the core, list the other four main layers of the earth's structure. (4 marks)
      2. State three characteristics of the inner core of the earth. (3 marks)
      3. Explain why the interior of the earth is hot. (4 marks)
8.        
   1.      
      1. Name two saline lakes that are found in Kenya. (2 marks)
      2. give four reasons why some lakes in the rift valley are saline. (4 marks)
   2.      
      1. Apart from cirque lake, list two other lakes that are formed through glaciation process
      2. Describe the formation of a cirque lake. (5 marks)
   3. Explain four positive effects of lakes to human activities. (8 marks)
   4. Your class is planning to carry out a field study on economic uses of a nearby lake. (2 marks)
      1. Give two reasons why they would require a route map.
      2. List two methods of data collection they are likely to use. (2 marks)
9.         
   1.      
      1. What is Karst scenery? (2 marks)
      2. Give four conditions necessary for the development of Karst scenery. (4 marks) (b)
   2. The diagram below shows surface features in a limestone area. Use it to answer question 9(b)(i).
      
      
      1. Name the features marked X, Y and Z. (3 marks)
      2. Describe how the following Karst scenery features are formed.
         1. Stalagmite (5 marks)
         2. Polje (5 marks)
   3. Explain three reasons why there are few settlements on the Karst scenery. (6 marks)
10.        
    1.      
       1. Name the three major deserts in Africa. (3 marks)
       2. Give two reasons why wind action is distinct in hot deserts. (2 marks)
    2. Describe the processes through which wind transports its load. (6 marks)
    3. Describe how the following desert features are formed.
       1. Oasis (4 marks)
       2. Wadi. (4 marks)
    4. Explain the significance of desert features to human activities. (6 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.  
   1. Apart from dew, name three other forms of precipitation.
      • Rain
      • Mist/fog
      • Frost/Hoarfrost
      • Hail
      • Sleet
      • Snow 
      • Rime   Any 3 x 1 = (3 marks)
   2. State two conditions for the formation of dew.
      • The air on the ground should be calm.
      • Daytime temperature should be warm.
      • The sky should be cloudless at night.    Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
2. The diagram below represents crustal rocks that have undergone faulting process. Use it to answer question
   
   1. Name the parts marked R, S and T.
      • R-Hade    (1 mark)
      • S- Heave    (1 mark)
      • T-Down throw   (1 mark)
   2. Give two processes by which Rift valleys are formed.
      • Divergent/tensional.
      • Convergent/compressional.
      • Anticlinal arching/up warping.    Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
3. 1. Name the two layers discontinuity in the internal structure of the earth.
      • Gutenberg discontinuity
      • Moho/Mohorovcic discontinuity.    (2 marks)
   2. Give three characteristics of the SIMA layer.
      • It forms the bulk of the oceanic floor.
      • It underlies the continental crust.
      • It has rocks which are mainly basaltic.
      • The most common minerals are silica, magnesium, and iron.
      • The average density is between 2.8-3.0 g/cc.
      • Temperature is about 400°C
      • Rocks are plastic like/flexible
      • It is 6-10km thick    Any 3 x 1= (3 marks)
4.  
   1. What is an iceberg?
      • It is a large mass of ice floating in the sea/ ocean.   ( 2 marks)
   2. List three erosional features found in glaciated lowlands.
      • Depressions.
      • Roche moutonnee.
      • Crag and tail.
      • Ice eroded plains.    Any 3 x 1= (3 marks)
5.  
   1. Identify two types of soil by texture.
      • Sandy
      • Gravel
      • Silt
      • Clay
      • Loamy     Any 2 x 1= (2 marks)
   2. State three ways in which humus contributes to the quality of soil.
      • By retaining of moisture.
      • By facilitating the aeration of the soil.
      • By improving the soil texture.
      • By providing mineral matter in soil.  
      • By providing food for micro-organisms in the soil.
      • By binding soil particles together/improves soil structure   Any 3 x 1= (3 marks)

SECTION B

Answer question 6 and any other two questions from this section.

