Geography Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Maranda High Pre Mock Exams 2023

1. (a) 

Name two heavenly bodies that from part of system apart from planets. 

• asteroids 
• sun 
• comets 
• meteors 
• meteorites 
• natural satellites/moons

2×1=2 marks

(b) 

State three characteristics of planets. 

• planets revolve around the sun 
• some planets have satellites/moons revolving around them 
• planets are kept in their orbits by strong gravitational pull from the sun 
• each planet has its own gravitational force 
• planets reflect light from the sun

3×1=3 marks

2. (a) 

The diagram below shows six’s thermometer. Use it to answer question (a). 

Identify the parts labeled A, B and C 

• A – vacuum 
• B – alcohol 
• C – mercury 

3×1=3 marks

(b) 

State two ways through which latitude influence the temperature of a place.

• at the equator sun rays strike the surface at right angles leading to high  temperature due to small surface area
• at higher latitudes sun rays strike the surface at acute angles leading to low  temperatures due to large surface area
• sun rays cover short distance to reach the surface around equator leading  to high temperature
• sun rays cover a longer distance in high latitudes to reach the surface  causing low temperature 

 2×1=2 marks

3. (a) 

Give two types of magma. 

• acid magma
• intermediate magma
• basic magma 

2×1=2 marks

(b) 

Name three lava plateaus found in Kenya. 

• Yatta
• Laikipia 
• Athi-Kapiti
• Uasin Gishu 

3×1=3 marks

4. (a) 

Identify two lakes formed through erosion process.

• cirque/corrie/tarn lakes
• oasis/wind-eroded lakes
• ribbon/finger lakes  

2×1=2 marks

(b) 

Give three reasons why some lakes are salty. 

• some lakes lack outlets to drain away salts
• lakes in hot and dry areas experience high evaporation rates
• some lakes lack fresh water inlets
• some lakes are fed with underground water with a lot of salts ▪ the rocks over which lake water is in contact with may contain soluble  salts 
• inlets may dissolve a lot salts which are deposited in the lake

3×1=3 marks

5. (a) 

What is weathering? 

• mechanical breakdown or chemical decay of rocks at or near the earth’s surface without movement/in situ

1×2=2 marks

(b) 

State three ways through which living organisms cause weathering.

• organic acids released from decaying plants and animals aid in chemical  reactions
• plant roots penetrate into the rocks causing them to widen and  disintegrates
• plants absorb minerals from the rocks weakening them
• hoofed animals trample on rocks breaking them
• animals release uric acid on rocks which chemical reactions
• human activities such as quarrying break up rocks 

3×1=3 marks

6. (a) 

Study the map of Kisumu East (1:50,000), sheet 116/2 provided and answer  the following questions. 

(i) Convert the ratio scale of the map to into a statement scale.

• convert 50,000 cm to km →   50,000  × 1  = 0.5 km  
                                                100,000
• 1 cm rep 0.5 km 

2×1=2 marks

(ii) Give six figure grid reference of the trigonometrical station 1154 SKP 21  in the southern part of the area covered by the map. 

• 039832 

1×2=2 marks

(iii) Calculate the bearing of Rabuor market from Air photo Principal point  in GR 0986? 

• 249±1⁰ 

1×2=2 marks

(iv) What is the length of the section of railway line west of the easting 00 to  Kisumu station? Give your answer in kilometres. 

• 6.6±0.1 km 

1×2=2 marks

(v) Identify three drainage features in the area covered by the map. ▪ lake  

• rivers
• seasonal swamps
• papyrus swamps 
• waterhole 

3×1=3 marks

(b) 

Describe the relief of the area covered by the map. 

• there are steep slopes in the north western part
• there is Kano plain in the eastern part
• in the north eastern part there is Nyando escarpment 
• northern part has dissected landscape due to numerous rivers
• there are many river valleys
• the highest point is 1872 metres in the Nyando escarpment and lowest point is 1140 metres in the southern part

4×1=4 marks

(c) 

Citing evidence from the map, give two factors that favour cultivation of  sugarcane in the area covered by the map.  

• presence of Agricultural Sugar Research Station/Government  experimental farm which extension services to farmers
• few settlement in the plantation area making large tracts of land for  cultivation 
• network of road (C 543/1) facilitating transportation of sugarcane

2×2=4 marks

(d) 

Identify three social activities carried out within Kisumu municipality. Give  evidence. 

• medical care – hospital
• education – school 
• administration – DO
• security – police line/police station
• sports – stadium 
• religion – church

3×2=6 marks

7. (a) 

(i) Define the term folding. 

•  the process by which crustal rocks bend upwards or downwards due to  compressional forces. 

1×2=2 marks

(ii) Give three features formed through folding other than fold mountains. ▪ escarpments 

• valley and ridge landscape
• intermontane plateau
• intermontane basin
• cuesta
• rolling plains

3×1=3 marks

(b) 

The map below shows the distribution of fold mountains in the world.

(i) Name the mountains marked D and E. 

• D – Andes 
• E - Himalayas

2×1=2 marks 

(ii) Identify the orogenies during which the mountains marked F and G were  formed. 

• F – alpine orogeny 
• G – charnian orogeny

2×1=2 marks 

(c) 

With the aid of well labeled diagrams, describe the formation of the following types of folds. 

(i) Asymmetrical folds.  

• crustal rocks are subjected to unequal compressional forces
• one limb is steep while the other is gentle
• limbs dip in opposite direction 
  
  Text – 3 marks  
  Diagram – 1 mark 

(ii) Nappe fold. 