6. Study the map of Nyeri 1:50,000 (Sheet 120/4) provided and answer the following questions.
   1.  
      1. Identify the two types of scale used in the map.
         • Linear scale.
         • Ratio scale/Representative fraction   (2 marks)
      2. Give six figure grid reference of trigonometrical mstation 120TT27 in the North Western part of the area covered by the map.  
         • 511648    (2 marks)
   2. Measure the length of All-weather Road loose surface from Eastings 57 to Easting 66. Give your answer in kilometers.
      • 10.1 ± 0.1      ( 2marks)
   3. Draw a rectangle 12cm by 16cm to represent the area enclosed by Easting 64 and 67 and 51 and 55.
      
      On the rectangle mark and name the following:
      1. Nyeri hill forest.
      2. River Chanya.
      3. Trigonometrical station 120T19
      4. Kagundu School.
   4. Describe the distribution of natural vegetation in the area covered by the map.
      • Most of the forest vegetation is found in the western part/there are patches of forest in the eastern part of the area covered by the map.
      • Patches of woodland vegetation are found in the central and western part of the area covered by the map.
      • Scrub vegetation is mainly found in the Northern part of the area covered by the map.
      • There are few scattered trees in the Northern part of the area covered by the map.
      • Bamboo vegetation is found in the western part of the area covered by the map.
      • Thicket vegetation is found within Nyeri Hill forest, Nyeri forest and Kiganjo forest
        Any 4 x 2 = 8 marks
   5. Citing evidence from the map, identify three economic activities carried out the area covered by the map.
      

      Economic Activity	Evidence
      - Transportation  - Crop farming  - Trade  - Coffee processing  - Tourism  - Quarrying  - Ranching  - Lumbering  - Leather processing  - Forestry	- Roads/motorable tracks/airfield Airstrip  - Coffee facories/ plantation  - Market/shops  - Coffee factories  - Aberdare National Park/ Lodges/ hotels/ Parkgate/ Outspan Hotel  - Quarries/ ,murram pit  - Monte Carol Ranch  - Sawmill  - Tannery  - Forests/ Forest/ forest guard posts/ forest stations