• great pressure due to compressional forces within the fold may cause a  fracture along the axis of the fold. 
•  this may make the upper limb of the fold to be pushed/thrust over the  lower limb, resulting in horizontal displacement along the thrust plane.
  
  

  Text – 3 marks 
  Diagram – 1mark

(d) 

Explain four positive influence of folding to human activities.

• folding brings minerals like copper close to the earth’s surface making  their extraction easier.
• fold mountains receive heavy rainfall on their windward sides which  encourage agriculture and settlement, growth of dense forest providing  timber, 
• fold mountains receive heavy rainfall on their windward sides giving rise  to rivers used to generate hydroelectric power, provide water for  industrial/agricultural/domestic use
• features due to folding such as fold mountains attract tourists who bring  foreign exchange

4×2=8 marks

8. (a) 

What is derived vegetation? 

• plant cover that is growing/recovering after human or animal destruction _s.com

1×2=2 marks

(b) 

Explain how the following factors influence the distribution of vegetation

(i) Winds  

• strong winds may destroy plants or retard their growth 
• winds helps in seed dispersal and pollination process

2×2=4 marks

(ii) Rainfall 

• areas receiving high rainfall have thick forests 
• areas receiving low rainfall have scattered trees and grasslands

2×2=4 marks

(c) 

(i) Give two other major types of vegetation in the world other than forests. 

• grasslands
• desert vegetation 
• mountain/montane vegetation

2×1=2 marks

(ii) Describe the characteristics of tropical rainforests. 

• trees grow in mixed stands/species
• trees are mainly hardwoods
• trees form three distinct canopies
• the trees are evergreen
• trees have buttress roots for support
• trees have broad leaves 
• there is little undergrowth 

6×1=6 marks

(d) 

Your class is planning to carry out a field study on vegetation around the  school.  

(i) Give three sources of information you are likely to use before the study.

• textbooks
• journals/magazines/newspapers
• internet
• photographs/video tapes
• forest officers 

 3×1=3 marks

(ii) Identify four challenges you are likely to encounter during the study.

• attack by wild animals 
• heavy rainfall stopping/delaying the study 
• thick vegetation hindering movement 
• fatigue due to walking long distance 
• inadequate data 
• uncooperative respondents 
• accidents leading to injuries 

4×1=4 marks

9. (a) 

Differentiate between a river confluence and interfluve. 

• confluence is a point where tributaries join the main river while interfluve  is a high area between tributaries 

1×2=2 marks

(b) 

Explain three types of river erosion. 

• vertical erosion – down cutting of the river bed deepening the channel 
• headward erosion – the river cuts back at its source upstream increasing  the length of its valley
• lateral erosion – wearing away of the river banks widening the channel 

3×2=6 marks

(c) 

(i) A part from waterfalls, give three other features of river erosion.

• V – shaped valleys/ Stream-cut valley
• Gorges/ canyon
• Interlocking spurs
• Rapids  
• Potholes

3×1=3 marks

(ii) State four ways through which waterfalls may be formed.

• When a resistant rock lies horizontally/vertically upstream
• Where a river descends over a sharp edge of a plateau
• Where a river descends over a fault scarp
• Where a river enters the sea through a cliff
• Where a river descends a hanging valley into a glacial trough  
• At a point where river rejuvenation takes place

4×1=4 marks

(d) 

Describe how the following features are formed. 

(i) Flood plain 

• meandering river widens its valley due to lateral erosion
• erosion removes interlocking spurs to form low cliffs/bluffs
• deposits forming slip-off slopes merge to form continuous alluvial  deposits
• during floods a lot of alluvium is spread in the river valley to form a plain  covered by alluvium known as flood plain 

5×1=5 marks

(ii) Arcuate delta 

• a river drains its waters into a sea/lake
• low gradient or stagnant sea reduces the speed of the river forcing it to  deposit its load
• large and heavy materials are deposited first, light and fine materials are  carried further into the sea water
• accumulation of materials build up making the water shallow
• the deposits are divided by numerous distributaries, the seaward edge is  surrounded and smooth.

• a triangular or fan-shaped feature is formed

 5×1=5 marks 

10. (a) 

Give four components of the soil. 

• inorganic components 
• organic matter/humus 
• soil water/moisture
• soil air
• living organisms 

4×1=4 marks

(b) 

Explain how the following factors influence soil formation. 

(i) Living organisms 

• microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria assist in the decay of organic  matter
• worms/termites aerate and mix the soils
• human activities such as cultivation/construction/mining causes  weathering _nt 

2×2=4 marks 

(ii) Relief 

• Steep slopes are eroded resulting into thin soils
• Gentle slopes have mature and well drained soils
• Soils on top of hills are heavily leached
• Flat areas have soils which are poorly drained and immature due to slow  
• rate of mass wasting

2×2=4 marks

(c) 

Explain four causes of soil erosion. 

• deforestation exposes the soil to agents of erosion making it possible for  the soil to be easily carried away
• overgrazing/overstocking removes vegetation cover and loosening it  hence easily carried away
• poor farming methods/cultivation along steep slopes/monoculture loosen  the soil encouraging soil erosion 
• steep slopes encourages surface run-off which a lot of soil to lowlands
• mining/quarrying loosen the ground hence the soil is easily carried  downslope 

4×2=8 marks

(d) 

State five significance of soils. 

• soils are sources of valuable minerals such as alluvial gold
• clay is a source of raw materials for making pots/ceramics/bricks ▪ sand is used in building and construction
• oam soil used for agriculture
• soils give physical support for the rooting system of plants
• soils are habitat for micro-organisms such as bacteria 

5×1=5 marks