      Any 3 x 2= (6 marks)
7.  
   1.  
      1. Give three components of the solar system.
         • Asteroids.
         • Meteors/meteoroids
         • Planets.
         • Meteorites.
         • Comets.
         • Satellites/moons
         • Sun.   Any 3 x 1= (3 marks)
      2. State three weaknesses of the Passing Star theory.
         • Chances of another star approaching the sun are minimal.
         • High temperature materials drawn from the sun or star would disperse rather than condense.
         • The theory does not explain the origin of the sun and the star.
         • The sun could be broken up by gravitational force generated by the star hence materials could not condense to form planets.
           Any 3 x 1= (3 marks)
   2.  
      1. What is the local time at Kinshasa 15°E when local time at Malindi 40°E 12.00 noon?
         • Difference in degrees between Kinshasa and Malindi is 40° − 15° = 25°
         • The difference in time between 1° Longitude is 4 minutes.
         • The total difference between the two towns is
           24 x 5 = 100 minutes = 1 ,hour 4 inutes
         • Kinshasa is West of Malindi. Therefore, the local time at Kinshasa is
           12:00 noon − 1 hour 40 mins = 10.20 a.m.     ( 3 marks)
      2. Give two reasons why the earth has a spherical shape.
         • The force of gravity pulls towards the centre which creates the shape.
         • The centripetal forces constantly pull the North and South poles towards each other.
         • The equator of the earth experiences centrifugal force that causes a bulge.  Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
      3. State three effects of revolution of the earth around the sun.
         • It causes varying length of days and nights.
         • It causes the change in the position of midday sun at different times of the year.
         • It causes lunar/solar eclipse.
         • It causes the four seasons.    Any 3 x 1 = (3 marks)
   3.  
      1. Apart from the core, list the other four main layers of Earth's structure.
         • Crust/lithosphere
         • Mantle/asthenosphere
         • Hydrosphere.
         • Atmosphere.   4 marks
      2. State three characteristics of inner core of the earth.
         • It is solid in nature.
         • It is made up of iron.
         • It has radius of above 1278km.
         • The density is 17.0 g/cc/very high density.
         • The temperature range is 5000°C-6000°C.    Any 3 x 1 = (3 marks)
      3. Explain why the interior of the earth is hot.
         • After materials broke away from the sun the planet earth started cooling. The interior of the earth cooled at a lower rate.
         • The weight of the overlying materials exerts great pressure that generates a lot of heat making the interior hot.
         • Nuclear fission in the interior of the earth releases a lot of heat which is retained/radioactivity Any 2 x 2 = (4 marks)
8.  
   1.  
      1. Name two saline lakes that are found in Kenya.
         • L. Magadi
         • L. Elemetaita.
         • L. Nakuru
         • L. Simbi
         • L. Turkana
         • L.. Bogoria   Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
      2. Give four reasons why some lakes in the Rift valley are saline.
         • Some lakes have inadequate freshwater rivers emptying into them.
         • Some lakes are fed by rivers/run offs which flows over rocks with higher salt content.
         • Some lakes lack outlets.
         • Some lakes experience high evaporation rate increasing their salt content.
         • Some lakes have underlying salt bearing rock which dissolve into lakes.
         • Some lakes are fed with underground water which contains high concentration of salt.   Any 4 x 1 = (4 marks)
   2.  
      1. Apart from cirque lake, list two other lakes that are formed through glaciation process.
         • Ribbon/finger lake/rockbasin.
         • Moraine dammed lake.
         • Kettle lake.     Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
      2. Describe the formation of cirque lake.
         • Snow accumulates in a pre-existing depression on the mountain side.
         • Snow gets compacted into ice forming a cirque glacier.
         • The hollow is enlarged by frost and thaw action.
         • It is deepened by ice abrasion.
         • The back wall of the hollow is steepened by plucking process.
         • Eventually a deep arm-chair depression known as a cirque is formed.
         • The cirque is filled with melt water to form a cirque lake.     Any 5 x 1 = (5 marks)
   3. Explain four positive effects of lakes to human activities.
      • Some lakes contain fish which promotes fishing /some people earn income through selling fish.
      • Some lakes are sources of valuable minerals which are sold to earn income.
      • Some lakes are good reservoirs for the production of hydro-electric power which is used in industries and homes.
      • Some lakes provide good scenery which attracts tourists thus earning foreign exchange.
      • Fresh water lakes/manmade lakes provide water for industrial domestic use.
      • Fresh water lakes are used for irrigation which increases agricultural production.
      • Some lakes are sources of rivers which provide water for irrigation/ domestic/industrial use.
      • Some lakes provide water transport for people and goods.
      • Some lakes contain sand which is used for building and construction    Any 4 x 2 = (8 marks)
   4. Your class is planning to carry out a field study on economic uses of a nearby lake.
      1. Give two reasons why they would require a route map.
         • To guide in estimating time for the field study.
         • To help identify the direction to be followed.
         • To help locate the lake   Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
      2. List two methods of data collection they are likely to use.
         • Taking photographs/videos
         • Observation.
         • Interviewing.
         • Administering a questionnaire.
         • Reading from secondary sources/content analysis.    Any 2 x 1 = (2 marks)
9.  
   1.  
      1. What is Karst scenery?
         • Karst scenery is a limestone area/region where water action has created unique rugged features on the surface and underground.      ( 2marks)
      2. Give four conditions necessary for the development of Karst
         • The temperatures should be high/hot conditions.
         • The rainfall should be moderate to high.
         • Presence of hard, well jointed rocks.
         • The water-table should be deep below the surface.
         • The area should have thick limestone/dolomite on the surface and beneath.     Any 4 x 1 = (4 marks)
   2. The diagram mbelow shows surface features in a limestone area. Use to answer question b(i)
      
      1. Name the features marked X, Y and Z.
         • X - Joint
         • Y - Clints
         • Z - Grike/gryke
      2. Describe how the following Karst scenery features are foremd 
         1. Stalagmite
            • Rainwater absorbs carbon (iv) oxide to form weak carbonic acid.
            • Water percolates through the joints in the rocks on the roof of a limestone cave.
            • The limestone rock is dissolved in water to form calcium dicarbonate solution.
            • The solution drops slowly from the roof of the cave to the floor.
            • On the floor the solution spreads out and water evaporates leaving crystals of calcium bicarbonate.
            • As more solution falls on the floor and water evaporates more crystals are formed.
            • The accumulated crystals form a column mof limestone rising towards the roof of the cave known as Stalagmite.
         2. Polje
            • Rainwater absorbs carbon iv oxide to form weak carbonic acid.
            • This weak acid solution infiltrates through the well joints/faults on limestone rocks.
            • Water reacts with calcium carbonate forming a deep vertical hole called a sinkhole
            • Further solution on two or more adjacent sinkholes leads to formation of a doline.
            • Continued solution on the walls of adjacent dolines leads to formation of a large depression called uvala.
            • Several uvalas join/coalesce/collapse to form a very large steep sided depression called a polje     ( 5 marks)
   3. Explain three reasons why there are few settlements on the Karst landscape.
      • The landscape is rocky/rugged thus discourages settlement.
      • The region experiences inadequate water supply both on the surface and underground discouraging settlement.
      • The surface in most places has thin soils which discourages crop farming.
      • There is scarcity of vegetation in most places limiting rearing of livestock.
      • The landscape is rugged hindering development of transport network.     Any 3 x 2= (6 marks)
10.  
    1.  
       1. Name the three major deserts in Africa.
          • Kalahari
          • Sahara
          • Namib
       2. Give two reasons why wind action is distinct in hot deserts.
          • There are a lot of loose/unconsolidated dry materials which are easily eroded.
          • Hot desert surfaces are bare/have scanty vegetation cover leaving most of the surface exposed to wind erosion.
          • Hot deserts experience strong, tropical storms which facilitate wind erosion.   Any 2 x 1= (2 marks)
    2. Describe the processes through which wind transports its load.
       1. Suspension
          • It is where fine material is picked by wind raised high and blown over long distances.   (2 marks)
       2. Saltation
          • It is where coarse grained sand particles are transported through a series of bouncing/jumps along the surface.   (2 marks)
       3. Surface creep/rolling/traction
          • It is where large/heavy materials are rolled and pushed forward by the force of wind along the surface.   (2 marks)
    3. Describe how the following desert features are formed.
       1. Oasis
          • A pre-existing depression is exposed to wind erosion.
          • Wind eddies remove unconsolidated materials through deflation.
          • Wind abrasion deepens and widens/enlarges the depression. Further, abrasion and deflation lead to the depression reaching the water table.
          • Water oozes out of the ground and collects into the depression to form a lake known as an oasis.
       2. Wadi
          • Torrential rainfall in the desert causes flash floods.
          • The flash floods cut small channels known as rills.
          • With increased rain the rills widen and deepen to form gullies.
          • Temporary streams occupy and rapidly enlarge and deepen the gullies.
          • This results into a deep steep sided rocky valley occasionally occupied by a seasonal stream known as a Wadi.
    4. Explain the significance of desert features in arid areas.
       • The unique desert features such as Barchans, Zeugen are tourist attraction that earns the country foreign exchange.
       • Alluvial deposits that are deposited as loess form fertile soils that promote agriculture.
       • The extensive desert landscape form appropriate site for military join/ training/nuclear testing.
       • Salt flats are economically used for salt production.
       • Wind deflation hollows/oasis are sources of water for agricultural/ domestic use.
       • Sand in deserts is harvested for building and construction.
       • Shifting sand dunes hinder transport activities     Any 3 x 2 = (6 marks)